[souljaboi6]

So, here in Kansas we are having awesome riding weather. I rode to Cheney Lake on this beautiful Friday, and I guess I got caught up in the sight seeing. I stopped, left signal, notice sand on the ground, proceeded slowly, and BAM, my rear tire got out from under me on the right, I thought I corrected, but next thing I know I was airborne (only for a few miniseconds) and my baby was eating gravel and dirt.

BLUF (Army talk: Bottom Line Up Front), at only 359 miles, I have a dent in my gas tank on the right side, couple of Kruger scratches on my pipes, and I had to ride home with my right rear/side view pointing to the ground. Disappointed because I didn't get my 400 miles today. Trying to get that 600 service before the true winter weather hits the Flatlands.

The dent in the gas tank looks like someone threw a junk of road at it and the metal's showing, but thank God, no puncture. Any advise and suggestions of the most economical way to repair it. I have no tools or experience in body/paint work.

Tanks in advance!!!

 

[Formerfuzz]

Sorry to hear you laid her down today. Hope only your pride was the only thing injured. I too took advantage of the 70 degrees today in North Texas and had a great ride. Just rolled over 600 miles. Good luck on getting your bike back to normal.

 

[souljaboi6]

Thanks, just my ego and my gas tank suffered the brunt of the sand trap. How do you navigate your turns down there in Tejas? I'm sure you all have more sand on the roads than us.

 

[Formerfuzz]

Just take 'em slow and easy when I see the sand or gravel.

 

[toby]

Sorry to hear that but glad you are ok. I hope when you say you laid it down for the first time don't mean you plan on doing it a 2nd or 3rd time

 

[souljaboi6]

Good Copy, Thanks! I'm about to post the awful pix to share some of the stink face with my Stryker Brothers...lol

 

[souljaboi6]

Lol... No, definitely don't plan on doing it again. I just thought about what everyone who rides told me when I got her... "It's not "if" you fall, but "when."

 

[strykenshane]

Glad to hear you're ok soljia, best bet on repairs is do what ya can yourself on the easy stuff and find a local shop to do the rest

 

[souljaboi6]

Another angle...

 

[Formerfuzz]

OUCH! that hurts my pride...

 

[souljaboi6]

Yeah, told ja it's ugly... Guess this should be more motivation for all of us not to let her fall...

 

[dreadly]

Sorry to hear you laid your bike down but glad to hear pride and a tank are the only issues ... and that is just the reason we don't ride here before the streets are swept. No matter how careful you are, the gravel can bite back.

 

[souljaboi6]

@Dreadly: That's what I've heard. I just keep trying to replay it in my head to figure how the heck it happened so I can avoid it the next time I'm on a sandy/gravel patch. Guess it'll be a head scratcher for me for awhile. I've only been riding since November and have felt pretty confident until this. Not to mention I'm one of the types that have to play something out until I get it. I'm almost leaning towards going back out there today and attempting the turn a few more times until I can do it without thinking about it, but I don't know if that's a good idea either because I don't want another dent to match the one I already have. Guess I just feel like that corner has my name on it from whooping me and my bike...lol Silly, huh?

 

[Formerfuzz]

That is a good idea. Like reconstructing an accident scene and making determination of contributing factors. Oops sorry, the Police Officer coming back out. Except I was one of the cool cops.

 

[sfcmcgan]

a thousand things can go right... but just 1 thing needs to go wrong! sand and gravel cause the most stupid accidents. Glad to hear you are OK... think of it like this... your bike wanted you to Mod it... it was just letting you know!

 

[dreadly]

a thousand things can go right... but just 1 thing needs to go wrong! sand and gravel cause the most stupid accidents. Glad to hear you are OK... think of it like this... your bike wanted you to Mod it... it was just letting you know!

lol ... that's taking a positive from the situation.

 

[toby]

Another angle...

Now would be a good time to remove the decals from the tank if you want. If you are familiar with painting and can't afford a paint job you can get rattle cans with good enough tips to do a good job. And or practice a bit on metal surfaces first. Drain the gas remove the tank and go for it. Bondo is cheep. When we bough the old Virago it had a dent in the side and was pretty beat up. So I rattle caned it and the wife hand painted a metallic gold Pegasus on both sides. Then I clear coated it with a rattle can. Here is some before and afters.

 

[toby]

Another angle...

Now would be a good time to remove the decals from the tank if you want. If you are familiar with painting and can't afford a paint job you can get rattle cans with good enough tips to do a good job. And or practice a bit on metal surfaces first. Drain the gas remove the tank and go for it. Bondo is cheep. When we bough the old Virago it had a dent in the side and was pretty beat up. So I rattle caned it and the wife hand painted a metallic gold Pegasus on both sides. Then I clear coated it with a rattle can. Here is some before and afters.

Yes and I think my wife laid her V Star down on purpose because she wants a custom paint job on that bike too. we now have an air brush. lol.

 

[dreadly]

Now would be a good time to remove the decals from the tank if you want. If you are familiar with painting and can't afford a paint job you can get rattle cans with good enough tips to do a good job. And or practice a bit on metal surfaces first. Drain the gas remove the tank and go for it. Bondo is cheep. When we bough the old Virago it had a dent in the side and was pretty beat up. So I rattle caned it and the wife hand painted a metallic gold Pegasus on both sides. Then I clear coated it with a rattle can. Here is some before and afters.

That is a great paint job Toby - rattle can or not

 

[strykenshane]

I 2nd that, nice work