Leftless
Race Dog
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2006
- Messages
- 561
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Western Cape
- Bike
- Honda CRF-1000L Africa Twin
This was roughly the process I followed to develop prosthetic and bike modifications and will serve for general interest.
After loosing my left hand due to medical complications a couple of years ago, I did some extensive research in the functionality of artificial limbs, their abilities and uses. Although there are several companies manufacturing limbs for general use as well as for cosmetic purposes I found only two that produces â??handsâ? that could be used for motorcycle and mountain bike riding. The devices consisted of only the â??handâ? portion nothing else, the manufacturers did not offer any assistance on the actual use, the modifications you might require on the socket (arm portion) or the modifications required on the bike. Along with this I could not find an Orthotist that could understand that I actually DO want to get back on a bike and that I require a custom prosthetic.
There were a couple of issues with the commercial hands â?? they were EXPENSIVE. One was designed for mountain bike riding and fixed permanently and needed to be disconnected manually. The other was designed for road riding, but with designer dead due to an accident while riding with his â?? casting some doubts on the functionality.
I knew what I needed, a rough idea on how it should work, and that it needed to be safe. With definite design goals I designed and built around seven different models testing them on a XL600R. Once I got it right and met all the design goals I bought a GS.
Left handlebar mod on my GS â?? the heated grip was removed and replaces with a cut standard grip (for looks). This ball joint is purely for the prosthetic to grip on to.
Right handlebar mod accommodating all the hydraulics. I initially chose the GS to ride due to the integral braking system and ABS fitted to the bikes. I though that I will need all the help I could get to stay on the road safely. All the hydraulics was redone. Both the clutch and brake run off the same system. In order to achieve this I had to have special seals machined for the clutch slave cylinder. BM uses odd fluid in their clutch hydraulics and I had to have things compatible with DOT4. The levers were imported.
My index finger runs the front brake (top), middle finger works the clutch (bottom) and the ring and pinkie holds the throttle.
A preassembly view of my custom socket. This is the part that holds my â??handâ? to my arm. The white stuff is a cotton inner (not to irritate the skin) lining with a standard Otto Bock wrist attachment as well as heating elements and anchor points for straps. The PS2 connector is to connect the socket to the bike in order to power the heated grip.. errr socket.
Hands ready for casting. These are printed models (printed by 3D printer) produces from the CAD diagrams by Stellenbosch University. These guys are great, they manufacture anything from car parts to spinal disks including biking hands. Itâ??s simple, you print WHATEVER you draw.
These are set in a tree, covered in ceramic, and cast with marine grade aluminum. From there it goes to the machine shop.
I have upgraded the designs since the photos were taken and every time they edit the design reprint and cast the mew hands. As easy as that â?? if your hand doesnâ??t do what you want, change it and print a new one.
Only if every thing was this simple.
After loosing my left hand due to medical complications a couple of years ago, I did some extensive research in the functionality of artificial limbs, their abilities and uses. Although there are several companies manufacturing limbs for general use as well as for cosmetic purposes I found only two that produces â??handsâ? that could be used for motorcycle and mountain bike riding. The devices consisted of only the â??handâ? portion nothing else, the manufacturers did not offer any assistance on the actual use, the modifications you might require on the socket (arm portion) or the modifications required on the bike. Along with this I could not find an Orthotist that could understand that I actually DO want to get back on a bike and that I require a custom prosthetic.
There were a couple of issues with the commercial hands â?? they were EXPENSIVE. One was designed for mountain bike riding and fixed permanently and needed to be disconnected manually. The other was designed for road riding, but with designer dead due to an accident while riding with his â?? casting some doubts on the functionality.
I knew what I needed, a rough idea on how it should work, and that it needed to be safe. With definite design goals I designed and built around seven different models testing them on a XL600R. Once I got it right and met all the design goals I bought a GS.
Left handlebar mod on my GS â?? the heated grip was removed and replaces with a cut standard grip (for looks). This ball joint is purely for the prosthetic to grip on to.
Right handlebar mod accommodating all the hydraulics. I initially chose the GS to ride due to the integral braking system and ABS fitted to the bikes. I though that I will need all the help I could get to stay on the road safely. All the hydraulics was redone. Both the clutch and brake run off the same system. In order to achieve this I had to have special seals machined for the clutch slave cylinder. BM uses odd fluid in their clutch hydraulics and I had to have things compatible with DOT4. The levers were imported.
My index finger runs the front brake (top), middle finger works the clutch (bottom) and the ring and pinkie holds the throttle.
A preassembly view of my custom socket. This is the part that holds my â??handâ? to my arm. The white stuff is a cotton inner (not to irritate the skin) lining with a standard Otto Bock wrist attachment as well as heating elements and anchor points for straps. The PS2 connector is to connect the socket to the bike in order to power the heated grip.. errr socket.
Hands ready for casting. These are printed models (printed by 3D printer) produces from the CAD diagrams by Stellenbosch University. These guys are great, they manufacture anything from car parts to spinal disks including biking hands. Itâ??s simple, you print WHATEVER you draw.
These are set in a tree, covered in ceramic, and cast with marine grade aluminum. From there it goes to the machine shop.
I have upgraded the designs since the photos were taken and every time they edit the design reprint and cast the mew hands. As easy as that â?? if your hand doesnâ??t do what you want, change it and print a new one.
Only if every thing was this simple.
Code:
Modified by funacide to fix the linked pictures....
