RE: Vfr Digest, Vol 27, Issue 46

OK so here's my take on head ons and rear enders, essentially the same
phenomenon with slightly different vector forces and momentum, as in head
ons there is a significantly magnified force at impact. The moral of the
story boys and girls is deccelerate as much as possible and launch just
before impact. Once air born try to get as much lift as possible then tuck
and roll so your feet hit first instead of your head. Upon contact try to
keep arms out at side and slap downwards to decelerate and lessen the
chances of your head snapping against the pavement.. Full frontal head
injuries make you an organ donor at best so don't forget to check that off
on your card, cerebellar injuries mean you walk funny for the rest of your
life.
I think the best preventative and life sparing strategy is good karma.
Don't lie to people , keep your ethics in and stay away form people who make
you feel bad. Why? So that when you are operating a vehicle which is an
extension of your brain you have your full attention on the road instead of
what some sociopath put on your plate a few hours before hand. Clean hands,
clean heart, clean heart clean mind.

Speaking of clean mind, that "just one beer" or I'll only have a little
and I have an hour to metabolize it are recipes for disaster. Drive safely
and with your attention fully on the road.

Much love
Zendu

96 vfr
97 vfr
99 BMW R1000S
-----Original Message-----
From: vfr-bounces@xxxxxx [mailto:vfr-bounces@xxxxxx] On Behalf Of
vfr-request@xxxxxx
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 5:18 PM
To: vfr@xxxxxx
Subject: Vfr Digest, Vol 27, Issue 46

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Today's Topics:

1. Re: very strange MC accident (Paul Kolbo)
2. Re: very strange MC accident (John Block)
3. Re: very strange MC accident (Chris Merrill)
4. chain replace? (Jason Pond)
5. Re: chain replace? (firefly)
6. Re: very strange MC accident (firefly)
7. Re: From one problem to another... overheating.
(frugalyankee-cycles@xxxxxx)
8. Re: very strange MC accident (kurrremkarmerruk)
9. head on collision NVFRC (info.rockies@xxxxxx)
10. Re: head on collision NVFRC (Warren Oshita)
11. RE: From one problem to another... overheating. (stephanon2whls)
12. Re: head on collision NVFRC (James Bair)
13. RE: head on collision NVFRC (Nagy, Paul)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:23:34 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
From: Paul Kolbo
Subject: Re: very strange MC accident
To: Oil Guy , VFR list
Message-ID:

<2637393.1151331815191.JavaMail.root@xxxxxx-royal.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I think he has something else wrong. He better be make an appointment with
a cardiac specialist as soon as he can.

Paul Kolbo
02 VFR
94 ST1100

-----Original Message-----
>From: Oil Guy
>Sent: Jun 26, 2006 9:12 AM
>To: VFR list
>Subject: very strange MC accident
>
> Man Falls Off Motorcycle, Hit By Car
> 37 minutes ago (06-26-06)
>
>A man fell off his motorcycle on a freeway and was hit by a car, KPRC Local

>2 reported.
>
> Officials said the man fell off his motorcycle on the Gulf Freeway near
the
>South Loop at about 1:25 a.m. Monday.
>
> Police said a passing car on the freeway ran over the man.
>
> The driver of the car did not stop.
>
> The motorcyclist was taken to Ben Taub Hospital. Officials said he
suffered
>a broken leg. He is expected to recover.
>
> Police are trying to find the driver of the car that hit the man.
>
>(How does one fall off their motorcycle, traveling on a busy freeway???)
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Vfr mailing list
>Vfr@xxxxxx
>For subscription and delivery options:
>https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr



------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:23:13 -0500
From: "John Block"
Subject: Re: very strange MC accident
To: "Oil Guy"
Cc: VFR list
Message-ID:
<84dee910606260723ibccbac4u36f9fef6e9aaee8f@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

1:25 A.M. Drunk?

On 6/26/06, Oil Guy wrote:
>
> Man Falls Off Motorcycle, Hit By Car
> 37 minutes ago (06-26-06)
>
> A man fell off his motorcycle on a freeway and was hit by a car, KPRC
> Local
> 2 reported.
>
> Officials said the man fell off his motorcycle on the Gulf Freeway near
> the
> South Loop at about 1:25 a.m. Monday.
>
> Police said a passing car on the freeway ran over the man.
>
> The driver of the car did not stop.
>
> The motorcyclist was taken to Ben Taub Hospital. Officials said he
> suffered
> a broken leg. He is expected to recover.
>
> Police are trying to find the driver of the car that hit the man.
>
> (How does one fall off their motorcycle, traveling on a busy freeway???)
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Vfr mailing list
> Vfr@xxxxxx
> For subscription and delivery options:
> https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr
>
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 10:30:55 -0400
From: Chris Merrill
Subject: Re: very strange MC accident
To: VFR list
Message-ID: <449FEF9F.1070402@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Oil Guy wrote:
> A man fell off his motorcycle on a freeway and was hit by a car, KPRC
Local
> 2 reported.
>
>
>
> (How does one fall off their motorcycle, traveling on a busy freeway???)

I rode a few times with a guy on a GSXR down to Mid-Ohio from Cleveland.
That bike
was so uncomfortable that during the short (1 hour?) freeway period he would
occasionally lay back over the rear passenger seat and stay there for a
while,
with his head leaned to the side so he could see down the road.

Always seemed like a good way to fall off...


C

Needless to say, I didn't ride with him often (friend-of-a-friend thing).


--
*********************************
Chris Merrill
cmerrill@xxxxxx
*********************************


------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:00:54 -0230
From: "Jason Pond"
Subject: chain replace?
To: , ,

Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

My 2002 VFR has 19000 kms.

I think I need to replace my chain because:

when I roll the back wheel around on the centre stand, the chain tension is
very tight in some locations and slack in others.

Is this an indication to replace the chain?

If so, I have a few more questions:

1. What are the specs I need to know to replace the chain....ie 520 530
etc?

2. Do I need to replace the sprockets as well? or just the front sprocket?

3. Should I replace with OEM or aftermarket?

4. How hard is it to change? What is the process in a nut shell?


Thanks,

Jason



------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:47:54 -0500
From: firefly
Subject: Re: chain replace?
To: Jason Pond
Cc: ontvfr@xxxxxx, VtecVFROwners@xxxxxx,
vfr@xxxxxx
Message-ID: <449FF39A.2020608@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Jason Pond wrote:

>
>when I roll the back wheel around on the centre stand, the chain tension is
very tight in some locations and slack in others.
>
>
>
>
>
It is normal for some chains/sprocket sets (especially the lower-cost
variety) to vary its tension somewhat. Usually this is a function of
the sprocket being slightly out of round rather than the chain being
irregular.

This does not happen from wear usually. If you chain is too tight in
one spot it is because you tightened it too tight (when it was in the
looser position) If you have driven it like this for any length of time
you may have damaged the chain and sprocket themselves as wear is
GREATLY accelerated when they are too tight as well as possibly damaged
the countershaft bearing and oil seal. Usually the wheel bearings are
safe as they are built to withstand huge side loads -although if the
chain were very tight in spots they could also be damaged but my money
would be on countershaft bearing and especially seal damage. Having a
pinching chain will mess them up in no time.

Most people tighten their chain WAY too tight. A loose chain is not a
big deal unless it is flapping against something and damaging it. The
Honda Maint. Manual will have the chain tightening procedure and
recommended chain tension. If in doubt, run it looser than tight.

-Jim


------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:53:06 -0500
From: firefly
Subject: Re: very strange MC accident
To: Chris Merrill
Cc: VFR list
Message-ID: <449FF4D2.4020203@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Chris Merrill wrote:

>I rode a few times with a guy on a GSXR down to Mid-Ohio from Cleveland.
That bike
>was so uncomfortable that during the short (1 hour?) freeway period he
would
>occasionally lay back over the rear passenger seat and stay there for a
while,
>with his head leaned to the side so he could see down the road.
>
>
After a few hours in the saddle and my back is getting tight I sometimes
will pull off the bars (if there is no traffic and the road is wide and
straight) and crack my back by leaning all the way back until my helmet
touches the tail fairing. This feels really good. After this I will
grab the passenger rails and use them to twist and pop the rest of my
back to each side. Usually this whole process takes about 10 seconds
and the bike will from 60 to 40-ish. If I had a throttlemeister I could
just keep going the same speed.

I hold on with my knees, I've never fell of a bike in all my years
riding but I have been wiped off with a head-on collision in an enduro
and had a few trees come up next to the front tire and twist the bars
out from my grasp and eject me from the saddle. Broke a few perches,
bent a few bars, never busted a tripple tree (but I've seen a few
friends who did).

Can't imagine falling OFF a bike on the ROAD unless the rider was
drunker than a skunk. Some people are just walking proof of evolution
in action.

-Jim


------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 08:23:59 -0700 (PDT)
From:
Subject: Re: From one problem to another... overheating.
To: vfr800 vfr800
Message-ID: <20060626152359.1605.qmail@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Sounds like a vaporlock, especially common after a boil-overs.
Did you open the cylinder head bleed and 'burp' the system?

Also check over & clean out oil and coolant radiators along with verifing
that fans are working. Keeping fins straight & clean can make a big
difference.

Brad
CT.
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 08:54:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: kurrremkarmerruk
Subject: Re: very strange MC accident
To: VFR List
Message-ID: <20060626155428.45512.qmail@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1



--- Chris Merrill wrote:

> Oil Guy wrote:
> > A man fell off his motorcycle on a freeway and was
> hit by a car, KPRC Local
> > 2 reported.
> >
> >
> >
> > (How does one fall off their motorcycle, traveling
>

Sounds like very lazy reporting. There is VERY little
information here. "fell off his motorcycle" could
mean anything. Remember, we're probably dealing with
a non-rider doing the reporting.



------------------------------------------------------------------------

1996 VFR750F

1991 Prelude Si

2006 Flying Ford Anglia

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com


------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:38:17 +0000
From: info.rockies@xxxxxx
Subject: head on collision NVFRC
To: vfr@xxxxxx
Message-ID:

<062620061838.15464.44A02999000A74A500003C6822073007930101009B9D@xxxxxx
>


A couple of motorcyclists were killed in OR yesterday when a pickup crossed
the
centerline:

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/storie...nde_fatal.bf9f
c296.html

This kind of accident always scares me as a possibility. What can a person
do when
the driver of a vehicle suddenly, inexplicably is in your lane on a head on
collision course? I can't see any good way to defend against it. Maybe the
rider could be the best defensive rider in the world, yet still not avoid
the crash? I suppose it's simply a risk we take in motorcycling... but if
anyone has thoughts on how to avoid such a crash, it would be good to hear
them.

Cheers,

Randy F
'98 VFR
Portland OR


------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:17:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: Warren Oshita
Subject: Re: head on collision NVFRC
To: VFR List
Message-ID: <20060626191713.61361.qmail@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

--- info.rockies@xxxxxx wrote:

> What can a person do when
> the driver of a vehicle suddenly, inexplicably is in
> your lane on a head on collision course? I can't see
> any good way to defend against it.

IMO, an evasive maneuver is your only hope. Which
direction you choose depends your immediate
surroundings and a snap judgement call about whether
or not the offending driver is going to try to go back
into the right lane or continue driving in the wrong
direction. But the one advantage motorcyclists have in
this situation is that we can fit in spots cars can't,
so if I thought the person was not making any effort
to correct his/her mistake, I might try to go left
into the other lane to avoid one impact, then quickly
try to get back on the right side of the road.

FWIW, my fiancee's friends were involved in a crash
like this in their SUV-thing (a Nissan Murano). They
were headed north on Hwy 1 when someone headed south
veered into their lane (supposedly to avoid some
debris, according to the driver who entered oncoming
traffic). The driver was killed and his wife was
pretty badly injured, but fortunately has recovered
almost fully. The driver who caused the accident
walked away with cuts and bruises. They had no chance
to avoid the accident, so it's not just something you
have to worry about on a motorcycle.

Warren

Passion is the difference between living and existing


------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:52:34 -0400
From: "stephanon2whls"
Subject: RE: From one problem to another... overheating.
To: "VFRlist" ,
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Most likely the cooling system needs to be burped again...

I dunno which vintage VFR you've got off the top of my head, but on a 98-01
VFR, the thermal fan switch is at the top of the left radiator tank. The
left tank does not have a bleed at the top of the tank (besides removing the

switch). If it's not bled all the way, the switch sits in the air bubble at

the top of the tank and doesn't ever 'see' the hot coolant to switch the
fans on. SO, make sure the system is burped as best you can by leaving the
rad cap off the RHS top tank, and start the engine COLD and let it warm up.
Rev the engine GENTLY to get the fluid (and air) circulated.. the air will
burp out the neck of the rad cap.

A few run/cool cycles will eventually siphon coolant from the overflow tank
as it displaces air with coolant. The burping gets you 95% of the way
there.

I had to replace the T-stat on my 2000 VFR at 14K miles (6,000 miles ago).
I switched to 5 year HOAT formula coolant and have had NO issues since.

-Stephan



------------------------------
So tonight I took the bike for a short ride.. its first since I finally
fixed the electrical problems.

The temp gauge was in the upper 2/3rds of the scale for the entire ride
(once the bike warmed up). Even on the highway going 70mph, it sat at just
about the 2/3rds mark.

While the bike was "down" with the electrical problems, I changed the
coolant. You'd think this was related, but then I remembered that when my

bike blew its main fuse on the freeway (the beginning of the electrical
problems), it was running very hot (at the top of the "ok" scale, about to
enter red. It almost reached red again tonight).... so.....the "problem"
may have occurred before I changed the coolant. Who knows.

I put water wetter + bottled honda 50/50 pre-mix coolant in it..


Any ideas? The radiator certainly gets hot... so wouldn't that mean the
thermostat is OK? Any troubleshooting steps?

Thanks.

:/


------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 14:49:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: James Bair
Subject: Re: head on collision NVFRC
To: info.rockies@xxxxxx, vfr@xxxxxx
Message-ID: <20060626214954.31992.qmail@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Strange as it may seem this happened to a novice rider in our group on the
Blue Ridge Parkway back in 1981. His solution to the problem was better
than any I have ever heard, and I have thought about that event for many
years and how I would have handled it.. Traveling at 35-40mph on his Yamaha
XS1100 full dresser with less than 800 miles total rider experience he
entered a right hand curve and found a cager in his lane with a head on
collision that was unavoidable and no place to escape. Just prior to
impact he jumped straight up and cleared the roof of the car which passed
under him, also traveling at 35-40 mph. He made a three point landing,
boot, cheek on the wallet side and left hand ( wearing riding gloves ). He
survived with only a minor abrasion on his rump. The bike was totaled as
was the wallet and a dozen credit cards that absorbed the slide for about 50
feet or so.

How would you have done it ? Had he tried to brake he would have impacted
at a closure rate of 70-80 mph directly on the hood/windshield of the
offending car and likely would not have survived.

Food for thought, my .02 worth.

Back to lurk mode.

JayBee

info.rockies@xxxxxx wrote:
A couple of motorcyclists were killed in OR yesterday when a pickup
crossed the
centerline:

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/storie...nde_fatal.bf9f
c296.html

This kind of accident always scares me as a possibility. What can a person
do when
the driver of a vehicle suddenly, inexplicably is in your lane on a head on
collision course? I can't see any good way to defend against it. Maybe the
rider could be the best defensive rider in the world, yet still not avoid
the crash? I suppose it's simply a risk we take in motorcycling... but if
anyone has thoughts on how to avoid such a crash, it would be good to hear
them.

Cheers,

Randy F
'98 VFR
Portland OR
_______________________________________________
Vfr mailing list
Vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr



---------------------------------
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 16:17:07 -0600
From: "Nagy, Paul"
Subject: RE: head on collision NVFRC
To: "James Bair"
Cc: vfr@xxxxxx
Message-ID:
<22EB127C784B314785607113EF4F6A18D4932C@xxxxxx-SVREX01V.ccc.local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Seems to me like
1) this is a terrific idea given the circumstances;
2) a roof rack could make all the difference;
3) my question is, what do you do when you face a large vehicle, like a big
truck or monster SUV? Jumping is worse.

My guess is, lay the bike down ASAP and when you push/jump off the bike, aim
for the side of the road which feels right.

Paul Nagy
'99 VFR 800 fi
Clovis, NM

________________________________

From: vfr-bounces@xxxxxx on behalf of James Bair
Sent: Mon 6/26/2006 3:49 PM
To: info.rockies@xxxxxx; vfr@xxxxxx
Subject: Re: head on collision NVFRC


Strange as it may seem this happened to a novice rider in our group on the
Blue Ridge Parkway back in 1981. His solution to the problem was better
than any I have ever heard, and I have thought about that event for many
years and how I would have handled it.. Traveling at 35-40mph on his Yamaha
XS1100 full dresser with less than 800 miles total rider experience he
entered a right hand curve and found a cager in his lane with a head on
collision that was unavoidable and no place to escape. Just prior to
impact he jumped straight up and cleared the roof of the car which passed
under him, also traveling at 35-40 mph. He made a three point landing,
boot, cheek on the wallet side and left hand ( wearing riding gloves ). He
survived with only a minor abrasion on his rump. The bike was totaled as
was the wallet and a dozen credit cards that absorbed the slide for about 50
feet or so.

How would you have done it ? Had he tried to brake he would have impacted
at a closure rate of 70-80 mph directly on the hood/windshield of the
offending car and likely would not have survived.

Food for thought, my .02 worth.

Back to lurk mode.

JayBee

info.rockies@xxxxxx wrote:

A couple of motorcyclists were killed in OR yesterday when a pickup
crossed the
centerline:


http://www.kgw.com/news-local/storie...nde_fatal.bf9f
c296.html

This kind of accident always scares me as a possibility. What can a
person do when
the driver of a vehicle suddenly, inexplicably is in your lane on a
head on collision course? I can't see any good way to defend against it.
Maybe the rider could be the best defensive rider in the world, yet still
not avoid the crash? I suppose it's simply a risk we take in motorcycling...
but if anyone has thoughts on how to avoid such a crash, it would be good to
hear them.

Cheers,

Randy F
'98 VFR
Portland OR
_______________________________________________
Vfr mailing list
Vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr



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End of Vfr Digest, Vol 27, Issue 46
***********************************

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