Dan,
What can I say?. You are a multi-talented Renaissance Man...
Now I know that you can sew, if you tell me you can cook, I'm moving in.
Excellent solution but I know 427 Street (Frank) will never talk to you again with a non-OEM part without date, hour, part number and Remington fingerprints on it.
As always I have a highly effective counter-solution:
if you hold tension on the handle while touching 5500RPM (in each gear) and just 'stab' the clutch pedal, you will remove
ALL resistance in the gears and handle. It's called a 'power shift' and drag racers live by it.
Be ready to catch the sideslip as the tires fight for grip. Bring fresh underwear the first few times but then you will have developed a wicked, shrieking laugh.
Enjoy.
