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Hand grip operated clutch
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Author:  jdgar0649 [ August 7, 2011, 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Hand grip operated clutch

Ok, seems like it has been months since I posted.....because it has! I caught a very severe case of pneumonia last November..My lung specialist gave me a 1% chance of survival. I guess that was al the Lord needed because I am pretty close to 90% recovered. I had been on life support for 10 days and now I'm off oxygen and running a consistent 97% Pulse OX.
So Locost has been sitting in the shed for 9 months and my brain has emptied all the good ideas I had about finishing. One problem in particular. I am mounting the clutch grip on the shift lever like it would be mounted on the handlebar of s cycle. Now maybe I am overworrying this, but where will I leave slack so the clutch does not engage every time I shift. I know this seem a silly question, but I dunno maybe I am still 'Dain Bramaged' Here is a roughed out pic of the sifter and lever.
Attachment:
024.JPG



Thanks
Joe Garrison
Crescent, OK

Author:  egoman [ August 7, 2011, 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

You are overthinking this . The cable operates inside the sheath and as long as there is no bind which will stretch the sheath you dont have a problem.
As long as you are operating on less oxygen than the rest of us we wont be too hard on you.

Author:  trialsmangasgas [ August 7, 2011, 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

Glad to here you are feeling better and getting back to the car. Are you worried about the cable binding?? On motorcycles the handle bars move all the time while the clutch actuator stays in one spot. As long as the cable has enough slack it should not have any problems. The Riley TriMagnum BEC powered trikes use the same method. You might look on their forum and see if anybody has had any issues with it. Question, why are you going this route as opposed to a foot actuated clutch?? Russ

Author:  jdgar0649 [ August 7, 2011, 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

Russ;
For some reason it made sense. I was already crowded enough in the footwell, and I figured the hand grip would b more effecient.
Joe

Author:  trialsmangasgas [ August 7, 2011, 10:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

That's cool. Maybe your left foot, since it won't have anything to do, can tap out a beat to the scream of the roaring bike engine. Teehee!!!! Russ

Author:  DasPirate [ August 7, 2011, 11:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

I feel like this is actually a very good solution to a foot well real estate issue. I've seen more than a few FSAE teams use this same approach.

Author:  jdgar0649 [ August 7, 2011, 11:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

I mostly like the Schwinn bicycle grip....Automotive Class!

Author:  Kartracer47 [ August 7, 2011, 11:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

My thoughts would be about the ergonomics of the handle. It is upside down to the normal way it is operated - lever pivot near the thumb/index finger. Squeezing the handle and moving the lever at the same time (down shifting) may be easier to learn than I realize. Just food for thought.
I have the clutch on the steering wheel - handle is under my right hand. The shift lever is chassis mounted near my left hand. This is actually opposite of most shifter karts. Could this be better?

JMR

Author:  jdgar0649 [ August 8, 2011, 12:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

Thanks for the input...I really blessed to be here and not have severe brain damage. All five lobes of my lungs were full of infection. after 5 days of getting worse in the local hospital, my Dr. called in a lung specialist who does net even have an office. He is constantly on call and accepts the cases where he thinks he can do the most good..incredible Dr. I was on life support for 10 days, as I said. And it took me 5 months in hospital to even begin recovery. I honestly did not think I was going to make it, On the the day I was discharged the specialist looked at me, grinned, and said I had a 1% chance when he first saw me. we laughed about some rather black humor. I was glad he was my Dr. Guys it is great to be alive, I went to bed the first Sunday in November and did not regain consciousness really for three weeks, even though I was off life support after 2 weeks. IT IS JUST GREAT TO BE BACK HERE AND POSTING. We are moving to Broken Arrow, OK, Close to Tulsa, so it will be a while before I can get the car moved and get back to work. I will be posting pics ASAP.

Joe Garrison
soon of BA

Author:  horizenjob [ August 8, 2011, 1:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

Glad you made it back to us. Your typing has had a huge improvement. Sounds like you'll have a good Thanksgiving this year - has to be way better then last year.
:cheers:

The clutch handle will work just fine, maybe just a bit better then on a bike because your stronger fingers will be at the end of the lever.

Author:  jdgar0649 [ August 8, 2011, 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

Marcus;
The feeling of the lever is great in my hand. I a right handed, and it seems that engaging the clutch and shifting gears in one hand is a good idea for more effecient movements.

Everything is getting better day by day. I used to write psyc. notes and tx. plans all day, but then we got a new laptop that my wife liked.....fits her hands fine, my huge hands are all keys at once.......then I had pneumonia.

I am getting better though... I pulled the car out of the shed this AM, and began to straighten things up for the move. It was encouraging to see the progress I have made. I don't think I am too far away from running, God willing and the spark plugs fire. I can't tolerate a lot of heat it is 9:30AM and already 90 degrees. I have to do all my work at daybreak. Thurs, Fri, and Sat. are supposed to be noticably cooler.

Looking forward to new digs;

Joe G.

Author:  ccrunner [ August 8, 2011, 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

jdgar0649 wrote:
Thanks for the input...I really blessed to be here and not have severe brain damage. All five lobes of my lungs were full of infection. after 5 days of getting worse in the local hospital, my Dr. called in a lung specialist who does net even have an office. He is constantly on call and accepts the cases where he thinks he can do the most good..incredible Dr. I was on life support for 10 days, as I said. And it took me 5 months in hospital to even begin recovery. I honestly did not think I was going to make it, On the the day I was discharged the specialist looked at me, grinned, and said I had a 1% chance when he first saw me. we laughed about some rather black humor. I was glad he was my Dr. Guys it is great to be alive, I went to bed the first Sunday in November and did not regain consciousness really for three weeks, even though I was off life support after 2 weeks. IT IS JUST GREAT TO BE BACK HERE AND POSTING. We are moving to Broken Arrow, OK, Close to Tulsa, so it will be a while before I can get the car moved and get back to work. I will be posting pics ASAP.

Joe Garrison
soon of BA



-- You've been through a lot Joe, as has your family.. You're a 99% supposed-to-be-dead guy, and yet you're here.. pretty damn cool.. I think the trick is finding the balance to planning to live as if you'll see 100, or think that you'll die any day.. you've been given the rare glimpse of knowing what the latter feels like.. Welcome back :wink:

ccrunner

Author:  jdgar0649 [ August 9, 2011, 12:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

Thanks to all. The most terrifying thing was when they awakened me from the induced coma. I had NO idea what was going on, where I was, or how I got there. It took a few hours to figure even the basics out. My Wife's first visit while I was awake is an experience I will never forget. I have learned a lot over the past 9 months. Mostly the importance of other people, and communion with as many of them as possible. I am thinking when I finish the car of giving my wife a break from me, and taking the car to as many states as I can afford to visit other builders....It's a thought.

thanks to everyone for their kind support.
JG

Author:  andrewt [ August 9, 2011, 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

I'm interested in how this turns out. I played with the idea of using a hand clutch as well, since I know BEC foot clutches tend to lack feel because they were intended to be operated by hand. I ended up with a foot pedal because I didn't like the idea of only having one hand on the wheel if I was launching the car in anger, but please update us when you get the car running. I'd like to know how it is to live with.

I remember searching around the site regarding hand clutches, coming across your build, and being disappointed that you stopped updating. At least I now know why the build log stopped, but it is great to see that you're back!

Author:  TRX [ August 11, 2011, 7:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hand grip operated clutch

horizenjob wrote:
The clutch handle will work just fine, maybe just a bit better then on a bike because your stronger fingers will be at the end of the lever.


Yes. Some vintage motorcycles pivoted the levers on the outer ends of the bars for just that reason, but it was simpler and cheaper to move the pivots inboard.

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