John,
Just this week I have done exactly what you need to do. I did place new
straps over the top frame. I used seat belt strap material. The straps are
screwed on the top of the front bow, go below the second bow (with the 'U'
shaped brackets holding it up high), and then the straps go over the rear
bow and are held in place with the flat brackets. At least this is how I
installed them.
If you are missing the brackets to hold the straps in place, they are easy
to manufacture. I cut and bent one of the 'U' shaped brackets out of some
heavy guage steel. The brackets are held in place with #6 or #8 screws.
I think that a better solution at the front bow would be to place a thin
piece of sheet metal over the strap and then rivet the whole works. This
will lead to less 'bump' over this area resulting in a cleaner look. I may
yet do this.
I also converted from cables to velcro. I bought a Robbins top from Sunbeam
Specialties (its been boxed up in my basement for about 10 years) and it
had the velcro (fuzzy part) built in. All I had to do was glue/screw some
velcro loop material over the side frames. BTW, this Robbins top has
EXCEPTIONAL build quality. I am very impressed with it.
If you would like dimensions for the straps, let me know and I'll measure.
I see this as a 'cut to fit' type of exercise, as all tops/frames are
slightly different due to age/accidents and the like.
Brad Sahr
brsahr(at)imation.com
John Slade <edalsj(at)igs.net> on 09/10/98 11:51:13 AM
Please respond to John Slade <edalsj(at)igs.net>
To: Alpine List <alpines(at)autox.team.net>
cc: (bcc: Brad R. Sahr/MIPP/Imation)
Subject: Soft top frame trivia
With the car (S IV) in the paint process, am turning to other items.
This morning I tackled the front bow of the soft top. I have no old top
to compare, but do have a new one from SS.
There are the tag ends of three canvas type straps screwed into the top
rear of the bow, each with three sheet metal screws heavily taped over,
presumably to avoid damage to the top as it stretches over them. There
are no signs of straps going forward on the front cross support of the
rear frame (there are straps going to the rear support), though there
are some unidentified holes, possibly for rivets to hold straps. My
question is....am I correct in deducing that there should be straps
there? Might they have been removed previously because there was
assessed to have been of no use? Should they be replaced, and if so, can
anyone provide approximate dimensions for the straps? Any preferred type
of material?
Also, has anyone converted a wire tensioned top system to a velcro top.
Are there any problems that I should anticipate since I intend to do
that.
Thanks for your help
John Slade
Manotick, ON
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