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[samm3d]

Hello all. I am a new member here. My first post, so here it goes. I have Holt_Oram Syndrome. Which is deformities in the arms and shoulders. I have whats called the "best case scenario" if there is such a thing. I actually have arms as my mother does not. Anyway, my arms are not "normal" length. My left is shorter than the right, not by a whole lot. (Most people can't tell unless they grab my elbows). My left wrist is fused and arm does not rotate along with limited mobility. (No socket in the shoulder) My left has three fingers with no thumb. So using a clutch is way out of the question. Now my right is a little better. I have a thumb but not fully functional. Thumb has no working knuckles. Only have a half mobility of my wrist, only bends downward and not back. So, I will need to get handle bars that are up and down like holding two poles. I am currently riding a 100cc automatic dirt bike to get me started. Also, I am only 5'1" tall. /so I would need some modification in the seat height. I know there are a few automatic bikes out there: CF-MOTO V5 is what i am looking at. I really like the Ninja 250r, so I guess I would need to get an auto clutch (EFM auto clutch) to get it to work for me. Is it better to just get the automatic (CVT) bike first, or should I get what I like then modify it?

TIA

[backwoodsrider]

interesting situation, wonder if you could add a 90 degree angled bar to the end of you handlebars pointing straight up that would allow you to grab hold of bars?  Maybe the rekluse auto tranny would be an option depending on the funds.

http://www.rekluse.com/

[hot wheels]

Welcome Sam,

I am so inspired by your determination to ride despite your extensive disabilities! I hope you are successful in finding a rig that works for you. I am sure everyone here will help you with whatever info they can :)

Welcome to DRA!

Hot Wheels

[VampyRider]

Hello and Sam,

    That is interesting.  I too since an accident in 2004 have problems with my arms and shoulders.  I didn't know but when I went to try bikes out, a 'disabled' salesman noticed
that my left arm is shorter than my right arm, then later on a motorcyclist mentioned it. 

    The above is a good reason why I am now having more difficulty with the clutch/shifting simultaneously.  I am 5'4" in height.  It seems since the clutch and shifting happens to be
on the left side duh.....that is my most problem side. 
 
     Everything has been taken care of for the most part; however, do you think I need a automatic type etc. or what other suggestions that will get me to Ride much sooner and be
able to get my testing done to add the "M" endorsement to my Driver's License?  Please help.  Also, I would need a replicable, dependable, and very reasonable - yet on the lower cost for labor too.  That is the only thing holding me back from riding further, testing for the endorsement.

     All help in ANY way will be greatly appreciated.   

Thanks.
"VampyRider"

     

[Desmo Demon]

Welcome to the forum.

If you wind up needing an EFM clutch for a Ninja 250, I may know where a slightly used one may be for cheap. I think he may still have it.

[Don]

Another good idea would be to get something like the Hondamatic that I have been trying to find a buyer for ($1,500) which leaves plenty of cash for modifications.

You did not say how much one arm is shorter than the other.  I have one arm 2" shorter than the other and have ridden with unmodified bars.  If your asymetry is greater than that, you could have the bars modified with a simple solution that my wife had on her Triumph. 

She found the reach to both bars was to long for comfort.  A local machinist cut the bars about half the out from center on both sides and made set back brackets for each side. What she ended up with were nice sturdy 2" thick flat sided metal bars with a round opening at each end for the handlebar ends to fit through.  Below is one of my crude unprofessional drawings.  It shows the design of the set back bracket and how the two cut ends fit into the bracket to create the set back.  In this drawing the bracket has been fitted to the right handlebar, with the rider facing the left edge of the picture.  Just flip it over and you have the left handed unit. 

Not shown in the drawing are angled cuts in the ends of the brackets, with threads allowing Allen headed bolts to tighten the grip on the handlebar ends, after they are inserted into the bracket openings.  I am not sure how to show that in a drawing but any machinist will understand what I mean by this.

While my wife had this done to both sides, I don't see any reason it could not be on just one side, to compensate for a shorter arm.

 You need to be sure to cut the bar such that you leave enough length on the hand grip end to mount any controls you will operate with that hand.


Don

[lefty 44]

hi pardner! bob here   joined the club two days ago. almost didn,t because i,m not handi-capped. just because i only have one arm has never been much of a problem, you could probably ride at least one of my bikes. i am only 5'4" and the honda rebels were built for women and look like harley sportsters. i have to and modified them with a heel clutch on the 250 and a toe clutch that works off the brake on the 450. i put the horn and turn signals on the rt side. hndlbr. . i'll try to see if i can make a drawing and send it if you want it on how to.   bob