I finally picked up my bike yesterday after a month in garage for some clutch work mainly and new chain etc.
I am riding today and about a mile from my apartment come to a red light. Turns green and behold I can not move. I am going "oh no! not my clutch again". [bang] I look and discover that my Bungee cargo net entagled in the swing-arm bearing and two of the net-hooks are in between my brand new sprocket and chain :'(.
In my haste, I neglected to secure it[bang]. It is night time, I have no knife to cut the net from the bearings as the bike can not move. A guy that works in the nearby good-will store stops by and gives me his a small blade and watches out for traffic for me (night time 10pm). After about an hour I manage to get everything untangled and back in order. Bike is rideable Thank God. I will check out the chain / sprocket in the morning.
Moral of the story - Make sure your bungee cargo net is secure. Carry a knife and flash light.
Note to self : return the knife to good Samaritan and get him a star bucks gift card to show my gratitude ;)
At least it happened at a light - be thankful for that mercy and that it didn't happen on the highway.
There's a discussion of what folks carry under their seat, just in case. I've got one of those LED flashlights that's about the size of a stack of quarters, a small folding knife and some glow stick 'flares' amongst my gear under the seat. $25 at REI Should gather up that stuff
yuu - I am glad that if it had to happen, it did so at a traffic light.
I have no idea about the law in regards to carrying some sort of knife or switch blade.
I always have a leatherman wave in my little underseat box...
That, some rubber spanners, an EDZ innershell and 100 bucks for emergencies.
Quote from: ab on July 04, 2009, 05:59:01 PM
yuu - I am glad that if it had to happen, it did so at a traffic light.
I have no idea about the law in regards to carrying some sort of knife or switch blade.
Most areas allow for carrying a knife w/o any trouble. A general rule of thumb is that if the blade length is the length of your palm or shorter you'll probably be fine. Also, if it's stowed under your seat, that's different than if you were carrying it in your pocket.
Either way, mines just a small (like 1 3/4" blade) spyder co folder stowed in the seat.
You should be able to find your local regs online though
Happen to my Bro-in-law, but it was a long scarf that got caught and of course, the other end was around his neck. I shutter to think just how close he came to meeting his end on the Norton on that cold day.
LA
They don't seem to do the particular knife I had anymore - but here's something along that line
http://www.thebladeshop.com/Spyderco_Ladybug_3_Black_FRN_Handle_Serrated_LBK_p/lbks3.htm (http://www.thebladeshop.com/Spyderco_Ladybug_3_Black_FRN_Handle_Serrated_LBK_p/lbks3.htm)
Blade's just shy of 2" - over all its 4.38" when open. The serrated blade you have made quick work of you bungee problem
Also my little light is a jobbie like this
http://www.rei.com/product/632461 (http://www.rei.com/product/632461)
- quite bright, small light - and perhaps most important, easy to hold in your teeth.
Quote from: yuu on July 06, 2009, 04:13:06 AM
Also my little light is a jobbie like this
http://www.rei.com/product/632461 (http://www.rei.com/product/632461)
- quite bright, small light - and perhaps most important, easy to hold in your teeth.
I started carrying a headlamp instead. Not as small, but frees up the hands.