Fused ankle

[ngaron]

Due to being young and dumb in me younger years. I will need to make a decision here in the near future concerning getting my left ankle fused. This will make almost impossible to shift gears on my 650GS. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can get around this problem either mechanically or just cut the leg off at the knee...........................

[manicmechanic]

Why stop at the knee? :laugh Just kidding. But on a similar line, I invite you to read I Will Fear No Evil, by Heinlein.

There are air shifters, and electric shifters available. Also, somebody I knew years ago, who was an amputee at the knee, merely clamped a rod to the shifter and directed it straight up, left the clutch lever where it was and shifter with his right hand. Just an option. Also, perhaps a heel/toe shifter?

[727cpt]

FJR 1300AE $12999 at D&H Yamaha

[jimcameron]

What are the alternatives to getting the ankle fused?

I'm sorry to hear about your misery, I am interested in your options.

[Callmethebreeze]

Due to being young and dumb in me younger years. I will need to make a decision here in the near future concerning getting my left ankle fused. This will make almost impossible to shift gears on my 650GS. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can get around this problem either mechanically or just cut the leg off at the knee...........................

I am not an orthotist.You might want to contact one in your area. Some of these guys are very creative.
Just thinking about it though, if your ankle is fused at a "neutral" position i.e. to allow you to walk relatively normally then wouldn't a shoe attachment whereby you would use leg flexion and extension to move the shifter might work. Your ankle would remain static and the up and down motion would involve moving your bent leg through the range of shift motion. I visualize a modified shifter that would either accept the shoe attachment or even have the entire shifter assembly incorporated into the shoe.
Best of luck. Where there's a will.....

Breeze

[buckeye]

You've got the right attitude...looking for the solution instead of giving up on riding. We all have limits to overcome in some way. I ride an R 1200 CLC and have "floor boards". Pretty much a touch on the front lever or the rear lever is all it takes. No need to hook my toe under the shifter lever and lift. Maybe this would be a better movement for the ankle in your case. I bought my bike two months before having spinal fusion (L-3/L-4). Some thought I might have trouble/pain riding after the fusion. It's been the best "therapy" you could imagine. As I said earlier, attitude! Good luck.

[John Brase]

Here's a link to an electric shifter thing. It is a tad pricey and probably needs some creative instalation but it might be worth a look.

http://rhometown.com/geniedsp/geniesite.cfm?section_id=S00000009870&user_id=UU0000011586

John