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11/22/2006: "Can I catch a break?!?"
mood: disappointed
Today was supposed to be a good day. I was planning to pick up my new wheel from Cycle Gear this morning. They were putting a new Michelin Pilot Power on it for me. I was going to grab some coolant and a drain pan while I was there and get my bike running by mid-afternoon. That was the plan at least. 
Everything started out well, I did pick up my wheel with the new tire mounted and balanced. Picked up some coolant (EngineIce) and a drain pain while I was there, too. I even walked out paying less than I originally thought I would,not by much, but enough.
I get back and start to work. First step was to make sure I had everything I needed. Thought I did when I started out, check it out . . I was ready to go:
Next step was to take the Lower and Side cowling off so I could drain the rest of the coolant out before I put the new radiator on. That went fine too.
It was while I was draining the coolant that I discovered the horrible truth, I would not be riding this bike today . . or anytime real soon. I discovered that the header was seriously damaged in the mishap. The 2nd and 3rd down tubes (from the rider's perspective) were damaged. The 2nd down tube was so damaged it was pushed back about 3 inches and pinched closed. (How did I miss that?) 
I decided that since I already had this much of the bike apart and the radiator off, I might as well go ahead and take off the damaged exhaust now. I proceeded to take off the exhaust header and discovered even more damage. The water pump out pipe had also been pinched badly. I'm not sure if it's actually closed, but it close enough that I wouldn't want to chance it. 
As you can see from the pics above, Header Down Tube #2 is badly pinched and appears to be closed. Header Down Tube #3 isn't as bad. The Collector and 2-1 tube on the left side were also damaged.
Just doesn't seem like I can get a break. I thought I would have a newly fixed bike to be thankful for tomorrow. I guess I'll have to settle for being thankful that I wasn't hurt in the mishap considering how much damage the bike suffered.
