softtop frame questions

[rvj]

Hello everybody,

i'm installing a new softtop on my 1973 spider and i'm having some issues rebuilding my softtop frame.
It looks like i'm missing some parts on the middle bow, and some bolt do not seem correct or like original. Since i have no detailed pictures or manual for the softtop frame, i'm looking for some help on this forum. Can someone provide me some pictures of how things should be. I posted 3 pictures on my flickr account. I tried to post them in this post, but unsuccesfull yet. I hope the link to my flickr page does work.

http://flic.kr/p/cYNM1C

first picture on flickr: the bottom of the bow is threaded, so i guess there should be someting in there. And what about the whole on the side. I can see the thread of the bolt through it. Does it have some sort of function?
second picture: This seems like a self made fix. How is it supposed to look?
third picture: What is the function of this bracket? Is this for fitting the platic trim part (which i don't have)

It would be a great help if anyone would be so kind to send me some pictures of a correct assembled frame.
Thanks so much

Rojan

[81SPIDERMATT]

ok mine is an 81 so i dont know if it is different... but here are some pics...... the first three are of the missing piece..... seems to be a plastic kinda rubbery piece that would keep metal off of metal when top is closed.... might rattle or squeak without it





and with the top almost closed



second item looks like some sort of big rivet on mine and a fix it on yours..... on mine it seems if i had your set up just adding a nut would be fine.... does not seem to be an clearance issues with that fix



and for the last one i can be of no help..... i have one on the passenger side but not the drivers side.... huh



keep me posted... kinda curious now about that last one

[blurple124]

The last one is a bracket for attaching the plastic cover piece. Not vital.

[rvj]

Thanks alot guys!

very clear pictures. I just have to find some rubber rings that will fitt. At least i'm not missing major parts.

Rojan

[rvj]

So i finished and resprayed the frame. I had to weld in a small new strip of metal near the quarter window which was rusted badly.
I glued some new vinyl on the front bow and replaced all rubbers on the rear quarter windows and front bow.

Now i'm ready to install the new top. I've got a written manual, and came accross some very good pictures on the forum here. But i still have a couple of things i'm not sure about.
I just tried the top on and it fits ok, but i'm not sure how to correctly fit or glue the flaps near the rear quarter windows. A part of it should be glued to the bow near the rear window, and the remaining on the quarter window i guess?
There is a flap with velcro just below the other piece, which should be connected to the lower part of the quarter window. I guess normally there should be a piece of velcro on the quarter window, but since my old top and frame where in pretty bad shape , that velcro wasn't there in the first place.

So before I glue the top permanently in place, i would be very interested in pictures of the quarter windows velcro fit, and how the flaps should be glued to the frame and quarter windows.

thanks
Rojan

[81SPIDERMATT]

ok not sure if this will help but here you go

[rvj]

Thank you
So if i'm correct the velcro is just glued to the rear edge of the quarter window. And than you attach the flap with the velcro to that. No special stretching, just to seal the gap.

The other flap i mean is above the one with the velcro, and should be glued to the rear bow in some way.

I don't have the water visors like yours on the photo's. My frame has small metal water collectors under the quarter windows and a small hose for drainage. Or is the water visor just an extra.

Here is a link to a photo of the things i mean.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85828346@N03/7945707326/

Rojan

[80spiddy]

This is an old post I dug up. His last question was never answered, and I ask the same. Are the two flaps by the rear qtr window actually glued to anything or just there as a buffer to the top and hardware as it folds down? I have two flaps already glued to the top bow.