Wrecked my FJ

Suppose I better get on fixing the XJ... Soon as my broken thumb heals.

This past Thursday I was going home about 5 pm on I-94. Some dipshit cut off a guy two cars ahead, he slammed on the brakes, girl behind him bumped into his rear, I braked, then swerved to avoid them, and almost made it, but slid on a two mile long oil slick and went down. Two miles isn't an exaggeration, I heard the state trooper call it in to DOT.

Bike wound up in the next lane over and burst into flames. I wound up in the next lane over from that. I'm mostly fine, got a broken left thumb, a little rash on my knee, and a couple of miscellaneous bumps. My jacket and kevlar jeans kept my skin attached. Going to need a new helmet, bounced my head off the pavement a couple of times. My phone was a complete loss, blown to tiny bits.

FJ is banged up and scorched. The responding trooper put it out and called a fire crew to make sure he did a good job. I am definitely out left side panel and right scoop, and the chin fairing is pretty much gone. Also the crankshaft cap is trashed. Not sure what the fire damage is yet, haven't pulled the tank to look. Bike does turn on and crank, so I'm optimistic.

Speaking of the state trooper, as he was driving me to drop me off at Hardees, some woman ran a red right in front of him and nearly wrecked into the cruiser, so I bumped my knee into the partition. He apologized and said he just had to write her a ticket for that one.

 

Wow quite an experience you had there, glad to hear you're alright though. Hopefully the FJ is salvageable!

 

Glad you're ok. Hopefully you can rebuild the fj.

Gary H.

 

Glad you you made it out ok!

 

That blows. Hope you're getting some compensation from insurance.

 

Paganel.... I have a few fj parts-----

Some side panels, maybe some carbs, depending on which model. Let me know what you'd need and I'll see what I got.

Dave fox

 

After surviving that and the subsequent trip in the cruiser I am officially nominating you to be nick named "Lucky".
Heal up fast and good luck with putting the bike back together.

 

Thanks, Dave!

I haven't pulled the tank yet, so I don't know the full extent of the fire damage.

I did manage to stuff the carbs back into the 550 just now, one-handed, so I have high hopes.

 

It's great you made it out with such a light (although painful) injury and a shame the bike is damaged. That could have easily had a much worse result. Hopefully it helps us all appreciate how much we have and how easily we could be seriously injured or our lives can be snuffed out. Take it easy out there everyone.

 

Good to here you didn't get hurt more than you did. Just goes to show how important it is to wear the right.

 

. . . gear

Left thumbs are only good for hitch-hiking anyway,
Good to hear you weren't hurt any worse - -was the fire tank-related??

 

Tank looks to be undamaged. I think it was gas spilling from carb bowls.

 

Freeway riding (I simply WILL NOT DO I-94 in Detroit) is when you need all of your equipment to be 100%.

Yours was apparently very close to that; here you are with a broken thumb. Imagine what would have been the result if you hadn't been wearing a helmet or protective gear.

Glad you survived what could have been a real tragedy. Bikes are replaceable; you're not. YOU didn't wreck the FJ, you were done in by idiots and road hazards.

 

Well, I sure wouldn't be posting about it. I bounced my helmet off the pavement twice, and if that was my head, I'd probably still be in the hospital.

I can't really afford to replace the FJ. They very rarely show up under $2k, and my bike budget these days is more like $300.

That said, got the 600 and the 550 that are close to being fixed. Both are great bikes. And cheaper than new body parts.

 

Paganel......let me know what parts you need---i'll see what I have.

dave fox