Paraplegic Spyder Ryder, wheelchairs and the Spyder....
Hello Team,
Disabled Spyder Ryder here, with an update on my project.....I have completed the mounting of the Klictronic shifter, modified the brake system to a handlebar mounted master cylinder and nearly completed the self fabbed floor boards.
Shifter:
I wanted to stay with the Klictronic shifter mounting plate supplied, as it had a nice swivel joint on it and the clamp. Playing with different angles and mounts, I went with mounting the unit directly below and ahead of the riders left foot peg. This I found was my personal best location, easy access, cool and protected from elements....to a point. A challenge I ran into was clearance room from the movement of the parking brake lever.
Removing the entire bracket assembly, I simply hacked off the leading round edge of the parking brake lever with a hand hack saw. This allowed for more of a rear mounting location for the shifter, and still full use of the parking brake.
The design for mounting is a simply 'clamp mount' using raw stock steel bar, cutting it to size, drilling holes thru it and the Klictronic plate. I used a rubber liner between the mounting plate and that of the Spyder's bracket, to help absorb any vibrations. As steel and aluminum hate living together, I painted the steel and used stainless bolts, washer and nyloc nuts.
Welded a 1/8" by 3/4" 'L' shaped tang onto the original shifter lever, and configured it to meet with the Klictronic's plain of engagement, then moved the Klictronic to and fro, until I had the full amount of stroke travel for both up and down shifting. I wanted to leave the orginal shifter usable, as then a ‘walkie’ could still drive the bike, and I could easily find Neutral, to simply roll the Spyder around in my shop.
Then placed the control box in the tiny space above the Spyder's battery, mounted the handle bar shift controller and ran all the wiring. The ignition power source, was used from the....get this, the passenger weight sensor. Yes, there's ignition 12 volts to this sensor, so I tapped into it.
Brakes:
I found that I had too small of a master cylinder, from an 850 VFR...only 14mm bore. The Sypder I found out, uses a 20mm bore master cylinder. My choice became the Z-14 Kawi Radial master cylinder, which I have on order at this time.
A shop local to my office, made me a 60" braided stainless steel flex line with direct banjo fittings on either end. From a local bike wrecker, I obtained a manifold rail from an old Wing, the one that fits under the steering head, which takes the single line and puts out two lines to either front rotor....to make this fit, I ground out a small portion of the Spyder's heat shield that allowed enough clearance to install my manifold rail.
Take off the two steel brake lines (one at time) from the original Spyder master cylinder and mount them to the manifold rail, using a double banjo bolt at the front end, which combines the stainless steel flex line from the handle bar mounted master cylinder and the original steel brake lines. It will come natural, once you see the photos.
If you are good, or lucky like me, you can bleed the lines at the point of the manifold rail. Be patient and burp as much air up thru your handle bar master cylinder reservoir. Be sure NOT to push any air into the ABS module.....BRP told me that doing a full bleed job, would require and laptop and their software!!!
Floorboards:
Ok, no magic here......except that would normally be 6' 6" and have a size 14 shoe.....great. So, I had to make my floorboard big enough, but not too big to take away from the bike. I used 1/4" checker plate aluminum and used a 5" length of 3/16" by 1 and a 1/2" raw stock steel bar underneath.....why, cause some clown somewhere when I am not around will try and get onto my bike, and break off the plate aluminum. I decide to make my own boards to start with, easy to do and cheap, did I mention cheap. I made up aluminum spacer blocks and was able to mount my boards using the same 8mm pins and clips that came with the Spyder. Nice, neat and functional.....I only to to weld on a 2" gate around the outer front edge, so my feet do NOT come out during a bump or a spasm.
My self made floor board are about an 1” lower than the normal foot peg, giving my long legs more room and an ergonomic position relative to my feet. This angle of floor board mounting will hopefully allow for more hours of enjoyment, without cramping up.
My last challenge will be mounting my wheelchair. I have plans of machining out a block of aluminum, and making a clamp design that would grab the rear passenger hand rail. Having hooks coming out so that I could hang my wheelchair. Along with that, make up a tray to hold in place a wheel of the chair, so to keep is secure when folded up and NOT swing in the breeze….more to come when I get there.
I do hope my progress report helps spur the minds of others and helps those that are challenged.. Any comments would be appreciated.
hi my name is don i live in nj i have a motorcycle shop and i have cp i am going to get a spyder and i am a factory trained teck i and i will need to put a hand brake when u are finished can u get in touch with me thanks don 973 667 5581
Great work! Keep it up. Cant wait to see it when its done!
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What an incedible story Floto. Thanks for the tips on the floorboards. I'm not sure if I will put them on until I ride my new Spyder with the pegs.
I am an amputee (above knee - left leg) so the spyder was a perfect fit. Also an awesome machine. Having ordered the bike for 2008, I elected to get the SE5 shifter. A bonus for me because shifting with my left food was going to be difficult and I would have gone with the Klicktronic if the SE5 was not an option.
Let us know how things are going with the project. Hope to ride with you sometime in my travels
hand brakes, floor boards, paraplegic and the Spyder
Hello Team,
Floto612 back again.....aren't hardware/laptop upgrades wonderful.....crap, if I could only manage my computor as well as I spin wrenches, the world would be so much nicer! Just upgraded and lost two days of emails and internet use.
OK, I have been able to come much closer to resolution on the hand brakes, remember I found out that the original foot brake on the Spyder has a 200mm bore, well Brembo makes a 19x20 handle bar mounted Radial Master Cylinder!!! So, add to this the 30cc resorvoir and hose (make up your own mount), the single banjo pressure sensitive switched banjo bolt and washers, and well, you will be stopping on a dime......or, that's my hope. I lost loads of time trying to secure these items, being a Canadian kid......so, for those in Canada, contact
My 14mm bore system was very close to working, but I read in my Service/Shop manual, that the BUDS software diagonsis system wants a minimum of 50 psi upon full application of the brakes.......so, best to go with the 20mm bore and stay close as possible to original.
My pieces will come in a week or so and I will update this forum then.
I have lifted myself out of my wheelchair and gotten on my stripped down Spyder, and even with my size 14 shoes, the floor board I made up will do the trick. The orginal pegs are of good sturdy design and postion, amputees will be quite comfortable on them......a little valcro may be a thought on the boot and peg. One very unique idea from another 'challenged ryder', is an electro magnetic holding device, mounted on the pegs and plates to your boots. Very creative thinking!
Kids, we need to put all the ideas out here on the forum, no idea is silly, the only silly idea......is the one you did NOT post.
Floto612 back again.....aren't hardware/laptop upgrades wonderful.....crap, if I could only manage my computor as well as I spin wrenches, the world would be so much nicer! Just upgraded and lost two days of emails and internet use.
OK, I have been able to come much closer to resolution on the hand brakes, remember I found out that the original foot brake on the Spyder has a 200mm bore, well Brembo makes a 19x20 handle bar mounted Radial Master Cylinder!!! So, add to this the 30cc resorvoir and hose (make up your own mount), the single banjo pressure sensitive switched banjo bolt and washers, and well, you will be stopping on a dime......or, that's my hope. I lost loads of time trying to secure these items, being a Canadian kid......so, for those in Canada, contact
My 14mm bore system was very close to working, but I read in my Service/Shop manual, that the BUDS software diagonsis system wants a minimum of 50 psi upon full application of the brakes.......so, best to go with the 20mm bore and stay close as possible to original.
My pieces will come in a week or so and I will update this forum then.
I have lifted myself out of my wheelchair and gotten on my stripped down Spyder, and even with my size 14 shoes, the floor board I made up will do the trick. The orginal pegs are of good sturdy design and postion, amputees will be quite comfortable on them......a little valcro may be a thought on the boot and peg. One very unique idea from another 'challenged ryder', is an electro magnetic holding device, mounted on the pegs and plates to your boots. Very creative thinking!
Kids, we need to put all the ideas out here on the forum, no idea is silly, the only silly idea......is the one you did NOT post.
Excellent work!!!!
I am seriously considering a Spyder, and am very innterested in your brake setup!!!! I am healing from some right foot/ankle issues and will have little to no effective movement of my right ankle, so a hand brake is a must. Your design sounds like exactly what I was thinking. I assume your system does not ineterfere with the ABS or VSCS systems?
I would love to see some detailed pictures when your done and possibly a list of parts (I did see all above posts)
Thanks again for your sharing of this info!!!!
LJ
Impressive Floto! Will pass on to my short friends. I'm intrigued by the brake system.
Don't know if this would work on your foot platform but you may want to look at toe cleat systems for high performance bicycles like the Shimano SPD cleat system. Haven't tried, but feature of holding foot securely may be worth considering, just not sure about release. Whatever - you're the brains!
Will watch your progress.
Mel Sullivan
Little John, this forum thing is the perfect place to find these types of answers! When I built my first motorbike, an 1981 GoldWing Interstate GL1100 and Velorex sidecar about 8 yeas ago......I had NO where to go and find info on either shifting, braking or sidecar alignment. I found some stuff on the web, but I sure wished more folks back then would step up and share.
Your personal need would fit a hand brake application perfectly. A reason rumoured to be why no hand brake was designed in the Spder, was that in CA the Spyder is registered as an automobile....therefore, one brake and must be foot activated. DOT in CA were quick to observe, that the Spyder is a 'clean air' vechicle, and allowing only holders of a motorcycle drivers license, would limit the use of this 'clean air'/green vehicle. Bombardiar also knows 'theres money in there them hills'.....so, a motorbike in all other States/Provinces....but an automobile in CA.
Now, you refered to the ABS and VCSS.....since the changes are implemented prior to the brake lines entering into either of these systems, and should make the same pressure....there should be no effect to either system, of use with this hand brake design. The Shop manual makes mention of achieving a minimum of 508 psi or failures will occur, should be aquired by a 19x20 Brembo Radial handlebar mount master cylinder, which again....mine is in transit. Hang in there with me for another week or so, and I will be sure to keep everyone posted.
Mel Sullivan offers another excellent view of holding feet into place! Allowed to 'free think' and us humans can do some amzing things! Mel offers the idea of toe holds like on high end pedal bikes.......I'm not close to these forms of vehicles, but I would suggest that someone ensure that a special shoe is NOT required to make this connection to the device on the pedal.....
My brother is big on safe motorbiking, safety begins with proper attire and boots are part of the armour you need to wear. Lifting my legs over a bike/sled, I need them to fit in and out easily......this is just me. If you are able to make the connections at your feet, it seems way logical to use an exsiting design from these pedal bikes, great views Mel, thx.
.....since the changes are implemented prior to the brake lines entering into either of these systems, and should make the same pressure....there should be no effect to either system, of use with this hand brake design. The Shop manual makes mention of achieving a minimum of 508 psi or failures will occur, should be aquired by a 19x20 Brembo Radial handlebar mount master cylinder, which again....mine is in transit. Hang in there with me for another week or so, and I will be sure to keep everyone posted.
Thanks!
Thats what i imagined, but had to ask. I will wait with baited breath to see the end result. When you get it finished, alot of pics, and maybe a hand sketched schematic would help relay the info.
Thanks again, and glad to hear its all workin out for you. I should be making a decision and pullin the trigger on either the Spyder or something else this summer or fall.
OMG!!! This is so kool!!! It's so very close to being a dream come true, I almost can't contain myself.
I'm 28 years post injury (bike crash, what else) T-4 complete. I'm currently in the process of trying to gather information on building a custom sidecar (think chariot) for a an FLH, but it looks like the Spyder may have some real headstart advantages.
Let me ask some really fundamental questions.
1) Shifting. If I wait for the SE5 trans, I could skip the Klicktronics? The SE5 does have reverse, right?
2) Brakes. I'd have to have a local brake shop replumb the brakes to activate both the front and rear brakes with a handlever, from some larger mototcycle model?
3) Footplates. I'd need to have some custom fabricated/mounted. Maybe something alone the line of the foot plates on my Polaris 250 quad or a set from the trike kits?
4) Wheelchair. This is the biggie for me. Some sorta bike rack to hold my folding chair. Mounted on the side or maybe even on the back with a swivel?
Any info/ideas would really be appreciated. I would love to see photos of what you folks end up with.
Paraplegic Spyder Ryder, wheelchairs and the Spyder....
Sulli
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