What to check after a crash?

[tone1298]

hi all,

 

So, i joined the club last week and low sided the bike after the back tire slid out from under me. She slide on the right hand side for 10 or 20 ft into a soft shoulder. Scratched up the valve cover and lower fairing a bit but started back up and took me the 50 mile round trip to and from work w/no problems. Hadn't started it again until today and it was really rough, turned over a lot (w/choke and w/out) then finally fired up, sounded kinda "knocky". Rode it around a little and nothing seemed wrong. I'm wondering, given there is nothing leaking,etc... what could be the issue? What should I be checking?

[knight88]

Crashed one of my other bikes, and started to hear all kinds of noises I never thought I heard before the crash, but it was normal noise that I just never thought about prior to the crash. It may be that you are now hearing the normal knocky idle that these bikes exhibit? In any case I would still check on it because you never know about any hidden damages you might have done. Myself? I would take it to the dealer and have them check it just for peace of mind, but there are lots of very capable people that can check it on their own here or give you better advice than me.

[Ken H.]

What model bike?

[philbytx]

If it started up right away after you dropped it without any issues or "knocks" then I shouldn't get unduly worried.

When you started the bike after it had sat for a while after the lowside, was the weather colder than usual?

Have you done the LH cam tensioner replacement? If not, you could just be noticing the usual knocking from that particular item. Perhaps you had never noticed it before and, as someone else said, you are a little more "tuned in" since the drop.

 

Sounds like your damage appears to be mainly cosmetic. and on the lower half of the bike. Was there any dirt packed into/around the head at all? From your profile, it appears that you have a twin-spark model...if you do, check that both plugs on the RH side are functioning .

 

 

 

[tone1298]

04 1150rt

[nrp]

Check that it still handles the same with hands off the handlebars. This is a quick check to see if the frame has gotten bent.

 

If it consistently pulls to one side, the steering post axis is no longer perpendicular to the swing arm axis in a worst repair case.

 

Or it could be a less major damage problem in the front or rear suspension elements.

[T__]

hi all,

 

So, i joined the club last week and low sided the bike after the back tire slid out from under me. She slide on the right hand side for 10 or 20 ft into a soft shoulder. Scratched up the valve cover and lower fairing a bit but started back up and took me the 50 mile round trip to and from work w/no problems. Hadn't started it again until today and it was really rough, turned over a lot (w/choke and w/out) then finally fired up, sounded kinda "knocky". Rode it around a little and nothing seemed wrong. I'm wondering, given there is nothing leaking,etc... what could be the issue? What should I be checking?

 

 

Tone, as far as checking the poor starting issue after a hard low side..

 

Check the fuel pressure.. Real easy to knock the fuel pump out of it’s retainer & crack the plastic pump outlet..

 

Not saying this happened but it sure is possible & I have seen a couple of BMW’s do it,, usually results in a no start but if the pump is just slightly knocked out of place might be an internal leak between the pump & filter or sender unit lowering fuel pressure..

 

Low fuel pressure can sure cause a cold starting problem..

 

Twisty

 

[PapaJ]

I would also check the connections to the stick coil (the one in the middle of your valve cover) make sure the plug is fully locked in place. You might also want to pull the coil and make sure it didn't crack or otherwise get damaged by the fall. The bike will still run on the lower plug, just not as well.

[tone1298]

Check that it still handles the same with hands off the handlebars. This is a quick check to see if the frame has gotten bent.

 

If it consistently pulls to one side, the steering post axis is no longer perpendicular to the swing arm axis in a worst repair case.

 

Or it could be a less major damage problem in the front or rear suspension elements.

 

 

Tone, as far as checking the poor starting issue after a hard low side..

 

Check the fuel pressure.. Real easy to knock the fuel pump out of its retainer & crack the plastic pump outlet..

 

Not saying this happened but it sure is possible & I have seen a couple of BMWs do it,, usually results in a no start but if the pump is just slightly knocked out of place might be an internal leak between the pump & filter or sender unit lowering fuel pressure..

 

Low fuel pressure can sure cause a cold starting problem..

 

Twisty

 

I would also check the connections to the stick coil (the one in the middle of your valve cover) make sure the plug is fully locked in place. You might also want to pull the coil and make sure it didn't crack or otherwise get damaged by the fall. The bike will still run on the lower plug, just not as well.

 

Thanks all, I'll be checking this weekend and let you know what, if anything (hopefully not!) i find.

[tone1298]

If it started up right away after you dropped it without any issues or "knocks" then I shouldn't get unduly worried.

When you started the bike after it had sat for a while after the lowside, was the weather colder than usual?

Have you done the LH cam tensioner replacement? If not, you could just be noticing the usual knocking from that particular item. Perhaps you had never noticed it before and, as someone else said, you are a little more "tuned in" since the drop.

 

Sounds like your damage appears to be mainly cosmetic. and on the lower half of the bike. Was there any dirt packed into/around the head at all? From your profile, it appears that you have a twin-spark model...if you do, check that both plugs on the RH side are functioning .

 

 

 

Did not do the tensioner upgrade. There was dirt around the head, but not a ton... washed right off after the bike cooled down.