Please help with Clutch....

**Darkman** · 2nd June 2006, 18:53

Uncle B gave me the Idea of asking you guys for some help so here it goes. As some of you may know, I had a very bad accident 3 years ago (70% 3rd degree burns). As a result I lost most function in my left hand. I have about a 45 degree angle between my index and thumb..hard wired fingers and have to actually let go of the handlebars to get to the clutch.
What I want to know is, does anyone know of a way to reduce the distance of the clutch lever by about half the norm or maybe know of different ways to make it easier for me.
I saw some CRG levers that are used for racing…does anyone know if they might help. I have gone to ACC and they are looking into it, but would be good if I could go back to them with some good Ideas.

**Paul in NZ** · 2nd June 2006, 19:08

Some sort of dog legged lever or a hydraulic clutch conversion...

**Ixion** · 2nd June 2006, 19:10

Do you have full strength in your hand? If the clutch leverage was reduced could you manage the extra weight of the clutch. If so you could probably easily modify a clutch lever to give more "clutching" in a short arc movement and just leave the cable very loose.?
Or, talk to OAB about having the clutch on the right hand handlebar. Can't clutch and brake at teh same time, but that's unlikely to be a major.

**Darkman** · 2nd June 2006, 19:19

Originally Posted by Ixion

Do you have full strength in your hand? If the clutch leverage was reduced could you manage the extra weight of the clutch. If so you could probably easily modify a clutch lever to give more "clutching" in a short arc movement and just leave the cable very loose.?
Or, talk to OAB about having the clutch on the right hand handlebar. Can't clutch and brake at teh same time, but that's unlikely to be a major.

No, dont have full lenth of hand. Would be able to handle more weight..,just depends on how much more, cause that may cause other problems.

**Madness** · 2nd June 2006, 19:25

Formula 1 style fly-by-wire. How much would it cost to mount an electric acuator on the clutch lever, with a proximity sensing lever-switch type thingy?

There are some clever bastards out there (in N.Z) so maybe it's possible?

A custom hydraulic system would require a similar amount of mods, just more machining type work?? And any cam type cable-lever is going to require more pull end of story, regardless of a shorter stroke. Also with a shorter stroke you will have less control margins.

**Darkman** · 2nd June 2006, 19:29

Originally Posted by MAXIMUSDEMERITUS

Formula 1 style fly-by-wire. How much would it cost to mount an electric acuator on the clutch lever, with a proximity sensing lever-switch type thingy?

There are some clever bastards out there (in N.Z) so maybe it's possible?

Mmmmm..could work...put like a solenoid in line with the cable somewhere and a buttom to control....

**Madness** · 2nd June 2006, 19:32

Originally Posted by Darkman

Mmmmm..could work...put like a solenoid in line with the cable somewhere and a buttom to control....

You would need to "feather" or "ease" the clutch in order to seem civil occasionally, so a variable-resistor type action (sliding volume knob) would be required.

And do away with the cable alltogether, mounting a ram to the clutch lever on the side of g/box.

Just a thought...

**Madness** · 2nd June 2006, 19:37

Oh, and I'd try to be sure that I was going to be happy with the bike for a while too.

How's the CBR going? Getting any more used to those revs?

**sAsLEX** · 2nd June 2006, 19:40

Originally Posted by Ixion

Can't clutch and brake at teh same time, but that's unlikely to be a major.

yeah you can one is fingers one is thumb

**sAsLEX** · 2nd June 2006, 19:42

Originally Posted by Darkman

Mmmmm..could work...put like a solenoid in line with the cable somewhere and a buttom to control....

Is it cable actuated?

**Edbear** · 2nd June 2006, 19:45

Haven't the racers got some type of clutchless powershifter? CAn't remember what it's called, but seem to recall it was big news in Pommieland a little while ago. Would leave you with the problem of starting off, but could be worth looking into. Sorry to hear about your accident, bit of a bummer when your keen on bikes, there aren't too many automatic bikes around unless you could find an old Honda CB750A... or perhaps the Suzuki 650 Burger would fill the bill?

**Darkman** · 2nd June 2006, 19:49

Originally Posted by MAXIMUSDEMERITUS

Oh, and I'd try to be sure that I was going to be happy with the bike for a while too.

How's the CBR going? Getting any more used to those revs?

I like the CBR..just struggling with thje clutch....thinking on getting the thou, so I dont have to clutch as much

**Madness** · 2nd June 2006, 20:01

You want to talk to somebody like Mr. Buckley from Buckley Systems Ltd in Auckland. The guy behind the BSL500 a few years ago. Engineering resources and technology with a passion for motorcycling to boot. Get ACC to write to him.

**crashe** · 2nd June 2006, 20:01

Darkman - Contact Onearmedbandit and chat with him.
He has a dude down his way that has coverted his bike levers etc over to the right hand side.
This person maybe also able to help you out.

He may even come up with something that is more suitable for you and your needs.

All the best.