Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge I saw something strange today

Riding down the road today I saw a big Harley bagger-maybe Road King, I don't know my Harley's very well-was riding with only his left hand on the handle bars! I was behind in the other lane at a couple of stop lights and couldn't figure out what was going on because his right hand appeared to be in his lap and never moved.

When he turned off to the left, I finally saw that his right sleeve was empty-no arm from at least above the elbow down.

I figure the brakes were linked so he could use his right foot for that and maybe the throttle was on the left side but it seems it would be tricky to work the clutch and throttle with one hand unless it was one peice-clutch lever rotated with the throttle.

At any rate the guy was smooth as silk and I salute him if he can handle that monster with one hand! Just getting one off the kick stand is a challenge.

Has anyone ever seen anything like an integrated clutch and throttle mechanicism? My 10 speed bike has something like that for the gear changer and brake.

I saw one of the sport bike stunt riders on the speed channel putting some custom left side brake and throttle controls on his bike before a wheelie show so I know that stuff exists. I salute any one, man or woman, that can ride with one arm...he's a real biker in my view.

There is an electric shift setup available, maybe he had one of those to help out.

That sounds right.

Love to see handicapped people overcome stuff and ride. There is a HD in the Portland area with a flat side car. The guy that rides it only has one leg and uses the side car for counter balance and for his wheel chair. It is pretty darn cool!

Soren

Back in the 80's I set up a 750 Honda Automatic for a guy with no right hand.Put the throttle on the left and put a sidecar on for him.He did use his hook to hold a post we put on the right side bar to give some support.We road all over the midwest that year going to sidecar rallys,he sure could handle his rig.

They now make an autoclutch that eliminates the clutch lever. It's not perfect, but it works.

I saw a harley at one stage adapted for a guy who'd lost his left arm. Had two levers on the right much like the triggers on a double-barreled shotgun - a smaller inner lever for clutch and a normal sized outer one for front brake. Apparently it took a little while to master but he kept up with the rest of us without a problem.

There's a paraplegic kid working at the Great Falls, MT, Harley dealership who rides a old springer with a sidecar for his wheelchair.

Colonel Kurtz said it best , "...their will was so pure , crystalline ......" . I am amazed at the will and tenacity of some people to overcome adversity .



BTW , do the Vorlons no longer "say" ?

a friend of mine has a 1992 Electra Glide (originally a police bike) and he has a little thumb control which he uses as a sort of throttle lock which allows him to take his right hand off.

Not sure, but maybe they all have that available?

just my 2 cents

Trev

Gotta change up the sig and avatar periodically.

My ex brother in law lost his left leg so he moved the shifter over next to the brake pedal on his hog and never looked back.
I applaud the ingenuity of people to overcome as well.

Watched an HA beat the crap out of a V-ROD, burnouts, wheelies, fishtailing etc, with a hook where his right hand should have been.

Hmmmm...this reminds me. I once knew a guy who had NO arms OR legs! His wife hung him up on the wall at night when he was sleepy. His name was Art.

He rode too. A Bobber, if I recall rightly.

(oh geez...I gotta go now)

Now Dwight, that's not very PC....

When you get time, let me tell you bout my friend Matt....

Your friend Matt...he sleeps on his porch by the front door, right Stew???!!!

(oh, come on people, you HAD to know that SOME doofus would "go here" on this thread, didn't ya???...I figured why not THIS doofus, HUH?!)

This guy may be from Pasadena - my frined Bill has a neighbor that is one-armed, and has a new H-D, and I'm pretty sure he is left handed.

I last saw this cat on a Honda, and he handled it pretty well. have not seen his new Harley yet, so I don't know what color it is.

You have to hand it to those that just refuse to give up, and find the determination to live their life their own way.