Now I know I can fly and need improvement on landing!!!

Hi Guys,
Not a good story for the beginning of a new year but would like to share with you.
Yes, I was down two days ago.

We went to a ride to explore newly built pass about 200km away from Ho Chi Minh City.
Departed abt 4:30AM.
Abt 6:30 or more, we reached the place called Gia Kiem.
The road is good, quite large and almost none else than us.
I saw a small motorcycle with big cage at the back was going in front of us with same direction. The guy was riding near to the right side of the road.
Suddenly, he turned left without any notification (no turn signal, no head back, no hand waving,...) and I was to close....
It's too fast as I hav no time to turn or use any breaks....
I flown up and dropped down somewhere at the left side of the road. My bike hit the other motorcycle and slide down for abt 10m.
I stood up and found no pain, no bleeding, I even did not see any sign of tear or damages for my leather clothes and my helmet visor.
I found the the guy I hit was unconscious at the left side of the road. I was so nerves. I called him several times, took off his helmet, loose his clothes as well. He woke up after about a minutes plus. I take a deep breath that time. Luck still there.
My friend helped me to arrange the site with the local police and transfer my bike to a bike shop in Ho Chi Minh City.
I was getting the guy to nearest hospital on a car we met and stopped them on road.
I found my shoulder a bit pain when arriving the hospital.
The guy almost recovered. But I was informed that my shoulder bone was broken.
[image: Posted Image]

After some negotiation with the guy, I took a taxi heading straight to Hochiminh City fo the operation.
I have arranged with my Company for all the medical care related. Did not inform my wife until all the arrangement has been settle down and I need her to be at hospital to sign some pape-work as I dont want to make her confused with the situation.
The Operation was taken place from abt 19:00hrs to 20:00hrs in the same date. It has been don with very young and good surgery doctor. He said my bone was broken into 4 parts, and they need to have a metal rod to get them all aligned.
[image: Posted Image]

I gotta stay in the hospital that night.
Yesterday, the final X-Ray check-up was done with gud result. I was checking out the hospital before 4PM.

Well,... that's it. I gotta rest for some months, expected to take out the titanium part in the next 3 months.
So, you may not see my riding photos for a while. Sorry about that.

Ride safe, guys. Don't be like me.

I always enjoy your posts, so I hope you are able to return to riding as soon as possible.

That looks painful.

no good. you sound like you are in good spirits, though.  good luck on the mend and also good job on being promoted to volunteer on this sight.

Bugger ... sorry to hear about the prang ... glad everyone is okay (sort of!)

Sorry about your luck .... It should get better now. I'm glad you're OK .

Sorry about your crash. Real shame. I hope you make a prompt recovery and post up some great ride reports again soon. Was your wife upset when she hear about it?
C

PS one question, why did you guys leave so early? 4:30?!?

Broke mine at Barber a few years ago. Painful to wait for healing. You will do better after surgery. It will heal faster and less pain. Sooner back to the Viet Horse!

Medical care in Ho Chi Minh City looks very up to date!

Sorry to hear of your mishap. the other guy was lucky you weren't driving a truck.
Heal up fast and hop on the bike soon therafter :fing02:

Thanks all my friends, let me call that.

I was really my luck. First is the other motorcycle guy was all okay. Then my situation is not so bad.
Lucky me that i did not have any open wounds, even a small scratch on my skin. I have so called full gears with me. They really saved me throughout the incident. I have KBC helmet (it's not so expensive but it fit me well - I was thinking of buying a replacement for about some weeks), I have Streetfighter leather jacket and Magma leather pant. Last but not least are the leather gloves and SIDI boots. I haven't seen my bike, jacket, helmet and other stuff in saddle bags since I went to the hospital as all of them have been taken care by my friends, who rode with me that morning.

We normally depart quite soon like that because we have to ride thru about almost 100km crowded road. From 5:00AM onward, there are so many motorcycle, trucks, container car, etc... using the road. And with big bikes, you absolutely don't want to go about <50km/h for 70-100km!

My wife really upset when hearing about the thing. Until now. Hic... That seems more difficult than the pain on my shoulder now :D

In my country, if let say myself and the small motorcycle guy negotiate with each other and agreed to deal among us then the Police will not involve. They just do some reports, some warning and re-education to us.
If we could not come to an agreement, then need the Police's say, the Police will investigate. After all the investigation, the police will identify who has the fault on the incident, that guy must pay for everything incurred.
So for this case, if the police issue out the investigation report, the small motorcycle guy has to pay everything, for my treatment and fixing my bike.
But, frankly to say, he looks poor, his cage at the back of motorcycle is one kind of chicken cage, means he is the one who buying/selling chicken to the market. So, I did gave him some money to support his bike repair and he was happy with that. And that is our agreement in front of Police.

My bike must need lots of care. The front parts, especially the headlights, triple tree, front forks, and side fairing are almost damaged.

P/S: I don't know how I was moved to become Volunteer. Is that because of the number of posts?

hope you heal up well!!!


I think it was Nelson Mandela who said that it not matters that much what happens to a person than the way such person takes/deals with it.

shite happens and you do what needs to be done and is right.
You were/are fortunate in both meanings of the word. :tongue:

Really glad to hear you will be OK.  I hope it is a smooth recovery.  Hopefully, you will never have to deal with it again, but if you find yourself in a similar situation... please, please, please don't remove an unconscious riders helmet.  Leave that the the medical personnel.  Good Luck!

[image: View Post]VietHorse, on 13 January 2012 - 01:07 AM, said:

I called him several times, took off his helmet, loose his clothes as well.

Thanks guys.
@Earthshake: The reason I did that because I found the chin strap may blocked his airway. It 's 3/4 helmet type.
I have been trained as an Advanced first-aider so I did check his head/neck damage before doing so.

I stand corrected, well done.

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!

Good to hear everyone made it out alright. Here's to a problem-free recovery.

[image: View Post]VietHorse, on 13 January 2012 - 05:01 AM, said:

P/S: I don't know how I was moved to become Volunteer. Is that because of the number of posts?
You were "elected"/  http://www.vfrdiscus...__fromsearch__1

Now get well soon so you can get back to "work" being a volunteer.   :fing02:

And also being trained as a first response person...you should still leave the helmet on.  Visual inspection doesn't reveal enough information to determine if there is spinal/skull fracturing (look at how you didn't know you shoulder was broken in 4 places as an example).  Releasing the strap would have been enough.  And consider the fact that you were in a state of shock yourself.  Please don't interpret this negatively.  Just some constructive criticism from one responder to another.   :smile:

The reason you were voted to "Volunteer" is not the number of your post. It's the "quality" of them and your great attitude.

Viet Horse heal up my friend...those clavicle breaks can be really sore for a while.  Like someone else said, looks like you got some great medical care...with my limited medical knowledge, it looks like the set bone is lined up really well.  I had an unintended get off last spring...low speed low side in some gravel.  Came down on my shoulder and dislocated it, but no breaks.  You are so right about ATGATT...it saved my bacon as well.  Looking forward to seeing on the repaired VFR soon.

I hate that kind of flying! Get to feeling better and godspeed to you.

A bitter sweet start to the new year I would say. On one hand you had your mishap (Glad you made it out OK) and on the other hand you were awarded 'Volumteer' status! So, sorry to hear about your accident but congratulations on the "Promotion"!

I have to say I really enjoy reading your post and looking at all your pictures, you defintely add to the quality of this forum. I have to say though, I too was worried when you said you took of the other rider's helmet, but I am glad that you have had training and understood the seriuosness of removing a helmet from an unconsiuos rider. Heal up soon and keep us posted on your recovery and I look forward to reading more about your adventures!

Cheers

Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says, "Dam!"

Thanks vanion2 for the clarification. In Vietnam, we have an Idiom, i.e. "The more you go, the more you know". So, all your recommendation are very helpful to me and others.
Monk, you make me feel sore!! I was laughing when reading your "fish story". Yeah, Dam!

That's some speedy medical care and surgery. Glad it didn't turn out worse.
Good on you for giving the poor guy who screwed up some slack.
Hope it heals well and fast. :fing02:

Just done a X-ray and doctor check-up today morning. All fine. Doc said I can remove the arm hanger (supporter) within next week and start doing some light exercises.
Tomorrow morning, my family will take a ~2,000km flight from Hochiminh City to Hanoi and 120km more from Hanoi to my homeland to celebrate Tet (lunar new year) with my parents there.
In Vietnam, Tet holiday is the most important occasion for everybody, that's time for family reunion and share all the things we have done for the previous year and plan for the next.
Now, you can also see how lucky am I when I am still be able to make this trip happens as planned.

Well, broken collarbone is bad, but not so bad. Heal quickly!

Any pictures of your bike?

Don't have the pic right now.
But, my wanted part list would be long:
Example:
- Front upper cowl.
- Headlights.
- Front suspensions (may be both)
- Front signal lights.
- Clutch lever.
....

So... anyone have something as listed wanted to rid off, please inform me.
I don't mind if the thing are used with cosmetic damage as I can do painting here easily.
Thank you.

Glad you still with us and in good spirits, there have been several severe accidents in recent month, few friends are in the hospital still aftee month of recovery.

[image: View Post]VietHorse, on 14 January 2012 - 02:57 AM, said:

Tomorrow morning, my family will take a ~2,000km flight from Hochiminh City to Hanoi and 120km more from Hanoi to my homeland to celebrate Tet (lunar new year) with my parents there.
In Vietnam, Tet holiday is the most important occasion for everybody, that's time for family reunion and share all the things we have done for the previous year and plan for the next.
Now, you can also see how lucky am I when I am still be able to make this trip happens as planned.

Just curios, do you watch Top Gear, if so did you see the episode where they ride across country on bikes? It was my favorite but I was wondering what is your take on that?

http://en.wikipedia....Vietnam_Special

Sounds like someone has an excuse to do a front end conversion...


Soon as the bones are solid, you have to get them moving again. Don't want those joints to get too comfortable sitting on one spot.

Thanks for sharing as usual, but sorry to hear it's about a crash this time!
Heal quickly and hurry back.

BR

I have been to my homeland for couple of days. Weather here is very nice, just around 18-200C, cool and dry. That makes my stitched area dry and helps the recovery speed faster.

Again, thank you all for your nice words.

[image: View Post]Veefer800Canuck, on 18 January 2012 - 05:27 AM, said:

[image: View Post]VietHorse, on 18 January 2012 - 04:40 AM, said:

Damn! You tried to be the best!?? Hope that you could get it repaired well and get on road soon! Oh it hasn't stopped me from riding, or doing anything else either. It's just annoying and uncomfortable when doing repetitive work like sanding, hammering, or lifting weight above my waist. Hope your shoulder is feeling better also VietHorse!
Thank you. I have tried to remove the arm hanger sometimes a day.
I also still can make Vietnamese traditional cake for lunar new year occasion at my Parent's.

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

You're making me hungry over here.   :tongue:

:offtopic:

Happy new year Viethorse!


Did you get to drink some

[image: Posted Image]

Happy New Year!   :beer:

And Happier Landings. :happy:

Hehe...
My father prepared some kind of wine, whisky - all home made from rice, and some other kinds of Cereals, as you can see on the table and at the window - but this time, I can't take,as I am still having medicine:

[image: Posted Image]

All the foods from my parents' small farm...
[image: Posted Image]

My god, that looks yummie!!!! Can I come over??
I wish you a great year in 2012, and as was said before, better landings...
C

Wow sorry to hear about your accident. Sounds like you'll make a full recovery. Looks like a very straight bone set. Good work by your surgeon. Glad you're ok. I only have 5th gen parts

@Polarbear: Lunar new year (called Tết holiday) is so called most important occasion/holiday of the year in Vietnam. All of the traveling people, who work away from home, who set a new family far away from their homeland, etc... all would like to come back to homeland to celebrate Tet. That time, we could meet all of our family members, (grand) parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, ants, etc... in short, that is the time of family reunion.
In this occasion, visiting each others, saying all the good words to each others, and an important thing is gathering with family meals / parties. So all the good foods would be present during Tet holiday. This 's also good chance for me to get more energy to overcome my bone problem :D

@Bob: I am happy to hear and see that. My the most concern is if any friend or brothers of mine gives me a clap on my left shoulder... Hic... that's gonna be hell!!

@All: Below is the list of the things I need to purchase for my bike repair, appreciate if anyone has something to sell to me:

• Headlight – left sides
  
• Front upper cowl (any color, a bit scratch or cracked is okay).
  
• Front forks.
  
• Steering stem bearing set.
  
• Front Left signal (clear type).

Only item 4 is requested to be brand new.

I have searched and found this:

[image: Posted Image]

Anyone please tell me if you have anywhere better to buy.
Thanks.

Have the stiches removal today. I am feeling good. Thanks all!

Any landing you can walk away from is still a good one. I had a similar experience last year when out for a ride on my cb 600 in southern cambodia. For me it was a right fibula fracture and a lesson in the importance of wearing a full setup. I was wearing everything except proper pants; so some nasty road rash scars after an eighty kph highside.
For people who have not been to this part of the world a little driving primer. Locals never look over their shoulder when merging into traffic-they expect everyone else to make way for them. You also have all types and sizes of vehicles sharing the same small roads, cars, busses, tractors, scooters etc. Everyone travels at their own pace and often in conflicting directions. Few people bother with actually taking a driving test-they simply buy their license regardless of what they are driving. So, an early morning start is a great idea because the fewer people on the road the safer you are. I don't know the fatality rates for vietnam but thailand has a rate three times higher than the uk on a per capita basis; and I felt much more comfortable riding in thailand than I have in cambodia or vietnam.
I don't know what shipping into vietnam is like: but it was much easier for me to source parts from the uk than anywhere else. wemoto, david silver spare, and demonbikes; also two of my uk mates have a shop in phnom penh, so if you are anything but 100% confident in your shop you might think about sending it their way. Precision Motorcycles. I will only mention one small horror story done by a local shop. The bike came back with 10-30 oil  in the brake lines and four mismatched spark plugs. It went in for an engine oil change.
Heal fast. Looked like a good new year.  Cheers

Glad to hear you're recovering well and enjoyed Tet. We've been enjoying Chinese New Year with friends of ours as well.

Yeah Craig, it's really dangerous and high risk for riding at this part of the world. But, we still try to enjoy our hobby with big bikes and speed.
Have tried some recommended site by you, but they seemed not having what I am looking for.
Frogfoot, that's almost same as our Tet holiday here, assumed that.

Now, there are 3 items still pending in my list:

• Headlight – left sides
  
• Front upper cowl (any color, a bit scratch or cracked is okay).
  
• Front forks.
  
• Steering stem bearing set.
  
• Front Left signal (clear type).

Glad you're ok M8, missed this thread until now.
Hope the healing is coming along famously, cheers

Thanks AussieinUSA. Enjoy watching live Australia Open final match now Djok vs Rafa.

Hope your recovery keeps progressing well and quickly.

Steering stem bearing kit costs about $30-35 here in the US. Honda used the same size steering bearings on all their bikes except for a few starting around 1980.

Look for part number 22-1020, made by All Balls Racing - this is a tapered roller bearing kit and will last longer than the stock bearings.

Thanks SebSpeed. Just bought it on Ebay, shipping directly to VIetnam. Expected to deliver within Feb2012.


===================


:offtopic:

Just watched the Australian Open - the first Grand Slam of 2012 with the longest Grand Slam Final match in the history ever... - 5h53mins!!

The Cup:
[image: Posted Image]

Stay focus for the final serve:
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Final serve:
[image: Posted Image]

Championship point:
[image: Posted Image]

It means happy, too happy:
[image: Posted Image]

Winner and the Runner-up:
[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

That last picture should be banned..........


My wife saw that, looked at me, said nothing but her eyes told all...................   :pissed:

[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 29 January 2012 - 02:12 PM, said:

That last picture should be banned..........


My wife saw that, looked at me, said nothing but her eyes told all...................   :pissed:

Edited for making people hapi eventhough that's very normal thing.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Hello VietHorse.  Sorry to hear about your accident, but glad you are healing fast and the bike is healing fast too.  It feels great to see all the encouragement from the VFR family. I am still recovering from my wreck in November.  I don't post as much as you, but now I have plenty of time to read VFRD because I am still in a hospital bed in my den. I enjoyed reading all about your story.  You can read about my wreck on the forum titled Member Down and In ICU.  You have to scroll to the 3rd page to see my accident report.  I see that you were wishing me well on that forum too! I also posted my X-ray and stiches pictures in my gallery.  I won't be riding again as quickly as you, but we are both fortunate to be alive and talking about it.  Hope you had a great time with your family on your holiday!

Hey Mike, realized that I am so much luckier than you as I have much less health impact from the incident.
Wish all the best to you and be confident gathering with VFRD guys at TMAC this year.

Removed stitches abt 10 days after the surgery.
Today, 27 days after the surgery - looks good:

[image: index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=577] After 27days The titanium nail still inside. But outside looks good now. It's 27th day after the surgery. Album: Down Uploaded 07 Feb 2012 - 10:06


Thank you all for your kind words.

Now you have a cool-looking conversation starter.  You look much tougher and more intimidating now.  Glad it's healed!  Guess you still have to get opened up in a few months to remove the pin??

Thanks Mike. Am I looked more intimidating now?   :rolleyes:   I would not show those scars up unless sleeping or bathing heh...
The titanium aftermaket part makes me one more surgery to take it out in next two months. I may ask the Doc to keep it for me as a souvenir. Mike, you have more souvenirs than anyone here!
I have plan to travel some other countries for my biz, and wondering if the airport security holds me back for searching something I hide inside...

I'm preparing for my return...

[image: Posted Image]

Nice lId!! How does it rate for protection in case of crash and for wind buffeting? Just asking, just curious.  Glad you're feeling better. Chicks dig scars!?!?????  
C

[image: View Post]Polarbear, on 26 February 2012 - 11:43 PM, said:

Nice lId!! How does it rate for protection in case of crash
It has the highest sharp rating so crash protection should be very good.

Thanks V4 Rosso.
I don't know abt that. Just happy with DOT or SNEL certified, some preferred brands (Shoei, Arai, Suomy, Nolan, AGV...), nice shape and color. That's it.

[image: View Post]Polarbear, on 27 February 2012 - 11:22 PM, said:

Nice new avatar, viethorse!

c

Thanks. That's my little son, he's doing trial fit of my Helmet.

If you got DOT and SNELL ratings, I would think you should be fine. Keep on healing!!
Cheers!

hey mate, glad to see you are healing - hows the search for forks going?

RoY here may have a set since he's just built his frankenviffer for the second time...

Thanks AB-Oz.
I was looking for too many forks so don't know which one you mentioned about   :tongue:
- VFR front forks: I replaced the inner tubes with new tubes and should be fine. :rolleyes:
- Upside down front forks: these are for my up coming Cafe racer project. Still looking. :ph34r:

However, shipping fr Oz to VN could be an issue. I can handle if shipping from US to VN as I have some shipping connection there.

ah ok, these were Roy's standard VTEC forks, but sounds like you've got those sorted...

Nothing like buying some goodies to get back in the mood.

Thanks Guys.
My bike almost restored... I may bring to paint shop next week.
The titanium pin still inside. It's 02 months and a half for now.
I have tried riding my wife's scooter around to buying things and pick up my son from school. All fine.

---------------

Share some pics for the last weekend I spent with my family in Independent Palace - Hochiminh City.

Don't have the bike rack, so I put the bike to the roof and tie down by a 2MT lifting belt (I can do myself with both arms now):

[image: Posted Image]

My son can ride his bike around the place under the trees:
[image: Posted Image]

Missing my VFR:
[image: Posted Image]

Relax time:
[image: Posted Image]

....

Love the wheels on your son's BMX bike.

Do you have any pics of your VFR's rebuild?

Let me try to have the photo this week.
As said, I send my bike to the bike shop and let them do the fixing.
I just buy the stuff which may not be able to get locally.

My bike couple of days ago, prior to trial fit of all front and side fairing.
[image: Posted Image]

Front view - like a mess:
[image: Posted Image]

Today, I have picked up all the fairing parts and put in my car. Tomorrow I will send them to paint shop. Expected to finish painting with 3-5 working days.

My helmet - it saved my life - now putting on my office desk for demonstration:

[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]VietHorse, on 29 March 2012 - 10:26 AM, said:

Today, I have picked up all the fairing parts and put in my car. Tomorrow I will send them to paint shop. Expected to finish painting with 3-5 working days.

Did I miss it, what colour are you painting? Stock red or different?

Hehe.... May I keep it secret, Canuck? You will see soon, very soon... :tour:

[image: Posted Image]

No!


[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]


:tour: :tongue: :tongue: :tongue: :tour: :tour: :tour:

[image: Posted Image]

Spent almost 2hrs at paint shop. Got difficulties in searching the right paint codes as the library may not be updated, even though the shop owner claimed that updated until 2011. Delivery is almost end of next week. Cost me $280 equivalent. ..... Now, relax and do not have to think so much... Watch this with me:

Sorry to hear of your injury - at least you got swift medical attention. I broke my collar-bone years back when a car pulled out of a side road in front of me. The hospital just strapped it up and sent me on my way, even though it should have been operated on. I now have a bump where the bone sticks up and my whole shoulder is about an inch out of line (I had severe pain in the shoulder muscles for about two years following the accident). The Police took no action against the car driver and I got a total of £1600 in compensation from the insurer... nowadays everyone seems to get around £6K for "whiplash".

Good to hear that the healthcare system in Vietnam is so good.

BTW, your action in sorting out the other guy with some money to repair his bike shows a true generosity of spirit for which you should be admired.

Thanks nigeW.

Just relax while my bike stays for some new clothes.
Yeah, Saturday morning, family went for breakfast out:
[image: Posted Image]

That's a traditional Vietnamese food called "bánh cuốn". A kind of spring roll. Wonderful taste.

Then we went to a coffee shop.
A nice start for a pure morning:
[image: Posted Image]

Stay relaxed:
[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]

Hmmm... still thinking abt my bikes:
[image: Posted Image]

:tour:

Great repair job for the fairing - no single scar found:

[image: Posted Image]

Painted the first layer, fit-up and mark-up for the next layers:

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Look how the guy does the sketching:
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Not bad:
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Need adjustment:
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Got the bike late today. Ride well. Neat looking.
Prepare for weekend ride.... :tour: :tour: :tour:

Great progress, keep it up! :smile:

You guys may know my final product, however, just wanna post this pic to make the thread be continuous show the progress result:

[image: Posted Image]

VietHorse,

Looks great, love the RWB theme, you now need to update your sig or photoshop in the new color scheme :)

+eb0
"pluseb0"

Thanks Pulseb0. Need to do other trip to pose for the new signature.

Yesterday I was under this thing with some guys around:
[image: Posted Image]

We did chit chat during they were using knife, clamps, pliers, etc... on my chest...

Then they said congrat to me and gave me this:

[image: Posted Image]

Now, the aftermarket titanium part is out of my frame. All are back to OEM.
Thank again, guys.