Now we're on today :)

This morning, after all the heavy rain, the skies were clear and no clouds as far as you can see. As I got the gear packed up, the fog started rolling in from the surrounding water.

I was on the road a tad earlier than yesterday (about 6:15am) and congratulating myself. As I left Medura, I spotted a sign that said "94 East Only". I am a bit directional challenged. I knew where I was going (east) but for some reason I decided I was going the wrong direction. I pulled over to the side, checked for traffic and started to make a U-Turn. Unfortunately I didn't give it enough gas, the engine quit and the bike fell over :eek:

That's where; with the water (from the rain) and a little sand.

While I was getting organized; gear off, tank bag and helmet to the side, a couple drove up in their truck. "Are you ok?" "Yea, I was making a turn and it fell over."

He was nice enough to give me a hand getting it up and spotted the broken clutch lever (the ball was on the ground). I lost about 2" of it. I put it in my tank bag along with a couple of the broken badges from the saddlebags. I was able to successfully start the bike and other than the clutch lever end, everything else seemed to be ok (there's a bit more rash on the plastic of course and one spot where there's a dent). After getting everything back on the bike, I started it up again and a couple of pieces fell off the lever. "Crap, what's that?"

Turns out the bit that pushes the clutch piston also broke. I was able to shift into gear as there was enough left to give me that but I'm going to have to get a replacement somewhere.

I put the bits in the tank bag and headed off to get gas. It shifted ok and at Belfield I pulled in for gas. I pushed the bike off to the side while I checked out all the damage and got things organized (the iPod wasn't working for some reason). As I got ready to leave, the clutch lever basically lost the last bit of aluminum and it wouldn't let me shift.

I used some JB Weld to put it back together (after cleaning the ends off as best as possible) but now have to sit it out. That's why I'm getting caught up now. So part of the trip is out. No biggie though. Once the JB Weld sets, I'll put it back together and head on out.