Almost 2 years ago on easter monday I crashed my RE535 much to my disgust. Stupid accident really just happened to hit some bumps that set up a tank slapper at 100 km/h which I was unable to control once my LH tommaselli clip on came loose. I was devestated at the time as I had just completed Hot Rodding the engine with great results. (A story for another time)
The damage was to the RH side of the bike mainly. The Steering stop had bent quite badly and had ground away the brake lever and M/Cylinder. Put a large dent in the fuel tank and gravel rashed the RH engine cover and wore a hole through the oil filter cover. And worst of all destroyed my brand new custom made exhaust system.
The bike languished in the garage for a year and a half. When a mate of mine suggested I fix it. He said it gave him a constant smile watching me ride the bike, so much so he purchased a new 650 Interceptor Royal Enfield on that basis. He offered to repair and re-paint the body work for me.
So I looked the bike over and decided it mightn't be that hard. First things first stripped the body work and Headlight etc and sent to the Frame straightening guy. He said the steering stop that was bent was really tough to straighten and that the frame needed a small tweak. He checked the front end and found the forks straight and the triple clamps straight. He a was amazed that the bottom triple clamp was steel and really heavy.
Next off to the Exhaust shop to get the new Exhaust repaired and remade. While I gave my mate the Tank and side covers. He found the dent in the tank very hard to pull, he reckons its made out of some very heavy material so much so he wasn't happy with his repair requiring so much filler and has offered to repaint again if I get a new tank. But its good enough for now so long as the filler doesn't fall out.
Refitted the original clip on bars ( not using the tommaselli ones again ) Purchased another RH engine cover and polished. And fitted a new M/Cylinder and front brake line. Replaced the front Axle that had been damaged. Repaired the rear brake lever as it had snapped the pin with the rubber on it.
Finally got registered again and have done a few short runs about the place due to the weather. Looking forward to a run in the hills.