Modifications for a phisically challeged rider

Subscribe
Feb 8, 2013 | 08:03 AM
  #1  
I've been riding for 30+ years, started when I was 15 on a little Honda 450 Bobber, then a Triumph 650 Bonneville Chopper, then finally got my 1st H.D., a 1986 FXRS Lowrider Evo, which by the way was the best handling bike I've ever rode. Then in 1989, barely 23 while on my way home from work I got T-Boned on my right side by someone who pulled out of a shopping center parking lot. The medics at the scene called lifeflight and they air-lifted me to the main trauma center in the area, and after countless surgeries, the had to amputate my right leg just below the knee. After undergoing speech therapy due to the neck injury and physical therapy for a few years I was finally fitted with my first prosthetic leg which took a while to get used to. Another year or so went by and I was getting better and better at walking again, had a second prosthetic leg made, and finally decided I wanted to start riding again! Well, to start with until I got the feel of it again and to be sure I could do it, I didn't want to spend too much $ on something I might tear up if it don't work out, and I found a gerat deal on a 1985 Honda GL1200 I couldn't pass, so I got that, and guess what, I hopped on that thing, and it was like old times, no problem at all! The only issue was operating the rear brake since I had to keep the prosthetic leg extended on the highway peg 90% of the time since I can't bend it that much, so I would always use the front brake to stop as much as I could. Finally I saved enough $ and decided I wanted another H.D. and I now ride a 2008 E-Glide Classic! I can hold it up at a stop with no problem even with 2-up and I can operate the rear brake better than I could on that Goldwing because of the big brake pedal, but I still use the front brake a lot, and I wish there was a way to have a hand controlled rear brake or a hand control where both brakes would work together like on a car or P/U truck, but I'm not ready for a trike yet, that will come down the road some time when I get more years on me!
Steve, Douglasville, Ga.
Feb 8, 2013 | 08:47 AM
  #2  
Contact this company, they should be able to help, if you read the story of the Marine guy in the top right hand corner they customised his bike with what you want.
http://www.landingear.com/luplus.php
Feb 8, 2013 | 10:26 AM
  #3  
http://forum.disabledbiker.co.uk/

There are lots of folks on this forum who run dual levers & can show you how to set them up. Good Luck from a fellow amputee!
Feb 8, 2013 | 10:43 AM
  #4  
90% of your braking force comes from the front anyway. Good on you for riding again! Not sure I would have the courage...
Feb 8, 2013 | 10:45 AM
  #5  
Great for you on getting back into something you love. Hope you figure out a system that will work.

I would recommend on keeping front and back brakes separate as there are sometimes scenarios where that can get you into trouble. Cars work great with that setup, motorcycles/two wheels can get into trouble with it. Often times front and rear brake use percentages differ from each time they are used.

Let us know how it goes.
Feb 8, 2013 | 02:52 PM
  #6  
somewhere I saw a dual lever brake kit with 2 masters, for front and rear brakes
controlled by the 2 levers on the stock location.
I'll see if I can find it, but don't hold your breath on that ... :-)
Good for you getting back on the road, that's awesome!

ok, found one in this link, but it's pricey at $700! ouch
http://www.freebirdcustommotorcycles...ssemblies.html
Feb 8, 2013 | 04:11 PM
  #7  
ABS with linked brakes could be an answer, but you will need someone familiar with such things.
Feb 8, 2013 | 05:16 PM
  #8  
There is a company that makes a master cylinder just for people like you and me. The front brake lever controls both rear and front and knows how much to load to place when anf where. I can't remember the name right now but I have it in one of my horse backstreet chopper mags. I believe I saw it in American iron as well. I will keep your name and send it to you as soon as I find it. Cabotrider.

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

Explore
story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Feb 8, 2013 | 05:20 PM
  #9  
While I can't help you with any information on what you want. I can say how ever how much I admire you for getting out there and doing something you love. I hope you find something that will work for you.
Feb 8, 2013 | 06:17 PM
  #10  
Quote: Contact this company, they should be able to help, if you read the story of the Marine guy in the top right hand corner they customised his bike with what you want.
http://www.landingear.com/luplus.php
+ 1 I know these people personally and they and the product is top notch.Their shop is 5 or so miles from my home. I spend time there when time allows and have personally seen how the are with people with disabilities.
Subscribe
story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE