Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: andrewsw on June 06, 2012, 12:08:10 AM
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This is one of those things that could have gone disastrously wrong but instead was a non-event.
Pulling away from a traffic light, about 1/2 mile from the merge onto the freeway, I'm in front of everyone else going about 40 when there is a "thunk" feeling and sound in the front end. Of course I ease off the gas, quickly trying to assess the situation when I realize there is *something* bouncing along next to me -- up to head height even -- something grey and small and bouncing along with me at speed. Woah! :yikes: That either came off my bike or bounced off my bike. So I ease on the brakes and there's no front brake!! :yikes: So, I ease my way onto the shoulder to check it out.
The lower mounting bolt from the front caliper is *gone* and the caliper has pivoted up and struck the inside of the rim. The bolt wasn't broken, but actually gone. :banghead: Somehow it had worked loose and gone bouncing down the road next to me. A few minutes later I find the bolt, in fine condition, pivot the caliper back in place, cinch it all up and am back on the road. No damage anywhere! Guess I need some locktite :duh:
Imagine the potential -- I was headed to the freeway, could have happened a mile later at 70+mph instead of 35-40. Could have happened with stopping traffic in front of me with no run-off room. Caliper could have hit a spoke and locked the wheel. So many things could have gone so much more wrong.
I guess I live to ride another day. :thumb:
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Wow..... It's amazing how fasteners can undo themselves. Did you do any brake work recently??
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oh sure I did. Nice new grippy pads... Apparently I didn't put enough into it when I put the caliper back on. :duh:
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