I am about 98% certain the gasket still leaks even after the washer trick. It is slowed down considerably but there is a small amount of oil that collected under the bottom edge of the front left corner. I ran my finger over and it squeezed out. Also, I see a film of oil has crept down the front. I wiped that pretty thoroughly. What I see must be fresh oil.

Good news, not enough leakage to collect a drip on the header stud. Prolly, if the heat insulator rubber plate was on there, I would never know.

We'll see what happens in summer. Too cold to bother with it now and it seems mostly fixed anyway. Have to monitor the amount of oil that needs to be added. Next valve clearance check, I will be going with the new gasket and I will get new rubberized bolt washers as well. Maybe even apply liquid gasket like edge suggested. Prolly not do the washer fix the next time unless it still leaks in which case I will prolly just give up and accept it as being a "less than perfect but a lot better than it was" job.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/7/2011 @ 3:28 PM *

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Thanks for the replies. I'll check them out when I get back from Death Valley.
I wanted to leave an hour ago but just couldn't get outta here. Hoping the leak is OK. Supposed to be about 23 degrees in Palmdale, which I have to ride through first. I'm layered up so I think I can handle that. Coldest I've ever been in is about 25 at Mammoth Lakes. So add the wind chill to the 23 and I don't know what it'll feel like.
You guys take care and I'll check in later.
Again, thanks for all the help.

I rode yesterday, bright, sunny, no wind and air temp of 41 F, it was very comfortable. Supposed to be in the low 50s the rest of this week, I can deal with that as long as the sun stays out and the wind's not blowing.

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Hey guys. I'm sorry I have not gotten back or checked in before this, to respond about the Death Valley trip. To get to the point, I was in an accident on Garlock Rd. outside Ridgecrest on Friday afternoon (the 9th), and for the past several days I have been in Ridgecrest Regional Medical Center as a result. After all of this, I am OK and I am continuing to recuperate from this accident and all the things that have transpired since. The motorcycle is back at home in the garage and I am awaiting to see how the condition and what kind of condition the bike is in. I'll get back to you on that later. I'll also look back over the replies when I really get the chance to once more. It is a long story about how I was involved and what lead up to this. I prefer not to give details about the accident or what has been happening in the hospital right now, as I am still in the hospital and awaiting discharge. I got out of ICU a few days ago, and now am taking tests and accomplishing goals in order to leave. It's been a couple very long weeks. Anyway, thank you guys for your patience. I'll check back in soon to discuss matters.

* Last updated by: KAK on 12/21/2011 @ 11:10 PM *

Sorry about your accident and I hope you heal up quick keep us updated!

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shEEEEEZe. WOw,KAK, glad you are ok. It was a doozy of a crash, i gather. 2 weeks. hang in there and please let us know how you are doing.

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Oh shit!... Sorry to hear about this, Kak... but glad to hear you are healing up and hopefully headed home soon.

Best thoughts and wishes for a speedy and full recovery, and you getting back in the saddle soon.

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Damn man, hope your healing well... Sorry to hear it!

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Geez KAK...hang in there my man....really sorry to hear this stuff.Ridgecrest...yep...I lived there at one time myself.Worked in Trona...then moved to a 500 resident town there called...geez...I can't even remember just now.It was 'up' in the hills there somewhere.VERY desolate actually.Kinda too small(and weird) for me.The 'sister' town a few miles away was were they do a lot of filming for Hollywood 'desert towns' type of stuff.No...not the Charlie Manson "Spawn Ranch"

Kinda strange I can't remember that place...oh well...it'll come to me....eventually.Heal up KAK.....

OKAY...NOW I remember...it was Johannessburg.That other town was Randsburg.Yep....Hollywood famous that one.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/22/2011 @ 2:53 PM *

Get well soon brother KAK, sorry to hear of your misfortune, pray you make a speedy recovery and that your back on deck soon.

Keep us up to date as you are able,

in the mean time we'll make up stories about you to keep ourselves amused, only up until the truth comes out.

cheers

"we'll make up stories about you to keep ourselves amused, only up until the truth comes out"....hell Ethin...even the TRUTH around here won't stop guys from makin shit up!!! ...and I quote.."the 14R is just a rumor....".Remember THAT one?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/22/2011 @ 6:53 PM *

Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. That last message was from my 15 year old son. I told him I belong to this forum and there are some good people here and could he please let everyone know why I haven't replied about my trip.
Long story kind of shorter...I was coming home after two great days in Death Valley. Been there many times but only once on a motorcycle. I decided to take a road to avoid the freeway. Never being on the road and with the late afternoon sun RIGHT in my eyes, I misjudged a corner and hit the dirt. The front slipped out and the bars hit me in the stomach somwehow as we went down like one piece. Felt like an invisible hand just slammed me into the ground. I wasn't hot-dogging or anything, just not paying close enough attention I guess.
After a couple minutes the worst pain in my life hit me. I have no idea why I didn't seem to hurt that much for the first couple of minutes. Shock? A couple of people showed up and I only know from what I'm told I went into shock and actually tried to lift the bike and go home. Ended up in the regional hospital. Almost died from complications to abdominal/colon surgery. Actually flatlined for two minutes.
I just got released last night. I should fully recover and now have new respect for people who have had to go through this kind of thing. Never being in the hospital, I had no idea of what I faced. Besides all the constant tests and medicines, needles, tubes stuck in you everywhere, hurting everywhere, I worried about how I effected my family.
I'm off work and should be back with the rest of the world by March. I intend to get better quicker but will not do anything foolish, just follow doctor's orders.
I haven't gone out to see the 14 in the garage yet but will soon. I'm told the damage isn't bad though. The Shogun sliders REALLY did their job one freind said. This was my dreambike if you know what I mean and I just can't look at it yet.
Please be careful out there. I shouldn't have let myself "relax" so to speak on an unfamiliar road. I can't believe how much I put my wife through. I feel bad this happened at Christmas. Life can change so fast.
My wife even had to deal with a tow company that tried to prey on our situation. They charged us $320 and $300 more for a 1.5 mile tow and 8 days storage. They wouldn't let her see my bike and claimed it was totalled. They twisted the release process and caused the delay. They even charged us another $100 fee for putting a lean on my bike. As my wife handed over the money she noticed their local towing rate sign said: "$300 for night, $200 for day". She said the accident time on the CHP report was 4:15. Ready for this? She said the punk sitting on the chair just said "closer to night". We will deal with them as soon as I'm better. I still don't understand how they can charge you a lean fee as you're actually picking up the bike. Maybe after a 30 day period or something, but 8 days??
OK, sorry to ramble. In the days ahead I may ask for some advice as to repairing, value, etc. I'm told I can't do anything, even drive, so I'll probably hang around more than usual. Hope your Christmas was great! Thanks again for the replies.

* Last updated by: KAK on 12/26/2011 @ 1:38 AM *

Yep, you don't see how the system is so rotten. But that is how it goes. You have to avoid that crash in more ways than you think... March, you say? Only thing now is take it easy like the old saying goes... However it goes... Remember what is behind you, so for them, don't do something stupid now is look at the bike.

Have jr. shoot some shots or video a 360° for you. Get that out of your mind, rather than getting up... And here we go, doing something stupid to go look. No matter how you look at it, it's not worth it. This is 'Sheetime" till March at least, if that is the call from Dr. FixMeUp. Besides, the only time to get out of the sheets is to change them.

No broke bones you say, but just whatever residuals this one leaves you. Probably the odds nothing happens again, you are now a better rider being more aware. This is a 100% game of concentration it does not stop, down to you watching the r-v-m till that person stops behind you.

You go out with lesstay home!

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Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. That last message was from my 15 year old son. I told him I belong to this forum and there are some good people here and could he please let everyone know why I haven't replied about my trip.

Sorry to be reading this news, Get well soon kak.

Sorry to heart of your crash and injury. You can go down even if you ARE paying attention and not hot-dogging. Take your time to heal up and don't sweat the details. After all, you're still here!

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Hang in there KAK. One of those big turning points in life maybe. Gives you a new and better perspective on things, no doubt. I'm glad you pulled through. I'm sure there must be important work for you ahead because to be directly to the point, you could have just as easily not been here any more. The bike doesn't mean all that much. Listen to your heart and you'll know what to do.

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Thanks for the update hang in there and don’t push yourself to hard when the time comes to fix your bike back up we will help you fix her back to tip top shape!

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Thanks for the replies everyone. I really appreciate them.
I'm doing well. Only issue I have is my blood platelet count. Though potentially serious (clotting), I should be fine soon. Just need some minor follow up surgery but that's no big deal either.
I finally looked at my bike. All damage is cosmetic. I did bend the frame slider back about 30 degrees but I don't believe the part of the frame the slider screws into is damaged in any way. It would "swivel" a lot if I try to remove as is so I think I'll put a piece of 2 to 3 foot long pipe over the slider end to at least partially straighten it back out before removing. I don't want to ruin the threads when removing the slider. Sound like a good idea to you???
No impact at the bars, levers, front wheel or any other points that could cause mechanical/steering/fork damage. The fact that my body wedged under the bike actually helped keep damage to a minimum. Somehow I escaped with only the injuries I had. Could've been much worse.
I plan to return the bike to the same pristine condition as when I left on the trip.
I have only a 2"X 2" scuff through the paint on the fender front tip but will buy a new one.
Scuffed mirror underneath but will replace.
Windscreen broken.
Upper fairing cracked.
Mid fairing deeply scratched.
Lower fairing is cracked just in front of where that little "bump" is on the fairing that covers the alternator cover. It may have got shoved in up to a 1/2" but popped back out and I doubt the alt' cover is damaged behind. Hope it's OK.
Tank unscathed, and Area P can somehow avoided damage.
When you look at the bike it's hard to see how some parts escaped damage but I'm glad they did.
Thanks again for the get well wishes. Hope you all had a good Christmas. Keith.

* Last updated by: KAK on 12/30/2011 @ 7:09 PM *

Good news on the bike and some frame sliders will bend do avoid ripping the threads out or bending/ dinting the frame and I hope your surgery is as painless and goes without a hitch!

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I did bend the frame slider back about 30 degrees but I don't believe the part of the frame the slider screws into is damaged in any way. It would "swivel" a lot if I try to remove as is so I think I'll put a piece of 2 to 3 foot long pipe over the slider end to at least partially straighten it back out before removing. I don't want to ruin the threads when removing the slider. Sound like a good idea to you???

That sounds like a wise idea....I would do that although I doubt the bolt is bent at all inside of the threads. Prolly no damage could happen to the threads in the slider bung as long as you are turning the bolt out and not trying to turn the bent part in. Main thing is that the bung and frame did not crack. One approach to avoid frame damage with sliders is to use bendable bolts which sounds like maybe you have and they worked.

Scuffed mirror underneath but will replace.

Or if you have semi gloss black finish of 08-11, just get a can of satin black indoor/outdoor Krylon. That will dry to ever so slightly more gloss than OEM. After a couple weeks you will never even know. The scratch will not even be necessary to buff out if it is only on the bottom. Once you repaint, no one will notice. I did mine. works great better to spend $5 rather than 65.

Keith--? you were going to come along on a ride with a a couple Chicago guys and me for our ride along the Mississippi back in 08. right? X-14--Robert was his name and then there was snat. Yeah, I remember.

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Second thought--careful on bending that bolt back. That would be a drag if you busted the frame bending it back. I guess I would try it but use something short enough that you can feel the amount of force you are applying. If you use a 3 foot pipe, that will be a lot of leverage. Easy bend but easy break too.

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Thanks for the replies.
Rook, I hear what you're saying about damaging the frame by partially bending back the slider. I really don't know which is best: try loosening it as is, which would involve quite a bit of "lob-sided swivel" that could possibly stress the threads as the bolt backs out, or, straighten the bolt out at least partially and then remove, allthough you would have to bend the slider back to nearly perfect alignment to truly eliminate any chances of thread damage.
I can bend the slider back outward at the same angle it was bent inward with the only difference being that it was quickly impacted inward and slowly bent outward. I don't know how that difference could effect the frames strength.
To avoid posssibly cracking something I could try removing as is and hope everything is actually straight where the bolt enters the threading. It DOES seem like the lesser of two evils...cracking the frame vs damaging the threads. If the threads did get damaged I could simply re-tap but could never find over-sized sliders. I'm not even sure where I'd find some larger threaded replacement bolts.
Not sure what to do. Remember, these sliders are an Allen head bolt and I THINK I remember they are torqued on at somewhere around 80-100 ft/lbs??? Any experience appreciated.

* Last updated by: KAK on 12/31/2011 @ 12:59 PM *

Rook, you must have me mistaken for someone else. I've never planned a ride to Miss'.

I guess. Coulda swore I heard Bob mention "KAK." You don't forget that name real easy.

Well, here's a pic of that Krylon for when you get up and out. I picked this up at an Advance Auto Suply but I'm sure you can find it at any hardware store. Be worth a shot on that mirror. After a short time, the sheen matches up perfectly. I sprayed a quick layer of black Duplicolor Sandable Primer first. I guess if you are going to sand those scratches smooth, might want to prime it first. Use some light grit automotive finish sand paper. The Duplicolor can will have instructions for prep.

The mirrors are like safety feelers for the bike. They always get scuffed and scratched before anything else. The Krylon is good to have on hand cuz you will always need to do touchups.

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If the threads did get damaged I could simply re-tap but could never find over-sized sliders. I'm not even sure where I'd find some larger threaded replacement bolts.

I do not know how sliders go on. I thought it was simply a threaded hole in the frame similar to the bung welded to the swingarm where spools are attached. If it is not any more complicated than that, I'd try bending it back but if it doesn't go with a reasonable amount of force, turn it. I don't see that a bent over bolt would be any more lob-sided than a wrench handle.

damaging the threads would not be too big of a deal. You prolly could pput a new slider in the same bung using locktight and it would never come loose unless the threads were totally destroyed. Tapping might work but if you had to drill, that might be very difficult to do properly without special equipment. Using the next larger sized screw would be no big deal. Im sure you would find one. You could drill the hole in slider a bit bigger to accept the next size bigger screw on a drill press.

or you could go without sliders.

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