Sad day - crashed my beautiful '09 Firebolt today

[vicenzajay]

Well,

I haven't frequented the forum for a long time. I've been riding often enough (and enjoying it).

Highsided my Firebolt today in a fairly spectacular back end over front fashion. I'm extremely fortunate that my gear did the trick, and I have no broken bones (just a lot of pain - especially between shoulder blades).

The bike, however, for all the protection I had on it, is most likely going to be total'd. I'm so frustrated, as I've poured so much effort into making it about the most beautiful Firebolt I've ever seen. I'm heartsick.

Sorry for the 'down' post - I'm just really discouraged.

 

[cvc]

Sorry to hear about your misshap glad you’re safe. Get to a chiropractor ASAP the soreness is often from soft tissue injury a chiropractor is going to be able to help get you back together quicker.
I have some parts if you are interested in putting it back together.

 

[vicenzajay]

Thank you for the very nice words. I would love to put it back together again - still need to get it home from the tow company and assess all the damage. I had all the frame/axle protection available, but it seemed (not that I got a very good look at it for any length of time) that the major damage is to the front fairing (it was hanging off and pieces everywhere).

 

[konarider94]

High sides are tough to protect against. Most of the sliders are just protection for a low side.

Probably worth a closer look at the damage to evaluate the reparability, but it might also be an opportunity to give something else a try.

 

[vicenzajay]

I agree...like most of us, the frustration is in having spent so much time and effort over the years making this a truly unique motorcycle.

 

[Cooter]

Glad you're ok man that sucks. Thats the important part.
For the bike, all that protection will help for a driveway spill or very slow speed tip over and that about it. The good news is, parts should be relatively inexpensive and still easy to source.
The bad news is if the frame (that the Vin# is on) is dented, just get paid by insurance and find another one. Its not worth the hassle of swapping it and the impending confusion at the DMV

When you get it back, take the fairings off and post lots of clear, close pics. Get a list going and hoarders like 34:19, CVC, and me can send you what you need to bolt on stuff and get your baby right and ride it again. But only AFTER your body is 100%:eagerness: Yes, see a chiropractor.

 

[vicenzajay]

Glad you're ok man that sucks. Thats the important part.
For the bike, all that protection will help for a driveway spill or very slow speed tip over and that about it. The good news is, parts should be relatively inexpensive and still easy to source.
The bad news is if the frame (that the Vin# is on) is dented, just get paid by insurance and find another one. Its not worth the hassle of swapping it and the impending confusion at the DMV

When you get it back, take the fairings off and post lots of clear, close pics. Get a list going and hoarders like 34:19, CVC, and me can send you what you need to bolt on stuff and get your baby right and ride it again. But only AFTER your body is 100%:eagerness: Yes, see a chiropractor.

You, my friend, are awesome. Thank you. I will do all of that. The battle, at least right now, is with the insurance company. I'm convinced they are going to try to immediately total it. Luckily I told the adjustor that I had a spreadsheet of custom parts/add-ons - and she said that would go into their decision about the bike as a whole.

Oh - and I'm already going to a chiropractor today

 

[vicenzajay]

So my wife's with the tow company right now, and she's not being allowed to take pictures. However, things are looking up. The major damage is to the body work (front fairing - looks like stuff behind it is okay but we'll see) - top of airbox and seat cowl scratched. Frame untouched - even the frame pucks are in good shape according to my wife. Axle sliders did their job with the wheels - frame sliders kept any marks off the engine block. Corbin saddle is still in perfect shape.

Not being there myself, I'm a bit worried (given the mainly 'on-top' damage) about the clipons - steering column join. That said, the GPR steering damper is in good shape, so that would seem to indicate that that area didn't take an impact at all.

This is very preliminary, but I'm a bit more hopeful than I was all night.

 

[vicenzajay]

The control cluster will also need replacing, from my wife's description. The actual gauge cluster is, I think, in good shape (good news as odometer, etc., might still be okay).

 

[34nineteen]

Sorry to hear about your crash. I'm glad to hear it sounds like you faired pretty well, considering the description of what happened. Please go get yourself checked out and make sure everything is OK. You can always build a new Firebolt in the future, but we need you around for us to help. :up:

 

[vicenzajay]

Thanks 34:19....I'm fairly discouraged, of course, but the supportive words help. I'm just usually super careful when I ride, so this was both surprising and devastating at the same time.

To Cooter's point, I know I'm going to be looking for a black seat cowl, black airbox cover, and black front windscreen/fairing. I'll also be looking for an instrument frame (not the cluster/wiring, but the framework), mirrors, front light assembly, etc.

 

[34nineteen]

Thanks 34:19....I'm fairly discouraged, of course, but the supportive words help. I'm just usually super careful when I ride, so this was both surprising and devastating at the same time.

To Cooter's point, I know I'm going to be looking for a black seat cowl, black airbox cover, and black front windscreen/fairing. I'll also be looking for an instrument frame (not the cluster/wiring, but the framework), mirrors, front light assembly, etc.

I've gone down a couple of times, luckily not on a Buell.

These are hard to find used and unbroken. You may want to jump on this.

https://st-paul-harley-davidson-bue...bolt-xb12r~yt_body-work-/-locks-/-windscreens


A lot of the other parts usually turn up on ebay/Facebook market place, etc. so you can probably just wait for good deals to come along.

 

[vicenzajay]

Thank you....ordered...

 

[vicenzajay]

Some other parts ordered as well. One of the real "kickers" I think will be getting a Black airbox...not seeing any of those anywhere...

For the record - cluster mount, rear cowl, front fairing all ordered. I'll also need to find the fastener "kits" for everything up front, but unless insurance really decides to squash me, this should be a doable do....

 

[cvc]

All those fasteners are available at better hardware stores the service and parts manuals will have much of the correct size and length information and if you have trouble with some Barrett seems to know everything not to be confused with some others here who are know it alls (you know who you are). I have some extra factory hardware if you have part numbers. I have a good fairing bracket that I thought was sold I’ll reach out to the other member who’s supposed to be buying it and if he doesn’t I’ll let you know.

If the frame is good you’re going to be able to fix it.

 

[vicenzajay]

All those fasteners are available at better hardware stores the service and parts manuals will have much of the correct size and length information and if you have trouble with some Barrett seems to know everything not to be confused with some others here who are know it alls (you know who you are). I have some extra factory hardware if you have part numbers. I have a good fairing bracket that I thought was sold I’ll reach out to the other member who’s supposed to be buying it and if he doesn’t I’ll let you know.

If the frame is good you’re going to be able to fix it.

Thank you! I really appreciate all the support. Those that know me on the forum (from 4-6 years ago) know that I might need a bit of direction and some step-by-step help, but I'm happy to get my hands dirty and dive in. Most of the problems I've had with the bike to this point, I've fixed myself with the help of John (lunatic), Cooter, 34:19, and others here. I've just invested too much sweat equity in this particular bike to give up without a fight...

 

[vicenzajay]

Having a hard time finding a black airbox cover. I'm fine to pay full retail for a new one if we can locate something available!

 

[vicenzajay]

Might have found one.

Update - the insurance company did *not* total the bike; however, the list they compiled of the parts needed makes me a bit nervous (includes steering bearings, lower fork replacement, etc.). Just wanted to keep the thread up to date. I will say that Progressive did me right - I already have been paid only 11 days after the incident. Bike should be back in my garage on Monday afternoon.

I've been to the chiropractor three times at this point....healing is coming along (although there is a spot in the middle of my back that remains pressured/painful at times). I've invested in a Hit-Air vest for when I start riding again. Something like that would have saved almost any medical worries whatsoever in this case.

 

[Endopotential]

I've been away from this forum for a while. Sorry to come back to this post. And sorry for your hit Vicenzajay.
Glad you're upright and walking though. Always focus on the bright side.

On your muscle pain - get something like this
I had neck pain for the longest time, and these muscle stimulators really help. If your muscles are in spasm, they keep shocking them until they finally release. It's the good kind of pain.

Good luck in your recovery

 

[vicenzajay]

I've been away from this forum for a while. Sorry to come back to this post. And sorry for your hit Vicenzajay.
Glad you're upright and walking though. Always focus on the bright side.

On your muscle pain - get something like this
I had neck pain for the longest time, and these muscle stimulators really help. If your muscles are in spasm, they keep shocking them until they finally release. It's the good kind of pain.

Good luck in your recovery

Thank you! I agree - the tens units are super helpful.

The bike shows up (brought back here by the insurance adjustor) today - so I'll finally have eyes on the situation a bit more thoroughly.