The King Is Dead (Long)

[Ladd Jasper]

Rainy day, AZ coming up, thought I'd get a little work done on the bike. Took about 12 minutes for disaster to strike, a new personal record.

Had the fork in the stand to change the oil, and hung the bike in the rafters to get it out of the way--you know, where it would be "safe." Hit a snag, and went to check the online service guide I'd left open on the computer. I'd kept the garage door slightly open for light and air and, not sure how long I'd be, hit the button to close it on the way in--again, just to be "safe."

Made it about three steps when I heard a crash I can only describe as really, really nasty. Got back just in time to see my baby falling over--in slow motion, now that I think about it--after having bounced off the cement floor. See, the door went up instead of down, and knocked the bike from its poorly chosen position. Genius. Pure genius.

I ran to her side, and began the sickening job of determing what, if any, damage had befallen her. Was just beginning to think I'd gotten off lucky when I saw it: after falling like a beautiful blue meteor, the bike impacted the floor directly on the top cup of the exposed headset. There might be more damage, but this is (oh gawd I hope, I hope...) the worst of it.

Bike is unrideable for now, and time is of the essence. Taking a long lunch tomorrow, and plan to be at The Path's door when they open at 10am. Wish me luck, fellas.

Other than that, the oil change went great.

Couple crappy pics. of the carnage:

[CalEpic]

Holy shite! If that's the only damage, I'd say you're lucky. Maybe Chris King will give you some sort of break on a "crash damage" replacement cup. Good luck. I'm pretty sure you won't have to buy a complete headset at any rate.

C

[LBmtb]

Ouch! Hopefully this doesn't affect your Arizona availability . . .

[TURNERob]

Daaaaaaaaaammmmmmn! Dell I think you really did get lucky on that one actually, but nonetheless that's a bummer. Sad part is you probably will have to buy a new headset because there is no way you could go through a crash replacement deal by Wed probably. If you get a new one and need it pressed in let me know, I have a headset press. Count your blessings assuming that was the only damage.

I'm still amused by how you seem to always find humor in situations like that with your creatively written story! Don't beat yourself up, I really think you got lucky and a new headset is all that will be needed to "rectify" your situation.

[Ladd Jasper]

Thanks for the thoughts, guys.

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Holy shite! If that's the only damage, I'd say you're lucky. Maybe Chris King will give you some sort of break on a "crash damage" replacement cup. Good luck. I'm pretty sure you won't have to buy a complete headset at any rate.

C

An excellent idea I hadn't considered. I'd pursue this in a minute if AZ wasn't looming so near. Maybe when we get back. Heck, definitely. Really don't want to take the Stumpy.

Originally Posted by LBmtb

Ouch! Hopefully this doesn't affect your Arizona availability . . .

You're not getting my bed, George, so enough with the bad ju-ju. I'm going, dammit, though I really don't want to take the stumpy.

Originally Posted by FXRob

If you get a new one and need it pressed in let me know, I have a headset press. Count your blessings assuming that was the only damage.

Rob, I'll be knocking down your door if The Path is too busy or anything. Thanks man. Did I mention I really don't want to take the Stumpy?

[ECOdork]

Hopefully this will only inflict a monetary penalty and all will be good by this afternoon![-o<

[TURNERob]

So Dell, what happened today at the bike shop? No other damage found hopefully [-o<

[Ladd Jasper]

All appears to be good now, pretty much just the monetary penalty Lance mentioned. Had a new headset pressed in this morning, and that looks to have covered the (major) damage. Probably sporting an extra scratch or two, but I definitely got off easy. Could've been so much worse.

Anyway, took it for a spin down the street and all systems appear to be "go."

Whew.

Thanks for the offer to help, Rob. Can I put that on layaway?

[TURNERob]

Good news Dell! I spent a better part of the day getting the Pack ready for AZ, including converting to Stan's on the new wheels......so hopefully no flats for me. See you early Thursday (real early)

[Von-Skipp]

Rob, did you get the new DT conversion kit already??? How are they sealing up?

Glad your doing ok Dell!!

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Good thing you're able to get up and running again, Dell!! have fun out there!!

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by IntenseKipp

Rob, did you get the new DT conversion kit already??? How are they sealing up?

Unfortunately no, Larry told me he wouldn't have them until Wed. I had to resort to using a Stan's kit in the meantime, it held air perfectly overnight

[CalEpic]

Did you convert your I9's? If so, did you have to use the downhill kit and drill out the rim for a Schraeder valve?

Rob - you are the king of bling with those bad boys!

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Did you convert your I9's? If so, did you have to use the downhill kit and drill out the rim for a Schraeder valve?

Rob - you are the king of bling with those bad boys!

Yeah I converted the I-9's, and used the xc kit. Definately didn't want to drill out those rims for a schraeder valve....especially since I knew the DT kit will be here next week. The xc rim strip fit fairly well, and its holding air so that's all that matters. On top of that my bike now weighs 32.07lbs now