Bkizz

Interesting. Curious to see how this plays out. It definitely has some medical advantages...really helps to calm muscle spasticity for people with spinal cord injuries. And I've heard the medical grade stuff is pretty potent.

Blissful ignorance is right....hell, I have run every scenario through my head a million times. I think, "if someone told me, don't get on the bike today because you will end paralyzed" I would have happily set my bike on fire. But there is still a part of me who would've thought, Bullshit. That's crazy talk. I had a conversation with my best friend 3 days before my accident about his cousin who was in a coma from riding without a helmet. I told him, well that was his mistake because riding without a helmet is stupid. Well, that dude is up and walking again and I'm not. I know a paraplegic who fell off a 10 foot ladder onto a paint can...again a freak occurance. We all live at our own risk and have to accept that we are not an exception but regardless of how much we all say that, there is still a tiny subconcious part of us that think we are. Case is point, I still ride...and I am a fucking retard for it. I guess I think that I might as well try and get some enjoyment out of what I have.

My accident was a freak occurance where a woman pulled out in front of me and before I knew it, I was head first into a tree. Prior to this, I thought I knew what to look out for...and I also thought if I were in an accident that it would be some broken bones at most since I always wore gear. Little did I know, I would break my spine and become a paraplegic. I always thought a paraplegic was some dumb asshole who did something stupid like diving into a shallow pool. Long story short, you can learn something from others' accidents but you won't gain immunity. Crazy shit happens and you are taking a risk by getting on a bike. I was only doing 35mph and still wonder how the hell it happened so fast. I wish I could take it all back but I also think about all the great times I had on my bike. There isn't much else that top's riding...except for sex. (Little did I know riding could indirectly take most the fun out of that too)

That's retarded.....

I would KILL to be in your shoes right now. You were extremely lucky you walked away with minimal injuries. Who gives a shit about the bike...you are ok and that's all that matters.

Yep, I moved into the house in October and it has definitely made life a little easier. No more brushing my teeth over a cool whip container. Yea, whenever I get my hair cut, she says "Phil was just here." haha Once I get my fairings and tank back from Reimbrandt, it's on! I've been itching for a ride.

That's enough "manly love" talk for one day... Looks like it will be a cold ride if you guys still go. The route looks good though! Phil, you need to give me a call soon so we can ride!! I've moved on from parking lots since the last time you saw me...but I doubt I will do a route this long anytime soon. I built a house in Galloway Ridge so I am your neighbor again.

After a garage paint job turned out like shit, I decided powdercoating was the way to go. I just had my "new legs" aka "landing gear" and some other brackets powdercoated gloss black and I was very satisfied with the results. They even coated all my hardware at no extra charge! Their work is flawless, their prices are reasonable and their customer service was exactly what I was looking for. Their turn around is 5-7 days but I'm sure they could do it faster if need be. I had a really bad experience with the "craigslist find" who powdercoated my wheels and was relieved to find a good shop this time around. Believe me, you want someone with plenty of experience or you will be disappointed. If you need a quote, shoot them an e-mail or give them a call. They are over off James road. http://www.performancepowdercoatingohio.com/

Yes, I got the landing gear arm and actuator from Lee. The electric shifter I had to buy seperate. I've been talking to a dude who contacted me on youtube after seeing my video. His injury is similar to mine and he just had a machinist modify his R6....it turned out great!! I like how his actuator is under the seat. This is the look I'm going for. I think we are gonna meet up sometime this summer.

I will be there but the bike won't be...turns out it doesn't run well without a gas tank. Who knew?

Thanks man!! I think I will save this idea for next winter. What I've already got works fine...and I'd rather ride it now and fix the aesthetics later. Just gotta get my tank and plastics back from Reimbrandt and I will be ready to rolllllll.

My original thought was to start fresh with a new bar, actuator bracket and "feet" for the rollerblade wheels.Then I could turn around and sell my current assembly to another crip with a larger bike. (I've had people ask where to get the kit on youtube) This time the "feet" could be made out of steel and welded on instead of bolt-on aluminum pieces. The new actuator bracket could simply be two steel tabs welded and reinforced to the bar. The actuator would be mounted under the seat slightly off center to the right side instead of on the left side of the bike like it is now.

Almost riding season and I am still making tweaks to the bike because I can't leave "well enough" alone. I bought this "landing gear" kit from another cripple who came up with the idea...but damn, if I knew how simple it was, I would have had it made myself. Long story short, this kit was designed for a much wider GSXR1000...and we modified it to work on the 650. That being said, the "gear" or bar with wheels on it looks way too wide for such a narrow bike. My other gripe is that the actuator arm and rollerblade wheel mounts are made out of aluminum and have to be bolted to the steel bar instead of welded. I'm thinking about getting another piece of tubing bent to better fit the bike. I ultimately want the base of the wheels to be just as wide for stability but instead come up at an angle instead of straight up, over and down...basically more of a "V" shape than a "U" shape. I'm just trying to find a frame shop to make the new bar. I also want to rotate the actuator 90 degrees and mount it under the seat behind the license plate instead of it hanging waaay off the side of the bike. Thankfully, DTM Brian hooked me up with someone who can machine a new bracket...but dude can't bend steel tubing. (at least not that I know of) If you know of a place I can call, let me know.

Got a swing arm for it? I'm interested to see how this turns out. April 16 is gonna come pretty quick! Better get on it!

Those damn cripples....

I am paralyzed from the upper chest down from riding. I deal with more bullshit in a day than most people do in a month...and on top of all that I still want to ride. Try to make sense of that!! Even I think it is stupid but I still love to do it. Sometimes I wish I never got on a bike because I wouldn't know how great it was. But once you do it a few times, your addicted...just like crack!

Looks good man! I am excited to see the final results of mine. PS: The frame turned out awesome! Thanks!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I added a new video to the thread if you feel like checking it out. It's just me talking about my injury and the process of getting the bike modified.

hahahahaha!! Hell no...that shit's hilarious. I'm a little late but happy b-day Todd!

Holy shit...that video was intense but well worth watching. One thing I've learned is I'm not immune to anything and neither is anyone else.

That set up is a good idea and would definitely expand the distance I can ride. Still, part of the appeal of not having the chair is my ability to feel like I did before...and not have people associate me with my wheelchair. It's nice to get away from occasionally. Thanks Judd! Nope...no riding in the snow.

You may have already seen the video of my bike at QSL back in August. Since then, I had been meaning to make another video showing how I get on my bike and actually ride it. I've just been so busy with school and moving and before I knew it, it was almost winter. I made this video on the last decent day in November. The sound and video quality are pretty bad but you get the jist of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcrxeFx_o4o This is a new video I made. It's just me talking about my injury and the process I went through to get back on the bike. Check it out! Some of you are in the videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yelfwz2sYw QSL Bike night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS4JRDbBjAk Thanks to everyone here who has supported me from the hospital to rehab and up until now. Many of you made donations to help me get my life back on track and every penny had been appreciated. Others have offered their time, trailers, tools, painting skills and garage space to help me get this bike back in the condition it is now and there is no way I could've done it all myself. Thanks to all of you who came to my QSL benefit last October and went on my benefit ride in June. You are a great group of people!

Yea, but planes aren't glossy and that's what I am going for...a deep paint look. After playing with some photoshop stuff, I am really liking the Shoei theme. Their designs have a ton of dimension.

Yea, I was thinking about that early on...not sure I want it to look old and rustic though...Maybe the stealth fighter?? I gotta do some more searching on that! Good call.

Gotta new idea and need some feedback. I was thinking since a good helmet is the only reason I am still here and not in the ground or ashes in a can, maybe I could do a "SHOEI" themed bike. Definitely a black basecoat and a similar design as they use on their helmet with the Shoei logos. I already wanted my helmet to have "A Shoei saved my life" somewhere on the back. Whatcha think??