16 replies to this topic

[Talan Skeels-Piggins]

Hi there, I am hoping to interest any ex-biker para's into getting back in the saddle. I have started riding again and have found it to be far easier than I had previously thought. Being a T4 complete, I thought I wouldn't have the balance to stay on the bike, but once moving there's no problem at all.

I ride a GSX-R1000K6, a SV650 SK5 and have bought a GSX-R600 SRAD which I am going to use for anyone to come and have a go at Castle Combe race track. The circuit has allowed me the dinner hour slot to go out on the track, so it'll only be the biker, an instructor and myself. The aim is to acquaint with the bike in the morning, do some slow speed stuff in the paddock area, then have an hour session. Out for four laps, then in for de-brief, out for four laps, in for de-brief etc.

I've done Castle Combe, Silverstone GP and Mallory Park. Had the GSXR up to 165mph down the Hangar straight at Silverstone and recently completed levels 1 and 2 of the California Superbike School. My own aim is to get a race licence and compete in the Minitwin series in the UK (against able-bodied racers).

I love the feeling of freedom whilst being on the bike and have been able to help a few para's already, but thought that I would mention what I'm doing on this site in-case there are wheelies wanting to get back to biking.

Here are a few photos...






Either message me here or go to my website (http://web.me.com/tskeelspiggins) and my contact details are there.

Cheers and hope to hear from those interested. Love life, live life.

Talan

[airart1]

how do you stop, do you run the underneath landing gear system, a buddy of mine made his own landing gear, and he used to ride his kz1000 all the time, but he about lost interest in it.......hes down with a pressure sore right now too......

[Talan Skeels-Piggins]

 airart1, on Jun 24 2010, 05:09 PM, said:

how do you stop, do you run the underneath landing gear system, a buddy of mine made his own landing gear, and he used to ride his kz1000 all the time, but he about lost interest in it.......hes down with a pressure sore right now too......

Hi
For the race bike I have a set of stabilisers that are operated by a thumb switch. For the larger bike, I get on the bike whilst it is on a paddock stand, then one person holds the front of the bike as the other lifts me off the paddock stand, then holds on as the person at the front moves away and I drive out of their hands. When I come back to the pits, one person catches me as I come to a stop. It's a lot easier than it sounds, and removes the problem of stabilisers not working.
I only ride on the track, a promise to my folks after being paralysed as a result of a motorbike accident. It is a safe environment and you can go as fast as you like without hassle from the cops!
Cheers
Talan

[mellowgator]

you're the man. i would love the opporunity to drive a motobike at 165mph. i'm a speed freak. i'm a c6- incomplete. i have poor balance and don't think i'd be able to drive. how's your balance? since i'm an incomplete injury i am more like a t1. i've had the opportunity to ride on the back of a bike with bungie cords holding my legs and holding on to the driver for dear life.

mellowgator

[airart1]

understand, that explains it, i use to ride my brothers little scooter all the time like that, i guess thats what u call it, was like the old timy scooter with the open leg and the small motor under your butt, i'd just park against the pole of his deck, jump on and just take off and then just ride around the yard and up and around the subdivision, then just come back and stop at the the pole and grab it when i stopped, rob would just come over and put the kickstand down......was a blast....

[M Tustain]

Hi Talan,

I'm in the process of sorting out a bike at the moment, you mentioned at castle Combe your going out at lunch time? Do they not let you run with the normal groups? I'm pretty sure I wanna go down the stabiliser route as id like to be as independent as possible but I'd also like to run with the normal sessions!

Whereabouts are you from? I'd love to come check out your bikes!

Mark

[airart1]

but i just went on and built my harley so i could get out a little farther and put around the country, need to take some new pics, i just about got it where i want it so i can tear it all down and put a nice paint job on it......

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Edited by airart1, 26 June 2010 - 11:02 PM.

[Talan Skeels-Piggins]

 M Tustain, on Jun 26 2010, 07:23 PM, said:

Hi Talan,

I'm in the process of sorting out a bike at the moment, you mentioned at castle Combe your going out at lunch time? Do they not let you run with the normal groups? I'm pretty sure I wanna go down the stabiliser route as id like to be as independent as possible but I'd also like to run with the normal sessions!

Whereabouts are you from? I'd love to come check out your bikes!

Mark

Hi Mark
For the first few times I went out at lunchtime with two instructors. Once I was happy and they were happy I joined in with the main track day groups. I am now riding in the Inters groups when I go to tracks other than Castle Combe (as they run mixed groups of 12 riders with 10min sessions).

I am living in Bath, will be up at Castle Combe on 7th July, so if you are available come on up and we can chat. I have just made a new website with the biking info:

http://web.me.com/ts...ng/Welcome.html

have a look and see if there are ideas that can help you. I want to get more Para's and Tetra's (if possible) back in the saddle. The GSXR600SRAD will be ready later in the year to let people try out riding. I'm not too keen on letting people have a go on my GSXR1000 or race bike. I do know someone who is selling his adapted R1 for about £3250. It has stabilisers and hand controls. He's up in Worcester, but came down to do a track day with me. I don't think he has enough time to ride it now, could be ideal as you won't have to worry about the adaptions!

The website I put up has loads of links to sites for adaptions and for assistance, like the NABD.

Talan

 mellowgator, on Jun 26 2010, 03:30 PM, said:

you're the man. i would love the opporunity to drive a motobike at 165mph. i'm a speed freak. i'm a c6- incomplete. i have poor balance and don't think i'd be able to drive. how's your balance? since i'm an incomplete injury i am more like a t1. i've had the opportunity to ride on the back of a bike with bungie cords holding my legs and holding on to the driver for dear life.

mellowgator

Hi
As a T4 complete I have no core stability, so no balance. However, once you are moving the bike is really stable.

I am fortunate that I have strong arms to hang on though. I think it will depend on the type of bike, as my SV allows me to sit more upright and I don't have so much pressure on my wrists as I do with the GSXR. I'm sure there will be a way to have you riding. Are you in the UK? You could come and see for yourself. If you can sit on the bike and use the controls I don't see that we can't at least try. I am looking for at least one more bike to use to give people the biking experience, and it would be one that has you sat more upright so it will be better for you.

Does that help?

Have a look at my new website.

http://web.me.com/ts...ng/Welcome.html

Cheers

Talan

 airart1, on Jun 26 2010, 06:25 PM, said:

understand, that explains it, i use to ride my brothers little scooter all the time like that, i guess thats what u call it, was like the old timy scooter with the open leg and the small motor under your butt, i'd just park against the pole of his deck, jump on and just take off and then just ride around the yard and up and around the subdivision, then just come back and stop at the the pole and grab it when i stopped, rob would just come over and put the kickstand down......was a blast....

I thought about starting off with one of those, it is still riding and still gives you freedom. I just like to go a bit quicker! For the past 5 years I have been ski racing, so wanted to have a summer sport to fuel my competitive nature. But riding is for everyone and I hope we can get more and more back or into the saddle.

[Finfast]

Talan, I love it, I still have my zx10r in the garage waiting for me to get back on... please let me know what youve done to convert your bikes... please pm me so we can have a chat...


cheers,
Johnny

[S&W Winger]

Very cool! I almost missed this thread! There is a para that is riding a Wing around the US...and I have a good friend riding...I plan on riding again...another Gold Wing with Retract-A-Trike...same sort of set-up as you describe...riding is not only in the blood, but in my entire being...great to see another para riding again!

[El Phantasmo]

All you bike riders are great! I am a t4/t5 para and am looking to get back to riding. I have a Honda foreman 450 w/ electric shift that I love, but it is far from street legal. Air, your harley is super cool, I have been looking for a bike w/ sidecar or a trike. I think i could transfer to the bike and put my chair in the side car. What about brakes and shifting? I just recently went back to work and would save alot of $$$ in gas if I could get the right set up. What are the pros and cons sidecar vs. trike? Thank you all for inspiration!
GCM

[airart1]

brakes i have them on a compensator and run both thru the right lever, the shift is just electric shift, kliktronics makes the best......i love staying in my chair and riding, i jump on, take off, let the ramp down and roll off the back, i can cruise about 75 or so without problems, but it is built on a hardtail frame, next year when the house is paid for, i'm gonna build me another one on a shocked frame with that sputz 6 speed reverse and an A frame for the right side and get a smooth ride, i use an quickie xtr with mono shock chair now and mine actually rides pretty good......need to tear it down and paint it........... the pros is u never have to worry about your chair, the cons is it does run down the road like a sidecar, but i do have all the front end over in front of me, i didnt just want them transfered, my dad had a sidecar rig so i know how they did....

Edited by airart1, 07 July 2010 - 05:30 PM.

[El Phantasmo]

 airart1, on 07 July 2010 - 05:24 PM, said:

brakes i have them on a compensator and run both thru the right lever, the shift is just electric shift, kliktronics makes the best......i love staying in my chair and riding, i jump on, take off, let the ramp down and roll off the back, i can cruise about 75 or so without problems, but it is built on a hardtail frame, next year when the house is paid for, i'm gonna build me another one on a shocked frame with that sputz 6 speed reverse and an A frame for the right side and get a smooth ride, i use an quickie xtr with mono shock chair now and mine actually rides pretty good......need to tear it down and paint it........... the pros is u never have to worry about your chair, the cons is it does run down the road like a sidecar, but i do have all the front end over in front of me, i didnt just want them transfered, my dad had a sidecar rig so i know how they did....

Thanks air, I am a good fabricator and have access to a really well equiped shop (Dads), so I am on the lookout for a bike I am thinking 750cc or bigger inline 4. An 80's model should not be too pricey. I have seen some info on sidecar mounting online. What do you recomend for tubing for the sidecar frame? I have used alot of DOM on my blazer.

[jamesp24]

Hey,You probably don't remember me but i sent you a couple msgs through you tube last year about the bike and riding again,anyway over the winter ive been working on this with a mate and have finally got round to booking my first trackday on 21st at donington now its back in one piece,Here is a few pics of the bike from a couple weeks ago.

[airart1]

well i just used square tubing underneath then lined that inside with stainless, its built like a tank.......i think its more on the right measurements, it was built on a cad computer first, but back in the 92 is when the frame was actually built, it has an angle that compares to sidecar tilt, i know that because my dads hog had a cali sidecar setup....i'm gonna build me another one when this house is paid for next year with a shock frame and a-frame on right side, it will be about a ft wider with the 6 speed tranny with reverse and the a-frame but i'll use the basic measurements from this frame......it rides pretty good for a hardtail everything, but i do use a xtr quickie with shock wheelchair.......the one above is the way a friend built his kawasaki and worked good but he used steel and a manual up down button, he fell over alot.....he rode to rode atlanta and barber several times on it......but if it has the automatic down and up like the other down wheel systems for the big bikes then i think u'd be great for no accidents, the reason i built mine, one it had to be a harley, and second i don't load my wheelchair and 70-75 is fast enough for me......and i'm a bike rider and had 2 harleys in the garage when i had my wreck plus my ol' triumph tiger...but they do make a system that u ride up and over and bolt it undernith and automatic 3 wheel for harleys i know and u can take it off and on without doing any mod to the bike, which if u can transfer and have body control, low T's i'd think would be needed....i thought about moding my triumph like the one above just to ride 2 wheels, because it is great to ride 2 wheels.....but its cherry and i'm gonna keep it that way.....i'm gonna take some extensive measurements and pitures of the harley when i pull it apart and paint it....

[Ripharper]

Hi, i would love to come along to one of your track day events on my Ducati outfit http://www.youtube.c...f/0/fa7e0P7oQ-A
Perhaps we can swop machines for a lap, to say we Did!!
cheers
Mike

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[airart1]

make pic bigger, too small to see........