Modern Vespa

Okay so I was in downtown Austin looking for gas last night and I was waiting at a light to turn right and all of a sudden a red scooter goes by and it looked like the guy only had one arm.

I was thinking in my head "What that couldn't be right" and made the turn. So at the next block there was a gas station so I pulled in and he was there. He was in fact missing his right arm. I started talking to him about his bike. I was shocked by the fact it was a stella. So not only is he missing an arm but he also is riding a shifty scoot. The guy was awesome and explained how the scooter worked to me.

He had attached an additional throttle grip to the left grip. So he had in fact two grips on the left side. One that is used to turn to shift and the farther left grip that was used to throttle. On the end of the additional grip there was a right hand lever used on some mountain bikes that was hooked up to the front brake. He could slide his hand from the throttle/brake grip to the shift/clutch grip. Of course the rear brake was on the floor. In addition the controls were all wired up to the existing throttle and brake so when you turned the throttle on the left grip it also turned the throttle on the right grip, etc... He said this way his wife can still ride the bike.

I was inspired. I wouldn't have even tried to accomplish something like this had I lost a limb. This goes to prove that nothing can stand in your way if you are determined. I should have gotten the guys name and invited him on here but I was on a hurry to the Dr's for an appointment for my baby I was late too but I had to take the time to figure that bike out.

That is a pretty inspiring story. Maybe some other MVer will see the dude and invite him.

I'll keep an eye out for him.

There's a dispatch rider in London with one arm to. He rides a normal motorbike but with all the controls re-aligned. I was curious when I spoke to him but the topic obviously made him uncomfortable so I didn't press.

That is an inspiring story 8)

But I'm amazed no-one has popped up yet and started bawling about how dangerous/irresponsible/reckless riding with one arm is...I mean, someone could be killed *gasp*

That story ROCKS...Thanks for sharing. The skill to pull that off is just amazing to me. I hate taking my hand off the grips just to push a button !!

That is awesome!!

I thought about how I'd ever be able to scoot again when I nearly lost half of my left arm. I ended up getting an old junker Yamaha Riva 180, which at the time, was a great choice. There's nothing vitally functional on the left grip (except the horn, which I'm sure could be modded and moved fairly easily), and the rear brake is a right foot brake like a vintage Vespa/Stella. I lucked out and got to keep my arm, but was still pretty banged up, so I was greatful I only had to hold onto the bar with it.

But no right arm?? Wow. That guy is tenacious. Give him some freakin' points. I probably wouldn't be up for that. Kudos.

http://www.nabd.org.uk/ these guys have experience of all sorts of mod's like the ones you're mentioning.

There's some pretty cool stuff being done out there, by some very determined people.

Impressive!
But wouldn't it be easier to build (and ride) it so the throttle is operated by your right foot? Operating gas and brake with your right foot has been done before, on those, umm, whatchacallthem... cars.

On a shift scooter the rear brake is already on the right foot. You could use the left foot but I think it would take more to figure out how to mount an additional pedal vs using the existing threads for the bar end on the left handlebar.

Wow. I'm having a hard time groking how that would work, or how that would be enjoyable, but then again I'm sure I'd do whatever I could to ride were I in his boat.

When you gotta ride, ya gotta ride.

It is amazing what a little determination and ingenuity can accomplish. My Grandfather lost an arm in a logging accident, and it was amazing to watch the things he could do.

Kinda makes you appreciate what we have and more important what others have done simply done to move on...need to be reminded at times how fortunate I am...

Awesome story, AWESOME guy. You gotta really love to ride.