Time Gentlemen Please

The life of the loaner learner officer isn't all sex drugs, rock n roll, loose women and endless parties. Sometimes I have to do some work.

The learner loaner officer has the complex responsibility of trying to match up suitably adapted motorbikes to meet the individual needs of prospective clients. We have a small fleet of 125s adapted to various requirements but sometimes when I receive a new application, adjustments are needed to suit their individual needs.

So to achieve this aim I have to cajole other NABD members into helping me change the adaptions to suit.

One of these poor souls is Alan Fowles who I have worked with in other motorcycle charities. I often ring to ask if he would assist me in adapting a bike. (well I say assist as I am not the most mechanically minded person in the world so I generally pass him spanners and drink tea). He is slowly and very patiently teaching me the basics of motorcycle mechanics.

" I have been lucky enough to have had the chance to work with Gordon Hooper on a couple of the 125's that required some changes to their layout for a NABD rider's special requirement.

The adaptation kits are amazing. All the ones I have been involved with are beautifully engineered to a high standard of finish and all work very well.

We fitted a new electronic gear‐change unit to a used Yamaha 125 where the previous rider had only needed the clutch lever repositioned on the right handlebar as gear changing had not been an issue.

This new requirement meant adapting the existing gear pedal by drilling a hole positioned to take the rose joint on the end of the powered operating cylinder.

These cylinders are extremely powerful and a degree of judgment and head scratching was required to get it in exactly the correct place.

Somewhat nerve racking as we didn't want to end up having to buy a new gear lever if we messed it up.

It can be easily disconnected to restore normal gear selection.

The next requirement for this new rider for the bike was to move the gear selection button panel over to the right hand side. So now there are no handlebar controls on the left side. It looks very simple to just reposition but in fact was quite involved.

Nevertheless it all worked out well.

Unfortunately I was not brave enough to do a test ride on the converted bike. My brain would not be able to cope with all the differently positioned controls. How marvellous it is that riders with a disability so easily adapt to new riding and control techniques, some of which are possibly unique to operate their bike safely."

Alan Fowles.

People often ask if the learner loaners are restricted to new riders. More often than not half the bikes that go out are to people who have stopped riding due to some form of disablement and would like to get back in the saddle. Often these people will go on to apply to the NABD for a grant to adapt their own bike and once again enjoy the pleasure that biking gives us.

Over the last year I have been happy to see a number of people at the office who have been a little apprehensive regarding their suitability of riding a bike. We at the NABD are always happy with regards to helping answer any concerns that someone may have with riding. A lot of my emails are questions that I don't always have the answer for. Luckily we have some very experienced guys and girls who will endeavour to find the answer.

If you would like to contact me my email is loaners@thenabd.org.uk

Gordon (Flash). Learner Loaner officer.