FIRST RIDE since August 2000 - Old Monroe, MO
 

BACKSTORY (this will take a while!):
Back in August 2000 I was riding my Ninja home from the Navy base in San Diego when I got hit head-on by a station wagon that had come into my lane.

I fractured my skull (at the base), broke my face (at the chin), my back (T8), neck (C1), both arms (left humerus, right radius and ulna compound), left arm mostly removed at the shoulder, left leg (fibula and tibia compound) mostly removed below the knee, compound pelvic fracture, and I was on fire from an exploding gas tank. They put EVERYTHING back together but my left arm was hopelessly paralyzed and was eventually amputated. My left leg is still here! I was trapped in a haze for 10 years while the VA prescribed methadone, fentanyl, oxycontin, and gabapentin for the unbelievable amount of pain I was in. On my own, I found a surgeon who would do a spinal cord surgery to "unplug" the damaged nerves. After the surgery, I weaned myself off of all those horrible drugs over the next several months.

Here I am, 23 years later, watching Itchy Boots on YouTube and craving to get back on a bike. I came across this forum after looking at the various China bikes on ebay. I figured I'd take a chance after reading so many fun stories here. I paid $1369 for a TBR7 (they delivered a TBR7-D, so I got a bunch of nice upgrades for free) and bought myself a Christmas present. Some assembly required! As suggested on the forums, I changed the oil, adjusted the valves, put loctite everywhere, installed a Nibbi carb and coil, E3 plug, JFG exhaust, Hawk digital dash, etc. I removed the twist throttle and installed a thumb throttle (like on the ATV's) and installed a short blue clutch lever on the right, just above the front brake lever. I removed the left clutch lever and bypassed the clutch switch so I can start the engine without engaging the clutch (make sure it's in neutral!). Now I can gas and clutch with my right hand alone. I haven't done anything with the turn signal switch. I'll figure that problem out later. I just won't use them for now. I suppose I should move to horn button to someplace accessible... That JFG exhaust is pretty loud. I'm not sure how much horn I'll need!

THE RIDE:
Yesterday (January 24, 2024), I finally got everything installed, adjusted, tuned, etc., and went on a short ride. I started in St Peters, Mo and went up highway 79 to Old Monroe. My new helmet, riding pants and jacket kept me warm and snug in the misty rain. It was just a pavement ride, but everything looked brighter, clearer, and more beautiful than I could have imagined. The dilapidated farms and the antique stores along the route all looked amazing and inviting, and begged a stop for a visit. A sense of freedom has been returned to me, and I am forever grateful to all of your stories that inspired me to make this happen. So, not much of a ride. 14 miles each way in the wet. On asphalt. But I was giggling like a little schoolgirl for the next hour after I arrived home. My life changed yesterday.

Attachment 30711

Attachment 30712

Although not suffering the severity of your injuries that I had received from the front bumper of a car, nor the extended recovery you had, I do know the exhilaration of being able to do that first ride again. Keep going. Congrats and good on ya.

vwkurt
You are without a doubt a testimonial to the perseverance of the human spirit. I have had many injuries and surgeries but nothing as severe as what you have suffered. You have my admiration and respect.

Glad to see you back in the saddle. :tup:

Yay! Riding a motorcycle is not for everyone, but for those that know how there is nothing more satisfying than a simple rollon out of a curve, or a gravity exercise in a canyon.

Nice work :tup:

glad to hear you're back in the saddle given that backstory. keep it up!

Oh...and that cat in the exhaust pipe is begging to be cut opened and gutted! :)

That's an incredible comeback story! Very inspirational on multiple levels.
Welcome back to riding.

Kick ass!

ride on