Interesting break down stories?

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timtune

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In the interest of @PrivatePilot I thought this might be good winter time filler.

I've dicked with bikes at the side of the road a few times but never had any real issues. We boosted my DRZ400 in the Ganny once using two wrenches as booster cables.

We did abandon my buddies 750 Ninja on the James Bay Road the first time up.

What else you got?
 
Breakdown stories? Nothing quite like breaking down 150km either side of nowhere on the James Bay Road - my bike sucked a rock through the rear belt pulley and spit the belt. Thankfully it didn’t break, we were able to fish it back out of where it jammed itself, get it back on, and we continued on. Rode about another 10,000km since with no ill effect. The belt had a small abrasion in one spot where the tire had rubbed after it jammed itself in the rear suspension, but belts are tough.

We used a small stick we found on the side of the JBR to bend the belt retainer back into place. Save our butts. We brought the stick home and now it hangs in my pool cabana as a memory.

I’m going to pull the rear tire off in the spring once the weather starts to turn and give everything a once over, but if the belt still appears otherwise 95% unscathed, I’m not going to replace it unnecessarily.
 
Ugh. Too many stories and not enough beer to tell them all.
 
Back in the mid nineties I had just got back into off road riding, and was an active member of a club.

The club hosted the Lake St. Peter trail ride and I volunteered (actually I was voluntold) to be one of the course sweepers. I was partnered with an experienced expert level rider and we set off in the rain. The course was a glorious mix of gravel, rocks, sand, rocks, loose loamy trails and more rocks. After the overnight rain it was all slippery and sometimes mushy though the rocks remained hard.

Pulling arrows over the first couple hours, I seemed to be riding quite well. Not necessarily keeping up with Ben, but keeping him in sight and not making him wait intersections.

After the sun came out I was feeling pretty good about myself as I pulled into the mid way gas stop just as Ben was taking off his helmet. As I was getting off my bike he came over and apologized that we were going to have to take some extra time here.

I said OK and asked why. He said, "I got a flat front tire about 15 minutes in and I have to fix it."
 
Back when the Goldwing forum I frequented was not under American control there was a sense of oneness.

I was at home doing paperwork and got a call from a member in Georgia advising me of a forum member from Arkansas that while on a trip with his lady friend, had broken down in Hamilton. They had limped to a motel near the RBG.

I drove out to see if there was anything I could do about the broken studs on their final drive. I made a few calls without luck then called an auto mechanic I knew to see if he could remove the studs if we could get the bike to him.

It turned out he had a used final drive kicking around from a trike conversion so we transferred all possible loads to my van and went to the shop, the lightened wing following at cautious speeds.

I got the call at about 10:00 AM and the couple from Arkansas pulled out of the shop about 4:00 PM all fixed up. No Charge.
 
1969 cb750. About 10 km from home the single throttle cable broke at the grip. The one day in a year I had pliers in my backpack. Managed to get home by pulling the cable with the pliers for throttle.
 
Don't have much in terms of roadside mechanical brake downs on the bike. However, I am one to be macgyvering solutions in difficult situations with whatever is available at the time.

One that could possibly qualify.
5 of us arrived at a buddies house to go on a 3 day ride. My buddies KTM would not start due to dead battery. Eventually it started after a jump off of another bike. I know carry custom designed cabled to jump bike off of another bike/battery.

Another one, Buddy dropped his Ninja on a gravel road last year in PA. Side clutch cover sustain a puncture. Oil spilling onto his broken foot while riding. My roll of electrical tape closed up the hole stopped the oil from creating a bigger mess.


Month or so ago, while at a hockey tournament in Alliston, the coached car would not start. Turns out it was a dead battery. No one had any proper tools to remove the battery . I had my Leatherman Wave on me. Slowly but surely I was able to loosen the two nuts to remove old battery and reinstall new one after picking one up from the Crappy Tire near by. There are not many places that I do not take my Leatherman to. It has got me out of a bind many many many times.
 
1991 or '92... Riding home from Fort Lauderdale.
I'm on a Honda cx650E, two companions riding a FJ1100 and FJ600 respectively.
On the bypass 'round Atlanta the FJ600's chain snaps...
We somehow managed to get it put back together... I think using a rock as a hammer was part of the process..
The breakdown wasn't the main concern, but rather the fact that "if" a curious and however we'll meaning state trooper where to stop to see what the issue was along this busy stretch of highway... He might realize that Mr. Broken Chain FJ600 rider has an arrest warrant out on him due to a previous run in with Georgia State Police involving a failure to appear in court over a somewhat serious moving violation.
 
Hydro locked a 70s era Suzuki 250 near Cloyne. Towed it back 200km along Hwy 7 using a CB350 and a 20’ rope.
 
During M2X course, as we pulled out onto the road, the bike in front of me was trying to do an impression of a bucking bronco. Rider pulled over in a safe spot and sweep instructor and I stopped with them. Rider had no clue other than bike was catching and then dying. Quickly diagnosed loose ground cable and tightened it. Continued on with the ride and caught the pack.

On an old nighthawk while north of Huntsville I lost all power. Bollocks. Diagnosed as key switch which had multiple spring loaded contacts. One had gotten hot, deformed the plastic and was no longer making contact. Bent tines on a metal fork I had, jammed it in the back of the switch to get power flowing and taped it in place. Got me home with no further issues.

Not really a breakdown but Aprilia flash to pass turns on high and low beams. Going around a corner on a dark night in the country in NS, I pulled it to see better. About halfway through the corner the fuse blew and all light was gone. Fack. Continued around the corner until I could see taillights in the distance straight ahead and I figured the corner was over. Slowed down, pulled over, diagnosed fuse and replaced, continued on. Didn't hold flash to pass anymore.
 
Once had a Lucas "Magdyno" equipped bike lose spark about 15 miles from home. Luckily, not far from a fellow I knew. Pushed the bike there. Got wife to come with the car. Went home got the trailer and rescued the disabled Brough. Found a replacement armature from a fellow Brough club member in England. Dismantled the magdyno and installed new armature, re-placed, re-timed. Works!!!
Just something possibly to be expected in a then-elderly (50 year-old) motorcycle. That was about 41 years ago, No problem since.
AFJ
 
Dark and stormy night outside Winnipeg on my way out west and I hit a massive puddle that darn near made me crash. The bike (a 1997 Honda Goldwing 1500) started running like crap but I got it to a campground about 30 minutes from the city. I parked and went over to the office to self check-in and when I got back on the bike and turned the key, nothing. Absolutely nobody around so I hauled my camping gear to the nearest site and spent the night in a leaking tent.

I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the bike in the morning so I started calling dealers and mechanics. As soon as I mentioned that it was a Goldwing, suddenly everyone was booked solid for months. I got desperate and called a local guy who made parts for Honda cafe racers just because his website said "motorcycles" and "vintage Honda". He said he doesn't really do repair work but he'd take a look. He gave me the number for a local old-timer who makes a living hauling bikes with a homemade drop-trailer and I was on my way to his shop.

Nicest guy in the world, helped me diagnose the problem (starter solenoid and main fuse both fried) and took the part off of a project bike to get me on my way again. I think he charged $100 for the part and the 2 hours of his day. The bike ran perfectly all the way to the Pacific and back. The guy's shop was Ox Motorcycles if anyone is into cafe racers or vintage Hondas.
 
Since I labelled the thread interesting breakdown stories I now feel obligated to add a bit more about the abandoned Ninga.

In 2010 three of us headed up the JBR. We were all on sport oriented streetbikes. Me on my FZ6 . Buddy X on an '80s 750 Ninja and buddy Y on a Kawi 1200 ZRX.

We were rough camping.

Just before we got to the big gas station midway I crested a hill and saw X on the side of the road in what I thought was a cloud of dust from pulling over. When I pulled up I realized it was smoke and X was throwing sand at it. He put the fire out. Then he tried to start it. The bike made a horrible grindy crunchy sound and we knew it was done.

X did the roadside math and determined he was likely to spend more in gas in his pickup retrieving the bike than it was worth. He'd had had it a long time. It had been apart (in the kitchen). It owed him squat.

We emptied his bike. Chucked our extra jerry cans in the ditch and proceeded to spread 3 guys camping gear over two bikes all the while keeping enough room for a pillion on the ZRX.

We carried on. At the gas station X paid somebody $50 to bring his bike back to the station where it could go on the scrap heap.

Made it to Radisson, went to the bar and I immediately ordered shots. Did the mine tour, rode out to Chiasibi and headed home. Somewhere in Quebec after riding pillion on the ZRX for about 1600kms X bought a used Triumph.
 
timtune said:
Since I labelled the thread interesting breakdown stories I now feel obligated to add a bit more about the abandoned Ninga.

In 2010 three of us headed up the JBR. We were all on sport oriented streetbikes. Me on my FZ6 . Buddy X on an '80s 750 Ninja and buddy Y on a Kawi 1200 ZRX.

We were rough camping.

Just before we got to the big gas station midway I crested a hill and saw X on the side of the road in what I thought was a cloud of dust from pulling over. When I pulled up I realized it was smoke and X was throwing sand at it. He put the fire out. Then he tried to start it. The bike made a horrible grindy crunchy sound and we knew it was done.

X did the roadside math and determined he was likely to spend more in gas in his pickup retrieving the bike than it was worth. He'd had had it a long time. It had been apart (in the kitchen). It owed him squat.

We emptied his bike. Chucked our extra jerry cans in the ditch and proceeded to spread 3 guys camping gear over two bikes all the while keeping enough room for a pillion on the ZRX.

We carried on. At the gas station X paid somebody $50 to bring his bike back to the station where it could go on the scrap heap.

Made it to Radisson, went to the bar and I immediately ordered shots. Did the mine tour, rode out to Chiasibi and headed home. Somewhere in Quebec after riding pillion on the ZRX for about 1600kms X bought a used Triumph.
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Nothing like leaving home on 1 bike and coming back on another.

I know someone that went through a similar situation. Instead of a bike, it was a pick up truck on a hunting trip.

Damn JBR stories. I really want to do a JBR trip
 
Scariest in some sense was a fuse blown on my RD400 at night, on a newly built 144 N of Sudbury ....those who have been on it know there was zilch...no lights, no buildings except for one 1/2 way house and I was past that. I had one orange turn signal...- amazing how your night vision copes.
Finally a car passed me and I ghosted him all the way into Sudbury and finally found a streetlight to change the fuse.

Infamous Vstrom 650 stator failed north of Silver Springs VA. Hot day and called AAA. Was sitting by the bike slowly roasting a couple of girls drove by and launched water bottles to me.
:love:
Finally AAA showed up, ancient driver and I was no spring chicken, dropped the bike trying to get up the slanted ramp and finally wrestled it on.
Dropped bike at a Honda dealer ...needed a stator but they put in a new battery which at least allowed limited distance,
Stayed overnight at a Civil War era hotel...third floor...full gear...puff puff pant pant...but was a lovely place and the breakfast was suthern hospitality. Never did make the BRP to the end.
The Vstrom 650s had a recall on the stators and there were none in the whole US.
StromTrooper community stepped up and a guy who had received the recall stator and offered to sell me his for $100.
Managed to limp on the battery to him ( 100 miles ) but no one to install - it was a Sunday. Had my original battery and the new one fully charged and finally limped back to Canada.

Had a less dramatic stator failure on my 2009 CBF1000 - Forks riders helped me get a full battery ( I literally coasted into the Forks.) Lot of people helped.
Took off for nearest Honda shop in Milton - did not make it. Called them and they picked up me and the bike.
Now this was a 7 year old Honda and as it happened had a 7 year warranty on the known stator problem.
Dealer did not charge me for the tow, or the stator install √.
I bought my only new bike in my life, the CB500X I took across Canada from them as a thank you.
I also bought my little Yamaha scooter that I totalled from them...poor little scoot had a short and tragic life. :sneaky:
 
timtune said:
Since I labelled the thread interesting breakdown stories I now feel obligated to add a bit more about the abandoned Ninga.

In 2010 three of us headed up the JBR. We were all on sport oriented streetbikes. Me on my FZ6 . Buddy X on an '80s 750 Ninja and buddy Y on a Kawi 1200 ZRX.

We were rough camping.

Just before we got to the big gas station midway I crested a hill and saw X on the side of the road in what I thought was a cloud of dust from pulling over. When I pulled up I realized it was smoke and X was throwing sand at it. He put the fire out. Then he tried to start it. The bike made a horrible grindy crunchy sound and we knew it was done.

X did the roadside math and determined he was likely to spend more in gas in his pickup retrieving the bike than it was worth. He'd had had it a long time. It had been apart (in the kitchen). It owed him squat.

We emptied his bike. Chucked our extra jerry cans in the ditch and proceeded to spread 3 guys camping gear over two bikes all the while keeping enough room for a pillion on the ZRX.

We carried on. At the gas station X paid somebody $50 to bring his bike back to the station where it could go on the scrap heap.

Made it to Radisson, went to the bar and I immediately ordered shots. Did the mine tour, rode out to Chiasibi and headed home. Somewhere in Quebec after riding pillion on the ZRX for about 1600kms X bought a used Triumph.
Click to expand...
I need some parts off that zx7, where is it! 😂
 
I was out west on a trip a few years ago at a Honda ST rally in Grand Junction, Co. One day I took off early to go to Arches National Park before the heat set in. Awesome place with lots to see, and a bit of hike to some of the arches. On the way out I see a water tap, and for some reason I had brought 2 plastic water bottles that I'd finished and I filled them up here at the tap. Left the park and was taking I70 back, where the speed limit here is 80 mph and I am being passed so I go with traffic and the ST1100 is so smooth.......and then it starts cutting out, like I am out of gas, I have 3/4 tank left. I pull off and the starter works but not catching. I take off the tupperware to get to the gas filter to see if there is gas coming out. Turn on the key, I hear the pump but nothing coming out. Oy. Glad I have CAA, but can't get a cell phone reception. One of the guys from the rally pulls behind me, his phone has 4 bars we call CAA and I am right at a mile marker, AAA says truck will there in 1-2 hours. I thank the other rider and tell him to get going. He has an ST1100 as well and is way better wrench than me. We try it all, but came to same conclusion. I decide to walk up the hill and I can get a cell signal and tell him not to worry and go. Two hours go buy no truck. I call again and they say he's there. I say he is not. I get a call and it is the tow truck driver, he can't find me and he's at the mile marker just west of the Colorado border. I tell him I am just east of the Utah border. Then it dawns on me, I am still in Utah and not Colorado. I tell the guy are you still coming he says no, they have to send someone else and I have to call them and start all over again. Sheesh what an idiot I am, totally my fault. I call the Utha AAA this time and same 1-2 hours wait. I never saw so many double trailer trucks, some would move over others couldn't and I don't know how the bike and me didn't get blown over.
By this time I am getting sun stroke, I drank my 2 bottles of water. I put my helmet back on to deflect the sun. I walk a bit up the road and find that there is a cell signal there. It is a bit downhill, so I duck walk the bike a few yards ahead. I am waiting and this couple from PA on a Goldwing pulling a trailer stop and ask if I am okay, and say I am waiting for a two truck they see I am hot and they give me a frozen water bottle and a cold bottle. He tells me put the frozen one on your forehead and drink the other one. They were so nice. Couple of other pickup trucks and van pulled up to see if I was okay. Nice folks.
I began to get a whiff of something, not pleasant, and figured an animal had been run over nearby, but it wasn't that kind of smell. It just got worse as I got closer to the bike. As I am putting the tupperware back, I noticed I had pulled up on a petrified (but not enough) turd someone left on the highway, you think the discoloured toilet paper on top would have given it away, but I wasn't looking where I was going. I started to get the giggles, that it is just my luck, I am going to pass out from heat stroke beside my bike and fall on a pile of crap.
Truck finally showed up and I was back at the hotel by 8 pm, this ordeal started at 2pm.
I skip dinner, and post an SOS on the ST riders site. The next morning (this is Thursday before Labour day weekend) I call 2 Honda dealerships and they don't have a fuel pump in stock but can order one and I would get it next week. A guy on the ST site from California has an auxiliary pump that he carries just for that purpose and it is ready to be put inline if I take out a few parts ( that I am familiar with) and has clamps and brass couplings for a roadside fix. He will Fedex overnight. I go over to the bike and check to see and turn the key and the thing starts. But I am not trusting it to go home. Another guy from the ST site took the fuel pump out of his bike and also sent it FedEx overnight. I feel better at least I can make it home with a backup in case this aux pump doesn't work. Sure enough Fedex arrives, and I go to work cobbling up the aux pump and I have a spare switch to turn the pump on and off in case I need to. Pump goes in, bike starts, I have another guy follow me while we do a test ride in the local roads. That is good and we head off to the highway and I pin it and it feels the same as before. We get back to the hotel and the rider behind says that he noticed some unburned fuel/exhaust when I gave it the throttle but other than that it looked fine. The used OEM pump arrives and I pack it up in the top case.

Next day the rally is over, I say my good byes and ready to head out. I look at the bike and the left fork dust seal has a light weep and luckily no drip on the disk or pad. I use a sealmate to clean it up and wipe it, bounce up and down a few time and looks okay. Next morning I am on the road with heart in my throat as I go up and down elevations and the bike is not missing a beat, but my heart sure is. I just clear Denver and then a huge rain storm and I hang in until the wind gets real bad with heavy rain lightening and thunder. I take the exit , and find a motel and it is only 4 pm Of course as soon as I check in and pay, it clears up. Figured I had enough excitement and grab a great dinner at a truck stop (way better than I expected pasta dinner, noodles a al dente).

Tracked my mileage per tank it was a few miles less but nothing significant. The aux pump ran like a champ and got me home. I found out later that it pumps a bit too much pressure, so I found the same make with output to match the OEM pump. Oh and my original pump i still in my ST and running and I still have the aux pump inline with the switch set to off. I turn it on every now and then to make sure it runs. I haven't taken a trip out west since but have another spare used OEM pump to take, just in case. Only time the ST has let me down.
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