"Uh Houston.... we have a problem....."
Ever have one of those nagging questions in the back of your mind? You know..... the kind where you really want to know the answer.... but kinda don't at the same time? Well....you can see from my pics that the footpegs have been sittin' under the bike since last fall. I could've installed 'em anytime.... but kept puttin' it off.... yesterday I installed 'em and climbed up on the seat... the moment of truth had arrived.
Lets back up a little..... about 2 1/2 yrs ago, I had my right knee replaced. The success rate for this procedure is about 90%. 9 out of 10 go about their merry way with a new lease on life. Well guess who drew the short straw? The Docs knew there was a problem pretty early on. About 6 wks into my physical therapy they put me under for what they call a "manual manipulation" procedure. While you're under, they bend the knee through the full range of motion numerous times to (hopefully) break up the scar tissue. My therapist, Heather, was a sweetheart. She worked her butt off for me. 3 days a wk she would have me in tears. The goal was a minimum 120° of motion with 135° being ideal. On a good day I could get 100°. Mostly I stayed around 90°. After 7mo. we both decided to call it a day... Currently, I can get about 75-80° without too much discomfort.
So here we are... the moment of truth. On the center stand, I can't get my arch on the peg. My heel will reach, but after about 30 sec. the pain starts getting uncomfortable. And riding with just the heel on the peg prolly isn't the safest way to ride. So, here's my answer... the one I guess I really knew all along. In our current condition, me and the bike can't ride.
Having a healthy dose of bulldog in me, I ain't givin' up. There's two solutions here, neither of which I care for. The first is to get my knee fixed. I've been speaking to my Doc. and here's how that would shake out.... more manual manipulation procedures and another 6 mo. of therapy. If that doesn't work (like my luck is gonna suddenly change
), it'll be knee replacement #2. This is actually the preferred fix but..... our "Current Administration" has tripled the amount of money us Vets pay for health care... and that would bankrupt me. I go on Medicare at the end of the year and that option will become affordable. So, long term that's my plan.
Short term, option 2 is to put highway pegs on her. To be honest, I've never liked 'em... but unless someone has an idea I ain't thought of......?
So, out comes the cardboard, TIGer, plasma cutter etc. I have an idea in my head as to what I want to build but if any of you guys have any ideas or pics of some well made ones, I'd really appreciate any input you think would be helpful. The idea is a bolt on installation I can take off once my knee is fixed.