I started biking in 1976 when, aged 16, I got a Yamaha FS1E "no restrictors in those days, I loved that little bike" then moved on to a Suzuki GT 250 and a new Yamaha RD200.

It was a cold misty morning when I made the mistake of getting into a Triumph GT6 sports car, owned by a pal of mine, who was about to take it for a test run,

Five minutes later we hit a lamppost side on at considerable speed. The point of impact was the passenger door, almost cutting the car in half and resulting in (among other injuries) the loss of my left leg from the knee. When I regained consciousness I spent a short time, although it seemed a lot longer, lying in silence wondering if I was still alive, then the realisation of what happened hit me and I joined the appreciation of life society. The police, firemen and a doctor all did a great job cutting me out of the car and the hospital surgeon later amputated just above the knee, he also left some neat scars on my right leg to show off. "Could have been a lot worse" I did however think my bike riding days would be over for quite a while, for obvious reasons!

I left hospital two months after the accident, and proceeded to enjoy life in general. A positive outlook and a crazy sense of humour helped! I met and married the lovely Mary Ann "you're a star hun" got back to work, had two great kids and always told myself that "one day" I would get back on a bike.

While surfing the net I posted a question on the Just bikers website asking if anyone had any ideas to help me return to hiking, among the replies "thanks to all who replied' I got the name of the National Association of Bikers with a Disability.
Of course I found your website and sent off my membership. After some excellent info from Wolf I got myself a bike - a 1985 Yamaha XJ 600; needed a bit of work for an M.O.T but suited my needs and was within my budget. Billy the adaptations officer and Roy the Scotland rep advised me re grants and provided information on the Kliktronic system.

I spent the winter doing minor repair work but knowing my limitations (I ain't no mechanic) In February this year I contacted J.K Motorcycles in Stirling to carry out the repairs required and fit the Kliktronic provided by the N.A.B.D.

As James at J.K Motorcycles had never heard of a Kliktronic before, I wondered if the fitting would pose any problems. I needn't have worried, James fixed the bike (needed a fair bit done for the M.O.T) and fitted the Kliktronic system with no problems, "top mechanic" it works like a dream, even finding neutral is easy.

Has it really been 20+ years? gees it's great to be back. To all that helped, a thank you does not really seem enough.