Almost Indestructible

[ruSTyEB]

The say preparation is everything. 

Well on my last ride down to Brisbane for my Sister in-laws surprise birthday party, we thought we had planned plenty of time....not so.  I had budgeted 2 hours to get from Highfields to Brunswick Street

The sitter was running late, 10 minutes.  Then we had trouble with my wife’s phone (HTC aria) connecting to the Bluetooth headset. After 10 minutes we finally got the ruddy thing paired and were set to go, or so I thought.

I was now 20mins down. 

We finally get on the bike......but then I remember.... suspension settings were still set up for me alone 

So another 5 minutes upping the spring...  To do so I needed to unlock my right faring pocket as that’s where I leave the tools, spare key in hand I also take off the pannier.  After adjustment I put back on the pannier and we are away.

Then in a rush we get back on the bike and head off.  1hr 35min to do a 1hr 50min trip.  We did make it just, and I haven't received a photo of the trip yet. 

Now the crux of this post:   As I hit 70kmh on the New England Highway just past the Shell Servo (Highfields),  I felt something brush my Right Arm.  I thought it was my wife patting my arm saying her Bluetooth had failed again, but it hadn't and it wasn't her.  I thought nothing of it again until we arrived at our destination.

To my horror, the right fairing pocked lid was GONE 

  I forgot to re-lock it after putting everything back in from doing the spring and putting back on the pannier! 

Luckily the way I pack the pocket nothing was missing.  My Slime compressor and Slime digital air gauge fit snuggly on top of the tools I keep in there. 

When I get home the next day I went for a walk along the highway expecting the lid to have been smashed to oblivion, and had resigned myself to needing a new one.  After walking about a kilometre I see something in the gutter.  It couldn't be, it was, it is!!!!! 

In one piece and with only a few scratches I have my lid back!   Can't believe it flew into the gutter, and not into the path of a truck.

How tough are these bikes!?!?

[Brock]

 

[Shiney]

Happy days indeed

[Gavo]

Someone was looking after you 

[Biggles]

The left pannier on my ST13 came off at 80 kays because I'd failed to lower the locking lever in a rushed departure.  I found it in a ditch with just a few scrapes on the corners and some gravel rash on the side.  A buff up and repaint fixed it.  Unfortunately, my spray painting leaves a lot to be desired, and its have light orange-peel.
Whizz had his topbox go solo on a ride and had it repaired like new with a bit of bog and paint.

[Whizz]

To expand a little on Biggles' post, my Top Box did indeed go down the road on its own, it went straight on when the bike turned sharp left! But this happened during the previous owner's stewardship of the monSTer. I took the dented and scratched Top Box to Barry Mills in Ipswich who filled in all the grooves and gouges, then resprayed it all for $150! It now looks as good as new, they did a dammed fine job I must say!