Thumb throttle conversion

[DRWard]

Hi all,
Last spring I was severely injured in a motorcycle crash. I have healed enough now and am almost ready to ride again. I only have one issue. My right wrist was badly crushed in the accident and it may have to be fused solid to help with pain and stop degeneration of the joint.

Is there a conversion kit available for my 1984 Aspencade to turn the twist throttle into a thumb control? My insurance company is willing to pay for the conversion, so I would like to find a decent kit that will do the job safely. This is the only way I will be able to ride again, so any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I am glad to be alive, but to be able to ride again would be a bonus!

[virgilmobile]

I've never come across such a thing...Thumb throttles usually do not have a return pull cable.
Could you operate the clutch lever with your right hand?
You know where I'm going with this.

[DRWard]

That is a possibility I never thought of. I have the strength in the hand to pull the clutch. I would have to re-learn to ride lefthanded. But then, I am a lefty. Shouldn't be too difficult....

[virgilmobile]

Keep us posted.Don't forget to reverse the cables so it remains the correct twist direction.

[Bluewaterhooker0]

You might contact these folks for ideas.

http://www.mjtrikes.com/disabilityaids.htm

Found this statement on another site:
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) lists several individuals and companies selling products to help motorcyclists with disabilities on their website, although the organization does not endorse or test these products.

You might contact them, as well.

[dennislp]

years ago I worked on a old police bike it was a 450 Honda twin(did I just date myself)it was left hand gas after a while it was easy clutch on right. a thumb control works to quick if you hit a big bump with the hp that that they have you might have a bigger problem. good luck

[PastoT]

After surgery and several injuries to my wrist I've found winter riding with bulky gloves became troublesome and actually painful for my right wrist after an hour or so without cruise control engaged. I added a throttle boss to my wing and its helped greatly for me. I find I have no need to over grip the throttle or even roll my wrist much at all. Basically for me it was less pressure on the palm of my hand and almost no stress on my wrist. Worked well for me and was under $10, at that price it may be worth a shot for you. I only thought I'd use it in the winter with bulky/ slippery gloves but have left it in place year round for its benefits when I can't engage cruise control. Mine has quite a wide paddle on it so the pressure is distributed across most of my palm instead of the outside edge.

[Bluewaterhooker0]

I got one of these at Bike Week a few years back. It really helps relieve the stress of throttle action. I suppose, depending on the degree of wrist problems, it might do the trick for some folks. I haven't taken mine off since. Called a 'cramp buster', I think.

[PastoT]

+1 on the Cramp Buster. That's exactly what I use. It can be positioned so it slants up in idle and you just rest your hand on it at speed.

[roadwanderer2]

hey DRWard, take a look at these on this page, you might find something you can use..............http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4 ... e&_sacat=0 or this page..........http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=mo ... e&_sacat=0

stuart.

[kybigmac]

Thumb throttle's are used on most all atv's. I don't think it would be that hard to get used to,I've ridden my atv slow ,fast and in all kinds of situations. Good luck with your decision!

[WingAdmin]

Thumb throttle's are used on most all atv's. I don't think it would be that hard to get used to,I've ridden my atv slow ,fast and in all kinds of situations. Good luck with your decision!

The problem with those is that you rarely hold them in one position for any length of time. I don't know about you, but riding an ATV, I'm constantly changing speeds, to go over logs, through gulches, over hills, whatever. Even then my thumb tends to get sore after a while. On a bike you're often holding the same speed for an extended period of time. How sore will your thumb get?

[kybigmac]

Thumb throttle's are used on most all atv's. I don't think it would be that hard to get used to,I've ridden my atv slow ,fast and in all kinds of situations. Good luck with your decision!

The problem with those is that you rarely hold them in one position for any length of time. I don't know about you, but riding an ATV, I'm constantly changing speeds, to go over logs, through gulches, over hills, whatever. Even then my thumb tends to get sore after a while. On a bike you're often holding the same speed for an extended period of time. How sore will your thumb get?

That's what cruise is for,right! I do get your point though. I think that's the reason they make extended levers for the thumb throttle,to give you better leverage. Just me thinking out loud,it's probably worth exactly what you paid for it.000

[DRWard]

I think the best option for me would be to swap the left and right controls so I have a left handed twist throttle. What I am wondering though, are the master cylinders for the clutch and front brake the same? Could I just swap over the hoses from left to right? They use the same Dot4 fluid. Would the left clutch cylinder work for the brakes and vice versa?

[dennislp]

the brake cyl doesn't move the volume of fluid the clutch does it may not let go all the way . but I have never done it so I cant say .