Riding, life after spinal fusion

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byrd900sp
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Riding, life after spinal fusion

#1

Post by byrd900sp »

Hello! New member, Thanks for having me!
I'm bringing home a 1981 GL1100 to work on over winter while I heal from spinal fusion surgery.
I rode a GL1000 for many years, but eventually lost those second gear dogs. I still rode it for another year and just skipped second gear, but now, sadly, it's been parted out. I still have the frame and some odds and ends, but now I am going to strip my new project down to a naked and see what it takes to get it on the road, so I'm feeling excited about that.
How many here are still riding after spinal fusion?
I'm only 50 years old, and I'm really not ready to give up riding, although my family wants me to give up off road riding (or at least the two stroke).
I'd like to hear your experience with riding Goldwings with back pain or after surgery. Did you change your riding position/ handlebars? Any other tips for getting back on the road are appreciated. Thank you!
My current bikes
2008 KTM 530 EXC-R
1998 Honda GL1500C
1997 Ducati 900SS SP
1996 Honda XR650L
1993 KTM 250SX
1984 Honda XR500R
1980 Honda GL1100 Standard
1975 Honda GL1000 Scrambler
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Track T 2411
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#2

Post by Track T 2411 »

Welcome from Wisconsin. I can't speak firsthand to riding after spinal fusion, but my partner has had two fusions and she still rides with me on my 1100. I did invest in an aftermarket seat, and some people aren't real happy with the stock air shocks, although after rebuilding mine, they work great.
Good luck on the project. You'll find lots of good info in ShopTalk, including a 'new 2 you' thread (linked in my signature) that will get you on your way to riding!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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Rat
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#3

Post by Rat »

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Lots of folk here with various health issues .... I’m sure there will be suggestions ....

Gord(back is OK but lots of other stiff and sore bits)Jones :oldies
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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rcmatt007
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#4

Post by rcmatt007 »

welcome to NGW.... I have been told I am a PITA, but that hasn't stopped me from riding
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
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tomk1960
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#5

Post by tomk1960 »

I've had back surgery, but fortunately not any fusion stuff. But having chronic back issues hasn't kept me from riding one bit. As long as you have good rear shocks that provide enough give without too much rebound, you'll probably be fine.
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
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dontwantapickle
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#6

Post by dontwantapickle »

3 levels fused here (and only a matter of time until more surgery is needed)

I never quit riding (and have no intention on stopping)
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5speed
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#7

Post by 5speed »

rcmatt007 wrote:welcome to NGW.... I have been told I am a PITA, but that hasn't stopped me from riding
you should see a Dr about that. ;)
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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rcmatt007
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#8

Post by rcmatt007 »

Probably a proctologist
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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desertrefugee
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#9

Post by desertrefugee »

Jack Elam - best movie line ever: "Want me to probe his case?"

(As the proctologist in Cannonball Run)
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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mensor
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#10

Post by mensor »

PO of my GL1000 were my parents. My Mom had L3-S1 fused and kept right on riding (ad passenger anyway) with very little issue. She’s been all over the country on the back of their new ride (big HD) for years since I took the wing. No sign of stopping for her.
“I may be going to hell in a bucket, but at least I’m enjoying the ride”

'78 GL1000 “Ramblin’ Rose”
bstuebing
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#11

Post by bstuebing »

I'm now 65 and had my L4-L5-S1 fused a little over 3 years ago. Riding is not painful but I put a backrest on my '85 'Wing and it helps a lot. Makes getting on and off an adventure though. I also use a couple of cheapie Canadian Tire memory foam seat pads to lift my butt up and change the angle of the bend in my knees.
I did the Eastern run down to West Virginia this past August with no back problems whatsoever. That was about 2500 kms.
Brian
1979 GL1000
1985 GL1200LE
1998 Valkyrie (new to me)
beamo
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#12

Post by beamo »

I'M AN ARTHRITIC 61. BEEN RIDING 45+ YRS. I HAD 2 CERVICAL FUSIONS 20 YRS AGO. I RIDE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. A BACKREST MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO ME ALONG WITH A SUPPORT BELT. THE RIDES ARE MAYBE A BIT SHORTER THAN BEFORE BUT NO LESS FUN!
BETTER LIVING THROUGH PHARMACEUTICALS...
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robin1731
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#13

Post by robin1731 »

beamo wrote:I'M AN ARTHRITIC 61. BEEN RIDING 45+ YRS. I HAD 2 CERVICAL FUSIONS 20 YRS AGO. I RIDE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. A BACKREST MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO ME ALONG WITH A SUPPORT BELT. THE RIDES ARE MAYBE A BIT SHORTER THAN BEFORE BUT NO LESS FUN!
BETTER LIVING THROUGH PHARMACEUTICALS...

Please, turn the caps lock off. That is considered shouting. ;)
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1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
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1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#14

Post by DUGG »

In 1984 I crashed my CB750 into a guardrail doing about 70mph. I compression fractured my L2. Over the years it self fused itself to L1&L3. I rode off road for many many years after the crash. I don’t ride off road anymore but still ride my GL1100. You won’t be pain free probably but it’s not the end of your riding.
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Re: Riding, life after spinal fusion

#15

Post by bigscheaf »

I don’t have any major back issues, but I’m sure there on their way - 35 years old. Just have the random army problems. I will say one thing that greatly improved the ride on my bike was replacing the TIRES (not belts, but do those too). I went with a set of Shinko Tourmasters, affordable and recommended by others on the site. Then suspension and make the cockpit more ergonomic and you’ll likely be good to go.
1983 GL1100 viewtopic.php?f=16&t=67673#
1981 CB900F (Resto-mod Project)
1979 CB750F (Wiseco 823)
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