Commuting in LA is not for the faint of heart...

[unwashedmass]

Headed home a month ago and got side swiped by a guy in a Lexus SUV. He HAD to be one more car ahead.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009464.jpg

I was right at the exit for Dodgers Stadium which may be the narrowest point on the 110 freeway. I got up after sliding down the center retaining wall and kicking the bike off me and realized my left knee was BAD. Not gooey and bloody, but it absorbed all shock from my 20mph slingshot into the wall.

When I realized that I couldn't take off my helmet and hail damage every piece of sheet metal on his yuppiemobile, I let out a warcry and gave him the finger. In the middle of the freeway that was at a dead stop.

A friendly fire captain came up and helped me get to the side of the road, spoke with the other driver and made sure nobody was running off; even called my wife for me and let her know I was fine, but would need a bus ride to the trauma center, as I was going into shock for a mauled finger. I kinda wussed out, really. Better safe than sorry I guess.

(An aside: the wife had received 6 injections in her back for a herniated disc the day before, which she got while giving birth to our 7 month old. Not happy with Daddy, to say the least. ;) )

So off to County/USC, where, if you have insurance they love you to death. If you make it in- the place is in the middle of hell.

I was in one of the most state-of-the-art trauma center in the world. I got x-rayed, CT scanned, probed, prodded, examined and prattled at by every student doctor in the damn hospital. Very cool folks. I started cracking jokes. The fifth student doc that walked in says "Sooo, tell me what happened?"

"I CAME IN FOR A F@#%$G VASECTOMY!!! What's going oooooonn?"

The doc's jaw hit the floor and he was totally buying it until the damn nurse busted up laughing. :D One of my better jokes, I must say.

It was awesome, right until they realized I wasn't critical. I wasn't going to get surgery until at least Tuesday, this was Thursday night. I AMA'd out, found a hand surgeon in another hospital, got admitted for surgery, got a skin graft, two pins in my pinky, a knee brace and instructions to stay off the leg until the swelling went down. I was home Sunday afternoon.

And I found out that a morphine high is not a good high for me. Paranoia, anyone?

Anyway, I was back at work on Monday for an ISO re-cert audit that I HAD to be at, but I had a pimp camo cane from the drugstore.
I got to keep the bike and get about $45 back after payout, salvage fee and deductible. Now I'm rebuilding. Footpegs are a PITA so far. Bike isn't too bad, but if I'm going to put some cash in it, I might as well make it pretty.
Any how- here's some more pictures. Don't leave a guy high on morphine with his iPhone- the wife was getting play by play on Facebook! :D

Getting xrays:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009534.jpg

The leg bruise after the brace moved all the blood around:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009270.jpg

The really busted pinky:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/b0f4a284.jpg

The superglue they used to sew up the donor site on my forearm:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009236.jpg

The titanium after the repair:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009385.jpg

Poor bike:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009386.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009407.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009282.jpg

The shirt the wife brought for me to wear out of the hospital:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/iphonedump03162009286.jpg

And I work in a 550,000 sqft rocket factory, so I got to use the Rascal while my leg healed:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/rascal.jpg

I've got an MRI on Monday for the knee, which is still banged up and I've got about another month before the pins come out of my finger. Oh, and skin grafts itch like crazy.
A few lessons learned:

1. Gear is your friend. I had all mine but pants on. Pants wouldn't have saved my knee from the compression damage, but I would have had a little less road rash.

2. Icon Pursuit gloves, while bitchin' to look at, don't offer much in the way of protection to the ends of your fingers. I didn't post it, but the pinky was ground up and the glove just melted away like butter in that spot. Buy decent gloves.

3. I need louder pipes. I never have this problem on my hoopty Sportster! :D

[jfeagin]

Dude, I don't think pipes would've saved you from SUV a$$holery. Didn't help me in the parking lot a month ago, but that's another tale. Aggressive drivers are just nuts. :crazy

Hope you heal up quick. Think about getting one of those aftermarket helicopter kits for your bike. :mrgreen:

[LeatherWings]

good to hear you're mostly ok, or at least will be.

other than the scratches and dings, is the bike fine?


Your thread title describes it all... LA is a goddamn warzone. I had a guy purposely run me off the road and into the shoulder of the freeway. It wasn't a situation where he didn't see me, he knew full well i was there. Cagers in LA are out of their minds.

[unwashedmass]

good to hear you're mostly ok, or at least will be.

other than the scratches and dings, is the bike fine?


Your thread title describes it all... LA is a goddamn warzone. I had a guy purposely run me off the road and into the shoulder of the freeway. It wasn't a situation where he didn't see me, he knew full well i was there. Cagers in LA are out of their minds.

Bike is okay mechanically, frame and forks are straight. The biggest whine I have is that I found some unrepairable damage to the rear cowl- that sucker is $268 on bikebandit! Otherwise I'd be off the hook for about $200 for handlebars and minor crap. Right now I'm hunting for a less expensive or cooler looking set of pegs....if you're going to spend that kind of cash, it should be nice looking, right?

And warzone is putting it lightly! :D I'm tempted to go down to the LB swap meet to get one of the leather wrapped cables known as "Harley horns"- you clip it onto your handlebars and use it to smack the cages. I think I'd rahter keep both hands on the bars and haul ass away from them, truthfully.

[carlitos_92]

Your thread title describes it all... LA is a goddamn warzone. I had a guy purposely run me off the road and into the shoulder of the freeway. It wasn't a situation where he didn't see me, he knew full well i was there. Cagers in LA are out of their minds.

My first few times in California (LA/OC/San Diego) I found it amusing that drivers would signal their lane change before cutting you off or running you off the road. I guess that's like the courtesy of warning somebody "Brace yourself, dude" before you kick them in the groin... Oh well.

Unwashed, that's a hell of a job on that pinky, man. Ouch. Glad to see you in good spirits. Heal up quick and have fun resucscitating that bike.

[JBarx]

First, unwashed... go to HondaPartsDirect. Cheaper than BikeBandit. Sometimes significantly.

Second, good to see you're going to be ok. You really did mangle that finger. I broke my left ring finger a couple years ago so I know where you're coming from.

All the 599 crashes are making me nervous. I'm hoping I got mine out of my system last year - knock on wood.

I got so close to getting sideswiped on a viaduct in Cincy yesterday - I couldn't believe I didn't go down. I was about to change lanes - so I looked and the lane was clear... but there was a car behind me and another behind him. It was a black newer Civic. As I'm making a lazy lane change he slingshots around the car behind me and plants it to the floor. I was only just inside the stripe at this point but this is also a 2-lane divided viaduct with 10-foot lanes. It's snug. I caught wind shear off this prick and could have sworn his mirror caught my bar end. I literally let go of the bike because I was expecting to get thrown from it. Strangely - no panic... just a mental preparation for the pain I thought was coming. Then in a split second he was gone and I was still up, so I guess it wasn't my time.

It's rough out there. Gotta somehow figure out how to have 360-vision.

[JWAJack]

Headed home a month ago and got side swiped by a guy in a Lexus SUV. He HAD to be one more car ahead.

I was right at the exit for Dodgers Stadium which may be the narrowest point on the 110 freeway. I got up after sliding down the center retaining wall and kicking the bike off me and realized my left knee was BAD. Not gooey and bloody, but it absorbed all shock from my 20mph slingshot into the wall.


Man, I don't like that interchange in a car -- too many cars coming from too many places making too many stupid moves. Glad you came out of the accident in relatively good shape.

I have found that a loud airhorn tends to get driver's attention, even in LA. But still there are folks like your buddy or the gal who zoomed up next to me on a two-lane road (tailgating the car ahead of her), looked at me (and knew I was there or otherwise would have had been in my lane earlier), and then cut me off 2 seconds later with about a foot to spare. When I gave her the horn and sat next to her window (I was pissed because I knew she knew I was there), she pretended I didn't exist. I almost followed her into the Ralph's parking lot where she turned to give her my opinion in person, but decided that she might be wack job that I'd rather not have to deal with anymore.

Any way, hope you heal up quick.

[GuyD]

I gotta say, riding in a place like LA is not for the faint of heart. I hope you heal up well!!

[somwone]

glad to hear you're alright and your sense of humor's still up and running, i dont think i could even make jokes in that situation

yea, ive ridden up and down the 5 more than a few times all the way from irvine to northridge so i get to see all the idiots weaving in and out of traffic, then watch them just get gridlocked not even 50 feet ahead
its not just the cagers too, i see people on the sport bikes lane splittin, probably goin 50-60 past me while traffic is movin around 30-40, everytime i see that i say to myself i hope they dont get hurt

and have fun revamping your bike, hope you post pics :D

[sodaking663rd]

lots of posts of crashes lately...regardless of whose fault they are, you guys are making my nervous. be safe out there. hope you're recoving quickly!

[unwashedmass]

Thanks for the kind words, folks. I'll be sure to post pics- this forum is a wealth of ideas and knowledge!!

[Transient]

Yikes. Dallas isn't great, but it's thankfully not THAT bad. I've had people jump into my lane many times - thankfully, so far, I've always been expecting it and thus have been able to avoid it. Definitely don't feel silly about my stockpile of gear, though. They're all out to get ya!

My opinion: loud pipes don't matter. If you're doing your job as a rider, people know you're present. It comes down to whether or not the people care more than anything else.

[a4naught]

+1 on the loud horn/air horn. I put two Hella horns on, one on either side, ugly big red and loud. Like another car loud. Very reassuring and effective.

But, yeah, this area is full of wacked drivers. End to end.
This is how I ride:
:shock::shock::shock:
:shock::wtf:shock:
:shock::shock::shock:


I like to call it constructive paranoia. Like they're out to kill ya. Glad you're ok. Crazy mangled pinky xray, man! That does NOT sound like fun. But at least you have a project. Hope your knee turns out to be ok.

Do the ti pins mean you can't go through a metal detector anymore without it going off?:rad

Now you got me thinking even more about the whole glove thing...gotta get a little more armor for the warm weather...

[djamalt]

WOW! Just glad you're alive man.

[91_4x4runner]

Do the ti pins mean you can't go through a metal detector anymore without it going off?:rad


Funny enough, I don't think the metal detectors can sense metals *in* your body. A buddy of mine has a large rod and several screws in his back (scoliosis) and another large rod and set of screws in his left femur and ankles (car accident). I've flown with him twice without an issue. They did give him a medical card though on the off-chance that it did happen...

[G00se]

Sorry about the crash Mass. Idiot drivers aren't are friends. Glad to see you're in good spirits!

I was coming back from the coast on Sunday and someone from the opposing lane came into mine and all I could think was oh shit! I rolled off the throttle and started to lean to avoid, but he was too close it wouldn't have mattered what I did at that point. But as quickly as he came into part of my lane he left and there was no collision. I thought I was a goner for a second.

Do the ti pins mean you can't go through a metal detector anymore without it going off?:rad
No they won't, I've got a 6" titanium plate with 5 stainless screws in my arm. I've never goes off at the airport.

[inthesky]

Glad to see you're doing OK. Just curious, how did you do a wheelie on that "Rascal"? I can't imagine much power on those things..

[unwashedmass]

Glad to see you're doing OK. Just curious, how did you do a wheelie on that "Rascal"? I can't imagine much power on those things..

You just have to get them into a power stall...... ;)

[jfeagin]

You just have to get them into a power stall...... ;)

Damn hooligans on them damn Rascals!! Too funny, man! :lol2:

[Alatron]

I'm glad to see you're doing fine (from the looks of that wheelie you were pulling in the last pic) and your bike looks to be in pretty good shape too. The 599 is definitely a tough bike, mine seems to start better since my accident. It's almost as if the carbs were cleaned when it was tumbling down the hill???

[MitchAnstey]

Hey, I had a very similar break in my pinky finger on my left hand. Make sure you really work to get your mobility back. I still can't bend the top joint in my pinky, but thankfully, it's a pinky and not worth much.

[unwashedmass]

Pins come out on Wednesday- outpatient appointment, local anaesthetic. Yay!

Hoping I don't pass the fuck out...

[a4naught]

Hey, I had a very similar break in my pinky finger on my left hand. Make sure you really work to get your mobility back. I still can't bend the top joint in my pinky, but thankfully, it's a pinky and not worth much.

Whoa there! Not a musician, huh? A guy at work once said that for a million dollars, he'd cut off his pinky. Not me man.

Mitch is right though; really work the mobility. You can always try laying your head on the table while they're taking out the pins. That way if you do go out you won't either bang your head or end up on the floor.:shock:

[unwashedmass]

Whoa there! Not a musician, huh? A guy at work once said that for a million dollars, he'd cut off his pinky. Not me man.

Mitch is right though; really work the mobility. You can always try laying your head on the table while they're taking out the pins. That way if you do go out you won't either bang your head or end up on the floor.:shock:

I'm HOPING they'll gimme a million for my dang pinky!! ;)

Good advice on the ol' noggin! :lol2:

[motorico]

It's almost as if the carbs were cleaned when it was tumbling down the hill???

I don't think that's the recommended means of carb cleaning.

[MitchAnstey]

So is your bike totaled? How has that worked out?

[unwashedmass]

*UPDATE*
Bike got totalled, bought the salvage and ended up with an extra $50. The other driver admitted fault at the scene and has been charged with unsafe lane change.

Needless to say, this make me very happy. And my attorney. He can smell money.

The pins came out of my finger on Wednesday and now it it REALLY pissed off at me, but hopefully it'll get better quick. The knee is going to require physical therapy for an MCL tear but no sugery. Yet.

I'm rebuilding the bike and have a pile of mods. I'll run a full thread on the resurrection of Pearl. The tins are out for paint now.

On a side note, I'm in escrow on a house off of Tujunga Canyon Rd. with a 2 car garage for the bikes.

Life is good, folks! :D

[somwone]

well i hope ur injuries heal fast and well

and lookin forward to seein your 'new' bike :D

[carl]

Glad it's working out for you and hope you have a full recovery :thumbsup I'm anxious to see photos of your progress on the bike re-build as I'm about to embark on a similar project myself soon.

[unwashedmass]

We'll have to do a meet and greet sometime- we can all sit down and eyeball each other's rides.

I'll be taking a bunch of pics so you guys will recognize me as I roll by ya!

[carl]

We'll have to do a meet and greet sometime- we can all sit down and eyeball each other's rides.


Sounds good to me :thumbsup , but it will likely be a little while before I'm back on two wheels. Keep an eye on the LA rides thread in the group rides forum and join the So Cal (http://www.honda599.com/forums/group.php?groupid=1) group if you haven't already.

[unwashedmass]

Update:

Got the house right off off Tujunga Canyon! W00t! The garage is coming together quite nicely.

Had another surgery on my pinky finger- currently have 10 stitches, two more pins and some fusing material in the joint- the last joint will never bend again. Dammit.

And finally, all my tins will be back from paint on Monday and I'll begin the rebuild process. I am SO fired up to ride I could cry!

Life is pretty dang good!

[carl]

Congrats on the house man! Is that the Tujunga canyon over by ACH :ride

Sorry to hear about the hand, and good luck on the rebuild project!

BTW, did you get the salvage title on your bike taken care of yet? I might have some questions about the process...

[Alex]

Sorry for the late response, I don't get to play here often these days. Sorry to hear about your unfortunate get off and hope you get well soon.

Be careful out there boys and girls.

[unwashedmass]

As you all know, I got put into the wall a few months ago. Well, just before my mom and dad showed up from Oklahoma last week I got the last of the major parts back from paint and the real work could begin. I've got about $1000 in parts and $400 in paint tied up in the bike, but it's paid off and I'm riding it now.

Dad and I spent two days putting it back together, and it was two loooong days, but it turned out effin' awesome. The only thing I have left is to buy chain, sprockets then mount the new tires, but those are considered maintenence items and I didn't want Dad riding on slick new tires, so I'm waiting.

Here's the list of new mods/parts off the top of my head:

Renthal ultra low bars, shot peened black

Rizoma Grips

Rizoma bar ends

new black levers

TPO PAIR valve block off plates/smog can removal

Oberon front blinkers (led)

Oberon Touring pegs

Clear Alternatives smoked rear tail light w/integrated blinkers

Chopped rear undertail/fender

Vert mount license plate (custom, Mass one-off)

Metisse Rear hugger fender

Paint: if it was shiny black, it's now Rhino Lined, if it was silver/aluminum, it's now HOK satin black

Tank is inlaid with my SoCal Pistolero- look at my sig, it's the somebrero wearing bandit logo

Yes, I said Rhino Lining.

Here's my Miss Pearl:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/0ae1ebcd.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/dc2e8e61.jpg


Tank Detail:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/f98aac10.jpg

Tail:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/4c524f5b.jpg


The Dirty Bitches, with the Dirty Old Whore in front:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/010734e8.jpg


Close up of the Pistolero:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/48575e95.jpg


And tonight, I went and borrowed my buddy's bike to ride up to Newcomb's Ranch tomorrow. I have three continents worth of bikes in my garage:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/UnwashedMass/0fb3b734.jpg

I have An 06 Honda 599, an E84 Harley Davidson Sportster XL 1000, and an Aprilia RSV Mille R in the shop as I type this. Life is good!!



I'll have some more/better pics tomorrow!

[Sundog]

I like it! How did you get the logo imprint on the tank?

What did you do to paint your plastic parts, and how did it turn out? My '04 asphalt's instrument gauge cover needs to be painted black.

btw, I think your photos have escaped attention because they're in the accident section - I'd say your bike has graduated from the accident category to the accessories/mod category

[MitchAnstey]

How's the finger turning out, by the way?

That imprint in the tank is very cool. Definitely give us an update on how that went down.

[unwashedmass]

Sorry guys- didn't mean to ignore this, the dang forum doesn't email me when posts are made.

Hand is doing good, bone is fused, just hurts like arthritic old man in the cold! :D

I have a buddy in OC who painted my tins for me- $425, paint, liner and tank repair. I'll be happy to share his info if you need it. The plastics are holding up awesome, it was my daily rider for three months straight (I just bought an R1 that was too good of a deal to pass up!) after the paint was shot and it looks awesome.

As for the inlay:

The shop finished the tank repair and I supplied a sticker of my pistolero that he put on the primered tank. He shot the first layer of Rhino Liner and let is set for a few minutes, then cut it out. Then he thinned the second coat and shot over it, and viola! Pimp tank! :D

[theparkland]

Dude! I got cut off in the exact same place this past summer. The bike and I came away in much better condition than you though... glad you're fully recovered. Only scratched the engine cases, muffler guard, and a broken turn signal... a big bruise behind my calf (I think from where the clutch cable connects) and a sore knee. No damage to the cager, and I guess because of that... she drove off without stopping!

LA is insane. I primarily take the Metro and Bus now that I have a kid, but I've been commuting on bike in LA for the past 5 years. Lots and lots and lots of close calls. Three true lay downs. No injuries... knock on wood.

Keep the rubber on the road. How many mirrors do you think you've knocked? I've lost count. ;-)