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Hi, my name is John. Way back in 1969 I had a 650 Triumph Thunderbird. On August 2nd we parted company (at the time I was only just 19) in a very traumatic way.
After visiting a few hospitals, I finished up in Stoke Mandeville Hospital at Aylesbury, (well known for bikers with spinal injuries after motorcycle accidents). I then thought that my time as a motorcycle rider was over, as I had a complete spinal break at waist level and a brachial plexus injury to my left arm to complete the deal.
During the next 33 years I eventually learned to drive a ‘tin top’. Even when my friends had their modern motorbikes, I could admire them but not ride them.
On 21st June 2002, (the longest day of the year), at a Motability Roadshow, I met NABD.
After a long chat with NABD member Ian Taylor, (himself a wheelchair user), I was convinced that a trike was the answer to my dreams. I then contacted NABD and after several conversations I was advised to go for a complete new build.
The next thing to do was find an engineer who was capable, and willing, to build it.
Pete Ayres (from Nailsworth in Gloucestershire) was a bike fan and had previously built showbikes (as featured in BSH); he was willing to build the trike if I sourced the parts.
I found his skills to be the best I have ever seen. He fitted a Quaiffe Diff, solving the problem of the reverse gear. A unique hand-brake system, with no ratchet, because of the brachial plexus to my left arm. A Kliktronic supplied by NABD (thank you very much to Billy the NABD Adaptions Officer). Clutch mechanism. A brake lever which controls all three wheels. The two back wheels coming from America because the UK has problems with anything bigger than 8 inches.
Driving the wheels is a 1200 Suzuki Bandit engine connected by a chain. Finally a system to carry my wheelchair had to be designed and built.
Pete’s skills really became important during the design and build of the whole thing. The overall build of the trike is excellent and I am very happy with the finished product.
I am hoping to show off the result of Pete’s hard work this summer. Now I only need a tent and the courage to get into the Rally scene.
Thanks again to the NABD for the grant, the information (and the encouragement) that they gave to me, not only in the beginning but at every stage of the build when I had a need to contact them. Now I can be a biker again, albeit on three wheels not two.
John Greenaway
This NABD grant of £795.00 was sponsored by a donation from Fowlers of Bristol
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