Help Fund Motorcycle Retrofits for Impaired Riders

Don Jackson, owner of Yesterday’s Rides Metalworks in Newberg, OR, and a marine veteran, has announced a crowdfunding initiative to raise money to complete the prototype of a motorcycle retrofit designed for persons who require the use of a personal mobility device.

The retrofit allows the owner to ride their personal mobility device (wheelchair, scooter, etc.) onto a sidecar via a ramp, lock it in place, retract the ramp using electronic controls, climb on to the motorcycle and ride off. When the rider reaches his/her destination, the mobility device is right alongside, ready to unlock and use. The initial prototype is based on a modified Ural, which is already sidecar compatible.

Jackson has been designing and building handicap accessories at the request of Raceway Services in Salem, OR, for years. It is one of their customers that inspired this prototype; An avid rider injured in a motorcycle accident that lost a leg which impaired him from riding because he had no way of transporting his power chair.

Those wishing to support the efforts of Jackson to enhance the prototype, seek licensing, and further their research into production of an affordable product, should visit www.crowdlever.com from Nov 7, 2013 – February 7, 2014 for further information and to make donations.

As a former marine and as a veteran, Jackson realized the building of this prototype was not only necessary to fulfill one man’s passion for the open road but for the passions of many riders including our wounded veterans returning home. Jackson hopes to raise enough funds to both complete this project and make this experience possible for others like Raceway’s customer.

Yesterday’s Rides Metalworks is a Custom Metal Fabrication company owned and operated by the Jackson family in Newberg, Oregon. Don Jackson began his fabrication career serving his apprenticeship to become a Journeyman Sheet Metal Mechanic, worked as a machinist and gained numerous certifications in exotic metals and specialty welding. Operating as Yesterday’s Rides Jackson was the structural steel manufacturer for the fiberglass bodies produced by Wescott’s Auto Restyling, worked on a number of prize winning show cars, and was credited with the resurrection of the Doodle Bug Motor Scooter originally built from 1946-48.

By Tom Roderick