ONE ARM OR TWO?
Dusty TRX - dual controls functional.
One arm or two?
The TRX is the first to receive an update I’ve been wanting to implement for a long time: two functional sets of controls, allowing the bike to be ridden by me or by a rider with both arms. This includes a functional clutch lever and the full set of switches on the left‑hand handlebar, in addition to my right‑hand clutch lever and switchgear. This will be my default setup on all of my bikes moving forward.
The Z900 is halfway there; all it needs is the intermediate loom update to enable the left‑hand switchgear, but since it's my daily driver, I haven't had the downtime to complete it. The Zed, however, already has two functional clutch levers.
This new standard for modification isn’t without its drawbacks for a rider with two arms. Mainly, I haven’t yet developed a quick‑release that leaves the left‑hand handlebar free of moving parts, or at least gives it a normal handgrip. It’s on my list — I just haven’t had time to run prototypes and test the ideas rolling around in my head.
Back to the TRX. The left‑hand switchgear I’ve used is the old unit from my Royal Enfield GT650. The right‑hand switchgear is the same generic e‑bike unit, with two of the 8 mm push buttons previously used on the TRX. The intermediate loom uses a relay to switch the headlight between low and high beam, as I wasn’t confident in the wire gauge used in the e‑bike switchgear. You can operate the indicators, horn, and high- and low-beam headlights from either side. Currently, the right-hand switchgear mounting part is 3D printed here at home (Carbon fibre PLA) but will be updated to MJF Nylon at a later date, probablt with some minor tweaks.
The TRX is currently mostly buttoned up and on its way back onto the road after a long hiatus. It’ll be good to have a “spare bike” again, but there’s a reason reviving the TRX became a priority. I’m off to Morgan Park Raceway for my first track day — and the TRX is being promoted to my “track bike” for the event. The flip side is that the TRX and I will need to complete the near‑2000 km round trip from Mackay to Toowoomba.
I’ve obviously not done a track day before with one arm, so I’ve sourced a second‑hand set of leathers, new boots, and track gloves for the day. The leathers are off being modified to suit my missing arm and fit my motorcycle arm. The boots are Argon Pursuit, one size larger than I’d normally wear to accommodate my calf muscles. The gloves are great — Argon again — but I’d struggle to operate the controls needed to ride the bike on the road.
The TRX gets new boots (tyres) as well: correctly sized Pirelli Rosso 4s, which have always been a good tyre for the bike.
What I’m hoping to do is get the TRX on the road before the weekend so I can get my body and brain used to riding it again. I did take it for a short run down my street, and after riding the Zed for so long, I’d seemingly forgotten the basics — upshifting/downshifting without a quickshifter — and cornering just felt off.
Two days out at Koumala Range should reset my grey matter to the way the TRX rides and get me ready for a long road trip and two days on track at Morgan Park.
The updated right-hand switchgear mounting part.
TRX Right-hand switchgear.
Early days of setting up the intermediate loom.