ADAPPTATIONS BY RICK HULSE PTATIONS BY RICK

case of total loss of/or loss of use of the left hand, the clutch lever must be re-sited elsewhere.

Most commonly this is a simple matter of transferring the lever to the right handle bar using “twin levers” for front brake and clutch (see www.klever2.com and/or www.pfmbrakes.com for twin lever kits) or by fitting a thumb operated lever below the right handlebar to operate the front brake and using the original front brake lever for the clutch.

In the case of reduced mobility or strength in the left hand, further options would be; An hydraulic to cable conversion kit for smaller bikes makes the use of cable operated clutches much lighter. For a limited range of motorcycles, an automatic clutch such as the Rekluse Z-Clutch www.rekluse.co.uk may be available. Recently some of the major motorcycle manufacturers have produced large capacity motorcycles that are available with automatic transmission, thereby doing away with the clutch altogether. The Yamaha FJR1300AS has an automatic transmission as does the Honda DN01, the Honda CTX700 and the Honda VFR1200DCT.

1. Right hand twin levers

2. Automatic Clutch

3. Thumbrake & Clutch

Right or Left Arm:

With all adaptions to suit riders with a hand or arm disability we strongly recommend the fitting of a high quality steering damper. When necessary a Velcro glove to handlebar grip can be used to help keep the affected hand on the handlebar & in some cases for amputees, prosthetics can be specially adapted to enable some handlebar use.

However we must stress the importance of never being too firmly connected to a solo motorcycle. If you do have a spill while riding you need to be able to separate from the machine very easily rather than be dragged along by it into what could prove to be a more dangerous situation.

Both the twin levers and thumb brake are available in 1” or 7/8” bar sizes.

Wheelchair Users & Balance problems: (Bilateral amputation, paraplegia, MS, reduced mobility/strength in legs, balance problems, etc):

With these types of disability one obvious issue is that of stability, which usually means the addition of a “third road wheel” whether this is in the form of a bike and sidecar combo or a trike.

In the case of bike and sidecar combos sometimes it is possible to utilise standard outfits when the bike has been converted to “full hand controls”. But there are also some manufacturers who manufacture specialised or adapted sidecar outfits that are specifically designed to suit independent use by wheelchair users such as Motopodd Ltd www.motopodd.com and Unit Sidecars Ltd www.unitsidecars.co.uk

In the case of trikes it is always preferable to have a trike fully manufactured specifically to suit case of total loss of/or loss of use of the left hand, the clutch lever must be re-sited elsewhere. the individual rider. Where this is not possible, some second hand machines can sometimes be modified to suit the needs of a disabled rider (i.e. full hand controls, stirrups, foot-plates, seating styles, back support, automatic transmission, wheelchair carriers, etc). www.trikeshop.co.uk and/or www.trikedesign.co.uk and/or www.boomtrikes.co.uk and/or www.rewacotrikes.co.uk transmission, with the clutch Yamaha FJR1300AS transmission DN01, the Honda VFR1200DCT.

Most commonly this is a simple matter of transferring the lever to the right handle bar using “twin levers” for front brake and clutch (see www.klever2.com and/or www.pfmbrakes.com for twin lever kits) or by fitting a thumb operated lever below the right handlebar to operate the front brake and using the original front brake lever for the clutch.

There are “drop down” stabiliser kits www.adaptivemotorcycles.com and www.koeltgen.de/kontakt.h tml for solo motorcycles on the market but as yet we have not been able to fully test their viability for disabled riders.

1. Right hand

2. Automatic

3. Thumbrake

Right or

1. Bike and sidecar

2. Trike

3. Stabilisers (for solo bikes)

Reverse Gear for bikers:

In the case of reduced mobility or strength in the left hand, further options would be; An hydraulic to cable conversion kit for smaller bikes makes the use of cable operated clutches much lighter. For a limited range of motorcycles, an automatic clutch such as the Rekluse Z-Clutch www.rekluse.co.uk may be available. Recently some of the major motorcycle manufacturers have produced large capacity motorcycles that are available with automatic

The vast majority of motorcycles do not feature a reversing facility. However, for many people with disabilities, a reversing facility is essential when a motorcycle has been converted to a trike. There are several methods of achieving this; perhaps the oldest method was to incorporate an electric reversing motor, but this has generally proven to be ineffecient and ofter a serious strain on the battery. More recently, purpose built reversing differentials and in-line reversing gearboxes have emerged onto th emarket from the motor racing scene. Companies like Quaife Engineering Ltd www.quaife.co.uk and Elite Racing Transmissions Ltd www.eliteracing transmissions.com produce in-line reversing boxes for shaft-driven vehicles and reversing differentials for chain, belt or shaft driven vehicles.

NB. This guide is not intended as an exhaustive catalogue of the adaptions available for bikes and trikes. It is meant as a brief guide featuring the most popular solutions to the most common problems faced by many riders with disabilities when considering adapting machines.

There are always other options available and we at the NABD are constantly working with some highly skilled engineers to develop new alternatives and improvements to existing kits.

With all adaptions a hand or recommend quality steering When necessary handlebar keep the affected handlebar amputees, specially adapted handlebar However we importance connected If you do have you need from the machine than be dragged what could dangerous

Both the twin are available

Wheelchair problems: (Bilateral paraplegia, mobility/strength balance problems, With these obvious issue which usually “third road the form of or a trike. In the case combos sometimes utilise standard has been converted controls”. manufacturers specialised that are specifically independent such as Motopodd www.motopodd.com Sidecars Ltd www.unitsidecars.co.uk

In the case preferable manufactured

National Associationfor Bikerswitha Disability

Reg. Charity No. 1040907 (SC039897 in Scotland)

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