[SteveCB500F]

Today in the Wash, DC area (Northern VA) we had 50-60 MPH wind gusts and my bike got blown over while I was at work. The only visible damage is on the right handlebar end that got scuffed up a little bit. The bike is a 2018 Honda CB500F but I'm not really worried about visible damage honestly...I just want to be sure nothing else is affected.

The one thing I did notice is when I go to lock the handlebars (when you press the key down into the ignition and turn it all the way to the left) I have to turn the bars just very slightly to the right to get the key to lock. Before the fall, I could just have the wheel turned all the way to the left and I could lock the ignition. Now if I have the front wheel turned all the way to the left the key won't turn completely left to lock the ignition and handlebars...I have to turn the wheel a tiny, tiny bit to the right to get the key to turn.

So I'm think something must have gotten turned or twisted when the bar end hit the pavement. Any thoughts or opinions if anything is damaged internally? Thanks very much.

 

[Critter]

I have always had to wiggle my handlebars to lock the Yammie. Harley needs a padlock, go figure.

 

[RonK]

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The first time I wore ear plugs, I was in such a dream world I could hardly ride. I was rounding a corner and was afraid I would slide in some sand and got lost in my mind, but ended up in the gutter anyway.

On recovery back on the roadway, the handle bars were a little off. I just locked the front wheel in my legs and tweaked the handle bars. Been fine ever since. (Of course it looks like I'm sitting side saddle, but everyone just thinks I'm a transvestite and don't pay attention. :smile_big

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[etex]

...
So I'm think something must have gotten turned or twisted when the bar end hit the pavement. Any thoughts or opinions if anything is damaged internally? Thanks very much.
...

My bike is a 2018 CB500XA - basically the same bike as yours - and the lock will engage properly all the way to the left stop. Seems unlikely that something got tweaked in such a minor fall, but I guess something could have happened.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

If it landed on the RHS, check the plastic / nylon part under the grip. That bit can break easily. Check the forks for alignment. They may have twisted a bit. Also check the bars to see if they bent a little. The brake or clutch lever may be bent a little, same with the shifter or brake lever.

UK

 

[SteveCB500F]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I'll check for additional damage on the RHS per UK. Thanks again. :thumbsup:

 

[Unkle Krusty]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I'll check for additional damage on the RHS per UK. Thanks again. :thumbsup:

My XS400 Yamaha got knocked over at the ferry dock. So I have been through the routine. About $250 worth of bits.

UK

 

[RonK]

My XS400 Yamaha got knocked over at the ferry dock. So I have been through the routine. About $250 worth of bits.

UK

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You've been warned about those fairy doctors. Let that be a lesson. :sad:

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[Miss Mercedes]

I'm super afraid of coming home to see a bike blown over. I always park with the lean going in the direction the wind is going and try to get as much lean as I can.

My old Honda Rebel was dropped by its previous owner. Dent on the tank aside, the bars were out of alignment and the bike would start revving up in a u-turn. I fixed it by straddling the front tyre and using my weight and strength to straighten the bars. No more revving in sharp turns and the bars were perfectly straight. The person that bought my Rebel recently put it up for sale...bars still straight!

 

[RonK]

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Oooh, you're so strong! I just love it!

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[Miss Mercedes]

More like those bars were weak...likely from having been dropped. xD

If my GS850G ever falls on me I better become a hermit because that'll be my new home!

 

[MGRIDER]

WOW !
The only time I was worried about wind & my Bike, was on THULE BASE !
Never knew it could blow so much..... elsewhere !

 

[SteveCB500F]

Yeh, we had 50-60 MPH wind gusts yesterday. I usually follow the weather very closely because I'm always looking for an opportunity to ride my motorcycle or mountain bike but this time I totally missed the gale warning that had been issued.

I think the next time they call for heavy winds I'm just going to lay the bike on it's side on a few towels or something. A few months ago I tied it to my car with some bungee cords during strong winds and it did fine but yesterday I had to work so my car was with me and the bike was on its own in the parking lot. The wind was coming from the left so it actually lifted the bike out of its lean, up, and then over on its right side.

Question: If you have a cover on your bike is it better to remove that during strong winds? Does the cover act like a sail almost and make it more likely to get blown over? Either way, I'm just going to put it on it's side with some towels for the next gale warning we get.

Anyway, I called my dealership today and they recommended I bring it in. They said the frame, fork, or handlebars might be out of alignment which could cause wobbles while riding and they said something about the steering lock maybe being broken, too. Something was definitely twisted or damaged because I can't lock the bars when they're turned to the left. To lock them now I have to turn the bars a few centimeters to the right and then they'll lock. It definitely wasn't like that before the fall. The bars were locked when it fell and it looks like the entire impact was on them and nothing else.

What do you think? Are they just trying to make some money off of me? It's the dealership where I bought it and they've treated me really well so far. They've been in this area for over 60 years and have a really good reputation so I'm probably going to let them check it out.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

They will check the stuff I mentioned. Toss up between looking at the forks first, or the bars. I usually checked the forks first.
A cover will have more drag for the wind. With the bike on the side stand, you could block the other side. This is how we do it on the ferries. And leave it in gear, and block the wheels, and keep an eye on it if it is really rough.
With the waves beam on, bikes on the Coho ferry get tied against the inside of the ship. Similar plans can work for you.

UK

 

[Doc Samson]

To lock them now I have to turn the bars a few centimeters to the right and then they'll lock. It definitely wasn't like that before the fall. The bars were locked when it fell and it looks like the entire impact was on them and nothing else.

What do you think? Are they just trying to make some money off of me? It's the dealership where I bought it and they've treated me really well so far. They've been in this area for over 60 years and have a really good reputation so I'm probably going to let them check it out.

Steve, I experienced the same winds and came this close (I'm holding my thumb and forefinger very near each other!) to riding to work that day. I'm glad I didn't!

I wanted to let you know I am experiencing the same issue on my CBR, i.e. need to back off from a full left handlebar turn for my lock to engage. Now, my bike was tipped on the right side by the previous owner but had the same quirk with my Ninja and it had never been dropped. I've never really thought about it much. I've had my forks off and everything seems lined up. No strange wear on my tires or weird wobbles at speed.

I'd say that if it seems the lock is still engaging and your bike is riding fine, don't worry about it too much... unless you are a bit OCD and then, yeah, go ahead and get it fixed! :smile_big:

 

[Unkle Krusty]

My opinion.
If the forks are twisted it needs fixing.
If the forks are straight, it does not need fixing, but the bars and other things should still be checked.
I had many guys trading in bikes that had never been dropped. But if there are minor scratches on several parts, and the forks have a slight twist, then what caused that. Bikers lie worse than fisherman.
What could possibly go wrong with having the bike checked.
You can eyeball the forks yourself. They need to be perfectly parallel.

UK

 

[Critter]

My cover has a bungie holding the cover on. It is under an overhang and near the house. It leans toward the house. The wind was .strong enough to lift the cover off the front of the bike

 

[RonK]

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Unless your bike gets dragged down the road as it was pulled by a raging bull, I'd say if everything seems okay, then just forget it. If the bike rides straight and your handlebars are straight, then two options: Don't worry about the wiggle to get the lock in line or take it to Miss Mercedes and let her bear strength straighten it all up. :wink2:

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[Unkle Krusty]

Someone please explain to me why it is not a good idea to eyeball the forks.
It takes less than a minute and is free. Forks do twist from a simple drop.

Maybe some folks never learned what parallel is, and or how to eyeball the forks.

Ride four older different bikes that appear to be straight. One of them will feel funny at first, but you get used to it. If the bike is a bit twisted, you might not notice it when riding, and if you do, you will get used to it.

I am glad some of you never got to line up any of my bikes for the track. And super pleased you are nowhere near my side car.

UK

 

[RonK]

...

I am glad some of you never got to line up any of my bikes for the track. And super pleased you are nowhere near my side car.

UK

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Why? We have been blessed. :angel:

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