Sooo...got sideswiped a couple weeks ago on US 75...heading home from work. Occasionally they do manage to sneak up on me.
Very little damage to the Valk (I did find a couple of clean spots...the biggest on the left pipe, complete with some rubber, suggesting a tire contact)...but I was moving at 70 or so and was bumped hard enough to lift the back-end and shift me sideways. Those of you that ride hard can guess a the next few maneuvers.
Yep, she near high-sided me. BANG! TIP! SHOOSH! SCREECH! "Holy Friggen SheepShears!" I'd say there were sounds of sirens, but it was really only me, screaming like a cheerleader on helium.
Stayed up. Stayed out of other traffic. That's good enough for me...we always want more, but living through the day sometimes has to do.
I lost the car that hit me...all the jerking around just about killed my back...sat on the shoulder for a few and let the spasms and pain moderate, then headed for home.
Days later...I started noticing my backrest was getting uncomfortable...and downright wobbly. Yeah, low-riding doesn't really suit the Valk...or me...
Oh drat. I've seen this before.
We call it the "Serk" cut.
Serk knows why.
Anyway with no further adooooo...the damage...me bouncing around and hitting the backrest (hard enough to leave bruises btw), combined with 140,000 miles of similiar abuse and some metal fatigue...(including one
heavy hit years ago that actually broke the backrest)...well anyway, I introduce you to...
Drumroll please...
The Serk Cut
The seat attatchments are spot-welded to the fender...and not only did the brackets break, but the welds let go as well. This is also the attachment point for the backrest...and if you (Serk) happen to use the backrest
without the back seat, the fender suffers additional stresses and fails much easier...especially if you're 37 feet tall.
You can see the attachement here in the inside of an un-Serk-cut fender...
The solution involves scrap metal, grinding and welding...but I didn't have time for that. Fortunatley, I happen to have a couple fender segments on hand...long story...ALSO involving US 75, now that I think about it...
Oh, and also...this is the perfect excuse for some severe rear fender surgery...welding, chopping, light relocations etc...but, it's Sunday and I'm leaving soon...so...yeah, I'll just bolt a replacement on for now.
Of course, step one, no matter whether replacing or repairing...is to rip the back-end of your bike off. Always fun to do hours before leaving for several thousand miles of running...
And, with the magic of Iced Tea and a few minor curses, installed! (and hey! Look! A clean spot!)
Y'all ride safe...and I'll see you on the road.
