Roadster Top Questions

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2010: Roadster Top Questions
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Howard Tobias on Wednesday, August 04, 2010 - 11:30 am:

1)How do you properly fold down a '25 roadster top?
2)How do you reattach the strap that goes from front to the back. Mine is detached from the part above the windshield.
3)There is a little flap at the front lip of the top, does that attach to the windshield or just lay in front of it?
I'm assuming the top is a replacement, because the back windows are really clear and the wood bows are not wrapped.
Howard


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Wednesday, August 04, 2010 - 12:28 pm:

The most important thing you have noted is number 2. This strap holds everything together. Without it, all the strain is on the top material, and your top will soon tear and stretch. You will need to take out the tacks from the front bow, to expose the bow, and then tack the strap. You might need someone to hold the top while you do this, because you will likely need to loosen the front connections to the windshield to take some tension off the strap while you do this. After you get the strap firmly attached, then tack the top back on the bow. And tack the hidum strip over the tacks.

When you fold the top down, you just need to be sure it is not pinched between the bows so it does not wear a hole in it. It's best to use a boot to keep the top from flapping in the breeze as you drive along. It looks better too.

The flap in front is called the "windbreaker" and it is supposed to keep the wind from blowing over the windshield. It doesn't work very well at high speeds, as it tends to blow in. The Model A had snaps along the top of the windshield to cure this problem, but the T did not.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George on Wednesday, August 04, 2010 - 12:41 pm:

Norman nailed it quite well, but I'll share something that someone else shared with me from this forum recently. I haven't tried it myself, but it makes sense.

Lifting the front to reattach the strap and putting it back down may leave a top sag no matter how hard you try. I have always anchored the front and adjusted ALL tension in the top fabric from the back bow. Old habit, always works......

What I'll share is a tidbit that I just learned as working the back bow has 2 issues, the back panel and the top panel. What has been said to me is to undo the front hold down straps, allow the nose to lift a bit naturally. Then reattach the front, center out just snug....then when you attach the straps it is just enough stretch to make it all nice and tight, and the back does not then need to be disturbed.

I haven't had the chance to try it myself yet, but as I think it through...it sounds pretty good.

For anyone who has ever installed a top 'crooked' no matter how minor...you know what I mean when you try and fix it with a stretch here, stretch there from the rear :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR. on Wednesday, August 04, 2010 - 10:25 pm:

To add to what Norm said, the windbreaker is supposed to stay in front of the windshield and keep everything all neat and dry. In real life, mine always blew up and over the top of the windshield where it did little good. Wind and rain blew up and over as well. I installed four "Lift-a-dot" fasteners to the windshield frame and the lower edge of the windbreaker so it stays in place. It works very well now, and it even keeps the rain out!


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