Custom Chrome is recalling certain aftermarket Santee Bonanza motorcycle handlebars sold as replacement equipment for various Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The weld attaching the lower horizontal portion of the handlebar to the vertical portion of the handlebar can fail causing the handlebar components to separate. Separation of the handlebar components during operation could cause a crash, possibly resulting in serious injury or death. Custom Chrome will notify owners and replace the defective handlebars free of charge or offer a full refund. The safety recall began on November 13, 2009. Owners may contact Custom Chrome at 1-877-248-5840. This recall only pertains to aftermarket motorcycle handlebars and has no relation to any original equipment installed on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Touring Family motorcycles, including CVO Touring and Trike products, manufactured from June 6, 2008 through November 19, 2009. The front fuel tank mounts may distort in reaction to severe frame damage from a frontal collision. This condition may cause a fuel leak at the weld of the front bracket to the tunnel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire, which could lead to injury or death to the rider. Dealers will install a left and right brace, which are intended to reduce front mount distortion during certain crash conditions. This repair will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 11, 2009. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.

Kawasaki is recalling model year 2009 and 2010 EX250 Ninja 250 motorcycles. Porosity in the engine case could allow engine oil to leak, and be deposited on the rear tire. A small number of upper engine cases for the affected model could have porosity in the aluminum casting. This porosity occurs in the vicinity of a pressurized oil passage just above the transmission output shaft. Engine oil leaking from this location can be deposited on the rear tire, creating the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and check for leaks in the vicinity of the suspected porosity. Units evidencing signs of leakage will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on December 8, 2009. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

Buell is recalling certain model year 2010 XB12X and XB12XT motorcycles manufactured from August 20 through September 30, 2009. The right hand side footpeg mount may have been manufactured to incorrect specifications. This condition could allow the footpeg to move significantly out of position, which could lead to loss of control of the vehicle resulting in injury or death of the rider. Dealers will replace the defective footpeg mount with a new footpeg mount that was manufactured to the correct specifications. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 14, 2009. Owners may contact Buell Distribution Company at 1-414-343-8400.

BMW is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 K1300 S and K1300 GT motorcycles manufactured between September 11, 2008 and November 19, 2009. Poor fuel quality may lead to small deposits within the throttle bodies. During engine operation in a low rpm range, typically near idle speed (when coming to a stop) air flow could be sufficiently restricted and engine stalling could occur. Engine stalling could result in a vehicle crash. BMW will notify owners and repair the motorcycles by updating the engine management software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during January 2010. Owners may contact BMW toll-free at 1-800-831-1117.

Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. (BRP) is recalling model year 2010 Roadster Spyder RT SM5 and SE5 motorcycles manufactured between October 13 and October 30, 2009. The connector on the key switch harness may not be locked and the ignition switch harness may be routed too tight. In some situations, the connector may unplug. If this occurs, the vehicle may stall without warning and could potentially cause a crash. BRP will notify owners and authorized dealers will inspect to ensure that the connector is locked and that the ignition switch harness is not routed too tight and correct the harness if needed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 18, 2009. Owners may contact BRP at 1-888-638-5397 or 1-819-566-3366.

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 F650 GS and F800 GS motorcycles manufactured between January 2008 and December 2009. During engine operation, a vacuum is created in order to draw fresh air into the canister. This air then mixes with the fuel vapors captured by the canister, and is subsequently combusted. Due to the routing of the ventilation hose, water near the end of the hose could be drawn into the charcoal canister. Water could flow into the canister causing a stalling condition increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and add an additional hose and route it such that the present defect is prevented. This remedy will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during January 2010. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Triumph is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2009 Sprint ST 1050 motorcycles manufactured from November 4, 2004 through September 2009. The rear suspension drag link assembly in these motorcycles can fracture due to corrosion. In the event of a fracture, part of the suspension will drop causing the rear tire mudguard to contact the rear tire, which could cause a crash. Triumph will notify
owners and repair the motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 22, 2009. Owners may contact Triumph at 1-678-539-8777.

Ducati is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 motorcycles. The fuel hose may become disconnected from the fuel pump which could result in engine stalling and a fuel leak. Stalling can cause a crash and a fuel leak can result in a fire. Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace and reposition the fuel hose retaining clamp free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2009. Owners may contact Ducati at 1-800-231-6696.

Qingqi is recalling 738 model year 2008 Zap Xebra motorcycles manufactured between January and December 2008. These motorcycles do not conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems." They do not have a separate brake fluid reservoir for the front and rear brakes. Without a separate reservoir for each brake, having its own cover, seal, and cover retention device, fluid for one brake circuit may move to the other. If this happens, both reservoirs could lose fluid as a result of a fluid leak in one brake circuit and compromise the stopping ability of both brakes. The manufacturer has not yet provided a remedy plan and notification schedule. Owners may contact Zap toll-free at 1-800-251-4555.

I eased the bike to the end of the cul de sac as the skies opened up and the rain began to fall in earnest. Big, heavy drops. As I turned onto the street the wind gusted and I had to compensate. Motoring down the hill the orange autumn leaves swirled with the wind into my headlight beam. Visor open for visibility, the smaller drops stung my face while the large ones soaked me.

A left at the bottom of the hill; carefully avoiding the large painted blocks of the crosswalk. Straightening up I cruised down the road slaloming around the metal manhole covers, slick with rain. Waves of leaves continued to wash across my path and a strong crosswind kept me on my toes.

Waiting for the stoplight, a bright flash of lightning caught me by surprise. Close. Another left and as I gained speed, snug, warm and dry in the cocoon of my gear, I felt invulnerable to the storm of nature around me. I wanted to shout in my helmet, “Bring it on!” I felt like I could ride for hours.

Another light, another left. A residential neighborhood. I backed way off and prepared for the turn ahead. An uphill, decreasing radius left with limited visibility and a layer of wet leaves on the asphalt. Tiptoeing through the turn I felt the tires twitch ever so slightly.

The storm seemed to gain intensity as I turned back into the cul de sac. I rolled back into the garage and shut the bike down. Trip distance: about 4 miles. Time elapsed: about 15 minutes. My wife came out and asked if I was crazy. “No,” I replied, “actually a little more sane now.”

It doesn’t matter the distance or the duration, sometimes all you need is a ride.

Buell is recalling model year 2009 XB12Ss motorcycles. The front brake line may contact the front tire. This contact could cause a hole to develop in the front brake line, allowing brake fluid to leak. This condition might cause an ineffective front brake and lead to a crash. Dealers will inspect the front brake line and if undamaged, install a guide on the line. If the line is damaged, it will be replaced and re-routed. Either repair will be performed free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2009. Owners may contact Buell Distribution Company at 1-414-343-8400.

Yamaha is recalling certain model year 2005 motorcycles manufactured between October 2004 and April 2005. The throttle position sensor can fail. Failure of the throttle position could cause the engine to stall which could result in a crash. Yamaha will notify owners and replace the throttle position sensor free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about October 7, 2009. Owners may contact Yamaha at 1-714-761-7300.

Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 VTX1800 motorcycles manufactured between August 14 and October 4, 2001. The swingarm may not have been properly welded. The swingarm could break while riding causing the rider to lose control, possibly resulting in crash. Honda will notify owners and dealers will inspect the weld and, if necessary, replace the swingarm free of charge. The safety recall began on September 25, 2009. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Service at 1-866-784-1870.

Ducati is recalling model year 2010 f1098s Streetfighter motorcycles. The electronic control unit ground screw may have been improperly tightened during production which can cause the engine to stall. Stalling while driving can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will retighten the ground screw free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during October 2009. Owners may contact Ducati dealer’s at 1- 800-231-6696.

Ducati is also recalling certain model year 2008 Desmosedici RR motorcycles. Due to insufficient distance between the tail guard and the exhaust system, the tail guard could overheat. Overheating of the tail guard could create a potential fire hazard. Ducati will notify owners and dealers will repair the motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in October 2009. Owners may contact Ducati toll-free at 1-800-231-6696.

AFX is recalling certain model FX-28 motorcycle helmets, sizes XS, SM, and MD, manufactured during December 2007. These helmets fail to comply with the penetration requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, "Motorcycle Helmets." In the event of a crash, the wearer of the helmet may not be adequately protected, possibly resulting in personal injury. AFX will notify owners and provide a replacement helmet free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during September 2009. Owners may contact AFX at 1-519-686-6477.

BMW is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2008 R1200 GS motorcycles manufactured between August 2006 and January 2008. The sealing of the fuel pump control unit housing might be insufficient and water could intrude into the control unit housing creating a humid atmosphere. Under such conditions, the fuel pump could corrode and then fail. Failure of the fuel pump will cause inadequate fuel to reach the engine and cause the engine to stop running. A loss of engine power without warning could increase the risk of a crash. The manufacturer has not yet provided the agency with a remedy or notification schedule. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

More to come…

‘You will do similar on my right leg.” “And if Doctor is unable to find suitable arteries to restore flow to your right foot…?” That disconnected voice appears again, “Then you will amputate my right leg above the knee.” Oh dear God!” I will soon go to sleep not knowing if I will wake up with two legs. How the hell did I get here?

It wasn’t a crash.

I just had what I thought were leg and arm cramps. Except that my fingers and toes were blue and hurt like hell. A vascular ultrasound confirmed the presence of arterial clots in my right leg and arm. Time was critical if I was to save my leg. Hence the rapid trip to surgery.

It’s 2 weeks later and I am happy to report that I still have my leg. A skilled surgeon and a little luck were with me that night. Still, the whole incident made me think about the potential changes to my life has the surgeon not been so skilled or the luck so good. As so often happens after a crisis, I began to consider all of the “coulda-beens”. What if I couldn’t ride anymore? As in physically unable to operate the controls of a motorcycle.

As I continue my recovery I remain grateful for what I have and for those around me who have been so generous in their support.

EBL Enterprises is recalling 800 motorcycle helmets, 500 series sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, manufactured between April and May 2008. These helmets fail to conform to the impact attenuation requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, "Motorcycle Helmets." In the event of a crash, the helmet wearer may become seriously injured without adequate protection. Dealerleather will offer a full refund or replace any noncompliant helmet with a helmet that meets Federal standards. The recall is expected to begin during August 2009. Owners may contact Dealerleather at 1-201-230-6353.

BMW is recalling 1,535 MY 2007-2009 R1200RT motorcycles. Due to routing and assembly tolerances of the front brake lines, it is possible for the lines to be under strain. In combination with vibration during riding, the brake lines could develop a leak. The level of fluid in the front brake fluid reservoir could drop rendering the front brakes inoperative. In the event that only the rear brakes were operational, severe loss of control during hard braking could result. This could result in a serious crash. BMW will notify owners and repair the motorcycles with new front brake lines, with modified routing free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2009. BMW’s recall campaign no. R1200 RT. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831- 1117.

Harley Davidson is recalling 1,759 MY 2009 FLTRSE3 motorcycles equipped with blade rear wheel accessory kits. Some wheels within the subject population underwent a secondary heat treatment process. As a result of this secondary heat treatment, these wheels may have a crack. If a crack is present, it could result in wheel failure during use, possibly leading to a crash, which could result in injury or death of the rider. Dealers will remove the rear wheel and inspect the manufacturer’s code. Wheels that underwent a secondary heat treatment process will be replaced with a wheel provided in the recall repair kit. Wheels that do not have the suspected code will be re-installed. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2009. Owners may contact Harley Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.

Look for a more detailed article about this experience and my road to recovery in future articles. You can also follow my progress on my personal Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/jmdaviswa.

I will be off on a two day loop of the Olympic Peninsula with a few other riders. I hope that you are able to get out and enjoy the weather, however long it may last.

And don’t forget, Sunday is Father’s Day!