Safe Speed Forums

Why is it dot sig anyway? Is it an allusion to a dos 8.3 filename extension?

These things happen, that's why they're called accidents, and no amount of maintenance can prevent it .

Discretion

I'm going to give 3 true stories involving me as a youngster regarding brakes and am after the views of the BiB regarding discretion (yes, what I am about to admit to was {and still is} strictly speaking illegal - but I'd like to know what they'd do (as in nicking or ignoring-wise and why).

1 As a motorcyclist (and about 19 years old at the time) the cable on the front brake snapped as I applied the brakes to stop at a zebra crossing. At the moment the front brake failed through the cable breaking, I locked the back wheel (through reflex, I suppose) but managed to miss the pedestrian on the crossing. The bike was properly maintained and the cable was oiled and adjusted periodically as per the handbook.

Question 1a. Considering no-one was hurt (and remember the police weren't actually called), if you (the BiB) had been called or had witnessed and stopped; would you have nicked me there and then for defective brakes? Q 1b. I rode the bike home slowly, literally no more than 20MPH on side streets off of the main thoroughfairs (about 7 miles) relying on the back brake only: If you'd seen and stopped me doing this, in light of the story, would you have nicked me?

2 Again, as a motorcyclist, "2-up" (the girlfriend), when I was around 25, I took my CX 500 down the A13 towards the 'magic roundabout' at Pitsea. On applying the brakes, the rear brake hub stay arm snapped, pulled the back brake on violently on its own momentarily locking the back whheel before the whole back brake pedal assemble was torn off the bike. (the pedal actually thumped me heavily across the back of the right leg having done a revolution as the wheel unlocked itself). I brought the bike to a halt on the front brake only by just braking marginally harder than I would have done anyway and over use of downshifting (ie high revving the engine on the over-run). The girl frind was oblivious to what had happened until she saw the bruise on the back of my calf and the wrapped around back brake arm. Questions are the same as above. The bike was properly maintained (by me - and I am not an idiot, bikers who knowingly ride defective machines as though they weren't defective don't have a long life expectancy!). Q2a Had you come across me examining the bike and limping, would you have nicked me there and then or exercised discretion? Q2b. I put the girlfriend on the train and rode the bike home some 30 miles. 40MPH ish on the A13 dual carriageway, 20MPH ish on the back-streets just as soon as I could practicably get of the main road and use them: If you'd seen me riding so slowly and had the explanation that I was riding the bike straight home very cautiously given the circumstances, would you have nicked me?

I always did all my motorcycle maintainance myself.

3 Not as dramatic: The handbrake cable snapped in the car about 5 years ago. Having investigated and made sure that no lose part of the cable would foul the wheels, likewise, I drove the car home and then onto a garage to get it fixed. Q3a & 3b are the same as above. Would you nick at the time or en-route home? I will add that I did not drive the car quite as cautiuously as the bikes at all when 'limping' home.

Whilst I expect to be told I should have been shot by an unspoken few, I wonder what the opinions are not just of the BiB but others too. I would add that in the event I had NO brakes at all, I would not move any vehicle (car or bike or anything else) - nor would I drive a car on the handbrake alone except for the shortest of distances (like off of a recovery truck and onto the drive and into the garage at 5 mph).

My own views are that I would do exactly the same again given the circumstances (as in drive very slowly and off the beaten track, 'nursing' whatever it was I was driving / riding home). Does anyone else have any view on this Or should I have been shot for doing so?

2 Again, as a motorcyclist, "2-up" (the girlfriend), when I was around 25

Don't even think that's an offence mate, although I prefer to keep my girl to myself.

Discretion

I'm going to give 3 true stories involving me as a youngster regarding brakes and am after the views of the BiB regarding discretion (yes, what I am about to admit to was {and still is} strictly speaking illegal - but I'd like to know what they'd do (as in nicking or ignoring-wise and why).

1 As a motorcyclist (and about 19 years old at the time) the cable on the front brake snapped as I applied the brakes to stop at a zebra crossing. At the moment the front brake failed through the cable breaking, I locked the back wheel (through reflex, I suppose) but managed to miss the pedestrian on the crossing. The bike was properly maintained and the cable was oiled and adjusted periodically as per the handbook.

Question 1a. Considering no-one was hurt (and remember the police weren't actually called), if you (the BiB) had been called or had witnessed and stopped; would you have nicked me there and then for defective brakes? Q 1b. I rode the bike home slowly, literally no more than 20MPH on side streets off of the main thoroughfairs (about 7 miles) relying on the back brake only: If you'd seen and stopped me doing this, in light of the story, would you have nicked me?

2 Again, as a motorcyclist, "2-up" (the girlfriend), when I was around 25, I took my CX 500 down the A13 towards the 'magic roundabout' at Pitsea. On applying the brakes, the rear brake hub stay arm snapped, pulled the back brake on violently on its own momentarily locking the back whheel before the whole back brake pedal assemble was torn off the bike. (the pedal actually thumped me heavily across the back of the right leg having done a revolution as the wheel unlocked itself). I brought the bike to a halt on the front brake only by just braking marginally harder than I would have done anyway and over use of downshifting (ie high revving the engine on the over-run). The girl frind was oblivious to what had happened until she saw the bruise on the back of my calf and the wrapped around back brake arm. Questions are the same as above. The bike was properly maintained (by me - and I am not an idiot, bikers who knowingly ride defective machines as though they weren't defective don't have a long life expectancy!). Q2a Had you come across me examining the bike and limping, would you have nicked me there and then or exercised discretion? Q2b. I put the girlfriend on the train and rode the bike home some 30 miles. 40MPH ish on the A13 dual carriageway, 20MPH ish on the back-streets just as soon as I could practicably get of the main road and use them: If you'd seen me riding so slowly and had the explanation that I was riding the bike straight home very cautiously given the circumstances, would you have nicked me?

3 Not as dramatic: The handbrake cable snapped in the car about 5 years ago. Having investigated and made sure that no lose part of the cable would foul the wheels, likewise, I drove the car home and then onto a garage to get it fixed. Q3a & 3b are the same as above. Would you nick at the time or en-route home? I will add that I did not drive the car quite as cautiuously as the bikes at all when 'limping' home.

"6. Vehicle maintainance, safety and security

Vehicle maintenance

Take special care that lights, brakes, steering, exhaust system, seat belts, demisters, wipers and washers are all working."

The Highway Code is written and produced to prevent such circumstances. All it takes is a read and a little comprehension and it works well.

At which point said right hand neatly flicks the cigarette out of my mouth to land in my lap in a shower of glowing embers.