Adaptation Kits – Origins & Advantages

In the early years of the NABD, every adaptation for disabled riders was custom-built, making the process expensive, time-consuming, and inconsistent.  Each engineer had to start from scratch, often repeating development and adaptation work already done elsewhere, such as,

• Determining the best method of creating the desired adaptation
• Repurposing existing parts
• Fabricating bespoke parts
• Initial fitting
• Testing
• Adjustments to suit the individual
• More testing
• Completing the installation

In the mid-1990’s, the NABD began encouraging the more inventive engineers to design and develop standardised adaptation kits that should be,

• Efficient solutions for common issues faced by disabled motorcyclists
• Easy to operate
• Reliable
• Easy to fit
• Suitable for a wide range of motorcycles
• Produced as universal off-the-shelf kits

A couple of innovative engineers took up the challenge, and, over the next few years, the introduction of these new adaptive engineering solutions led to,

• Lower component costs
• Faster and simpler installation
• Reduced fitting costs
• Ease of use
• Elegance of design
• Improved user confidence
• Improved dependability
• Uniformity in design and function
• Improved aesthetics
• Easy validation for 0% VAT exemption

As these kits proved their worth and reliability in daily use, they became accepted as principal adaptations and/or key constituents in the majority of adaptations to motorcycles, motor scooters, trikes, sidecar outfits and quadbikes, to make them suitable for use by a broad range of people with disabilities.

The NABD enjoys significant discounts on some of these adaptation kits, and often includes them in NABD Adaptation Grants, making the financial support go further for disabled riders.

Currently the three most respected and popular kits are,

• The Kliktronic Universal Push-Button’ Gear Changer
• The K-Lever2 Universal Twin Lever Kit
• The PFM Universal Twin Lever Kit

In addition to these stalwarts of motorcycle adaptations, we have also adopted/adapted a number of other popular kits that lend themselves well to being used as component parts in some common adaptations.  The most frequently used of these are,

• The Hel Thumb Operated Brake Lever Kits
• The Racetorx Thumb Operated Brake Lever Kits
• The Venhill Hydraulic to Cable Conversion Kits
• The Full Throttle Inc. ‘Goldfinger’ Left-Hand Thumb Operated Throttle
• Honda ATV Right-Hand Thumb Operated Throttle

1. Other kits are available but, in our experience, these kits are currently the most popular and best trusted amongst bikers with disabilities. However, the choice always remains with the user.

These kits are designed for uncomplicated installation.  However, for optimal performance and safety, we strongly recommend that installation is carried out by a qualified engineer.

Every kit is supplied with a comprehensive 12-month manufacturer’s guarantee for your peace of mind.

1. This information is not intended as an exhaustive list of available adaptation kits; I have chosen to feature these kits purely because of their popularity, versatility, and resilience, generally established over years of regular use with disabled bikers.

For more information:

More specific information about each of these popular adaptation kits is featured in this section of the website, more will no-doubt be added as new adaptations evolve.

If you would like more detailed information about any of these kits and their uses, there is a specific link for each of them in the Adaptation Kits section of this website.  Just click the relevant link for more in-depth information.

1. If you are not yet a member of the NABD, and you are finding useful and/or interesting information on this site, please consider joining now.

Membership is just £2.00 per month and it is these membership subscriptions that allow us to continue providing the information and services that help so many people.

Membership is open to everybody; you don’t have to be disabled to join the NABD and support the valuable work we do and the services we provide.

To become a member of the NABD, go to: https://nabd.org.uk/join/

Rick Hulse

NABD Chairman