clutch

[richard wyatt]

I have had an above knee amputationn of my left leg;I am very sad at  notbeing able to drivemy sevens.I amthinking of a manually operated [as on motorbike].et up.Has this been done?Any practical solutions would bewelcome.I would have tofarm out any engineering.My RP box would be best to start with -easier to get on board than my 65.

[Tony Griffiths]

Sorry to hear of your trouble. These olders threads might help:
https://www.austinsevenfriends.co.uk/for...#pid105029
https://www.austinsevenfriends.co.uk/for...d#pid98008

[Alan]

Sorry to hear this, Richard. I’m sure a solution exists and that you will find it.

[AustinWood]

These modifications can certainly be done. A friend, with whom I have unfortunately lost touch, was paraplegic so had lost the use of both legs. He had a 4-1/2 litre low chassis Invicta fitted with hand controls and competed in VSCC events. It wasn't simple and was expensive. However the Austin is much simpler and only needs the clutch converted.
I would have thought a control on the gear lever could be used to actuate the clutch. The clutch and gear lever have to be used in conjunction so that would seem to make sense. Power assitance would be needed. I think vacuum is usually used to actuate which might be a complication.
The fierce nature of the Austin clutch might be a challenge.
There are companies that specialise in these conversions. They also know the regulationary requirements. The owner/user probably needs to pass a driving test too.
A friend has MS and can't use her right leg so has had a new Motability Toyota converted so the accelerator can be moved between right and left as required. That's much simpler because it's automatic transmission so only the accelerator is modified. However it takes practice to use the left foot for both accelerator and brake, especially when parallel parking.
A driving test was required.

[Ivor Hawkins]

How about this for an idea?
The Mazda MX5 is available with a small, light automatic gearbox, it’s a conventional front engine, rear wheel drive and the mode4n boxes are very efficient, so it would be too much of a drag on the Seven motor….especially if you put the 65 motor in the RP!

[jpsmit]

I wonder whether a drive train from a UTV/ side by side might work. Similar engine size and displacement and hydraulic transmission

   

[Chris KC]

For my money I'd find a small firm which can do a simple conversion to operate the clutch by hand and be content with that.
Although it's a relatively heavy/ short-stroke clutch, a vacuum servo or hydraulics should make light work of it, if thought through carefully.