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Some time ago now, I decided that I had outgrown my Nippi 125 runabout, and it was time to join the big boys and get a proper bike. So I sold my Nippi and commissioned Eurotec at Cranbrook (01580 713734) to build me a Virago based trike with a few adaptions that I thought would enable me to drive it.
The trike was completed in good time and looked absolutely terrific. I could not wait to get going. Unfortunately what I did not realise was that the after effects of cerebral palsy would not let me operate the clutch in a safe way.
After much deliberation, I was forced to admit defeat and put the trike up for sale. Being a bit of a special design, it was a problem to find a buyer and in the meantime, I was immobile. What I needed was a ‘twist and go’ trike that operated as per the Nippi.
My Dad and I surveyed all the available ‘super scooters’ to see if one of these would suit my needs and could be turned into a trike. The only one that looked usable at the time was the Yamaha TMax, because it has a chain final drive. However, after a consultation with Peter of Eurotec, he had the inspired idea of not chopping off the backend to trike it, but to fit outriggers and keep the scooter intact. This sounded a really good solution and a bit of a first of its kind.
Thus we bought a TMax and Eurotec set to work on it. A few weeks later my dream machine was complete and I was knocked out by the quality of the finish and the great style of the machine. Added to which, it was so easy for me to drive, I was delighted.
However, I did have a problem, all my savings spent on two trikes and no means of transporting my wheelchair and I had a bit of a problem pushing a rather heavy trike backwards into my garage and other awkward places. It was at this point that I applied to the NABD for a grant to enable me to add these essential features to my machine. I am pleased to report that with NABD help, my TMax trike really is my dream machine. I will be pleased to show any interested bikers my trike “the Flying Banana” at as many of next season’s rallies as I can get to.
(I am also now pleased to report that with the help of NABD members of the Kent area, I have found a buyer for the Virago in the Essex area and am able once again to pay my rent).
I end this trike tale with a big thank you to BillyBigBeard and the many NABD fundraisers.
Tony Tofield
This NABD Grant of £345.00 was sponsored by donations raised by a Rock Night at The Golden Cross
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