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Posted by Nightrider
- September 13, 2009, 09:57:06 AMYes, happy end ...
"Funny" thing is that after the trailing session the bike wouldn't drive !
Despite my surprise I came to the conclusion that it was a safety device somewhere and after reading the ECU codes (none) I checked the sidestand switch to find that its electrical harness was cut. This was due to the bike being very low with the flat tire and the underneath contacted hard the trailer ramp ...
Difficulty to understand was that - unlike teh othe rbikes I have owned before - the ignition is not killed when you engage the first gear BUT when you release the clutch. This is still surprising me but that is a fact ! In first you can rev the engine but as soon as the clutch engages it simply dies ...
I repaired it some minutes ago though ...
But still waiting Tuesday for my new tire to be available at the local shop.
At the time being the rear of the bike is removed and spread all around in my garage ! sad ...
Posted by pcarrell
- September 11, 2009, 11:02:18 AMHairy ride man! Glad you're OK!
Posted by chief
- September 11, 2009, 09:13:23 AMYea, tire punctures are NEVER fun on a bike.
Some lessons I learned early on:
1) never skimp on tires
2) preventive maintenance
3) new tubes with each tire change
4) replace tires BEFORE they wear out
5) inspect frequently
Glad you made it home safely.
Cheers.
Posted by Nightrider
- September 11, 2009, 08:39:53 AMHappened yesterday after getting my new license plate (administrative aspect at the "préfecture")
While driving heard a big BANG, stopped the bike and inspected. No Fault Found.
rode a bit more, went to Kawasaki dealer to buy the plate and new exhaust seals (to install V&H longshots).
After several more kilometers and while heading back home the bike started to feel fuzzy, the back was "loose".
Understood the problem and stopped to find that the rear wheel was flat.
previous owner left a puncture repair spray can. But it was old and during the process the flexible hose broke 
.
Not to mention that the access to the rear wheel is very poor on a Drifter.
As per spray can instruction I jumped on the bike and rode slowly to spread the repair compound in the tire.
After 500 meters and at around 50 km/h (30 mph) the rear tire got really loose on the wheel and the situation got serious.
Car approaching behind, bike almost uncontrollable !
I felt I was going to fall if the oscillation got worse.
without braking I decided to quit the road and ride in the grass on the right side.
Grass slowed me down but it was shaking like hell.
At least falling on the grass was better than making a pizza on the tar I thought - still waiting for the ride to end suddenly and quickly.
In fact after applying gently on the brakes I managed to slow down and stop without falling.
next was getting a mean to tow the bike back home behind the Buick but that's another story ...
CONCLUSION:
1- Get yourself a new puncture repair spray can.
2- Even if close from home do not try to ride a 1500 VN with a flat tire. Never !