Dropped my new Stella 4t

quen047 · Post by **quen047** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:43 am

With only 79 miles on the odometer, I got in my first accident. A car suddenly turned right without signaling and I was following too close to stop thinking I was going to go around him. I fell on the left side of the bike at maybe 10 mph. Thanks to the cowl guards the Stella looks okay (and thanks to an armored jacket and the helmet so am I other that a bruised knee and ego- I can't believe I was tailgating like that) other that a scratch on the front fender. However there is a loose hose and either gas or oil on the left side of the rear wheel and what looks like two loose hoses on the right side of the rear wheel. I googled pictures of the engine and it looks like maybe they are supposed to be that way, but I'm not sure. Any thoughts? Anything that should be looked at? Gears and turn signals/electrics appear fine

Also, I didn't even realize that my head hit the pavement, but it did on the side. Do I need a new helmet? Any feedback is appreciated (other than a safety lecture. I have taken the MSF class and have years of motorcycling experience).

I included pics of the post-accident rear wheel on both sides and a pic of my helmet.

z20k · Post by **z20k** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:53 am

Just my opinion.. I would replace the helmet. Universally I've heard that you should replace a helmet immediately after it's been down.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:55 am

Glad your ok!

Yep...your helmet is toast. It did exactly what you spent the money on it to do!

I don't know the set up on the 4T but it looks like gear oil flowed out the clutch vent while it was on it's left side.

Maximus53 · Post by **Maximus53** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:34 am

I think the one on the left side is the battery overflow tube if you follow it up you should see it attach to the battery and it is supposed to hang like that. I dont know of any hoses on the right side. If no one responds tonight I will go take a look at my Stella in the morning and see if I can find those.

Good luck and glad you are ok!

Max

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:39 am

I suspect the ones on the engine side are for the carb fuel vent, and either a drain for the evap system or the drain tube for the carb fuel bowl.

The clear one is the vent tube for the battery.

pesce · Post by **pesce** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:21 am

Glad you are ok! Yes all of those hoses are normal

Tipper · Post by **Tipper** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:13 am

The stuff on the engine and the rear hub was more than likely there before you crashed and you didn't notice it.

It looks like the greasy stuff they cover the engine/hubs with so that they don't corrode when in transit.

Check your oil level with the dipstick just to make sure.

Oh and buy yourself a new helmet.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:55 pm

X5 on the helmet replacement.

It did its job and saved your bacon.
There is a compressable material in the helmet between the shell and the interior lining.
It is designed to absorb impact through compression and, once compressed, its mission has been accomplished......it does not return to its original design characteristics.

You can see the shell looks as though it experienced a very light hit but there is no way to determine if the inner shell has been compromised.

The material on the wheel is indeed the cosmoline applied for shipping purposes.....it comes off with tar remover or charcoal lighter.

The clear hose is indeed the battery breather tube and likely was there pre-drop.......you just noticed it now cause you are carefully inspecting the machine.

For all readers: I see you have it parked over some tree leaves, or so it appears.
To all new riders, Wet leaves are as dangerous as hitting a oil spot or ice.
In a turn, the machine will go down in the blink of an eye.

The fall season is the most beautiful and dangerous season to ride so keep this caution in mind while enjoying the colors.

Rob

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:10 pm

Glad you came out of it okay. Be sure you post on the "who's crashed" thread.

viewtopic.php?t=635&highlight=whos+crashed

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:58 pm

No lecture here. I've had some "moments" myself.

Agreed with everybody else about the helmet. Even a new Arai would be cheaper than surgery for head trauma.

I don't know about the rest of the country but it seems that around here at least, the use of directional signals is deemed optional these days. Is this a nationwide thing?

Glad you came through OK. And is sounds like your Stella will be as well.

quen047 · Post by **quen047** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 12:36 am

Thanks for all the feedback. The shop seemed to think it was probably more of a scratch than actual impact, but I bought a new helmet anyway. And they confirmed that the oil on the rear wheel is normal and was probably there before. And the bike is running well.

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:47 am

I don't know about the rest of the country but it seems that around here at least, the use of directional signals is deemed optional these days. Is this a nationwide thing?

Here in Ohio it seems to be rare for people to not use turn signals. That being said, the problem here is people hit the brakes long before putting on their turn signal. The turn signal is suppose to be a warning as to what is about to happen, not an explanation as to why somebody just slammed on the brakes!

quen047 · Post by **quen047** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:02 pm

Yup, the guy in front of me didn't use any signal. He just slowed down suddenly and turned. Generally though SF drivers seem pretty good to me though.

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 2:04 am

Good. Then maybe it's just local. It's not just my impression. Everybody I know talks about it.

It's a good thing brake lights are wired to the pedal.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 1:53 pm

doh!

Well, simple mistake, seems like you learned a lot. Glad no serious damage to the bike and especially yourself.

Usually insurance will cover your gear, even if it embarrassing to have to tell them that you goofed.

Silver Streak · Post by **Silver Streak** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:57 pm

Yep, that's Cosmolene (or the Indian equivalent) on the wheel and engine case. Strictly a protectant for shipping and storage that should have been removed by your dealer before delivery. It can be a pain to remove, so many dealers don't do a very thorough job.

magnato1 · Post by **magnato1** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:41 pm

So, how do you remove the Cosmolene? There is some on my wheels too. And that blue stuff on the tires.

magnato1 · Post by **magnato1** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:52 pm

Silver Streak wrote:Yep, that's Cosmolene (or the Indian equivalent) on the wheel and engine case. Strictly a protectant for shipping and storage that should have been removed by your dealer before delivery. It can be a pain to remove, so many dealers don't do a very thorough job.

I was thinking about trying this stuff, will it do the trick?

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... eaner.aspx

Silver Streak · Post by **Silver Streak** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:51 pm

The whitewall cleaner should work for the whitewalls (but I really wouldn't know, as I had the stupid blue Savas swapped out on my Stella before delivery).

For the Cosmoline (I misspelled it above) removal you need either heat (steam cleaning) or a solvent, like mineral spirits. I used mineral spirits on mine. Works fine, but you have to soak it pretty thoroughly to soften it. Kerosene or Diesel fuel would work, too.

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 10:25 pm

I bought a 4T with 79 miles on it, It'd gone down too heh.

quen047 · Post by **quen047** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:51 pm

Ouch! Did you buy it like that? Great for parts.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:23 am

JohnKiniston wrote:I bought a 4T with 79 miles on it, It'd gone down too heh.

That'll buff right out!

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:18 am

quen047 wrote:Ouch! Did you buy it like that? Great for parts.

Yup I did, I've been riding the crap out of it. Looks like this now:

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 7:06 am

John's 4T is the/perfect beater for a CBR. Bought for $300 and patched back together with about three hours of work. It's to bashed, mods don't notice that it's a 4T either.