riding without a leg

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#31

12-28-2014 | 06:59 PM

hardheaded

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Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 10,785

Likes: 2,657

From: St.Louis Mo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lp

Sorry for the late reply. He holds his up just fine, like normal. The little weight you put on that leg while sitting on the bike is much less than actually standing up on your own (without a bike).

He has a prosthetic with I guess you could say has lite springs in the knee and indents for the standing position and the bent knee position - hard to explain but it was made locally at some specialist which was VA recommended. Anyway, he's able to get on the bike and just pick his leg up and the weight of it makes it fold to the knee bent position. From there he just uses his thigh to move the prosthetic to the forward toe shifter and rear heel shifter. Just pushes down to click as you can imagine. When coming to a stop he kinda holds his leg down and snaps it (jiggle?) and the leg goes straight.

So... don't worry. You're going to be ok and you can ride again if you get the right prosthetic.
Concentrate on healing up, adjusting your normal life, and counting your blessings.
Could have been much, much worse, and I'm very glad you're still with us...

thanks for the good words. i do know it could have been much worse, a 900 lb. motorcycle flipping though the air and landing just on my leg. could have landed on my chest or head. again thanks for the uplifting words i'm going to go at this hard.

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#32

12-28-2014 | 10:33 PM

skiindean

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Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 89

Likes: 4

From: Md

You will be able to ride a 2 wheeler, because you are incredibly determined. Use this time to obsessively figure out all your options. Making sure your as flatfooted as possible whether installing the FBI dropseat kit, lowering the bike, and/or trimming down the seat. Check out my 4 youtube videos for the kickstand mod. Google harley kickstand mod 1, then mod 2, 3 and 4. That was my biggest challenge, and this mod made it ridiculously simple. The mod was done on a 2011 Fat Boy Low and then my 13 Street Glide. Your prosthetist is key. Make sure, whoever you choose, that they are willing to work with you. These guys will make all the difference in the world to keep you riddin. Dean

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#33

08-03-2015 | 06:09 AM

jayhawkclint

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Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 428

Likes: 17

From: U S of A

Over the summer I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Freeman who is a service manager at Old Fort HD in Arkansas. What a fantastic guy with an amazing amount of determination. A little bit different angle than it sounds like you are wanting to take, but it would be worth your while to look him up and talk to him about his experiences with his Road Glide. Did all the work himself modifying a California Side Car. He had put 116,000mi on the bike when I met him.

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#34

08-04-2015 | 04:27 AM

Brad4052

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 108

Likes: 0

From: Selma, Alabama

I have a friend that rides and is a double amputee. When he was a teenager he and some of his friend were jumping on and off of a moving train. Well he slipped and the train cut off both feet right above ankles. But if you didn't already know that you never would guess by the way he rides.

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#35

08-04-2015 | 07:42 AM

stic2it

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 671

Likes: 4

From: D.C suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad4052

i have a friend that rides and is a double amputee. When he was a teenager he and some of his friend were jumping on and off of a moving train. Well he slipped and the train cut off both feet right above ankles. But if you didn't already know that you never would guess by the way he rides.

ouch!

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