making those pre-ride checks: found a rat

[lucydad]

All,

Remembering the video at the MC school: do the pre-ride checks. Last week I gave the bike another go-around. Hmm, right side rear blinker not working. Flicked it with my finger, it works. Ok, off to ride, and remember to check again. Two days ago: it is now the left side rear blinker. Ok, let's look into this: nope, not the bulbs. The finger flicks indicate something loose. Run the wires up to a connector: yup, they wires had been unplugged, but not properly inserted again tight, hence the erratic nature. I got them tight, taped the connections, ran the wiring harness correctly under a plastic loop, and added a bit more tape. Problem fixed and now I know I am safe, but I will check again after my next ride. I have also found a variety of loose screws (besides inside my head), nuts and such inspecting the bike: it pays to scrutinize. :gesture:

[bioGuru]

With a title like that I figured a rat had made a home in your exhaust system... and you smelled it while riding....

[BRYAN]

With a title like that I figured a rat had made a home in your exhaust system... and you smelled it while riding....

+1

had my hopes up for nothing.

[Squanto84]

thread title fail..

[Chris24]

good lookin out!

a lot of people attribute most motorcycle accidents to "lack of skill" and "excessive speed". while those can be big problems (especially together) i dont think enough people recognize that poor maintenance can be just as much of a culprit.

did the rider not brake early enough? or was there air in the brake lines, with the original DOT4 fluid thats never been changed?

did the rider lean too far in the turn and wipe out? or were the tires too smooth, underinflated, and dry-rotted, and plugged/patched...resulting in tire failure/crash?

did he take the turn too fast? or did the throttle tube/cable go from being "kinda sticky sometimes" to "just plain stuck...wide open...in the turn" did the rider know what cable lube is? did the previous owner?

having good riding habits isnt going to save you if you neglect your bike. like in OP's case....remembering to use your turn signals doesnt count IF THEY DONT WORK! good job on catching it first.

everyone give your bike a pre-ride check, and check out your buddies bike too! let him check yours. you may easily find things the other missed.