wmubrown
03-27-2007, 08:47 PM
I don't like to cross post on lists, but realize many riders here aren't on other lists I might frequent. If you did catch another post, there is an updated link at the bottom with more pictures for those who can stomach it ;)
***********************************************
Monday March 26th
True to her name, my beloved 'Comet' succumbed this evening in a blazing ball of fire.
I cannot explain what happened, I was out for a ride for about 1.5 hours and as I was traveling on the highway my headlight went out. At the same time, I noticed an electrical burning smell. I was coming up to a stop light, and as I slowed I could see smoke coming from around the tank. Now stopped, I looked down the left side of the tank and just next to my left knee flames were flicking out from just below the front of the seat. I instructed my passenger to get off the bike... NOW! I could see flame just above the fuel injection computer, almost dead center. It and the battery are really the only things there. I tried to figure out what to do, I wasn't close enough to anywhere to get water, the only other thing I could think of was to call 911, which is what I did. After informing them of a vehicle on fire, and the location, I grabbed the helmets and my friend and we moved FAR away from the bike. Two vehicles stopped to offer help. I thanked them and promptly suggested they leave, there was nothing they could do and this sucker was going to light up full bore.
Within 2 minutes the bike was engulfed in flames. I knew there was about 1 gallon of gas in the tank and suddenly backing up further seemed a good idea. Ironically, I realized we were standing in a graveyard watching the show.
The local police arrived first, just as the faring started to catch fire, and they blocked all four directions of the highway. Next, the volunteer firemen showed up, set out some flares and watched along with us. Three minutes later the gas tank popped and flames shot 20 feet into the air for a few seconds. The entire bike was a gigantic ball of fire by now, as the sirens of the firetrucks made the announcement they were on the way.
There was nothing to save at that point. They doused the bike with water and put it out. Flashlights began to flicker over the carcass, inquiring eyes prying for a sign of what caused it, which they also knew would no longer be there. As one fireman was looking at the left side, the rear tire blew like a gunshot, and bodies jumped away from the bike, taking cover. I thought "great, now they probably think there is a gun in the bike somewhere". All was quiet after that and slowly people re-approached the lump. I approached to look at the carcass and the fire had grown so hot it melted a corner off the valve cover.
The only thing that seems to have managed to remain unscathed is the front tire/wheel. All else is charcoal. Ever smell fiberglass burn??? Ew... I can still smell it.
A tow truck appeared, and lifted the lifeless carcass off the road. The driver gave us a ride home, then left the bike on the side of my driveway. He didn't know what to do with it, and I sure didn't have a clue.
I was able to save the Helen2Wheels toolkit case and tools from the tail section of the bike. Only the bottom of the tail section burned, and not enough to ruin the toolkit or it's contents. Whoopie.
I have no explanation for what happened. I have not been doing any work on the bike, everything was in the same order it was in last year when I rode her 20,000 miles. I rode it last week without problem, yesterday a short way to dry it off after washing it, and then this afternoon. If I'd been doing some maintenance, I could lead myself to believe I reassembled something wrong, or did something to the wiring. I have done nothing to it and all leads were fused. I am really puzzled by the whole event.
It was my passengers first ride. She was amazed how calm I was during the whole event. There wasn't a thing I could do but watch, so what's the point in getting emotional over it? She can't say I didn't provide and exciting evening! I couldn't begin to speculate upon the possibility of even attempting to top this one ;)
I'm beat. I'm going to go have a beer now and go to bed. I'll get better pics tomorrow, macabre photos for those interested:
http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown
2003 - 2007 'Comet' 1995 BMW K1100LT ... may she rest in peace.
***********************************************
Monday March 26th
True to her name, my beloved 'Comet' succumbed this evening in a blazing ball of fire.
I cannot explain what happened, I was out for a ride for about 1.5 hours and as I was traveling on the highway my headlight went out. At the same time, I noticed an electrical burning smell. I was coming up to a stop light, and as I slowed I could see smoke coming from around the tank. Now stopped, I looked down the left side of the tank and just next to my left knee flames were flicking out from just below the front of the seat. I instructed my passenger to get off the bike... NOW! I could see flame just above the fuel injection computer, almost dead center. It and the battery are really the only things there. I tried to figure out what to do, I wasn't close enough to anywhere to get water, the only other thing I could think of was to call 911, which is what I did. After informing them of a vehicle on fire, and the location, I grabbed the helmets and my friend and we moved FAR away from the bike. Two vehicles stopped to offer help. I thanked them and promptly suggested they leave, there was nothing they could do and this sucker was going to light up full bore.
Within 2 minutes the bike was engulfed in flames. I knew there was about 1 gallon of gas in the tank and suddenly backing up further seemed a good idea. Ironically, I realized we were standing in a graveyard watching the show.
The local police arrived first, just as the faring started to catch fire, and they blocked all four directions of the highway. Next, the volunteer firemen showed up, set out some flares and watched along with us. Three minutes later the gas tank popped and flames shot 20 feet into the air for a few seconds. The entire bike was a gigantic ball of fire by now, as the sirens of the firetrucks made the announcement they were on the way.
There was nothing to save at that point. They doused the bike with water and put it out. Flashlights began to flicker over the carcass, inquiring eyes prying for a sign of what caused it, which they also knew would no longer be there. As one fireman was looking at the left side, the rear tire blew like a gunshot, and bodies jumped away from the bike, taking cover. I thought "great, now they probably think there is a gun in the bike somewhere". All was quiet after that and slowly people re-approached the lump. I approached to look at the carcass and the fire had grown so hot it melted a corner off the valve cover.
The only thing that seems to have managed to remain unscathed is the front tire/wheel. All else is charcoal. Ever smell fiberglass burn??? Ew... I can still smell it.
A tow truck appeared, and lifted the lifeless carcass off the road. The driver gave us a ride home, then left the bike on the side of my driveway. He didn't know what to do with it, and I sure didn't have a clue.
I was able to save the Helen2Wheels toolkit case and tools from the tail section of the bike. Only the bottom of the tail section burned, and not enough to ruin the toolkit or it's contents. Whoopie.
I have no explanation for what happened. I have not been doing any work on the bike, everything was in the same order it was in last year when I rode her 20,000 miles. I rode it last week without problem, yesterday a short way to dry it off after washing it, and then this afternoon. If I'd been doing some maintenance, I could lead myself to believe I reassembled something wrong, or did something to the wiring. I have done nothing to it and all leads were fused. I am really puzzled by the whole event.
It was my passengers first ride. She was amazed how calm I was during the whole event. There wasn't a thing I could do but watch, so what's the point in getting emotional over it? She can't say I didn't provide and exciting evening! I couldn't begin to speculate upon the possibility of even attempting to top this one ;)
I'm beat. I'm going to go have a beer now and go to bed. I'll get better pics tomorrow, macabre photos for those interested:
http://www.robietech.com/johnbrown
2003 - 2007 'Comet' 1995 BMW K1100LT ... may she rest in peace.