Death Wobble Averted: CB1100 Engineering At Its Finest

[rdprdp01]

The Island of Alameda was created in 1902 when a tidal canal (the Estuary) was created, joining Oakland’s harbor with the San Leandro Bay. The City of Alameda (as its is known in the East Bay) expanded its border to include the Island, and in so doing, the City of Alameda became an important shipping and military port. Although not as famous as San Francisco and Oakland, the City of Alameda  is a proud community of hard-working people. Four drawbridges and two underwater tunnels were built to connect the mainland to the Island.

One of those bridges is The High Street Bridge, a double-leaf bascule drawbridge which spans 300 feet. The bridge raises 1,400 times annually to allow recreational, shipping, and Coast Guard vessels to pass.  Although not as famous as as other Bay-Area Bridges, 26,000 vehicles cross each year. The Coast Guard and Merchant Vessels would be unable to complete their missions without the High Street Bridge.

High Street Drawbridge Video

For the last 20 years, I have worked with the City of Alameda Fire Department. It began its proud history in 1884. The Fire Department had to close one of its five fire stations due to budget cuts and tough times. However, the service area has not changed and the call volume has gone up. They find a way every day, and they have earned my respect. When the City of Alameda Fire Department needs something, we respond immediately.

I had to delivered an iPad to Fire Station 1 today. An iPad in Engine 1 failed. The Fire Captain replaced it from spare inventory we have onsite, and we needed to back fill that inventory. The spare inventory is just as important as the inventory in service. Stuff happens, and a Fire Department running at 125% capacity cannot afford to have any Apparatus out of service.

Although I was on my motorcycle, I was the closest to Alameda City. I diverted to my office, picked up a spare, and began the commute to Fire Station 1.

Today, I crossed the High Street Bridge on my CB1100EX for the first time. When I ride, I scan 200-300 meters ahead. As I approached the High Street Bridge, I noted the metal grate and knew that the change of surface would affect my motorcycle. At 40 miles per hour in traffic, it required an immediate response. I shifted backward on the bench seat and leaned slightly forward. I wanted as much weight as possible on the front tire when I left the pavement and rode onto the metal grate. I removed my fingers from the front brake (my standard riding position) and willed myself to keep the throttle constant although I did gently apply the back brake. I did not want the rear tire to fish tail if I failed to keep the traction of the back wheel constant. When I rode onto the grate, God and the Honda Angels were steering the motorcycle. The gentle "wobbles" offset each other while the motorcycle held the slightly "wiggly" line. When I traversed the bridge, the motorcycle return to that buttery smooth ride I know and love. I returned to my standard riding position, and I arrived at Fire Station 1 without incident.

After I finished my business with the Captain, I thought about the "Death Wobble" video I posted previously and how fortunate I am to ride a CB1100. I welcome your critique and feedback about how I handled this moment and anything else I could have done to better manage the crossing. I welcome the coaching, and corrections, if I erred in my handling of this road situation. Have a great week.

High Street Bridge Ingress



Safe and Sound at Alameda City Fire Station 1

[Cormanus]

Nice one rdprdp01.

[misterprofessionality]

That bridge was sketchy in a car, forget motorcycles. The entire city turned up to watch them dynamite it.

[pdedse]

Locally, I get to cross several steel grate bridges routinely and they seem to be the bridge of choice in rural areas of British Columbia. But for these bridges, I'm always able to slow considerably before changing from asphalt to bridge, say to 15-25mph. Now that I think about it, it seems I always coast onto the bridge, and then immediately accelerate slighty and look straight ahead. I've ridden all sorts of bikes on steel grate bridges...sportster, cb1100, klr650, royal enfield 650, w800, dr650, bmw gs1200, others, and it always feels quite squirrely for the first 2-3 seconds and then it seems I adjust and it feels "fine".

If local traffic were going 40mph, I think I'd turn my flashers on (if bike has that), or pump brake several times before the bridge and still slow to 20mph before arriving at the edge. Maybe wave and look at car behind me to indicate I'm slowing down if no flashers.

[Gone in 60]

We have metal expansion joints on the Vincent Thomas Bridge over the Los Angeles Harbor. When I approach, I just look straight, not down, keep a loose hand, keep my speed up and let the bike dance a bit as it crosses. A little unnerving but I know it's gonna happen and I just ride it out.