Backup Lights - not good to see in front of you

[racurley]

I was sitting at a light waiting to turn left this evening on the way home from work. SUV was in front of me. Car behind me. Then, had this weird sensation that the car in front of me was moving but not in the right direction. That's when I noticed the backup lights and that they had put their SUV into reverse. As I frantically tried to remember where the horn button was, I started screaming at them through my full face helmet. Couldn't find the horn but did manage to signal a left turn. His bumper crunched up against (more like over) my front wheel and smashed the "beak". I had it in neutral so I did roll back some. I was concerned they wouldn't notice and would just push me into the car behind me. Fortunately, he stopped and pulled forward. I put my side stand down and went to get off. Realized, that I had not actually put the stand down and proceeded to drop the bike. Which made me more angry. Driver got out of the car apologizing. I yelled at him a little but he was very apologetic and I didn't seem to be hurt.

I cut the bike off and then his wife tried to pick up my bike for me. I told her it was very heavy and I would get it. Not particularly hard to pick it up with a little extra adrenaline. The driver then helped me roll the bike off the road to a safe place. He apparently rides and was very concerned that he hadn't seen me even after he looked twice.

So, inspection seems to show just the front fender damaged. My dropping it seemed to have not done anything bad. Maybe a scratch or two on the plastic engine guard. Both mirrors were loose but should just need tightening. Looks like the fender is structurally sound and might just need new paint. Since I was in neutral, and he just sort of rolled back into me, I don't think there was any damage to the forks.

Happy to not have gotten hurt and happy the bike is generally sound. The worst injury was to my throat from yelling trying to get him to start. (really need to practice more with the wimpy horn). I told the driver I would take a quick look at repair and maybe he could just pay me for that without needing to involve his insurance. We'll see. Might ought to have him go the insurance route just in case.

Now, any good ideas on replacing or repainting the fender?

[sstein]

You could probably find one on ebay and let him pay for it. Looks pretty damaged. Good news that you were not injured. I feel most vulnerable sitting at stops in traffic. Lane splitting should be legalized in more places to prevent this kind of thing.. At stops I try to pull up to the left of the vehicle in front of me and get my headlight shining in their LHS rearview mirror to hope they will see me.

[Sunbeemer]

That's a bummer and I'm sorry you got hit, but at least you're OK and the bike is likely not badly damaged.

The front end of these bikes are built to take some abuse from hitting potholes, curbs, road debris, etc., so it's probably fine, but it's better to find out now before you settle.

I'd check the bike over thoroughly to be certain there are no other issues. I'd spin the front wheel and check runout on the rim and would also like to see that the pivot shafts at the back of the telelever (on the engine casing) and the ball joint at the front of the telelever (to the fork bridge) are not tweaked. The sliders are tough and simple, so if they operate smoothly and don't leak they are probably OK, but you should check them too if you suspect any damage.

[racurley]

Thanks Sunbeemer! Will check those out.

EBay not turning up much. Found one front fender but I'm not certain if it is the correct color. It looks like BMW had 2 different reds for the R1150R.

Code 911 - Piedmont Red (Metallic) <-- I have this code listed under my seat
Code 800 - Sienna Red 2 (Metallic)

Found this helpful link with cross reference of color codes.
http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/paintcodes.htm

Found this on eBay as well where they guys is parting out 2002. The top of the front fender is painted white. Not sure I want that.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-R1150R-body ... 2579157928

[sjbmw]

Take the bike to a BMW dealer, get the frame thoroughly inspected by a BMW mechanic, and get a written estimate, and make the perpetrator pay for new OEM replacement parts and labor.

Trying to find used EBay parts is not doing you any favors, but it will be a favor for the one that hit you.

Just my opinion.

[Sunbeemer]

+1

[74rider]

I have a black beak, like new, I took off my 2002, I could sell you for cheap if you want. I replaced it with another model fender, more to my liking. Let me know.

[racurley]

So, I took it by the dealer today and looked it over closely. Turns out the wheel rim is bent. $1,000 for a new front wheel plus new bolts and washers for the rotors. Plus a new front tire since its was smashed into the rim. Total estimate was over $2,000.

He was a bit concerned the insurance co would total the bike given its current retail value. Seems a shame since it is in really nice shape otherwise. Just turned 49,000 on the way in to work this morning.

How does that work if they total the bike? Sounded like I could buy it back maybe for some price and then fix what I wanted on my own. Would end up with a salvage title though I guess. Anyone done this?

Perhaps as a sign, I stopped for gas on the way home and when I hit the starter, all electrical cut out. This happened once before last year so I knew to pull it over and reach up to jiggle the battery connection. That did the trick after a couple of attempts. Sigh.

[racurley]

I have a black beak, like new, I took off my 2002, I could sell you for cheap if you want. I replaced it with another model fender, more to my liking. Let me know.

Thanks! May have to take you up on that.

[Sunbeemer]

Perhaps as a sign, I stopped for gas on the way home and when I hit the starter, all electrical cut out. This happened once before last year so I knew to pull it over and reach up to jiggle the battery connection. That did the trick after a couple of attempts. Sigh

It is my opinion (again, worth what you paid for it :-) that you shouldn't give up on the bike unless you just don't like it. A loose battery connection is a simple problem and one that should be fixed to prevent overheating and sparks flying under the gas tank. Maybe while the bike is at the dealer they could check it out?

[racurley]

So, here's the question...

The guy's insurance was very helpful and basically just sent me a check based on the estimate from the dealership. They said if you find additional repairs are needed as result of the accident they would cover that. Pretty darn easy. We're talking front wheel, mudguard (fender), turn signal, and engine guard (plastic thing over the cylinder head). The dealer included a new front tire in the estimate. I have already ordered new tires but they may not want to install that for me as that seems to be a thing with dealers.

I'm wondering if I just use the cash to order the parts and do the installs myself. Probably not hard. Other option is to order a used front wheel for 1/3 the price. I'm thinking that I will need to remove the bearings and such from the current wheel and transfer them over. Not sure how difficult that is to do. The rest seems pretty straight forward.

If I go this route, I would have enough cash left over to purchase some new shocks which I think is in order.

Whaddya think?

[racurley]

Hmmm. So, after looking at my Clymer manual, the whole removing and installing of the hub looks more than I'm might be interested in taking on.