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Sacramento Installation Help?



 
 
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  #11  
Old September 22nd 05, 04:31 AM
Christopher Muto
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even assuming that the rain rail was not riveted, to partially remove the
top would mean drilling out the two rivets on each side of the boot area,
removing weather-stripping from both sides, removing the b pillar clip, and
dislocating the top fabric form the second and third bow.... the only
difference between this and a complete new install is removing the top from
the front edge, and being careful about doing all the above (something that
you don't have to worry about when you are going to toss out the old top.
if i were to get this deep into it i would spend the $500 on a quality new
top with glass zip/non-zip window. it took me and a competent friend 8
hours to do and in that face of that i would suggest waiting for their to be
some other need to replace the top (ie damage or wear) rather than just for
the convenience of folding down the top. just my 2¢.

"XS11E" > wrote in message
...
> (Leon van Dommelen) wrote in:
>
>> If the top was installed professionally,

>
> It was.
>
>> it is probably not riveted to the rain rail and partial deinstall might
>> not be that bad, depending on what exactly needs to be done.

>
> The problem is that I don't know what needs to be done nor do I know of a
> top
> shop that might. That's why I was asking if there were any written
> instructions anywhere as to how to modify a top into a "no zip" window.
>
> I learned this from Christopher Muto:
>
> "you also might want to ask them about installing the top so that you
> don't
> have to unzip the window (they add a couple of straps between the second
> and
> third bow and the rainrail... makes life much easier."
>
> and this also from Christopher Muto:
>
> "as for retrofitting a top for no-zip after installation i think
> it would be a problem... not only because of the drilling required to be
> made into the bows to make rivet holes to secure the necessary straps
> (dangerously close to the top if already installed if even possible to get
> a
> drill in the correct position), but because the no-zip installation means
> not having the top connected to the second and third bow (no fabric flap
> from the top that is secured into the metal slot of the bow and a cover
> put
> on the bow to prevent snags with that metal slot). i suppose that one
> could
> disconnect the top from the bows, remove the flaps and cover the bows, but
> don't see how one could drill the rivet holes and attach the straps that
> are
> necessary to return the bows to the proper upright position (necessary if
> the bows are not connected to the top for positioning)."
>
> So...... if the top can be partially deinstalled to make the
> modifications,
> that would be nice but how can I find someone who can do the work? I
> could
> ask my Mazda dealer but all he'll tell me is to buy a new car. <sigh>
>
> What I would really like to find is an illustrated step-by-step
> instructions
> for doing this, then I'd feel confident taking the car to a local shop, I
> believe once the shop knew it could be done and saw how it was done
> there'd
> be no problem doing the conversion........ maybe....
>
> Meanwhile I'll keep zippering I guess, if I had the instructions and found
> a
> good shop I probably couldn't afford it anyway.... <sigh>
>
> Oh, one more thing. I've read about how folks can reach back and grab the
> top to put it up. There's no way that works on my car! Maybe Superman
> could
> reach back and grab the top but I sure can't, I have to get out of the car
> and grunt and groan to get it to start up. Any idea what might be wrong?
>
>



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  #12  
Old September 22nd 05, 06:35 AM
XS11E
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"Christopher Muto" > wrote in:

> it took me and a competent friend 8 hours to do and in that face of that
> i would suggest waiting for their to be some other need to replace the
> top (ie damage or wear) rather than just for the convenience of folding
> down the top.


Got to agree. I'll just keep zipping....

  #13  
Old September 22nd 05, 08:46 AM
Eric Baber
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> Oh, one more thing. I've read about how folks can reach back and grab the
> top to put it up. There's no way that works on my car! Maybe Superman
> could
> reach back and grab the top but I sure can't, I have to get out of the car
> and grunt and groan to get it to start up. Any idea what might be wrong?


My guess would be that either your arms are too short :-) or you're not
seated at the right angle.

If I sit in the normal driving position, i.e. facing forward, and reach my
arm behind me, I can grab hold of the handle to lift the folded roof.
However, my arm is fully extended, and the elbow "locked". In that position,
there's no way I can lift the roof - something about the physics of the
locked elbow, I think. If, however, I start by twisting in the seat so I'm
sitting sideways and then reach for the handle, I can comfortably grab it
without my elbow locking, i.e. my arm's not fully extended. In this position
I am able to lift the roof, though it does take a fair bit of lifting. Try
that, that might do the trick.

Eric


  #14  
Old September 22nd 05, 03:57 PM
XS11E
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Posts: n/a
Default

"Eric Baber" > wrote in:

>> Oh, one more thing. I've read about how folks can reach back and grab
>> the top to put it up. There's no way that works on my car! Maybe
>> Superman could reach back and grab the top but I sure can't, I have to
>> get out of the car and grunt and groan to get it to start up. Any idea
>> what might be wrong?

>
> My guess would be that either your arms are too short :-) or you're not
> seated at the right angle.


I'm 6'4" with very long arms and I've tried sitting every which way. The
only way that I can raise the top is to stand beside the car, grab the handle
and the edge of the top and lift, exerting around 60 zillion pounds of force.
Once it moves a couple of inches it's almost effortless but that first bit of
movement requires one huge tug. I'm pretty sure that's not normal.
  #15  
Old September 22nd 05, 05:03 PM
Tex
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On Thu, 22 Sep 2005 07:57:29 -0700, XS11E >
wrote:

>"Eric Baber" > wrote in:
>
>>> Oh, one more thing. I've read about how folks can reach back and grab
>>> the top to put it up. There's no way that works on my car! Maybe
>>> Superman could reach back and grab the top but I sure can't, I have to
>>> get out of the car and grunt and groan to get it to start up. Any idea
>>> what might be wrong?

>>
>> My guess would be that either your arms are too short :-) or you're not
>> seated at the right angle.

>
>I'm 6'4" with very long arms and I've tried sitting every which way. The
>only way that I can raise the top is to stand beside the car, grab the handle
>and the edge of the top and lift, exerting around 60 zillion pounds of force.
>Once it moves a couple of inches it's almost effortless but that first bit of
>movement requires one huge tug. I'm pretty sure that's not normal.


With this added info....I'd guess maybe it is a weight problem. Do you
weigh more than a hundred pounds?

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  #16  
Old September 22nd 05, 05:29 PM
XS11E
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Posts: n/a
Default

Tex > wrote in:

> With this added info....I'd guess maybe it is a weight problem. Do you
> weigh more than a hundred pounds?


Just slightly more. I weigh 100 pounds plus a few ounces... 2,400 ounces to
be exact...

  #17  
Old September 22nd 05, 05:41 PM
Christopher Muto
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Posts: n/a
Default

re lifting the top from the drivers seat...
someone in the big apple miata club came up with this contraption... he
sells them too for something like $15 plus shipping.
http://miata.cardomain.com/ride/273010/11
contact info found in the classified section of http://bigapplemiata.org

"XS11E" > wrote in message
...
> (Leon van Dommelen) wrote in:
>
>> If the top was installed professionally,

>
> It was.
>
>> it is probably not riveted to the rain rail and partial deinstall might
>> not be that bad, depending on what exactly needs to be done.

>
> The problem is that I don't know what needs to be done nor do I know of a
> top
> shop that might. That's why I was asking if there were any written
> instructions anywhere as to how to modify a top into a "no zip" window.
>
> I learned this from Christopher Muto:
>
> "you also might want to ask them about installing the top so that you
> don't
> have to unzip the window (they add a couple of straps between the second
> and
> third bow and the rainrail... makes life much easier."
>
> and this also from Christopher Muto:
>
> "as for retrofitting a top for no-zip after installation i think
> it would be a problem... not only because of the drilling required to be
> made into the bows to make rivet holes to secure the necessary straps
> (dangerously close to the top if already installed if even possible to get
> a
> drill in the correct position), but because the no-zip installation means
> not having the top connected to the second and third bow (no fabric flap
> from the top that is secured into the metal slot of the bow and a cover
> put
> on the bow to prevent snags with that metal slot). i suppose that one
> could
> disconnect the top from the bows, remove the flaps and cover the bows, but
> don't see how one could drill the rivet holes and attach the straps that
> are
> necessary to return the bows to the proper upright position (necessary if
> the bows are not connected to the top for positioning)."
>
> So...... if the top can be partially deinstalled to make the
> modifications,
> that would be nice but how can I find someone who can do the work? I
> could
> ask my Mazda dealer but all he'll tell me is to buy a new car. <sigh>
>
> What I would really like to find is an illustrated step-by-step
> instructions
> for doing this, then I'd feel confident taking the car to a local shop, I
> believe once the shop knew it could be done and saw how it was done
> there'd
> be no problem doing the conversion........ maybe....
>
> Meanwhile I'll keep zippering I guess, if I had the instructions and found
> a
> good shop I probably couldn't afford it anyway.... <sigh>
>
> Oh, one more thing. I've read about how folks can reach back and grab the
> top to put it up. There's no way that works on my car! Maybe Superman
> could
> reach back and grab the top but I sure can't, I have to get out of the car
> and grunt and groan to get it to start up. Any idea what might be wrong?
>
>



  #18  
Old September 22nd 05, 07:58 PM
XS11E
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Christopher Muto" > wrote in:

> re lifting the top from the drivers seat...
> someone in the big apple miata club came up with this contraption... he
> sells them too for something like $15 plus shipping.
> http://miata.cardomain.com/ride/273010/11
> contact info found in the classified section of http://bigapplemiata.org


That looks like a great idea but it requires a roll bar in order to work...



  #19  
Old September 23rd 05, 12:53 AM
Leon van Dommelen
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Posts: n/a
Default

XS11E > wrote:

>"Christopher Muto" > wrote in:
>
>> re lifting the top from the drivers seat...
>> someone in the big apple miata club came up with this contraption... he
>> sells them too for something like $15 plus shipping.
>> http://miata.cardomain.com/ride/273010/11
>> contact info found in the classified section of http://bigapplemiata.org

>
>That looks like a great idea but it requires a roll bar in order to work...


Not if you are 6'4". Just get a cap with a pulley under 45 degrees from front.
When ready to close the top, just put the rope on the pulley and pull the
handle with your left hand. Presto: top closes easily with one hand only.

If I twist sideways, my right arm is blocked and my left hand misses
the handle by at least a foot.

Leon
--
Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
  #20  
Old September 23rd 05, 01:07 AM
pws
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Posts: n/a
Default

Christopher Muto wrote:
> re lifting the top from the drivers seat...
> someone in the big apple miata club came up with this contraption... he
> sells them too for something like $15 plus shipping.
> http://miata.cardomain.com/ride/273010/11
> contact info found in the classified section of http://bigapplemiata.org


Wow! What a simple and excellent idea. I have had a rollbar for 6+ years
now in two different miatas and one downside has always been the
increased difficulty of lowering and raising the top from inside the car.

Thanks for the link Chris,

Pat
 




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