Left arm amputee here.

[Rick1951]

I’m buying a Harley Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra. I’m a left arm amputee. I have the clutch lever figured out by putting in a Rekluse auto-clutch (these things are amazing). The other left hand control I’m trying to figure out is the left turn signal. While cruising, is it possible to let go of the right handlebar/throttle momentarily to activate the left turn signal? There really isn’t enough room on the right handlebar to mount a left turn signal switch.

 

[Gorilla]

If you activate your cruise control you could reach over and do the turn signal then deactivate when done, but that might not be the safest thing to do.
Letting go of the throttle to activate I believe would be an issue because the trike would immediately start to slow until you were able to get back on it.
Sorry no help on a solution.

 

[Deplorable]

My Goldwing has one switch for the turn signals instead of two separate ones. I wonder if you could wire a switch like that to the right side.

 

[hardwickbv]

Welcome from Indiana!!!

Bob

 

[ROAD DOG]

You still need the horn, high beam, Maybe you could make the right handlebar a few inches longer and move the left switch assembly to the right handlebar put the two switches back-to-back the wires should be long enough, That I think would not be to complicated ?

 

[Marc H]

Welcome to Trike Talk Rick!!!

 

[Rick1951]

Thank you all for your kind replies. I just bought a 2024 Harley Tri Glide Ultra. Part of the fun is trying to figure out solutions to overcome my missing left arm. The left turn signal is a must, the other functions such as the cruise control, which is mounted on the left handlebar cluster, is nice to have, but not absolutely critical.

Before having a Rekluse auto clutch, I attached a belt to my left arm stump and attached a nylon cat leash from the belt to the clutch lever. To pull in the clutch, I just moved my stump rearward. I’m an old school 73yr old Vietnam veteran, kinda set in my ways. I always thought my cat leash system looked a bit retarded (see, not exactly politically correct). With the Rekluse auto clutch, I feel a bit more normal, but my wife has a different opinion. Have a nice day everyone, and thank you again for your kind replies.

 

[Sidecarbill]

Welding a 3" extension to the right handle bar that should give you enough space for another switch. Added bonus of making it easier to steer.

 

[Gorilla]

Now Bill thats a great idea. He might want to do some switch wire extending and throttle (cable or wire extending). Then get used to control placement.

 

[ROAD DOG]

Now Bill thats a great idea. He might want to do some switch wire extending and throttle (cable or wire extending). Then get used to control placement.

The newer bikes have a lot of extra wire in there, just put a set of handlebars on a 21-Road Glide plenty of cable there. They were dominator handlebars If you call them, they may make you a set a few inches longer on each side ?

 

[TomyJ]

Rick, look at handlebars in like eBay to see which ones might work for you. Good luck and stay with us to help others in your situation. Also remember reverse trikes for sit in and steering wheel, Ohhhh Damnnnn! AND manual paddle shifter (or clutch) how coool would that be... I love to think outside the box...EDIT: Rick, See my thread under.
Home built Trikes, nonVW. Thread under the name Shenanigans
Jan 02 2016-thread #22

 

[cycle7447]

Welcome to trike talk. Just as an FYI, the cruise switch and the PTT switch (lighted switches) can be interchanged. Cruise use to be on the right hand side and CB was on the left. Harley changed that back in 2014.

Many of us did not like the changes - so, Harley came up with a program change. Dealer can make the switch, takes about a minute. Most did not charge to do it.

If this is your first trike, they handle a bit differently from a two-wheeler. You will need some strength to make those turns. I think you will find a rake kit helpful.

Good luck - hope this works for you

 

[SouthportFLRT]

Just another thought for those that might find themselves facing the same situation. I had a patient (me being a retired pharmacist) that primarily rode his Tri Glide Ultra daily. He would use the drive-up window at the pharmacy and I had the opportunity to inquire as to how he adapted the trike given his left arm was amputated ((Vietnam war veteran). The normal front brake lever was changed to the clutch lever. The foot brake pedal was converted to controlling both front and rear brakes. I honestly never asked him about the switch controls found on the left side of the handlebars. Just thought I would add this bit of information in hopes that it does indeed help others.

 

[HDUSA1]

I hadn’t noticed this thread before, but I knew a guy who was a left arm and leg amputee. He rode one of the V2V legs with us across the US on a Victory Motorcycle Club Rally.

He got his controls from this company:

Handicap Motorcycle Equipment For Disabled Bikers

Disabled Bikers Adaptive Parts For Dual Hand Brakes, Electric Shifters, Customized Solutions, Pet Carriers, Wheelchair Carriers, Trike Kits, etc for disabled bikers

www.disabled-biker.com

Another picture I had seen for a jury rigged Harley right hand control was this. Obviously it could be dressed up a bit. Looked like they sawed off the end of an old set of handlebars and put a bolt through it to a strap connected to the bolt on the other switch pod control. Not very pretty but guess it works.