TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:23 am

Hey all...I wanted to let you all know that my buddy and I are working on a hand clutch shifter set up so he can drive a buggy again...before his incident over ten years ago buggies were a part of his life...recently I talked him into getting another buggy and we'd figure out a way for him to use the clutch...right now we are in the design stages with a few pieces in place...we will play with the levers to get the throw and adjust the pressure by playing with the linkage so it will not be so hard on the hand...I will be back later with some pictures of his setup and let you all know how the feel is...so far it is a mechanical/hydraulic setup that should perform good...this setup will also work for those who have bad knees or just want something different.

Any suggestions and comments will be appreciated, and thanks for your interest :D

VWM

Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:22 am

If you were to switch over to Hydraulic slave cylinder for the clutch I would imagine a cable handle from a motorcycle going to a Hydraulic booster would do the trick, the foot can exert enough pressure thru levelage that a booster is not needed for a pedal, but not sure a handle squeeze would get it done.
http://www.appletreeauto.com/cnc-slave-cylinder-blue-c-114-p-1-pr-140.html

Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:10 am

GhiaBatman, that is a nice clutch setup you have...I too moved the forward mount up to eliminate binding...and yes we are using a MC clutch handle...we will play with the linkage to try and get a nicer hand pressure...too much will make driving a chore...we choose a 7/8" master bore size that is mounted above the slave at the rear of the buggy...we just cut the VW clutch pedal off to make more room for his feet...to stop the buggy we are using dual handle turning brakes as there are no front brakes on this buggy...just throw it in neutral and pull back on the levers...stopping on hills might be a bit of a challenge though :lol:

Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:16 am

How about a VW AUTOSTICK.... Has clutch engagement/disengagement in shift lever (electric over vacuum servo) .....

Dale

Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:26 am

Dale M. wrote: How about a VW AUTOSTICK.... Has clutch engagement/disengagement in shift lever (electric over vacuum servo) .....

Dale

Well, you know how it goes...the tranny is already installed and buggy complete and we are working with what we got...plus locating a autostick here in NM would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:26 am

veeweeman wrote: GhiaBatman, that is a nice clutch setup you have...I too moved the forward mount up to eliminate binding...and yes we are using a MC clutch handle...we will play with the linkage to try and get a nicer hand pressure...too much will make driving a chore...we choose a 7/8" master bore size that is mounted above the slave at the rear of the buggy...we just cut the VW clutch pedal off to make more room for his feet...to stop the buggy we are using dual handle turning brakes as there are no front brakes on this buggy...just throw it in neutral and pull back on the levers...stopping on hills might be a bit of a challenge though :lol:

haha, not my car, wish... :lol: I was trying to make idea of slave visual. but yeah to finish my statement (sounds like you have what i'm thinking) i would mount the clutch handle on the shifter and run it to a small brake booster off a Geo or Similar and go hydraulic from there

Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:09 pm

Hey veeweeman

We are doing the same thing for a customer and freind.

My thread on Woodsbuggy.com

Feel free to offer suggesions or make comments.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:56 pm

I've built something like that for a FSAE racer. It was almost like mounting a motorbike clutch on the shifter. It was a bike tranny so it just had to go back & forth to shift.

Mon Mar 22, 2010 12:58 pm

Have you figured out how much fuid it takes to operate the slave cylinder?
you could make a t handle style sifter with a motorcycle handle bare brake master cylinder on it.