Part #1 - Hasqvarna FE350S Rally Build |
So why 350cc? It's relatively light, nimble, has almost the same power as a 450 (maybe not as torquey but none the less powerful). She likes to rev high which pushes me to ride differently and I can already see how this bike will change the way I ride. This year long blog will provide details on how an average one legged guy with mediocre mechanical skills is building and racing a full rally bike with minimalist approach as a guideline – I’m not sure where it will go but this is my intention. |
Transformation in progress
Because of my relatively unique condition where I ride with a prosthetic leg (I am a right leg below knee amputee) I must modify the bike to accommodate for my missing leg and provide proper, safe control in extreme off road conditions.
I can walk on fire, broken glass, ice and I have a built in beer bottle opener. Also my foot never gets cold and I have quite a collection of them :-) am I lucky or what?
First thing that I did was to move the rear brake from the right foot peg area to left side of the handlebars. This allows me to properly use the rear brake and the added control is priceless. Not having an ankle makes it very challenging to use the original rear brake especially in extreme incline and decline situations.
Next thing is the magical Rekluse semi-automatic clutch. This brilliant invention was conceived to provide able bodied riders better control but in the process they have opened the door to people with different physical constraints to ride bikes like never before. For me this was a game changer. Yes I can ride without one but my ability to control the bike is diminished to an unsafe operation where I will not be able to handle the bike properly in an emergency, let alone is extreme off road conditions.
My epic journey to become the first amputee in Dakar Rally history to race it on a motorcycle has been accepted with great enthusiasm and support and I am grateful to have some of the best manufacturers on my team.
Rekluse came onboard as a full sponsor and provided their top of the line Core EXP 3.0 clutch and their new left hand rear brake kit.
Rekluse came onboard as a full sponsor and provided their top of the line Core EXP 3.0 clutch and their new left hand rear brake kit.
It's a great day when you receive this in priority mail - Thank you Rekluse in believing and supporting me on this journey! I wouldn't be able to ride my bike if it wasn't for your invention and wouldn't dream of racing Dakar without it.
Decluttering
Thank you Husqvarna for building a road worthy dirt bike like no other. it's basically a pure off road machine with signal lights, horn and mirrors. However there are several 'additions' that required immediate attention, i.e. removal... and/or replacement
This mambo jumbo of air injection valve, canister and hoses had to go. I also removed the rear brake pedal to avoid accidentally pressing it and free valuable space for my prosthesis.
This mambo jumbo of air injection valve, canister and hoses had to go. I also removed the rear brake pedal to avoid accidentally pressing it and free valuable space for my prosthesis.
Next are foot pegs - the standard ones had to go and replaced by the wonderful Pivot pegz that provide me with 20 degrees pivot of forward and backwards movement - great compensation for my static foot.For desert racing where I stand for hours at a time I had the great Ty Davis (AMA Motorcycle hall of fame hero) do his magic and modify his Zipty racing foot peg extensions
to fit my Pivot pegs - now I have skateboards under my feet!
to fit my Pivot pegs - now I have skateboards under my feet!
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