Motorcycle Accident Caused by Engine Malfunction

Earlier we posted about a motorcycle accident caused by an engine malfunction. This wreck was reported by the Iowa State Patrol. The accident happened in Worth County and took the life of the driver David Leegaard and caused injury to his passenger Desiree Miller. The trooper has published a more complete report allowing us to know what he observed that led him to believe it was caused by the engine malfunctioning. The report states the engine malfunction caused a piston rod to punch a hole in the bottom of the crank case, allowing oil to leak out causing the road surface to become slick and probably the rear tire to slip resulting in a loss of control of the bike.

"VEHICLE 1 WAS NORTHBOUND ON I-35 AND LOST CONTROL DUE TO AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION VEHICLE CAME TO REST ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY WITH THE DRIVER PINNED UNDERNEATH IT", Trooper

In 30 years of practice I've not seen an accident like this one. It would seem to be a rare set of facts. Many people are probably wondering where is the crankcase and what is it's function on a motorcycle?

It's part of the engine. The crankcase houses the crank shaft on a motorcycle. This is where oil is maintained to keep these engine parts freely turning by way of lubrication. Without enough oil the parts inside the crankcase can overheat and allow the parts inside to be pushed through the crankcase. For additional information about crankcases see Wikipedia's description of the crankcase.

There are several places online to learn about motorcycle crankcase maintenance. Proper motorcycle maintenance is a must for every owner. As Laura Fonda, and eHow Contributor Writer says,

"It is recommend[ed] that the oil level on a motorcycle be checked during every second or third fuel-up, according to Aaron Hochnadel, who has over 20 years' experience repairing cars and motorcycles. He says that if the oil is low, the bearings run dry and the motor can potentially lock up, resulting in massive internal damage. On the other hand, if the oil is too high, it can blows seals out, cause leaks and hinder performance.

Check the owner's manual specific to your motorcycle to determine the correct type and amount of oil to use."

Read more: How to Check Motorcycle Crankcase Oil | eHow.com

And before taking you bike out of a new season have it checked by a qualified mechanic. In this case the wreck sent Miss Miller to Mercy Hospital in Mason City.

For more information about crankcase oil see scooter help.