Ducati Monster Forum

Finally, finally, finally made it out for a ride today, and I learned the hard way how important it is to keep the bolts on your bike snug & tight. Desmostro and I ripped up Lucas Valley Rd, cruised through Nicasio, and started riding Wilson Hill Rd towards Chileno Valley. I was looking forward to finally riding Desmostro's 848, and was burning it a bit up the hill. After cresting the hill, I noticed that the back of the bike was moving around a bit. After a few more turns, I knew my rear tire was flat...not here...not in the middle of nowhere, with no cell coverage! Damn.

I pulled over and looked down. The left sidewall of my rear tire was a smoking mess of rubber. My first thought: this thing better not be on fire (a la someguy's experience). Luckily, there weren't any flames. So I got off the bike as Desmostro was catching up, and figured out what had happened. As I deduced it, things happened this way:

1) At some point on Wilson Hill Rd, my taillight assembly, including the tail chop kit (Cookie1, in case you're wondering) fell off. No rattling loose, no warning, it just fell off. Both bolts somehow came off within a short time of each other, since I know the thing was tight when I left home.

2) The license plate part of the assembly came loose and went flying. It was nowhere to be found, and Desmostro's efforts to find it by riding his 848 up and down the same route proved fruitless. So if you're out in Marin and happen to find a motor cycle plate that says DESMO Q, please pick it up and PM me  ;D There's a beer or three in it for ya.

3) Being a taillight assembly, there were ample wires to keep the thing from simply flying off. So the entire assembly, including the light, lens cover, and the somewhat sharp brackets, hung there....right on the side of my fairly new Pirelli rear tire. And yes, the wires were definitely long enough for it to reach.

4) Metal + rubber = friction. We learned that in science class. And today we proved it in an experiment.  :'( The tail chop kit bracket cut a groove in the sidewall, and the tire went flat.

It's a good thing I felt the tire failing. A couple more turns and I'd be writing about a crash. But I still don't understand how the damn thing could have come loose so quickly and catastrophically. I'll be using blue locktite on stuff like that from now on. I'm hoping that the rim isn't thrashed. We'll see what Desmotosport has to say about that this week.

So from what I can tell, the repair bill's going to have a few items:

• One Pirelli Diablo rear tire...$200
• One tail chop kit (I think I'll go with the ProItalia kit this time)...$90
• One clear tail light lens...$30
• One replacement personalized license plate...$???
• (POSSIBLE) One S4R rim....$ugh
• (POSSIBLE) One ClearAlternatives Integrator Board...$100

No pictures just yet. I'm too disheartened to snap any. But I'll try to snap a few before I take the rim in.

And a HUGE thanks to Desmostro for helping me out. I wouldn't have made it out of there without your help.

And massive props to Bike Guy Motorcycle Tow (415.823.3550). Stephen was quick to come pick me up in the middle of nowhere, and found the place even though he'd never been there before.

Dang!  :o

Glad you made it OK out of the ordeal.

Best wishes to you and yours.

I sometimes feel silly thread locking this and that thinking this shit ain't coming off...

I won't feel so silly from now on.

I can't picture how it flattened the tire though.  :-\  Did it get wedged or something?

That's a bummer about the tire, but I am glad you're okay. It was a great day for riding or for sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow :P

boo... hope someone find your plate, glad you weren't alone.

Yeah. It swung down there, then got wedged in between the swingarm and the rear hugger.

I have no doubts that's the better of possible scenarios. With my sort of luck, you could've probably got something wedged in the chain/sprockets and locked up the rear.

Sorry to hear that Joe, but very glad you made it through unscathed.

Then I'd end up looking a bit like your avatar  ;D

I lost relatively lots of stuff before I started loc-titing. (Spelled, it looks like lactating. Bleh)
2x rear turn signals
1x exhaust can

bummer fratello ...

but as you point out, parts can be replaced, and you did not bin and hurt yourself.

a presto,
johnc

Both bolts worked loose?  That or one gave way and it was too much for the other to take...

Yeah, I notice that once in a while ya just gotta go over the entire thing and snug down all the connectors.  My twin just buzzes everything to pieces. 

Have a  [drink] and stop wondering about the what-ifs.  Glad you're OK.   [thumbsup]

Wow dude.  Glad you're okay.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes  [thumbsup]

The wheel is at Desmotosport. Here are a few shots of the carnage:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2797428283_110a758b63.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2797428295_9d5b4d79a8.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/2797428275_df5fb6eedc.jpg?v=0)

+1 billion!  [thumbsup]

Rim looks good enough.

Unless there is damage that the picture doesn't show, I'd just go with it.  [moto]

Ah, super bummer dude -- coulda always been worse -- glad you're okay.

I'm gonna do a walk-around on my bike tomorrow make nothing wiggles that shouldn't...

m

Another option for locktite on things using nuts & bolts is Nylock nuts. These have a captured nylon insert that prevents vibration loosening. You can even find them in stainless.  [thumbsup] I have nothing against locktite but prefer not to use it unless I have to. I have NEVER had anything loosen up on me that had a nylock nut on it. Even when I hit the gnarliest excuse for a road repair in my lifetime going up 29 to Middletown on my Mean Streak and lost the rear license plate! Oh, the plate was still mounted to the mount, the impact just cracked and ripped the entire subfender off!! (plastic)  [roll]

I know it doesn't seem like it now but you're a lucky boy. After you've had some time to really reflect on it you'll be glad you got out of it like you did, $ and all....

Glad to help man, no prob. Lord knows you've pre-paid the favor x 10.
I'm just glad it turned out as well as it did. It was too gorgeous out to complain about standing by the side of the road.

This is the second time I've wanted to yell "watch out" under the thundering pipes, wind and distance. Not even my ear-busting horn was loud enough.

I've got some photo's from the scene if you want them.

When was the first?


That'd be amusing  [thumbsup]

Glad you are fine bro..!!! 

glad to hear your ok DQ.
its just broken metal and rubber.
thats alot better than broken bone and skin.
plus you can still ride the SS.

It could have been so much worse but I'm glad you're OK. Like I always say before you head out on rides, I don't want phone calls from the  [leo] or emergency room.

I'm already on the automatic-bail-debit program with the Marin, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and San Bruno sherrifs' departments...so you won't get any phone calls  [evil]

Hrm. Still looks better than my rim. That's almost sad.

I love the back signal that's taped onto your bike - classic!  ;D [thumbsup]

Maybe I need to supplement the loc-tite with tape ;D

Quit lying. We all know that's someguy's wheel! [laugh] [laugh]

Sad thing is his tape has held up better then your bolts.   [thumbsup]

And the zip-tied on rear light? Thing. Of. Beauty.   [clap]

I've found that a piece of roadside string works great too! Just ask LabbeDDS! [laugh]

I prefer using the dried sinews and entrails of the Harley riders I run over [evil]

Too bad crack-heads bounce. [laugh] [laugh]

DEEEEEER!!! ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!!

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2800125007_91b048010c_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2800973514_31bb7293e3_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2800125321_9faf09795a_b.jpg)

Whoopsie! [cheeky]

Oh yeah...I remember that one. I was hoping the deer would jump over me ;D

You gotta learn to ride faster than I do so you can warn me about these things [moto]

Then I have some work to do  :P

mebe we'll ride with walkie talkie headsets, or I'll just throw tennis balls at you. 

Or maybe a pair of those cool Dainese Bluetooth helmets (http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/dainesse-airstream.jpg)...

I prefer semaphore...
(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41014000/jpg/_41014036_semaphore_pa.jpg)

Easier to see in a heavily-vibrating rearview mirror.

No blue tooth? You just don't like my signing  [cheeky]

I learned semaphore as a boyscout. I can do that. Let me see how do you spell...

(http://web.ukonline.co.uk/scoutnotebook/communicator/images/semaphore.gif)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2803298653_34f96df000_o.jpg)


 [cheeky]

I suppose you were an altar boy too [evil]

That would explain the part in his hair. [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

UPDATE:
I got the wheel back from Desmotosport. It's got a new Pirelli on it, and it's straight...albeit with a rather uncosmetic groove along the left inside of the rim. I might have to paint these things black after all  ;D

Cost...$255

Or buy the ones off my RS that I have for sale!  [thumbsup]

You got a link to 'em? Not sure I want to plunk down that kind of coin, but it may be an interesting option. I'd kind of like to make mine black  [evil]

You can see pics of 'em here:

http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/hypurone/Monster%20S4RS/Marchesini%20Wheels%204%20Sale/ (http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/hypurone/Monster%20S4RS/Marchesini%20Wheels%204%20Sale/)

I will pay to have the tires dismounted if you don't wanna run them out. They are Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's. I can deal on the price as I'm starting to get the itch for a slipper clutch! I was askiing 1400.00 for the pair, but let's talk!

Thanks man. I'm a bit tapped out right now, but it's definitely a tempting offer  ;D

Yeah, np. Check back with me later if ya want. They don't seem to be goin anywhere...

ma non! sacre blu! le white! ze are  zo belle in le white!

Back to the topic of the importance of lock-tite.

My beautiful red rear seat cowl is now ... gone.  :'( :'(  Somewhere between my bf's house in SF and my home in San Mateo it left. Just flew off the back, I assume, after the bolts vibrated out.

<sigh>  [bang]

I really liked the way it looked! And Duqette feels underdressed without it.


Sooooo, if you see a red cowl on 101 South, it's mine.....

Ouch! Parts falling off of Monsters all over the Bay Area. Those seat cowl bolts are definitely culprits...I've lost them before, and they're not cheap to replace. A cowl is even worse.

I'll be thinking of Loc-Tite as I stand in line at the DMV this morning, waiting for a new license plate  :-[

I think it's a good idea to check bolts often as either pre-ride activity or regular weekly maintenance.  I had a bolt on my rear sprocket come loose and it was actually grinding into my swingarm!!!  fortunately, it made this really weird sound (like metal being drilled) and I pulled off to figure out what the hell it was.

Since that happened I've realized that loosening bolts is a frequent occurrence.

I had that happen to me on my CBR years ago. I was just getting on the Bay Bridge when it started doing it, so I couldn't stop for a few miles. By that time the boly, which had backed out from the cush drive, had cut through the rear caliper hanger.

Dio Mio!

These stories!

I read a post from a pilot who posted up his pre-flight check he invented for his motorcycle based on airplane experience.
He does this ritual clockwise walk-around touching everything and making sure the important bits are tight.

tripple-dipple good idea. Now I do that as well while my bike is warming up.

Ok here's a good one I just got from a 1098/848 sight.

A guy with a 1098 went in to the dealer to have suspension work done. Went for a ride.
An hour into it...

His swing arm came off. Nothing but his shock was holding his rear wheel on. Luckily he was coming into a slow stop on a straight. imagine.
No don't imagine, LOCK-TITE!

(BTW Out of state dealer who I hope got a boot in the arse after that one.)

Wow.  How does your swing arm come off?  I think I would have a difficult time removing it if I tried.  Scary.

There is actually ONE BIG bolt that holds it on. Then some linkage etc, and the shock.
That's a good bolt to wire on. Geez.

That had to have been the mechanics fault. They didn't tighten it. Story has it they had the swing arm off for some reason, so it wasn't something random that just happened.

Here's another one:

Yesterday the bf and I set off to ride from SF down to the King's Mtn Art Fair (on 35 in Woodside), and on 19th Ave I put my foot down at the stoplight at the Stonestown Shopping Center, and it felt a little slippery... I look down, and there's oil EVERYWHERE!!  :( And no oil plug.  [bang]  Big puffs of oily air spewing my motorcycle's precious fluids all over the place.

Let's just say I couldn't pull over fast enough.

So, I waited, with my pant leg soaked in oil up to my knee, while the amazing bf rode all the way back to his house, found the plug lying in the street !!!!!, and returned with some extra oil, and a clean-up rag.

Happy ending, we washed the bikes at my place in San Mateo, and ended up enjoying a great day, but that could have been tragic.

I don't think you can really use loc-tite on an oil plug, can you?

Sheesh. I think I'll go tighten it right now.

Unless you are putting in a set of swing arm adjustment plates...which is a race only application...there is no reason to remove the swing arm at all!

Forget the boot in the ass, I wouldn't stop bludgeoning the guilty party until they were a wet blob of gooey pulp!! >:( >:(

You shouldn't Loc-tite a drain plug, but you can use E-6000 or any type of silicone/RTV sealant. Torque the drain plug correctly, then put a blob of the sealant on the edge of the bolt, so it overlaps the edge and the engine case. Once it's dry, it will act like a locking agent, but will resist vibration becuase it remains in a much more elastic state than Loc-tite, etc. [thumbsup]

And ALWAYS use a fresh crush washer. It may seem silly to pay a few $ for a new one every time, but think of how much a new motor would cost?! :o The crush washer helps to maintain proper torque on the drain bolt.

On a side note: You broke down about 4 blocks from my garage door. Wish I'd known, you could've just rolled it over here.

I know! I know! I was sitting there with my phone in my hand thinking, I know he lives around here close by, but do I have a phone number, or even a name...? No.  [laugh] I thought of trying to call 411 to see if they had a listing for "duckwrench13," but that seemed like a long shot...  [roll]

It wasn't the drain bolt that came out, it was the fill plug on the right side. Little plastic one. If the drain bolt had come out, I'd have gone down for sure, because I'd have suddenly been riding in a pond of oil. Yikes.

I'd recommend the E-6000 trick on the fill plug too. You could drill and wire it, but some goo is the super simple way to go! [thumbsup]

PM sent. ;D

[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Geeepers!  :o

Update: the bike is coming back together. Some highlights:

• I got a new Pirelli put on the rear rim at Desmotosport...rim is fine.
• I bought a ProItalia tailchop kit, but the fit was terrible, and I've been altering the parts to make them fit. It was a nice excuse to buy a bench grinder ;D
• The integrated taillight, the clear lens, and the taillight base are all thrashed. I ordered a new integrator kit from Monsterparts, and am trying to find the lens base.
• Sadly, I can't get the DESMO Q plate again. I initially ordered BLU MNST, but managed to get DSMO Q. If anyone finds the original DESMO Q plate and gives it to me, I can turn it in and get that one as a replacement...so there's a lot of beer in it for anyone who finds it.

Just a few more hours of work, and she should be ready for La Ducati Day [thumbsup]