My first lay down

[Rambler1982]

I rode my M696 to a friend's place for a night of poker. I checked the weather before going over there, and it said there was a possibility of "light flurries" later that evening.

Light flurries my ass! By the end of the night, there was snow and ice on the ground. Nonetheless, being the stubborn dumbass that I am, I decided to ride the bike home and just take it easy. I was fine until about 5 blocks from my condo. I approached a stoplight, and must have squeezed the brakes too quickly, because I hit some ice and was down on the ground in an instant!

I was only going about 5mph, so I was fine. I popped up and uprighted the bike. I walked the bike home for the next 5 blocks, cursing myself the entire time for making such a dumb decision.

Fortunately, the bike appears to have only suffered some minor injuries. The left turn signal came out of its housing. The plastic didn't break, only the screw part did, so now it wont stay in there. Will the entire signal need to be replaced?

The gear shift lever is bent pretty badly. It seems as though the bike is un-rideable now because I can shift down, but it's hard to shift up.  This is due to the fact that the lever is bent inward, making it difficult to get my foot under it and shift up. Can I attempt to bend it back into place?

The turn signal and shift lever seem to be the only items that were damaged. As I was walking the bike home, I noticed a clicking noise coming from the rear of the bike. Perhaps this is normal, as I've never really pushed the bike forward before?

I know I deserved this for making such a poor decision, but it is frustrating and upsetting nonetheless. 

[wbeck257]

Ouch -- glad you (and for the most part the bike) is okay.

You can ride on ice -- but don't touch the front brake.

[Oldfisti]

Unbolt the shift lever and place it in a vise. You can then carefully bend it back into position. Do not strike it with anything.

BTW, driving a bike with summer tires on snow is BALLSY. Maybe not the best decision, but  for havin a pair.  Glad you're ok.   

Now go sit in the corner and think about what you did.     

[Rambler1982]

You can ride on ice -- but don't touch the front brake.

That information would have been quite handy YESTERDAY! 

[wbeck257]

Thats just part of learning.

Not to be mean, but that is why you don't buy a Ducati (or any new/nice bike) as your one to learn on.
I trashed a 1975 Honda GL1000 learning these things.

But like I said, it is just part of learning...

[sfarchie]

Glad to hear it wasn't worse. Sucks, but you didn't get hurt. Happy holidays.

[Statler]

your first law down always happens so fast and is over before you knew what you were doing.


<new year's resolution to stop posting juvenile double entendres on the DMF>




glad you're ok.

[proclivity]

sucks to fall down in the cold.....always hurts just a little more.

bend the lever back like the other member said.  I have some blinkers in excellent condition if you want to replace it.

You could probably just glue the lens back on.

Glad you're alright....next time put some studs in your tires.

[Rambler1982]

I have some blinkers in excellent condition if you want to replace it.

You could probably just glue the lens back on.

Are the blinkers for the 696? If they were that'd be awesome!

I thought about simply gluing it back on, and it would look fine. But what about if/when I needed to take the lens off to replace the bulb?

[causeofkaos]

your first law down always happens so fast and is over before you knew what you were doing.


<new year's resolution to stop posting juvenile double entendres on the DMF>




glad you're ok.

hahahaha thart was funny i had to read the first line twice after reading the second line

[Howie]

Most important is you are OK.  Five blocks?  I probably would have tried to ride the rest of the way because I am really dumb

[Spidey]

Fortunately, the bike appears to have only suffered some minor injuries. The left turn signal came out of its housing. The plastic didn't break, only the screw part did, so now it wont stay in there. Will the entire signal need to be replaced?

The gear shift lever is bent pretty badly. It seems as though the bike is un-rideable now because I can shift down, but it's hard to shift up.  This is due to the fact that the lever is bent inward, making it difficult to get my foot under it and shift up. Can I attempt to bend it back into place?

The turn signal and shift lever seem to be the only items that were damaged. As I was walking the bike home, I noticed a clicking noise coming from the rear of the bike. Perhaps this is normal, as I've never really pushed the bike forward before?

I know I deserved this for making such a poor decision, but it is frustrating and upsetting nonetheless. 

It is frustrating and upsetting.  But it happens.  Be glad you weren't hurt.  And be glad that the bike suffered minimal damage.  Just imagine if you and/or the bike had slid into something.  

It's hard to tell you over the internet if the clicking is normal.  Often, a bike will click or make noises when you walk it and the engine isn't running.  You may just be acutely aware of it now.  Give the bike a thorough once-over to make sure that everything seems ok.

Like others said, you can just bent back the gear lever.  It's not a great idea to do it on the bike, but it can be done.  Get a normal box wrench, and slip the O-shaped part over the lever.  Then use the wrench as a lever to bend back the gear lever.  It won't be perfect, but there are many people running around with mishapen gear levers.  You get used to it pretty quickly.

I can't tell from your description what happened to the indicator.  It sounds like you broke the plastic part that holds the screw that in turn holds the lens?  If so, you can try to repair it.  I've found that I end up replacing stuff like that because my temporary fix never works that well.

Again, glad you're ok.  Just think of it as a learning experience, and try not to spend too much time beating yourself up about it.  Many, many, many of us have been there at one time or another.  G'luck.

[Rambler1982]

Most important is you are OK.  Five blocks?  I probably would have tried to ride the rest of the way because I am really dumb

Yea, it was an aggravating and depressing walk. But I deserved it, and would kick myself in the nuts if I dropped the bike again. 

[Rambler1982]

It is frustrating and upsetting.  But it happens.  Be glad you weren't hurt.  And be glad that the bike suffered minimal damage.  Just imagine if you and/or the bike had slid into something.  

It's hard to tell you over the internet if the clicking is normal.  Often, a bike will click or make noises when you walk it and the engine isn't running.  You may just be acutely aware of it now.  Give the bike a thorough once-over to make sure that everything seems ok.

Like others said, you can just bent back the gear lever.  It's not a great idea to do it on the bike, but it can be done.  Get a normal box wrench, and slip the O-shaped part over the lever.  Then use the wrench as a lever to bend back the gear lever.  It won't be perfect, but there are many people running around with mishapen gear levers.  You get used to it pretty quickly.

I can't tell from your description what happened to the indicator.  It sounds like you broke the plastic part that holds the screw that in turn holds the lens?  If so, you can try to repair it.  I've found that I end up replacing stuff like that because my temporary fix never works that well.

Again, glad you're ok.  Just think of it as a learning experience, and try not to spend too much time beating yourself up about it.  Many, many, many of us have been there at one time or another.  G'luck.

Yup, that's exactly what happened to the indicator. I'll try to repair it myself, but I doubt it'll turn out that great. It looks like Proclivity might have some blinkers for me which would be wonderful.

Thanks for the tips, Spidey. Much appreciated. 

[Rambler1982]

Oh, and cheers to having a naked bike with no fairings to damage.