The mechanic who modifies vehicles for the disabled

While the weeks leading up to Christmas have seen many businesses winding down, mechanic Clint Zahra has been hard at work on a special project.

Because in addition to his regular work repairing and servicing vehicles, for the last few years Zahra has been providing a unique service on request, and for free: modifying vehicles for those with disabilities.

Earlier this year, he was approached by Paralympian and public speaker Thomas Borg, who was born with an underdeveloped right arm, to modify a motorcycle in such a way that would allow him to operate it without requiring the use of his right hand.

But making such modifications can be time-consuming and challenging to plan out.

“To make sure that everything is according to regulations and safe, the build would take me between 80 and 100 hours – [but] it takes more time to figure out how to modify the bike for the rider,” said Zahra.

“The difficulty is figuring out what the clients need; the modifications are easy, but you need to think about what they need – and how to make the bike safe,” he said.

Zahra was speaking to Times of Malta in his workshop during the final stages of modifying Borg’s bike.

Asked about the process, he explained that he starts with a consultation with the client: “I meet them and make sure they have a good balance with their legs on the bike – from there I make sure I can do it.”

Seated atop Borg’s bike – then still without its chassis and its inner workings exposed – Zahra explained how he had rewired the throttle to the left handlebar, while modifying the side stand to also act as a handbrake, freeing up the left hand.

Meanwhile, Zahra has designed a prosthetic right arm attachment that is able to be quickly released from the bike in the event of an accident.

The modification requires extensive changes to the bike's inner workings. Photo: Antoine Farrugia Lauri.

“I was very careful to keep the bike within standards according to EU regulations,” he said, stressing that even when the work is completed, the client cannot simply drive off but is required to pass a test with the modified vehicle.

Despite the hard work that goes into the process, Zahra does not see it as simply an engineering problem to be solved but an important mission to help others.

“When it comes to helping people with disabilities, I will be giving my utmost so they can get back on the road as they used to – or, if the client was born with a disability and I can help, I am ready to,” he said.

'I can't thank him enough'

Zahra’s journey into vehicle modifications – which he also offers to car users with disabilities – began a few years ago when he was approached by a friend asking if he could modify a motorcycle for policeman Simon Schembri, who had lost his arm in 2018 in a hit-and-run. 

“She wanted to give him his life back as a biker,” he said. “I had never done this before, so it was difficult for me to say yes. I told her that if I managed to do it, I would do it for free for everyone, including Simon, as I wanted to do my part and help.”

Fast-forward to today, and Zahra has performed similar modifications to five bikes.

Paralympian Thomas Borg received the finished bike just in time for Christmas. Photo: Thomas Borg

Speaking to Times of Malta, Borg, who recently received his finished motorcycle, said he’d “never seen someone so passionate and creative about their work”. He’d been advised to contact Zahra by a motorcycle seller after being turned away elsewhere.

“I can’t thank him enough for his work on the project,” he said, describing his newly modified motorcycle as a “symbol of what is possible”. 

How does Zahra feel when he sees clients driving their modified vehicle for the first time?

“Seeing their faces when they realise that the impossible can be possible... I get emotional. You can’t put a price on that.”