So I wrote about the crash and the ligamentaxor, but go on Doc give it to me straight, how is the bike?
The good folks Avon City Motorcycles here in Christchurch took delivery of the bike from the towing firm that had collected the bike from the side of the road and stored for a couple of days to do the insurance assessment. The mechanics had a good look over it, the parts department priced up all the parts and this costing was placed through to the insurance assessor, who on the balance of things decided it was an economical repair and gave the go ahead to repair the bike. So all the shiny new parts are ordered and on their way.
A quick visit just to drop off some keys for the topbox, and collect the items that were still inside, and what I thought at the time was an odd question was asked of me, does your bike normally lean over when on the side stand? Not really engaging the brain my thought was seriously don’t all bikes lean over when on the side stand, it how the bloody things work? My answer of course was yes it leans when on the side stand. Not really thinking anymore of it, though this will bear relevance later.
So all the parts have arrived, enough parts that well to be honest would have made it look like a nearly new machine, a most excellent proposition. Another visit to the store, looking at gear, and again I was asked does your bike lean over on the side stand, same thoughts, same answer. Right we are going to start on your bike Monday it should be ready for next Thursday or Friday. Now this was sounding really good as the Brass Monkey rally was on that weekend, and I was keen to attend, having the bike back would be perfect. While you keep in mind that I may not have even been able to ride it effectively due to the sore ribs and damaged finger, I certainly was not thinking this way, I just wanted to get back on the bike and ride.
Monday afternoon 29th May 2017 and my cell phone goes, hey Brent it’s …… here from the insurance assessors, mate I think your bike is a write off.
Umm what? How?
Well the side stand fell off.
So I wander over Avon City to have a look and get hold of the service manager.
Well you remember we asked it your bike lent over, and the block of wood we had holding it up?
I remember the question, but not the block of wood. Why was there a block of wood?
Well see you bike kept leaning further over so we place a block of wood under it to stop it, anyhow it seems the stand was bent, so we went to straighten it and well it fell off. So anyhow the mounts are part of the frame and cant be welded back on because they are structural, so the frame is a write off , and well we don’t hold much hope of getting another so the bike will be a write off.
Oh, right, OK, thanks. Wow!
So having been through this process personally a few year back I settle in for the wait, these things never happen overnight and reflect on the kilometers that we have been through in the past, and the adventures 1300km in a day while on the TT2000, touring the North Island with Kerry, even taking the long way to work.
Being honest, the bond was never fully there, but none the less there was a sadness to parting in such a manner.