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Gear Lever Extension
micklax - 17/2/12 at 05:53 PM

I appreciate that this topic may have been covered before, but the only threads I can find are some years old, so I was wondering whether there are any newer solutions.

I am looking to move the gear lever on my Locost, as when strapped into the seat, it is quite a stretch to engage 1st & 3rd having only got short arms!!

I have considered a couple of options, the first one being simply bending the current gear lever a few centimetres which may or may not do the trick.

I have also thought about a second lever bolted to the chassis on the transmission tunnel and connected with a couple of pieces of Aluminium to the shortened original lever.

The other option of course would be to buy something like this:

WESTFIELD CATERHAM 7 DAX LOCOST GEARLEVER EXTENSION | eBay

However if my arms were long enough to reach the bottom of my pockets to retrieve £60 then I probably wouldn't need a gear lever extension!

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
Mick


f750sgr - 17/2/12 at 06:17 PM

I've got 2 Locosts with different arrangements. The Westfield style extension works well with a 5 speed box as it extends 5" backwards. The 4 speed box I use has a remote lever on a bar extending back down the transmission tunnel to a rose joint. The 4 speed arrangement is adjustable for reach, but doesn't look as tidy.

Hope this helps

Sean


steve m - 17/2/12 at 06:28 PM

i also, being a short arse have this problem.

I resorted tomoving the seat nearer the front!


micklax - 17/2/12 at 06:36 PM

Thanks for both those replies.

The idea of extending the linkage from the gearbox scares me a bit as I suspect it might be outside my expertise, I was thinking of something more simple. I'm not particularly concerned with the asthetics just for it to function.

I also tried moving the seat forward but then I couldn't get any clearance between my knees and the side of the chassis and the bottom of the scuttle panel. I must be a bit of a weird shape!!


SALAD - 17/2/12 at 06:45 PM

Wern't there some plans kicking about somewhere to make one of those extensions??

Edit: A HA.... http://www.dwjenkins.plus.com/gear_extend.htm


[Edited on 17/2/12 by SALAD]


micklax - 17/2/12 at 06:52 PM

Have seen those plans while I have been researching this, they look similar to the equipment for sale on ebay.

To be honest I think making something like that is outside my capabilities, but thanks for the pointer.


ernie - 17/2/12 at 07:01 PM

I have a "new and improved" extension. After 7 years this one seems to be the best so far, I will take some snaps for you over the weekend


micklax - 17/2/12 at 07:56 PM

That would be great
Thanks!


jacko - 17/2/12 at 08:25 PM

I cheated and cut the rear part of a 2nd gear box off .
Then made a U section channel to bolt it to the first box [ three top bolts on each part ] where the gear stick bolts on .
The only thing you have to make is a new rod that goes on the end of the first box with the same pin though it
and remove the part that's on the end of the shaft first box and fit it to the new shaft

my car has been like this from the day it went on the road 2004
Jacko


f750sgr - 17/2/12 at 09:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by micklax
Thanks for both those replies.

The idea of extending the linkage from the gearbox scares me a bit as I suspect it might be outside my expertise, I was thinking of something more simple. I'm not particularly concerned with the asthetics just for it to function.




The 4 speed extended version is a rod bolted to a block which is screwed onto the OEM gear stick. The remote stick is clamped to the bar at a convienient position and the rod end is secured further back than my elbow.

The 5 speed 'bought' extension bolts on in place of the OEM stick which itself bolts onto the extension. I gave the plans to make one of these to a machine shop, who came back with the reply that it would be more cost effective to "Buy from Ebay".

Pop along to Silverstone at the end of March and have a look at some of the options available to you.

Sean