bike dropped in garage, questions???

[2ndM3]

Well, today I was rushing to get to work, took the bike off the center stand and .... I still don't know how it happened but it did ...I layed it over. Oh, I am so upset, I've got scratches on the valve cover and the plastic spark plug cover broken.
No wonder I was so glad that I finally learned how to get the bike on the center stand. I should've never learned (I am not serious of course on this one).
Since I have the Rockster the cover is in blueish color.

Does anyone know how to get rid of these scratches on the valve cover?

I should've installed the plastic protectors over them when I picked up the bike. The plastic cover replacement is an easy part but the valve cover, I don't know if I can live with these scratches. Maybe I should just install the protectors and just live with it.
Anyway, thanks for your input.

[fnfalman]

It happens. You can buy the new head covers if it worries you that much. And the head protectors are a bit late now, huh?

I dropped my Rockster TWICE within an hour on BOTH sides and scratched the head covers. THEN I went and installed the head protectors. Haven't dropped the bike again since.

[wncbmw]

Maybe the head protectors will cover the scratch?

[Capt. Blackadder]

2ndM3,

Perhaps you can find replacement parts at BeemerBoneYard.com. They specialize in used parts in good condition, so they might be of assistance in minimizing your financial, if not your psychological, trauma.

[The Kurch Man]

Which ever way you go - still install the head protectors. I delayed doing it and finally broke down and put them on this year. Few days later, I came to a stop sign on an angled pavement - ankle decided to twist on me and I 'gently' laid it down - on the head protector. At that point in time, it was money well spent so I did not wig over it. They did what they were supposed to do. You won't regret it and if you never need them (but have them), all the better.

[kbc68]

I did the same thing , just finished washing it
and my sandels were wet , then WOOPS over she went !
I ran to pick it , just a small scratch ( F words flying everywhere !)
I was almost sick to stomach !
Put on the protectors it covered up the scratch !

AND YES ! it hasn't gone over since !

[tor1150r]

Welcome 2ndm3.

I think we've all had a similar mishap. I, too, installed the plastic head guards AFTER my first moment!

[mcooperstein]

i used to have the plastic head guards. they cost as much as a new valve cover, so whats the point?

I have sanded down the valve covers, applied bondo, sanded them some more, put more bondo, sanded, then spray painted them with Duplo-Silver from WalMart. A perfect color match and you can't tell that it's ever been dropped unless you look real, real closely.

If you want the exact Duplo number for the silver paint I can get it for you when I get home. Let me know!

Mark

ps - I'm gonna be a nag...all you guys..go back and edit your profiles and at LEAST put your first name in there!! If your inclined, put some more info about you too!

[mcooperstein]

Well...I'll be dipped in doggy doo! There aint no place in the profile to put your real name! Sheesh....someone needs to let Doug the site moderator and owner of this place know!!!

[towerworker]

I have to empathize--Mine was knocked over once and valve cover got scratched even with the protectors installed. (On gravel) I think the new valve cover was around $100. The protectors have saved the jugs on more than one occasion though. And I think they look good.

I dropped it once with a girl friend on the back and once with my wife. (the wife came two years later!) Both times I had an audience. Most embarrassing! Both times the protectors did their job.

Wayne
03 r

[dano]

i dropped mine after only 300 mi or so, right in the middle of my neighborhood on a great, sunny day with everyone out....the injector on the left became detached and spewed gas (no fire, engine off quickly). the stain is still on the pavement as a reminder of me to watch slow turns. my 'stain of shame'.

[geechie]

I have a gravel driveway which curves up to the house. Came in too hot one afternoon, with too much front brake, and over she went. Scratched up the left side cover. A day or two later, I hiked it up onto the centerstand, went around to open the garage door, and as I was lifting it, I heard the bike topple over onto its right side. I lived, unhappily, with the scratches and scrapes.

Then this winter, I high-sided the bike — and got both sides good — good enough, in fact, to leak a bit from one side. So I got brand new covers from Chicago BMW (they were very good and helpful, by the way). A couple of months later I low-sided and got the new right side cover. You know, you can't even see the scratches from the saddle.

Ride on.

George

[BobFV1]

Get the plastic valve covers - just put them on over the damage and ride on! It's not a Harley, it's a bike for riding - get out on Old Topanga and open her up!

Geechie - you seem to spend a fair amount of time on the ground That sucks...

[jm1515]

I have a gravel driveway which curves up to the house. Came in too hot one afternoon, with too much front brake, and over she went. Scratched up the left side cover. A day or two later, I hiked it up onto the centerstand, went around to open the garage door, and as I was lifting it, I heard the bike topple over onto its right side. I lived, unhappily, with the scratches and scrapes.

Then this winter, I high-sided the bike — and got both sides good — good enough, in fact, to leak a bit from one side. So I got brand new covers from Chicago BMW (they were very good and helpful, by the way). A couple of months later I low-sided and got the new right side cover. You know, you can't even see the scratches from the saddle.

Ride on.

George

George...let me know when and if you ever make it to this neck of the woods...I'm thinking of putting my bike up till you pass thru. You sound like bad luck....

[2ndM3]

Well, today I was rushing to get to work, took the bike off the center stand and .... I still don't know how it happened but it did ...I layed it over. Oh, I am so upset, I've got scratches on the valve cover and the plastic spark plug cover broken.
No wonder I was so glad that I finally learned how to get the bike on the center stand. I should've never learned (I am not serious of course on this one).
Since I have the Rockster the cover is in blueish color.

Does anyone know how to get rid of these scratches on the valve cover?

I should've installed the plastic protectors over them when I picked up the bike. The plastic cover replacement is an easy part but the valve cover, I don't know if I can live with these scratches. Maybe I should just install the protectors and just live with it.
Anyway, thanks for your input.

Thanks to all of you for your responses. Well, at least I'm not alone in being upset about these stupid things you do yourself.
I already got the protectors, I think they'll cover the scratch, so it's not a big deal. I am also picking up that spark plug cover today... so it'll be new again. My problem was that I also have the 750 lbs. Yamaha Road Star (which I'm not sure if I am going to keep since now I have my beemer) and just didn't think I can lay the beemer over that easy.

Anyway, thanks

[The Velvet Monkey]

It's soooo painful the when you do the drop, but you're not alone. I did mine last year (stopped after a long day's ride and thought I'd already put the stand down). It seems to be some perverse right of motorcycle-ownership passage and, trust me, after some time the pain will wane.

I wouldn't worry abourt the valve covers--I just figure it's character. Plus, what if it happens again????????

We always hurt the ones we love.

[mistercindy]

I feel your pain. I did a slow motion tip over a few months ago which was entirely my fault. It really hacked me off. My scratches were pretty minimal, so I decided to leave them alone in order to remind me to be smarter.

[gagator79]

My new rider safety course instructor called it 'losing your cool points' when you drop your bike in front of a crowd...sooooooo i lost a bunch of them about two months after getting my bike. Pulling up to an air pump at a gas station...one bike there and two filling up about 10 yards away. At the last second, decided to execute a slow U-turn...ended up as a slow u-spiral of death! Nothing hurt but my pride. The guy at the air pump helped me get the bike up and told me his bike dropping story to ease my pain. BTW, my heads have these raised strips on them...looks good and takes the brunt of the fall without looking scratched unless you look closely.

[daslimpet]

2ndM3, welcome. Tipping your bike onto its side is a cheap lesson. You will probably never do it again. I haven't.

My experience left it on its side for a minute or so while I got some help to lift it. The garage floor was just too slippery or I would have walked it back up myself.

Unbeknownst to me my battery managed to lose some electrolyte in that time on it's side. I discovered this three hours from home on a 4th of July ride when my charging problem light came on, and within 30 minutes I was stranded. Yes, stranded... On a national holiday..... AAARGGH!!!!



You may want to consider popping off the gas tank and checking the fluid levels in your battery cells. After topping mine off all has been well for over a year!!

[Kevin]

Hey there, all.

Thought I'd post my drop experience here, although I mentioned it on another thread a little bit ago. I picked up my used '02 Black R last Friday, drove the 40 or so miles home, and after parking it in the driveway, decided to go fill up the tank before heading out to my folk's place in PA. Upon trying to turn the bike around in my narrow, inclined, one car driveway, I lost balance and had to gently lay it down. Luckily, it was fitted with the plastic head covers, and I didn't even notice any scratches. I was able to pick it up without a problem. I was still a little peeved at my clumsiness to drop it after owning it for a whopping 45 minutes. But in riding it out to the country, I quickly got over it, as the true enjoyment is in sitting on top, not looking at it from afar.

I am still a little wary of trying to learn how to get it up on the center stand, though, especially after reading the origination of this thread.

Keep 'em vertical.

Kevin