Wrecked the XJ today

[beegshot]

*** I'm okay...just a bruised palm and some minor road rash ***

Long post...sorry.

I spent the day/evening yesterday doing some work on her. Replaced the carb boots (# 4 was leaking...sounded like a bird chirping...tweet, tweet, tweet), changed the oil, filter, filter o-ring, polished the Kerker 4-1, and waxed the tank. I let her sit overnight to make sure the Hondabond 4 on both sides of the carb boot gaskets had time to dry.

Today, I put my helmet on before I started her for a drive around the block. Took off.

I did not check for oil leaks (I've never had a leak...but, should have checked with the engine running). Turns out the STUPID o-ring on the oil filter cover was too big (diameter) for the groove...it squeezed out on the back side...I did a visual check after tightening the bypass valve/bolt of 270 degrees of the perimeter - but, unfortunately, did not check the back side near the oil pan!

PSA - always check for leaks with the engine running before riding.

It started leaking as soon as I started her...but, I didn't notice. I saw the puddle in the garage, later. I was happy not to hear the chirping anymore...big smile. 1/2 mile down the road I made a left turn onto a side street and the back tire (covered with oil) slid out. I corrected, and she caught. I high-sided to the right...stuck my right leg out and cleared the bike...landed on my hands. Damn it!!!

I had just checked the tire pressure and inflated both front and rear to 42 psi. My first thought (flying through the air) was that the valve on the rear was stuck open and it had deflated. I was going slow, so I didn't slide much.

The bike:

Destroyed my National Cycle Plexifairing III (the tall one)
Right Engine Guard did it's sacrificial duty (yea!) BADLY scratched...will rust later
4X7-83328-00-00 STAY, FLASHER 2 (right front...broke completely)
341-84315-40-00 RIM, HEADLIGHT (badly dented...repair impossible)
2F9-84395-00-00 RETAINING RING, HEADLIGHT (badly dented...repair impossible)
Headlight (80/100W...If I recall correctly) Broke
Right Rear Passenger footpeg bent (can straighten, I believe...will try)
OMG - Kerker 4-1 Megaphone dented/scratched (one inch scratches, light dent)...these things are FREAKING GOLD PLATED (not really, but try to find one)...My original Yamaha exhaust broke in '88, so, I bought the Kerker...it's bad-ass...now it's scratched/dented - dang it!

I'm buying parts to replace my damaged ones. If you have the flasher stay, headlight rim, or headlight retaining ring, please post here. I'll wait to hear from you guys before I start buying new parts.

By the way, after watching my son's soccer match and a college football game, I'm feeling my age...47 and very sore...tomorrow morning will be fun! Yes, I know some of you are older than me and have endured greater abuse. Not whining, it could be worse...I could have low-sided into oncoming traffic. Yikes!

Thanks in advance for your support.

Robert

[skids]

Sorry about your mishap. Good you were able to stand and brush yourself off. Sorry, no XJ parts here. I hope you get what you need. If you can straighten your crash guard, there is some chrome paint you could try. I always thrught the filter housings with the oring were a bad design!

[fredintoon]

- - - Turns out the STUPID o-ring on the oil filter cover was too big (diameter) for the groove...it squeezed out on the back side... - - -

Hi Robert,
that o-ring is a metric size and most likely you were sold the (slightly bigger) inch size in error.
Never mind what Skids sez, o-rings are just about the best oil seals there are.
But it has to be the right o-ring
A long soak in an epsom salts loaded hot bath will work wonders for your aches and pains.

[skids]

Even the right size o-ing can be a pain to get seated properly. Yeah, there are some tricks, like a hot water soak and a bit of grease to hold it in place. With the time it takes to get the bolt to snug the housing, and the hidden back side, I alway wonder if it seated properly (until it is filled). I never had a leak at the filter contact of a spin-on...ever.

[IanDMacDonald]

Terribly sorry to hear about that! At-least your mishap was not from gross negligence. A few years ago I was having fuse box issues with my 750. Ended-up strapping tow straps to the forks and had my brother pull me low speed. BIG MISTAKE!!! Some idiot ran a red light, and he gassed it to avoid the collision and dragged me down. Fortunately, the only thing damaged was my ego. The front master cylinder cup came off completely, got ran over and was still okay. Not a scratch of paint anywhere.

[Jerry]

Sorry to hear of your mishap. Glad it is tuff that can be replaced / repaired. Yep...you will be sore for a couple days.

Have learned to take the new O-ring out of the filter box and let it sit / flatten out on my bench for a couple days before I plan to change filter. (Also works on my Concours filters.) If it won't sit flat in the groove there are a couple tricks such as putting a dab of grease to hold it in place but I have never been comfortable doing that. One time, in a hurry, I used a heat gun to get the ring to lie flat but you have to be careful if you go that route not to overheat the ring in any one area.

Cages or bikes I always check for leaks after a filter change on my old Jeep went bad. The filter came off but left the old gasket on the engine and I didn't notice...pumped a quart of oil all over my garage floor in very short order before I jumped back in and turned the engine off. Learned my lesson...always check.

[donebysunday]

Hope you don't feel the pain later !!!!!
I did when a big bad dog ran out of a yard and bit the front tire of one of my XS650s. Did about the same landing as you did but my ankle, knee, both wrists and all fingers got it, could hardly pick up the little 650.

[beegshot]

Update

Sunday morning wasn't so bad. Later in the day my whole right wrist and palm turned purple. My right hip, knee, and ankle started hurting. Today, I feel like I had a good work-out. Tomorrow should be fine.

Thanks for all the well wishes. I posted on a "parts for sale" add in the parts section. Hopefully, I can get some parts in the mail before the riding weather gets past me.

[jetmechmarty]

I use Parker o'ring lube to install that big seal. It's almost like sticky Vaseline, and a job like that is exactly what it's designed for. One tube will last for years.

[trbig]

I use Parker o'ring lube to install that big seal. It's almost like sticky Vaseline, and a job like that is exactly what it's designed for. One tube will last for years.

I've just always used regular grease that I use on the bearings. I smear it into that groove, then push the o-ring into it.

[tbird71]

Ouch! My oil Leaks...

Sure hope you're feeling better, man!

I just picked up my blue standard yesterday (FINALLY got one after all these years, two specials, and a Venturer)

Noticed couple puddles right under the filter housing...THAT WILL BE FIRST THING I CHECK BEFORE RIDING...bet my o ring is bad as well.

If you still have what left of stock exhaust I could use the #2 and #3 header
pipes, guy gave me the rest of stock exhaust sans the 2 header pipes

There was a NOS headlight (just the light) on ebay yesterday ended no bids. He wanted 29.95 I believe. You want that send me email or post and I'll give you the link.

Hope you're feelin better!

Tom

[beegshot]

If you still have what left of stock exhaust I could use the #2 and #3 header
pipes, guy gave me the rest of stock exhaust sans the 2 header pipes

I've moved 5 times since '88...and I don't think I even kept the old parts any longer than it took the garbage man to dump the big green bin. Sorry, but that shiny new Kerker was bad-ass...younger me didn't need no stinking stock exhaust! Doesn't hurt to ask, though.

I've hooked up with used parts in the parts for sale section.

And, good news, National Cycle still sells the Plexifairing III for the XJ.

Looks like I'll be riding before the leaves change!

Woo hoo!!!

[beegshot]

Found another broken part tonight

The right side foot rest bracket is cracked right at the foot brake pivot.

Looks like I'll be needing a new one.

3H3-27443-01-00 BRACKET 3

<img src='http://s855.photobucket.com/user/beegshot22/media/XJ1100J/005.jpg.html'/>

[beegshot]

2nd attempt at adding a photo with a URL

Here's photo of the broken bracket.

http://s855.photobucket.com/user/bee...J/005.jpg.html
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[fredintoon]

Here's photo of the broken bracket.

http://s855.photobucket.com/user/bee...J/005.jpg.html
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Hi beegshot,
let's see if this works



That looks ugly but it don't effect nothin'.
The back half holds the rear peg & the all rest all by itself and the front half is just a spacer for the front peg.
They are only joined together to look nice.