Scared Ghostly white!!!

[cuda_phish1]

Hey gang. Had a bit of a scare yesterday evening. I was slowing down for a turn off a state HY and was down shifting as I slowed. When I hit 3rd gear the rear tire locked up on me and started the rear of the bike to skid right. I could actually see the rear tire out of the corner of my eyes and started to black out(the bike was about 1/2 way down at this point). Somehow, I managed to stomp my left foot down as I pushed left on the bars and my XS11 standard jerked upright. After a second or 2 of fighting to keep the front wheel pointed in the right direction I was able to get through the turn and stopped.

I parked and sut down my beast as I tried to catch my breathe. the guy that was alittle behind me on the HY stopped in the middle of it and came running to see if I was ok. After saying I think so to send him off, lighting a cig., and calling the other 1/2 I check my underoos, PHEW all clean.

I was one LUCKY man. I went to ER and found that all I did was sprain my left knee and ankle. Nothing wrong with the XS11 either. Well not counting a little less tread on the tire, LOL. After I stopped shaking I rode her home.

I'll be off frm riding for a couple weeks, BUT I'm alive and bikes ok too. I think I'll be buying a new rear tire here soon. What I can't figure out is this. I downshift all the time to slow myself while braking too, but I have never had the rear lock up without hitting something loose or nailing the rear brake too hard. maybe it was a combo of braking, downshifting, and something loose on the HY that I didnt see. It's possible considering it's harvest session here and there's a few farms near this turn.

Well gang, see ya on the road after I heal
Dan

[skids]

It is a good thing you didn't high-side the bike! Check your middle and final drive fluids. Maybe even lube the spider gear on the rear hub and lube the drive line splines...

[TopCatGr58]

Cuda-Phish getting fishy!!!!

Hey there Cuda,

Congrats on being able to hang on and keep it upright. Were you already into the exit lane, or still on the main Hwy? Do you ride in the middle of the lane, or over the left car tire line??

Reminds me of a tank slapper I experienced, coming up to a stop light, mid summer, mild braking and downshifting to stop, hit a spot of oil, first slide out to my left, I pulled my foot off the brake to try to use it to keep me upright, that allowed the tire to rotate and grab, then it pulled to my right, put foot back on brake, but it passed thru strip of oil again, started sliding right, finally slid onto good pavement, and with braking, jerked the front of bike to the right inline with rear and stopped before going thru intersection!!

My bets are on something in/on the road, debris, oil, something slick!!! I've skidded my rear wheel during aggressive downshifting in tight turns(NC Rally 02!), but usually from 2nd to 1st, but not actually locked it up!

Heal quick!!! T.C.

[rainbowshooter]

Hey TC speaking of sliding and locking up tires around corners and stuff, did you get the footage of 2003 XS east? Never heard if you found me going thru that corner. Also did you make any copies yet?

[Bill]

I had something similar happen to me, but it was caused by the rear brake dragging. I felt the rear wheel acting funny and pulled to the side of the road. As long as the rear tire had good traction on the hard top, it kept turning. But as soon as I got on to the soft shoulder it locked up and the bike tumbled.

If your brakes to start to drag after riding (and braking) for awhile, check the fluid return "spooge" holes in the master cylinders:

Brakes not releasing? Check your Master Cylinder "Spooge Holes"

Slow pressure buildup on front brakes

It was a long time before I figured out what happened on my bike. If the hole isn't completely blocked, the problem goes away after the bike sits for awhile. Sometimes it takes a few minutes, other times a few hours.

Rather than wait for the pressure to disappate you can open the the bleeder valve just enough to release it.