Well, 90% complete. I have redesigned the arm, completed my Qride Pre-learner course and I am on the road. The remaining 10% comes in three months when I have a shot at my RE license.

The new arm allows for a greater range of movement and has a more natural feel to it; length, hand position on the bike and the elbow can now articulate nearly 90 degrees without much effort. The wrist roll mechanism changed also, making it much smoother to operate, and I can adjust the pressure here now. Because the elbow mechanism has far greater leverage than my previous design, I’m using the DnM shock. The DnM shock has a much heavier spring rate than the previous arms Fox unit and doesn’t seem to require any revalving or tuning. I will try the Fox shock in the new arm later but have a feeling that, if the revalved shock does have advantages over the DnM, I’ll need to find a more compact Fox unit

The quick-release components were updated along the way, and this system is working great too, not just in operation but in allowing changes to hand position easy. In all of my original testing, I did run two o0rings between the hand and the two locating clamps, but in my next test ride, I’ll be running without those. If I’m not happy with that feel I may make the locating clamps from another material.

Photos and video below, after I give credit where credit is due. I’ve had a bunch of people help me along the way, either with building the arm, getting licensed and helping me cut through red tape. Let’s get started;

DJ Design and Engineering - This guy has been with me from the start, not just manufacturing the arms from the drawings/models I send him but also suggesting tweaks that improve the design and/or manufacturing.

Learn2ride Qride Mackay - Don’t underestimate the benefit of good rider training. I went into my Qride thinking I had it in the bag, there wasn’t much I needed to know or learn, one arm or not. Not true as it turns out. I had been practising, to develop my strength to use the arm and operate the bike/controls etc. And, I don’t think I’m that shabby. But, over two days I watched as Brett Hoskin took a group of us through far more than I’d prepared for. Not only that, it was a load of fun and that helped make everything we’d been taught stick. If you’re in Mackay Brett Hoskin is the guy to see for the Qride component of your motorcycle license.

CCW Vehicle Approvals - the red tape cutter Gav’ Cass. I’ve been an amputee for over 20 years and the only place I hate dealing with now is Queensland TMR if only because I have to keep providing evidence I only have one arm. QLD TMR really grind my gears, and I needed to have the modifications to the bike approved by these guys. Gav’ sorted it, no stress at my end… but, yeah, I still needed to provide evidence of having one arm.

Amy Gutterson - My occupational Therapist, who probably freaks out when I call, but who loves a challenge (me). Amy helped me with driving a manual car and was there for the motorcycle chapter. My only challenge now is choosing another vehicle license I’ll need her help with again…. light plane, heavy rigid or helicopter?

My Dad - This guy helped me get back on a motorcycle even after watching me lose an arm in a motorcycle accident. I can’t say much other than that. Along this journey we have spent many hours in the shed, working on the bike and the arm, and speculating on all aspects of motorcycling and life past present and future.