Took first ride today

[Shorts]

I pretty much nearly have the bike complete. I only have the blinker switch to relocate and put the mirrors on once and for all.

But, we got the bike out of the garage, did final assembly and tighten this, wipe that. Made sure brakes were ready and DH did the intial test ride up the block and back. Since he felt comfy with the controls on the right side, he rode the bike out to an empty arena parking lot so I could practice.


First off, I was pretty nervous and scared witless :popped I have already dropped the bike twice in the garage (once for no side stand, the other for dropping the clutch on the 'thumb clutch' arrangment <-- that didn't stay long).

I hopped on and first thing to do was just feather the clutch and walk it down and back. I put the bike in N for walking the bike around (I wasn't ready to turn under power yet) lol Dang I was so nervous, afraid I'd drop the clutch again. On my second time back I was coming to a stop, but I bounced the suspension with the front brake as I had the wheel turned and there goes the bike, diving forward and left....ehhhh.. "Tim! help"....crash...knee into the asphault. I kept on the brake and clutch and DH came around, killed the bike and we stood it up. The bike was ok, except for the gear shift lever that got mangled lol A quick bend back into position with the vice grips and it was good to go.

I dusted myself off, noted the new hole in my pant leg and the nice rash on my knee, then got back on.

The rest of the time, I just worked on releasing the clutch and coasting. I got comfy enough to keep my feet on the pegs and blip the throttle a bit to keep straight. I got in a couple rounds of getting on the clutch and using the brake to stop.

It was really hot and I was in full gear, so I decided to call it a day on a good note. I was getting hungry for lunch and I didn't want to chance getting light headedand dehydrated. So, DH rode the bike home, I followed in the truck.

I'm glad I got that first thing out of the way. I'm still nervous a bit and certainly have a healthy respect for that darn clutch lever lol I felt more comfortable getting my feet up on the pegs, where I could sit up with better posture and relax instead of fighting to keep my legs walking and the bike balanced - gotta let the bike do the work. My clutch is actually very forgiving as I can get rolling in 1st without applying throttle. So, that was a pleasant discovery. But I'm concerned that the clutch isn't disengaging completely or I've got it tensioned wrong. Is there any way to check that? DH said the clutch was the same before I switched the controls, that it couldget going without throttle.

My poor bike, its taken a beating already. Didn't know what it was getting into when it came home with me

Anyhow, just wanted to share. I'm relieved and nervous at the same time, looking forward to the next time out. I'm surely taking baby steps.

[VermilionX]

that's the spirit!

as long you and the bike stills runs... don't give up!

[Gadjet]

Way to go! Hang in there and you'll ace your test with flying colors. I'm rooting for you.

Owen

[Shorts]

Thanks yall I'm definitely keeping at it. I still can't believe I got the bike 'done'.

I don't think I'll make this weekends MSF (though I am signed up), but maybe next month's. I spent 3wks doing what I thought would only take 1 and hoping ride longer for practice.

All in good time.

[sharpmagna]

Congrats on your first ride with the bike! Don't get frustrated, the first time at anything is always hard. Keep at it and you'll be ready for the next MSF course.

Would you mind posting pictures of your bike with your setup. Ever since I've read about your project, I've been curious how you'd configure it.

[VermilionX]

i've seen vids of this guy who lost his left arm... dunno the details.

but he too had a clutch button on his bike and he was doing wheelies. that's amazing resilience.

there's also the quick shifter that racers use. you can shift w/o letting off the throttle.

[Beach]

Why not go ahead and take the MSF before you practice on your own. That is what its designed for, new riders who know nothing. After the course your confidence will be higher, and you can practice correct technique instead of guessing at it and doing things wrong. Dont worry about passing the course, concentrate on learning. Passing the course will happen easily if you pay attention and have the skills to learn. Plus its better to drop their bikes than your own while learning low speed skills.

I dropped my bike in the same way. Never touch the front brake in a low speed turn. Gently use the rear brake if you want to slow down. The front brake can lever you off the bike easily as you found out.

Get in there this week and take the course. Here you loose your $ if you cancel a week before the course.

Best of luck, but you wont need luck if you just have an open mind and listen. I wish I could have taken the course before I gained experience doing things wrong.

Beach.

[Shorts]

sharpmagna, I'll get a pic up in a bit. I have the delivery guy coming with my switch today so I can maybe get that figured out and done too! Unfortunately DH has watch today and there's a a flight, so, no riding today

Verm, there's a vid of a one-armed MX racer and he has the twin lever setup. He's good, taking jumps and everything. Through the various bookmarked sites, I have run across all kinds of modified bikes and riders which gave me ideas and some confidence I could do it too.

beach, you raise a good point about going, but it's probably not a good weekend (DH has travel that weekend so he cannot take my bike to base, we live offbase). I've talked to one or two MSF instructors here on base and they were really supportive for what I wanted to do. We are stationed overseas, so MSF requires to bring your own bike for the course. The license (if you pass) also reflects the size of the engine (that is JPN station thing). I cannot ride a stock bike however. I only have the use of my right arm so I had to move the controls to the right. So, my bike is truly my bike. Luckily for us, MSF is free, both the BRC and ERC. All you gotta do is sign up. The classes are normally full at the beginning of riding season. Riding season is open from April-Nov, due to the snow. DH has already gone through MSF so he's walking me through the exercises. Not only do I have to learn to 'ride' and be more comfortable, I also have to figure the new muscle memory for the controls. I didn't want to show up and perform badly for the class as I'm afraid they will put up barriers to me riding. If I go in there and handle the bike well, they can't say I don't know what I'm doing.

[Loonette]

Good goin', Shorts! You are such a determined person - I'm sure you'll do well in the course. Just relax! Keep us posted.

Cheers,
Loonette

[Nalian]

I'm looking forward to hearing more about your adventures.