Trike Conversions for the Disabled


Trikes can be modified in several different ways in order to make them easier to ride for people with different disabilities. Below the NABD have set out a few examples of what can be achieved for people with certain disabilities. These are several possibilities and many Trike conversion companies will make modifications around your own needs.
Right Leg Right Arm Wheelchair Users
Left Leg Left Arm  

Right leg (Amputation or restricted strength/mobility):

This is usually a simple matter of transferring the rear brake control pedal to a handlebar-mounted lever. This can take the form of a thumb-operated lever or a more conventional lever mounted in tandem with the front brake lever or clutch lever.
Where the machine has a twin disc front braking system one of the callipers can be linked to the rear brake system (as on many Moto Guzzis) and the other front calliper used with a thumb-brake or tandem lever.
Another method of adapting the rear brake system is to use a linkage to transfer the brake pedal to the left side of the machine. This can be sited either alongside the gear pedal or directly behind it for heel operation.
1. Left or right hand twin levers
2. Left-hand thumb-brake (7/8" bars only)
3. Crossover linkage to left side of bike


Left Leg (Amputation or restricted strength/mobility):

With the advent of the (Kliktronic) solenoid operated gear change system, adapting the gear change has been much simplified. The Kliktronic kit is an easy to fit mechanism, which operates the gear change by way of a pair of small push buttons mounted on the handlebars. This system operates off the bikes existing electrical set-up so you do not have the problems of recharging etc that are involved with pneumatic (air-shifter) systems. Though the Kliktronic is by far the most popular form of gear change adaption, there are other ways of doing it.
Using a mechanical linkage (either internal or external) the gear pedal can be re-sited to the right side of the machine (though this may reverse the operating direction).
Another method is to use a left-hand twist grip and twin cable system to operate a modified gear pedal (this does tend to require a lot of regular adjustment to compensate for cable stretch).
1. Electronic push button gear-changer (1" and 7/8" bars)
2. Crossover linkage to right side of bike
3. Twin cable twist grip on left side of bars

For any type of leg disability you may find it difficult to operate the side stand. This can usually be cured with the simply addition of a hand operated lever or moving it to the right side. There is an electric side stand adaption available, but they are expensive.



Right arm (amputation, Brachial Plexus Lesion, reduced strength/mobility):

This is usually a simple matter of transferring the throttle and front brake lever to the left side handlebar. The front brake can then be operated by tandem or thumb lever and, in the case of a machine with a twin disc front brake, one calliper can be linked to the rear brake system for ease of use. Also the switch-gear would require adapting to suit left hand operation.
If the rider’s disability only involves difficulty with operating a twist grip throttle (i.e. fused or stiff wrist, tendonitis etc) the only requirement may be the use of a thumb operated throttle (as used on quads). Where it is a matter of reduced mobility or amputation of fingers it may be that a thumb operated brake lever will solve the problem.
1. Left-hand throttle
2. Left Thumb brake (7/8" bars only)
3. Left-heel brake
4. Left-hand twin levers



Left arm (amputation, Brachial Plexus Lesion, reduced strength/ mobility):

In most cases this is simply a matter of adapting the clutch operating lever and some minor modification to the left side switch-gear.
There are several ways to adapt the clutch lever depending on the severity of the riders’ disability. In the case of total loss of or loss of use of the left hand, the clutch lever must be re-sited elsewhere. Most commonly this is a matter of transferring the lever to the right handle bar either in tandem with the brake lever or by replacing the brake lever with the clutch lever and putting the brake on a thumb lever. This lever would have to be made by an engineer, as we do not have this as a kit yet.
Another option is a foot operated clutch although this tends to be less common and would probably require ‘forward’ controls, but can be used in conjunction with a Kliktronic push button gear changer.
A further option is to opt for one of the ‘automatic’ machines such as the Honda 400cc and 750cc auto models.
In the case of reduced mobility or strength in the left hand other options would be, an Easy Clutch kit or Hydraulic to cable kit, which makes the use of cable operated clutches much lighter, or a thumb operated clutch lever.
1. Right-hand thumb brake, using front brake lever as clutch
2. Right-hand twin levers
3. Left foot clutch with a push button gear changer on handlebars
4. Automatic gearbox

With all adaptions to suit riders with a hand or arm disability we strongly recommend the addition of a high quality steering damper and when necessary, Velcro glove to hand-bar grip



Wheelchair Users (bilateral amputation, paraplegia, MS, reduced mobility in legs, balance problems, etc):

With these types of disability one obvious problem is that of stability, which usually means the addition of a third road wheel whether this be in the form of a motorcycle/sidecar combo or a trike.
In the case of bike and sidecar combinations sometimes it is possible to utilise standard outfits when converted to ‘full hand controls’. But there are also manufacturers who make specialised sidecar outfits specifically for wheelchair users.
There is also a rev and go 3-wheeled scooter called a NIPPI that allows you to sit in the wheel chair and ride the machine, though these are only available up to 125cc.
In the case of trikes it is always preferable to have a trike manufactured to suit the individual rider. Where this is not possible, second hand machines can be modified to suit the needs of a disabled rider (i.e. full hand controls, stirrups, foot-plates, seating styles, automatic transmission, wheelchair carriers, etc).
There are ‘drop down’ stabiliser kits for motorcycles on the market but as yet we have not been able to fully test their viability for disabled riders. More information is available from Safety Features or Adaptive Motorcycles
1. Trike (Built to suit disability)
2. Bike and sidecar
3. Stabilisers (on a solo bike)

Kits:

The Kliktronic kits, Thumb-brake kits, and Hydraulic to Cable kits, can all be purchased at a discount price through the NABD grant system. For further info on prices see Grant Application Form or contact the Adaptions Officer.

(The NABD suggest that when using a thumb-brake, you use the thumb-brake to operate one front calliper and then link the other front calliper to the rear brake system) More information please see the NABD website.