Laid Bike Down in Parking Lot :(

So as I was trying to turn around to park my bike I was on a slight hill and wearing shoes that have very little grip (not my normal riding shoes), so my right foot slips and the bike falls on the right side. Gas leaks from the top of the tank but I get it back up and learned my lesson with tight turns on hills and those shoes. Aside from a bent brake lever (which I have a replacement for anyway) no damage (phew), but should I be worried about gas getting into the crank case? I just changed the oil a month ago and really would like to avoid having to do it again but I have time to do it tomorrow if necessary. The bike started up fine, just a little flooded, but would gas have gotten into the airbox and down the breather hole into the crank case if it was on its side for 10-20 seconds? If I should change the oil should I change the filter too or just drain it, I changed it with the last oil change. Thanks!

 

Sorry to hear about you laying it down. Glad you are alright. I wouldn't think gas would have gotten in that quick but I really am not for sure. Open up the fill plug and smell for gas.

 

Somebody on this site drove around with about 3 QUARTS of gas in the oil without ruining the engine. Let's say you got an OZ in there - it would just evaporate on your ride home.

No worries.

 

I feel your pain like a dork, yesterday I was getting ready to ride to work and I remembered I did not pick up my cell phone. So the bike is in 1st gear and the choke is on, I for whatever reason let the clutch go the bike lurched forward and fell on its right side and threw me I didn't fall but it was amazing how I didn't get thrown or at least trip over the bike. bent the crash bar and the foot peg some. This weekend I am going to replace/fix them. The break leaver was fine... This is why you don't spend 20K on a new Harley for your first bike...

 

First thing you usually do in a situation like that is to look to see if anyone was watching (LOL). Glad there was no more damage than that!!!

skillet

 

Yeah I was lucky all in all. I did look around no one had seen me. She was a little flooded, but just rolled on the throttle some and it fires right up. Noticed the bent crash bar once I got to work. Note to self make sure the bike is off or in nutural before letting go of the clutch. Had the bike not had the choke in it would have just jumped a little and stalled.

 

Funny thing about the cell phone, I was returning to the parking lot because I had forgotten my backpack from my friends apartment, she was nice enough to get some paper towels and water to wipe off the gas. I think we make silly mistakes when we have our mind on other things, I know the only other 2 times I've dropped it are when I was starting the bike while standing next to it and it was in first gear. My clutch switch that stops the bike from starting if not engaged doesnt work so it lurtched forward and fell, learned my lesson. The other time I thought I had kicked the kick stand all the way down and just let my left foot go, learned my lesson.

Thanks for the input guys, as I thought about it more last night, the floats should stop any fuel from getting in right? especially on its side, since they would just start to fall that way? I know there's no carb leaks as I did the work myself and ohhh the work I did . Its funny, I cared much more about the bike than I did my pride (although it took a hit) or my injuries (a scraped knee), I even took off my shoes to get the bike up cause they kept slipping (damn shoes), now my feet are still blackened with gas and asphault after half an hour of lava soap scrubbing.

I also change my oil twice a year, usually under 1000 miles, so if you guys say it's ok to leave it if I smell nothing I'll take your word.

 

Get a helper, a rag, and a weight bench bar and easily pry a bent crash bar back in shape.

And to put a smile back on your face - - :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbxEBQxHDhc

 

Y'know, chacal carries two different "varieties" of clutch switch; sounds to me like a couple $$ invested in one might prevent a reoccurrence...

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=30354.html

No need to change the oil if it doesn't smell like gas.

 

Thanks for the link Bigfitz52, I need a new clutch switch. Because my bike will start if it is in gear and the clutch is not engaged. I am guessing that the clutch switch makes it so the bike will not start in gear like a car, unless the clutch is engaged or it is in neutral.

 

Thanks Bigfitz, that's exactly what I need, mine doesnt even stay clipped in. I just make sure I ALWAYS hold the clutch in when starting now but that'd be a good backup. Thanks everyone for your help, I'll go take a big wiff, luckly my nose is probably my strongest sense, I got a nose like a dog