but of course I didn't have the forethought when the engine was out to put the little roddy thing onto the clutch fork - after all how hard could it be? 
Aparrently, pretty chuffing hard, not helped by having a (fibre glass tape) wrapped exhaust header right in the way
after a bit of arsing about I decided that what was needed was some sort of tool, so I made one and it popped the plastic clip over the clutch arm in about 5 minutes after a few minor recalibrations with the mole grips 
Behold the engineering wonderment that is the FridgeFreezer Clutch Rod Putter Inner ™:
Tube is ~12mm bore and about 15mm shorter than the clutch rod, metal is about 20mm wide and probably 150mm long all in.
And here's the little blighter engaged on the clutch arm:
