tighten and torque any used bike you buy

[roadglide]

On Thursday October 30, 2008 I lost the rear wheel on a BMW R1100 I had purchased a week earlier. I had put about four hundred miles on her. The incident occurred on Rt 27 in Sherborn Ma heading toward Holliston Ma. I was traveling at approximately 35 to 40 mph when the rear wheel came off. I landed hard on the undercarriage then rolled to the side on my elbow and shoulder and I proceeded to slide. This is where the Bike and I parted ways, I was in a slide the bike flipped over me. As you can see from the photos from this crash I was amazed walk away with some bruises (admittedly I am sore as hell) and minimal damage to the bike. . There appears to be no front end damage most of the impact was to the saddle bags and the engine case guards, I was really surprised when we got the bike home my buddy Steve hit the starter button and she started right up. This crash is a testament to BMW engineering to the minimal damage as for me I sustained no serious injuries due to the gear I was wearing. A Harley Davidson FXRG Armored leather Jacket, The jacket I am convinced saved my shoulder and elbow from being broken. As I landed really hard, the armor absorbed the brunt of the impact and also saved me from a severe case of road rash. I was also wearing a full face helmet that had impact marks and abrasion skid marks. The pants were fleece lined jeans and had suffered from road abrasion but my wallet and credit card saved me from picking out asphalt from my butt. . The sleigh ride on the asphalt gave me road rash burn holes in both toes in my boots I did get some bruising on my instep and toes. When I finely crawled to the side of the road and sat up. I surveyed the scene, then look to see if I had my legs and arms intact took off my helmet and laughed I survived and it was a great day to be alive. When I got home I jumped on my Electra glide rode to the drug store and bought a big bottle of Motrin. I had to get back on a bike before any fear set in. So lesson learned in retrospect any time I buy a used bike go through it tighten and torque and protective gear helmet, gloves, boots minimal . I posted this in the R1150 section and forgive me for reposting here but I thought this was very important to people who are new to the r1100r like me.

To View the Pics go to
http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/sh ... n8k546uvqo

[webmost]

Always exhilarating to survive. Congrats.

Your photo link here does not work. The one in the 1150 section does.

[roadglide]

Sorry about that try this one

http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/sh ... n8k546uvqo

[Edmundo Amado]

Glad to hear that you are ok! Would you post some pics of the jacket an helmet? I know some people here (Mexico City) That refuse to wear protection beacause of the weather!! (to hot???) I want to show them proof of the goodnes of protection. Thanks

[nevada72]

Glad you survived unscathed! What came loose - the 4 bolts holding the wheel on?

[roadglide]

Yes the 4 lug bolts worked there way loose. When I bought the bike there was a brand new tire on the rear the tire still had the molding nubs. I stupidly assumed it was installed properly I was wrong. The bike is just about back together , rear inner fender off of e-bay, new directional's and I have to sand the road burns down on the saddle bags. I will post pick of the helmet and my leather this week. work has been nuts

[omg1010]

Yes the 4 lug bolts worked there way loose. When I bought the bike there was a brand new tire on the rear the tire still had the molding nubs. I stupidly assumed it was installed properly I was wrong. The bike is just about back together , rear inner fender off of e-bay, new directional's and I have to sand the road burns down on the saddle bags. I will post pick of the helmet and my leather this week. work has been nuts

I can't imagine that you haven't some sort of wobbly feeling before the wheel got off. When all 4 screws are loose the bike must have become unstable ... However if the bike had a new tire on it I'd investigate who changed it (previous owner or ...?) and go for some legal action ... This is serious stuff man. You could have broken your neck!

Kind regards
Oliver

[roadglide]

Nope felt a slight wobble and zoom making sparks fast as that.