I am sure some of you can relate to this problem. Hope someone has a solution. My nephew owns a Sportster. About five months ago, he did a header off of a dirt bike and shattered his left ankle. He had four compound fractures and when they tried to pin the bones together, he developed an infection. The infection was attributed to the pins and they were removed. Until the infection is cleared up, they cannot set the bones. Therefore, for those five months, the infection still persists and for all intents and purposes, that leg is useless. Long story short, he wants to ride. He has tried shifing with his cane and is fairly successful but I am concerned he is going to kill himself because he shifts without the clutch and he is going to get tangeled up in something with that cane. He is going crazy sitting in the house and I know if he could ride, it would relief a lot of his frustrations.

If anyone has suggestions for some type of modification, I would be most appreciative. He is a die hard HD man and I am quite fond of him. I desparately need to do something to get his chin off the ground.

 

They actually make a kinda "tank shifter" style lever...look around on some of the custom builders sites..you,ll find it.

 

Have you thought about the "Pingel Electric Shifter" ?

http://www.exoticsportbike.com/pingel.htm
http://www.pingelonline.com/products.htm

Cost would be about 800 but could be just what you need.

 

Scoot,
If he can operate a foot clutch, pushing on it like a brake pedal, then can go with "suicide shifter" hand lever coming up from trans. Least expensive option and definitly hard core Harley!

 

Thanks for all your suggestions. The electric shifter is a dream, but a little too pricey. I looked around, as suggested, and found a very simple conversion type shifter kit. He is unable to exert any pressure on that foot, so he will have to shift without the clutch. He doesn't have a problem doing that and it is certainly better than the cane.

Thanks again to everyone.

 

Put the clutch on the right handle bar.....

 

I know everyone likes to rip on OCC, but they put a clutch lever right on the jockey shift of one there bikes. Just an idea.