We're trying to install a new top on our 1924 touring but having a hard time getting the bows to look correct - specifically the 2nd bow is too high and the rear bow is back too far.

We actually have two sets of irons that both have the same problem. One set of irons looks like it has been welded, but the other one looks unmodified, except for the cracks that I welded. When the rear bow is pushed up so that it only an inch or less from the back of the car, the second bow looks high and there is a good bit of pressure on the windshield.

Any suggestions are appreciated - thanks.

Bows - hanging without support:


Bows - rear bow pushed up:

Here are the measurements that we took:

John,it appears your back three bows are ok,they just need to be forward. I think there is a slight droup in the iron leading to the front bow. I'll try to take a few measurements tomorrow and see.

John,I just went and checked an original set I have,and The position of the front bow is set by getting the rears upright and the tension is held in place by the straps in the top kit. See page 327 of Bruce's book,and you can kind of see what I'm trying to describe.

Jack's info is right.

You fit the top bows by adjusting the 4th or last bow to be about vertical to the rear body, on the '26-'27 you have about a 1" overhang, on the '25 and earlier a little overhang is ok, but not too much. The #4 has straps going from it to the rear of the back seat.

Then you tie the bow position to #3, and #2 with straps that run to from the #1 bow to #4.



'26-'27 showing the rear bow just overhang at the back seat rest. Fitting prior to adding straps.



Bows in place, strapped and now adding the bow padding prior to fitting the top cover.

Jack and Dan - Thanks, I appreciate the comments. I'm not sure if I missed your point or if my description wasn't clear, but the problem is that when I pull the rear bow forward so that there is only 1" or less of overhang, the second bow is higher than the third (and can't be pulled down) and there is a significant push on the windshield posts. I've tried adjusting the angle on the first bow joint, but that didn't help.

Take the front bow loose from the windshield posts first and then try getting those rear bows where they belong. Then the front bow should fit better.

Try to determine if your windshield is at the correct angle. If it has been pulled back,it can cause the problems you are seeing.

Follow what Dan says. This is critical. I haven't done a touring, but have done a roadster, and even they require a lot of adjusting to get them just right. I gave my rear bow an inch overhang. Use two straps to adjust all the bows. There is a strap inside each pad too.

John

You should spend a few bucks and get Vince's video on how to fit a top to the touring.
Vince owns JV Group Upholstery, and does a fine job in the video, I used it and it really helps. Loaned it to another and got it back, then loaded it to someone else...no return ...yet?

Video page
http://mysite.verizon.net/viaccino/videos.html

JV Group home page
http://mysite.verizon.net/viaccino/

Dan

I know that it might not look like it, but I do have Vince's video (and have watched too! :-) ). Unfortunately the example is a 26-27 which has different irons so it is hard to tell if something is bent on our car from the video. The video is very helpful and it is a good recommendation to watch it.

I played with the irons a little more after work and used some rope in place of the straps (I didn't want a bunch of nail holes in the new straps). I believe the problem is the same - there is too much force pushing the windshield out and the second bow is higher instead of lower than the third bow.

There probably is more than one problem, but I think James might be right that the windshield is pushed back. Not only does installing the top push the windshield forward, but the angle of the windshield posts does not match the angle of the holes in the top locks.

If someone with a top that fits right could measure from the top rear side of the windshield post to the top center of the rear top support bracket I'd appreciate it. (Ours is 56-1/4" without the top up and 57" with the top up).

Thanks... John

John I am no expert but comparing you're pics to some I have of mine [1925] you're windshield looks tilted too much

John, you may be on to something in questioning the angle of the windshield. I put a piece of paper up to the screen and traced the angle on your car, then went out and traced the angle on my '23 touring. Your angle is on the left, mine on the right. Of course, there's no guarantee that mine is at the correct angle.

John, I just got home and measured mine [1925] holding a straight edge on the armrest up to the top I get roughly 14 and a half inches to the center of where the upper windshield pivots, and 13 and three quarters to very top of windshield stanchion, those are taken fron the armrest holding a straight edge and a level

Steve: thanks for the comparison.

Karl: thanks for the data - I found 13-1/8" and 12-1/4" for same measurements. Another measurement was 24-3/4" from the top of the arm rest cap to the top of the windshield post on the rear side.