 Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500 |
I walked into my dark garage this morning. I hit button on the wall and light spilled forth as the door rose allowing me to greet the new day. There in the middle of the garage with golden sunlight shining from it's chrome and polished bits was my bike. I greeted her warming rubbing my hand down the smooth lines of her tank and brushing my fingers across the lacing on her saddle. I threw a leg over her, and sat down on the supple leather seat feeling her strngth beneath me. I reached down under my left leg to switch the key into the on position and..... it was ALREADY in the on position! Doh!!!!!!!! I frantically thumbed the starter again and again, but she was.... was... dead!!!!!!! How could I have been so cruel!? I can just imagine her sitting in the garage last night calling out to me with her glowing headlamp, but unable to scream because her engine was silent. The horror...... 
Learning from my mistakes... again and again.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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DOOOHHH!
Happened to the best of 'em!
Not me yet, I just let the alarm knacker the battery! 
Last edited by Adey; 07/11/2006 1:28 PM.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,527
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,527 |
Hmmmmm. Talk about coitus interruptus? Definitely a case here. 
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,477
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,477 |
Same thing happened to me a few weeks back and I covered it in a post on this here forum. I was stuck in a hotassed parking lot and was rescued by a couple facilities maintenance guys with a hotshot battery jumper. Now, I shut down key first, THEN hit the kill switch. Sounds as though you're a little "TOO close" to your motorcycle, though. Not trying to be critical, just an observation. Perhaps you should try dating.   Seriously, though. Black and Decker sells a nifty compact rechargeable battery pack for jump starts for around $40.00. I'm picking one up ASAP to keep in my garage. They even sell a model that has a tire inflater with it for a few more dineros. 
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
I greeted her warming rubbing my hand down the smooth lines of her @$% and brushing my fingers across the lacing on her !%$@. I threw a leg over her...
Careful there. The AUP addresses pictures not Nabokov'ish words, yet! Yes, your words have conjured up mental images of some of Stern's photos. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
I have had my bike two years, and never ever used the KILL SWICH yet, always turn off by the key....
Ray(UK)
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 347
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 347 |
nuthin, Before I leave the garage I double check & triple check the pepcock is closed and the ignition is off. Hasn't happened yet gratefully.
Jerry
2005 America, Green, Thunderbike exhaust
LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET THE HE** OUT OF THE WAY!
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541 |
Quote:
How could I have been so cruel!? I can just imagine her sitting in the garage last night calling out to me with her glowing headlamp, but unable to scream because her engine was silent. The horror......
Thats bordering on Motorcycle Abuse.
Careful. Or we may have to call the MA Hotline and have someone pay you a visit. The next step would be to remove the motorcyle form the abusive home and place it in a more caring garage.
Like mine
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500 |
Quote:
The next step would be to remove the motorcyle form the abusive home and place it in a more caring garage.
Like mine
Don't you even think about it! If I see any social workers knocking on my door; I know who to come after!
Learning from my mistakes... again and again.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
Quote:
I have had my bike two years, and never ever used the KILL SWICH yet, always turn off by the key....
See, there is a cure! I also NEVER use my kill switch for this exact reason.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,138
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,138 |
John 06 America Mulberry\Silver
"Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time"
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98
Member
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Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98 |
Hold on one minute... seems like some just use the kill and turn the key... Who leaves the key in it, waiting for some "asshat" to break into your garage and take off on your baby. There is probably no shutdown sequence debate to be had here, why would you not remove the key every time? Maybe just me, but i like carrying a little reminder with me of what waits for when i am done with whatever i am doing. Sorry for your misfortune.
~Topher
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
I have had my bike two years, and never ever used the KILL SWICH yet, always turn off by the key....
The sidestand switch is just as bad. Used it to kill the engine while parked on a slight hill, started talking to my buddies and DUH forgot to turn off the main switch. Luckily I was on a hill and it started right up when I popped it in gear. Good thing too, if the neighbors had seen this old fat guy push starting the bike they might have injured themselves laughing.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540 |
Cause then I would lose the keys. The bike keys stay in the ignition, I do shut the garage door if I take off for a weekend. Car keys on the dash, house unlocked. The way life should be.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98
Member
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Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98 |
so long as you are willing to part with them... I guess you guys up in NH don't have "crime" like we do in Minnesota ... May have to look into moving there, you make it sound pretty good. Do I have to pick up the accent though ? Pahk tha cah in tha Hahvad yahd. 
~Topher
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98
Member
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Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98 |
don' cha know. ya you betcha.
~Topher
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500 |
I don't worry about the somebody breaking into my garage around here. The keys have always stayed in the bike, but I don't think I keep doing things that way. I'll pull the key just to make sure I don't repeat this mistake!
Learning from my mistakes... again and again.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546 |
Quote:
Now, I shut down key first, THEN hit the kill switch.
Question: Why would you shut down with the key and then hit the kill switch?
if life gives you lemons keep them because hey,free lemons.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 922
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 922 |
The key belongs on the left side of the headlight nacelle! Some changes from the old ones are not good.
(OK, oil in the frame was not too smart......more particularly, cleaning the inside of the frame after welding, with steel shot, didn't work well at all......)
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
That is one good reason to get in the habbit of turning the motor off with the key rather than the kill switch. Even if you leave the keys on the bike at least the lights are off...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
I always thought that what's her face Elfman was pretty hot. I could go for Dahrma in the garage (as long as Jane gets to watch) Oh wait, Drama ....nevermind.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
She's too tall for you anyway Pat.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 258
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 258 |
Hmm, hate to say it but I did exactly the same thing (again) last night. I guess some of us just never learn lol.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 671
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 671 |
I though I had done the same thing today, but my problems are a bit more serious than a flat battery....
Its the expectation that your bike is just going to start that causes the huge dissapointment when it doesn't
hmmm funny line to follow
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223
Big Bore
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Big Bore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223 |
Quote:
She's too tall for you anyway Pat.
Good one Benny!!
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500 |
Yeah Grip, there is nothing more depressing than thumbing the starter and getting silence in return.
Question: I charged the battery last night and all is well for the time being. Can I tust the battery now or should I consider replacing it. My bike is an 03, so the battery could be 4 years old now.
Learning from my mistakes... again and again.
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Battery life for most batteries is between 48 and 60 months. So, it wouldn't hurt to replace the battery, but probably fine for now.
Soren
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
If it happens randomly then yeah get a new one. But if it drains for a good reason, then charging it should be fine.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 671
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 671 |
I rescued my sprints battery in the middle of winter, but one of the cells packed up a couple of months later.
It really depends on how deaply discharged the battery was before you saved it.
As has been said 4 years from a battery is good going. We aim to replace power wheelchair batteries after two years at work.
hmmm funny line to follow
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
*Hijacking allert*
Grip, what do you do that you work with power chairs?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 671
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Posts: 671 |
Benny
I work in Rehabilitation Engineering for the National Health Service.
We mainly deal in mods to the seating and control of wheelchairs for both Adults and Children as well as all other aspects of Electronic Assistive Technology.
hmmm funny line to follow
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Very cool. I did a rehab engineering project my senior year of college. Made a sort of walker for kids to use in the pool for rehab. It was interesting for sure!
I also asked because my girlfriend's dad had a stroke and is soing well, but will be using a scooter thingie to get around some of the time, so I'm trying to educate myself.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 734
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I always use the kill switch.
Why? It's a pain in the butt to pull the keys on the TBA while sitting on the bike, so I wait till I am off and don't want it running at that point.
Also just read some supporting material saying SAFETY is a result of habit building and you need to be in the habit of knowing how to shut off your bike in emergency situations. Thus, if your first impulse is to use the Kill Switch then you increase your ability to shut down your bike quickly and prevent further damage in an emergency situation (i.e. bike falls over while running, etc.)
Also, just makes me feel good if someone should get my keys and try to start my bike for some fun...they probably won't figure out that the kill switch is activated.
Last edited by dmillikan; 07/19/2006 4:23 AM.
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- 2007 Triumph Tiger
- 1982 Yamaha xj650 Magnum
- Previous 2004 Triumph America
- Previous 1973 Triumph Bonneville T140V 750cc
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Re: Drama in the Garage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
I always use the kill switch.
Isn't that what the kickstand is for?
Soren
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