Kaboom!!!!

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:19 am

So, yesterday Bullet and I are going to go for a ride. My bike, being older (25 years) is a bit tempermental. The float bowl in the left carb sticks open if it's not run every day. The result is, when I start my bike, gas pours from the carburetor until we can get the bowl to close.

We go out to start the bikes, and sure enough, gas is spilling from my bike. Bullet takes a wrench to whack on the carb to try and make the bowl close, but it doesn't work. He messes with it for a minute, revving the engine, doing everything he can to make it shut. Nothing's working. He tells me to turn the bike off and is going to start poking around. I'm by his bike, rummaging in the saddle bags when I hear "BA-BOOM!!!!!" I thought someone had fired a gun. I look over to see Bullet hauling ass away from the bikes, on fire. I had no idea what was burning, his face, his clothes, or what, so as I'm running around the bikes I'm yelling at him to drop, baby, DROP!!! I was getting ready to tackle him when he got the flames out.

I'm next to him now, and looking at his hand and arm where all the hair is burned off and he's got some nice blisters welling up on his thumb. He looks over my shoulder and points behind me and says, "That's not good." I turn around to see my bike in flames.

I run up the stairs to grab the fire extinguisher, toss it to him coming out and he puts out the bike and the ground that was burning from where the gas spilled.

Wow. It could have been so much worse, but my bike is barely damaged. Bullet is worse off than the bike is! Poor guy can't even wear his riding gloves his hand is burned so bad.

One thing I can say is, it's never boring around here.

robinseggs · Post by **robinseggs** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:25 am

Wow Babyrider, I am glad you are both ok...what a story. Must have been pretty scary at the time........did Bullet go to the hospital or doc? He should have those burns looked at...don't want them to get infected.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:29 am

OMG!

Poor Bullet, it makes me shiver when i think of the scenario and just how much worse it could have been!:-3

Look after your hero :yh_flower and for gawds sake get yer bike fixed.

SOJOURNER · Post by **SOJOURNER** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:36 am

Life sure does happen fast. One never knows from day to day what it holds for us. Glad Bullet survived this so well. I'm sure his appearance is a good conversation opener now.

It's surprising the fire didn't do more damage to your bike than it did -- tho anything is way too much, I'm sure. At minimum -- a new paint job???????

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:38 am

abbey wrote: OMG!

Poor Bullet, it makes me shiver when i think of the scenario and just how much worse it could have been!:-3

Look after your hero :yh_flower and for gawds sake get yer bike fixed.
You're so right, Abbey. I could have been riding it when it caught fire!! Depending on what it will take to get the carbs fixed, I may be done for the season.

Surprisingly enough, Sojourner, not even paint is neccessary. When we take the carbs out to fix them we will probably find some melted hoses and what-not, but we got it out so quickly that there is nothing visibly damaged. *whew!*

Bullet is going to the Dr.'s today. The area on his hand where he was burned the worst has no feeling. The blisters popped and it doesn't look too bad, but he'll get it looked at just to be sure.

Thanks for all your concern!!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:58 am

you know how i feel....i am so glad this was not a terrible tragedy my friend.:yh_hugs :yh_flower and my regards to Bullet, i know burns can be very painful.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 11:02 am

lady cop wrote: you know how i feel....i am so glad this was not a terrible tragedy my friend.:yh_hugs :yh_flower and my regards to Bullet, i know burns can be very painful.
Thanks LC, I'll let him know you said so. We've gotten lucky quite a few times this year, haven't we?!?!!!?! :yh_wink

I think he hurt himself worse when he took it upon himself to beat up the neighbor's privacy fence. :yh_rotfl

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:42 pm

In the 1st place Im pretty sure its KA BOOM no BA BOOM ok ?

I hope he didnt look in a mirror because when your on fire and you look in the mirror that really has a way of freaking you out.

And also in the 1st place Im glad your ok.

cars · Post by **cars** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:55 pm

Right BR get those carbs fixed, & hoses also if need be. If it had happened while you were riding, you may not have been here at all, & would'nt been able to post this saga. :wah:

Glad you guys are both basically OK!!!

orangesox1 · Post by **orangesox1** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:11 pm

Wow thats terrible BR, and could have been so much worse, i'm glad your both ok.

Was the explosion cause by a spark from the wrench? :-2

pina · Post by **pina** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:18 pm

I'm so glad you are both ok, make sure the bike is fixed properly before using it again, we don't want anything else happening.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:27 pm

orangesox1 wrote: Was the explosion cause by a spark from the wrench? :-2
Actually, the exhaust pipes were so hot, that they ignited the gas. My bike is air-cooled, not liquid cooled and sitting there getting revved while standing still caused it to get real hot, real quick.

Thanks to everyone else for the concern and good wishes and I will definitely be getting the bike fixed before I get back on!!

Oh and Nomad, let's just stick with "BOOM", and thanks for the tip not to check yourself out in the mirror while crisping. :yh_rotfl

You seriously crack me up!!

jasmund · Post by **jasmund** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 5:52 pm

Hey-

I am so glad you were riding when that happened. If I win the lotto, consider 2 brand new bikes on me.

-Jasmund

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:12 pm

That's why I drive a diesel.:wah: I'm sorry he got burned but I'm glad it wasn't any worse than it was.

NursiePoo · Post by **NursiePoo** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:14 pm

BR, I am so glad that you both are ok! I hope your bike can be fixed and will be in better shape than ever.

SOJOURNER · Post by **SOJOURNER** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:46 am

BR, what is the doctor's verdict on Bullet's hand -- the numbness? Was this caused by the fire or the fence?