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Hi Richard, Sidecars are great for getting back into riding. Here is a picture of my buddy Tim Smith at the recent Flint Hills Rally. Actually there were two amputees there.
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/photos/show-album.asp?albumid=171&currentpos=3

You can do it!

Hi Richard - There are a number of folks who will set up rigs to accomodate your disability. Tracking them down is sometimes an issue! I know that both Liberty Motors ( http://www.three-wheels.com/) and Dauntless Motors ( http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/) here in Washtington State have both done that sort of work. I'll bet that the folks at Blue Moon Cycle ( http://www.bluemooncycle.com/) have probably done so as well. Even better, they may know of other folks who are a little closer than Washington State! Try also the Georgia Sidecar Club ( http://members.cox.net/georgiasidecarclub/), again for the local knowledge. There are probably lots of other folks who will chip in here as well. Good luck!

Re dancing; first of all, most white guys just sag from side to side and move their hands in little circles like they're winding up a kite string until their girlfriend or wife says it's OK to sit down. If you can't do that, how are you going to drive a sidecar? I had a guy in a wheelchair "dance" at my wedding, for cryin out loud. Bottom line, you gotta be willing to make a fool of yourself to do either one. As long as you're having a good time- who cares?!
As far as driving a rig I'm sure there is plenty of expensive stuff you can install, like an electronic shifter. I have seen guys without a leg ride regular bikes, too. Check out the COBB Society for a couple of laughs.
Anyhoo, the first time I got hit by a car, I got a paddle made to shift. We took off the foot peg rubber and built a bracket so it hinged on the foot peg. A noose went around my cast; I jerked up to shift up, banged down to downshift, SC carried the crutches. Assuming you have a prosthetic, all you would need is a big enough platform to push on for the rear brake. To tell the truth, I use mostly my front brake anyway. I mostly use the rear brake to show off a power slide in a gravel parking lot. I suspect some folks here include me in their prayers occasionally, for which I'm grateful. And don't worry about needing to get a huge rig, either. A friend of mine has a Suzi 350 2-stroke with some little rig he's had from the '70s (with a bag of cement) and he has a blast.

Richard,
If both brakes are connected to the front master cylinder and a proportioning valve installed in the system to fine tune the braking effect, you are good to go. If you've still got use of your "reverse" leg.
We've worked with several single and double amputees to get them back on the road with a hack rig. Some have used a railing around the floorboard (s) to contain their prosthesis. We used snowboard bindings for one paraplegic client to keep his feet in place.

Lonnie

WOW You people are fast even on a Fri. night. Well I have the left leg to work with. I walk on crutches. I have thought maybe moving back brakes to the bars. I also am wanting something I can take on the interstate Plus I will need something I can stay out of the way of the nutty drivers here in Fla.

Hi Richard, I have a long time friend who lost his right leg up high in a farming accident in the early 60's. He rides and only recently went to a Voyager kit. I've ridden many thousands of miles with him when he rode on two wheels. He isn't on line but if you were inclined to talk to him, he's Harvey Lape in Connell, WA. We don't ride together much anymore but that's because we moved away five years ago. Only time he walks on crutches is when he doesn't have his leg on. Good guy, Harvey! Excellent riding buddy.

I think there were three guys at th eRON DEE VOO last year who had one leg
(each). Tim Smoth was one of them. Heck Tim rode for a couple of years with no back brake at all on his K Bike. Probably not reccomended but it worked fo rhim. Yes, some have hooked th erear brake into th efront brake and some have put a seperate brake on th ehandlebars. There is a way when ther is a will..go for it.

Richard you might want to join this yahoo group for Florida Hacks.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/FLSidecar

You might be able to find someone close who can help you get started.

Richard,
We've put several 562's on the new scooters lately. Silverwings, Burgmans, Reflexs and a whole batch of the new ones will pull a hack down the freeway probably faster than you are willing to travel. Most are fully automatic and have no foot controls to mess with. They go from 250 to 650ccs and deliver pretty good gas mileage too.
Another good sidehack option.

Lonnie

Hi Richard,
gotta tell you, its not too much of a problem. I lost my leg at the hip a long time ago. Couple months ago, I got a Ural from a dealer here in Oregon... he hooked up a hand shifter for me and it works like a charm. First time I've been on a bike in 25 years and let me tell you, its the best thing in the world.
If you need more info, drop me a line justgimmecoffee *at* yahoo.com.

-Barry

WNCRiders were at breakfast and started talking about SCs this morning. One guy told of his ride in a HP rig and didn't find out 'till after that the driver did not have the use of his left arm and 2 legs.

It is time for an update. First thanks to all of you for the reply’s and e-mails. And yes I am going to get a rig. What one I still do not know. So what have I done? I have down loaded the books from here and order the yellow book. I am also studying to get my Fla motorcycle permit. So I have a lot of reading to do. I have contacts with two guys who have sidecar rigs here in Pinellas co. Fla. one from here that I need to give a call and the other through my boss. The 2nd one is missing a leg and has said to her that he will give me a ride. I am looking forward to seeing his rig and talking with him.

Now the big one what am I looking at for my ride.

There is an Enfield dealer about an hour from here. The price is good but 500cc maybe be a bit small.

There is a BMW 1100 that was factory rigged that maybe for sale. I have heard good things about BMW.

The last, well for right now, there is an Ural dealership about ½ an hour from here. I have heard a number of stories about this bike both good and bad. I love the looks well the pictures and 750cc sounds like the right size for what I feel I want to do.

OK people what do you think?

The biggest thing is- what kind of riding do you envision?
The Enfield has gotten better in the last few years, but unless you like to tinker, I wouldn't vote for that anyway.
The Beemer may be a bit tall? Definitely the most reliable and powerfull of those choices.
Late model Urals seem pretty nice, esp the new models that have a longer, lower frame- but still only a few steps above the Enfield as far as maintenance goes. I would recommend it for medium day trips, but if you do feel good about wrenching, ride it anywhere.

A very personal choice! I own a BMW rig. BMW stands for "burn my wallet" among other things. I'm very happy with it.