Charpentier Law Firm Blog

An article by Dave Searle in the February, 2012 edition of the MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS reported that Honda has documented 26 cases of rear brake lock-up so Honda has recalled all its GL1800s produced in model years 2001 through 2012, and in addition, Honda has put a stop-sale order in place at dealerships until the machines can be checked for problems.

It seems the problem has two parts: In normal operation, when the front brake lever is used, as the left front caliper grips the rotor, it will pivot upward to press on a secondary master cylinder which has brake lines that go back to the rear caliper. This pressure causes the two outboard pistons of the three piston rear caliper to energize, giving the effect of Linked or Combined (as Honda now calls it) braking, a standard feature of the GL1800.

After careful review of its parts suppliers, Honda determined that there is a potential stack-up of tolerances between the various pieces that make up this assembly: the caliper, caliper bracket, the fork leg, the secondary master cylinder and the pushrod that activates the secondary master cylinder. In the worst-case situation, if all those tolerances stack-up exactly wrong and the piston cup inside the secondary master cylinder swells up, there is a chance that the compensating port (a small hole in the master cylinder that is ordinarily covered by movement of the piston as it is energized) could be blocked by the piston cup and unable to release line pressure when the brake lever is released. In this case, residual pressure remains in the system, in effect applying the rear brake to some degree even when the front brake lever is released. The symptoms include a sensation of lost power, lower gas mileage and a sense that the rear brake is dragging. It’s also possible that this can cause the rear disc to overheat to the extent that it can ignite a fire. However, due to the almost fully enclosed nature of the Gold Wing’s rear bodywork, it isn’t easy for an owner to examine the rear brake or caliper.

To test the system, Honda has devised a special tool that it will immediately distribute to all its dealers. The tool will create the effect of maximum tolerance stack on the secondary rear master cylinder so that a pass/fail test can be administered. This is how it works: The left front caliper is held by two bolts. To install the tool, the upper bolt is removed, and the lower bolt loosened. The tool, which is like a bolt with a necked-down section, then allows the caliper to be repositioned upward slightly (by an amount equal to the maximum tolerance stack). If the brake still works correctly in this position, the bike does not have a problem. If it doesn’t, the secondary master cylinder will be replaced free of charge.

By the time you read this, recall notices should be in the hands of Gold Wing GL1800 owners and dealers will be prepared to handle the volume of service calls. If you suspect your own Gold Wing is affected by this condition, it is suggested that you park it until it can be trailered to a dealer for repair.

 If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident whether due to a defective product or not, you can benefit from the experience and knowledge of the Brevard County products liability lawyers http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/trucking-accidents.html at Charpentier Law Firm, P.A. Our Brevard Accident Attorneys are here to help.Click Here: 

For more information on Products Liability

http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/preise.html

Florida Today-June 26, 2012-According to the article police have identified a man they said crashed a box truck into several vehicles in Suntree, Brevard County, Florida this morning. The man was trying to flee the scene and caused a second crash minutes later. The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. Police got a report that the box truck had rammed and damaged four cars in the parking of a doctor’s office in 8000 block of Spyglass Hill Road. The truck then fled the scene. The article goes onto say that the truck then crashed the truck into another vehicle just minutes later at U.S. 1 and Post Road. Two people were taken to Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, in Brevard County, Florida.

While at the scene of the second crash, the driver physically confronted a witness, striking the other man. The driver was taken to Brevard County jail on charges of leaving the scene of a crash, two of driving under the influence with bodily injury, misdemeanor battery and careless driving. The driver had a 0.10 percent blood alcohol content when tested six hours after the crash.

For more information Automobile Accidents Click Here: http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/auto-accidents.html

Claims Journal-June 25, 2012-According to the article safety advocates are continuing to push for a lower legal limit for boaters who consume alcohol on Georgia’s lakes and rivers.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that most states require the blood-alcohol content of a boat operator to be lower than .08.

In Georgia, the legal alcohol limit for boat drivers is .10, even though Georgians who get behind the wheel of a car must keep their blood-alcohol content below .08.

This year, legislation to lower the limit to .08 was approved in Georgia’s House but died in a Senate committee.

Meanwhile, budget cuts also have undercut Department of Natural Resources ranger patrols on Georgia waterways. Col. Eddie Henderson of the DNR said the agency has lost about 20 percent of its rangers.

For more information regarding Maritime Law Click Here: http://www.brevardlaywer.com/html/maritime-law.html

Claims Journal-June 13, 2012-According to the article a study by the Governors Highway Safety Association shows that the number of motorcycle deaths dropped in Idaho last year. But it remains consistent nationwide. Idaho Transportation Department said there were 17 motorcycle deaths in 2011, compared to 28 in 2010. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association found that motorcycle deaths remained at about 4,500 nationwide. Director of Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety program says the drop suggests the effort in motorcyclist training, motorist awareness and an emphasis on riding sober are working. The program offers skills training for riders of all levels.

For more information Motorcycles Click Here: http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/motorcycle-accidents.html

Florida Today-June 12, 2012-According to the article Brevard County Fire Rescue crews pulled a 4-year-old girl’s arm out of a pool suction valve. The child was not seriously injured. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. Sunday as the in Country Club Apartments on Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida. The girl was swimming in a community pool when arm was sucked into a suction valve that was missing a safety cover. Rescue crews shut down the pool pump and removed several inches of water as they pulled the child free. The child suffered a swollen hand.

For more information on Premise Liability Click Here: http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/premise.html

Ducati

Motorcycle Consumer News-May 2012-Ducati is recalling certain mode l year 2011-2012 Monster 1100 EVO motorcycles, manufactured from January 17, 2011, through January 14, 2012 and equipped with rear rims marked with code DU6-RR. Over time, the spokes on the rear rim may develop cracks. Cracks may lead to failure of the rear wheel rim, increasing the risk of a crash. Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear wheel rim, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 7, 2012. Owners may contact Ducati at 1-800-231-6696 or go to their website at www.ducati.com. NHTSA Campaign ID #: 12V073000

Motorcycle Consumer News-May 2012-Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2012 EX250JCF/A/AL Ninja 250, EX650ECF/L Ninja 650 and KLE650CCF/L Versys motorcycles manufactured from September 13, 2011 through October 25, 2011, Due to engine vibration and damage during assembly, the circlips on the foot peg mounting pins can break and fall off and causes the foot peg to detach from the motorcycle. If the foot peg detaches, it could create a road hazard for other vehicle traffic and distract the rider, increasing the risk of a crash. Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger foot peg pin circlips, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to being on or about March 12, 2012. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 866-802-9381. NHTSA Campaign ID #: 12V081000010.

Motorcycle Consumer News-May 2012-Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ninja ZX-10R, and 2009-2012 Ninja ZX-6R motorcycles manufactured from December 14, 2007 through July 26, 2011. Due to a manufacturing error, the regulator/rectifier may insufficiently charge the battery. If the battery discharges, the motorcycle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the voltage regulator, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 24, 2012. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 949-770-0400. NHTSA Campaign ID#: 12V064000.

Motorcycle Consumer News-May 2012-Harley Davidson is recalling accessory brake line kits sold for installation on certain model year 1996-2012 Dyna and certain model 1999-2012 Softail motorcycles. Due to manufacturing and installation conditions these accessory brake line kits may leak. If the leak occurs and remains undetected, the rider may have reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash, leading injury or death. Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorcycles and replace the accessory brake lines, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 8, 2012. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 800-258-2464. The Harley-Davison recall Campaign numbers is 0143. NHTSA Campaign ID#: 12E0080000.

For more information on Motorcycle Accidents Click Here: http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/motorcycle-accidents.html

Florida Today-June 7, 2012-According to the article Melbourne police and fire-rescue teams were on the scene of an incident that occurred late Wednesday which involves a pedestrian and a train. Ambulance and medical units were initially sent to the scene near Prospect Avenue in southern Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida. After further, investigation ambulance response was cancelled. There was no initial word from police on the victim or the circumstances of the incident. The article goes onto say the train’s locomotive sat for hours just north of Line Street. Railroad crossings as far north as NASA Boulevard was blocked off as authorities investigated.

Article Update

Florida Today-June 7, 2012-According to the article an unidentified man was killed after being struck by a train in downtown Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida. The fatal incident occurred late Wednesday night at about 9:26 p.m. on the railroad tracks at Prospect Avenue near U.S. 1. Melbourne police officers arrived at the scene and found remains of a man believed to be struck by the southbound train. The train engine screeched to a half and stopped just north of Line Street, leaving several downtown roads blocked off throughout the night. The police report that the man may have put himself in the path of the oncoming train in a suicide attempt. The body was taken to the medical examiner’s for an autopsy.

For more information Pedestrain Injury Click Here:  http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/pedestrian-bicycle-bus.html

Florida Today-June 7, 2012-J.D. Gallop-According to the article a series of crashes and collisions involving police cars that left law enforcement officers with minor injuries and fleet mechanics busy with repairs at several agencies. The latest crash occurred about 6:00 a.m. Wednesday after a police car flipped over along U.S. 1 in Mims, Brevard County, Florida. The accident totaled the vehicle and leaving a Brevard County Sheriff’s deputy with minor injuries. The deputy was taken to Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Brevard County, Florida for further evaluation. This crash was one of at least five involving patrol cars this week. One including a police chase in West Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida that ended with three patrol vehicles badly damaged. The third incident occurred Tuesday night when a Palm Bay patrol officer was traveling along Malabar Road and struck and killed a deer. The K-9 officer was not seriously injured in the accident.

For more information on Automobile Accidents Click Here: http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/auto-accidents.html

Florida Today-June 5, 2012-According to the article two West Melbourne Police Department vehicles were immobilized and a third vehicle damaged in a chase early Sunday morning and also leaving two officers with minor injuries. At about 2:00 a.m. police were trying to disperse a crowd at the 7-11 on West New Haven Avenue in West Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida after bars had closed. A K-9 officer approached a parked black BMW from which he reported smelling drugs. According to police the driver of the BMW sped off nearly hitting the officer. A chase ensued with the police following the BMW east on New Haven, then south on Dunbar Avenue. Apparently when the two police cars tried to make the turn, one struck the other. Both of those vehicles were immobilized with both drivers suffering from minor injuries. The article goes onto say police continued the chase onto Dairy Road to Port Malabar Boulevard near the intersection of Creel Road and Voyager Street. The BMW crashed into a tree. The driver and the passenger ran away, but police were able to stop the passenger. The passenger was arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. The driver was not identified or captured.

For more information on Automobile Accidents Click Here: http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/auto-accidents.html

or Criminal Litigation Click Here: http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/criminal-litigations.html

Florida Today-June 4, 2012-According to the article a Titusville, Brevard County, Florida woman remains hospitalized in critical condition after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver early Saturday morning on State Road 45. The incident occurred around 1:45 a.m near Swan Lake Drive. The article goes onto to say a witness reported seeing a grey car similar to a Chevrolet Malibu run over a woman who was lying in the roadway. The unidentified driver kept driving south toward State Road 45 in Titusville, Brevard County, Florida. The woman was flown to a nearby hospital with life threatening injuries. Police say it does not appear she was struck by more than one vehicle. Detectives also do not know why she was lying the roadway.

For more information on Personal Injury Click Here: http://www.brevardlawyer.com/html/personal-injury.html