New One Man Top sagging in middle

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: New One Man Top sagging in middle
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Mettling on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 11:19 am:

hi all-

I bought a brand new top iron kit from the suppliers - wood, irons and top clamps. Also a new top. I got a call from the upholstery shop saying that it seems incomplete. There is nothing to hold up the top bows from sagging at the first bow pivot on my 23 touring. I thought that the straps help prop it up but need to confirm no other clamps are needed. any suggestions? thanks!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Mettling on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 11:27 am:

this was the bow kit before I painted and did a test fit. circle is the area in question.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andre Valkenaers on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 11:49 am:

Brian,

Normally there should be two black straps in the kit. They go from the back to the front and keep the bows in place.
This is how we did it a few years ago on the 1926 touring.

Good luck

Andre
Belgium


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 11:49 am:

I searched on the forum for "one man touring top bows" and found the two pictures below. Note in the second picture the two strings that run from front to back to temporarily hold the top bows into position. I don't think you're missing anything, there are two hefty straps that run from the front bow to the rear bow, and two even heftier straps that run from the rear bow down to the body that help set the geometry of the top.

When I did the one-man roadster top on my 1924 touring / pickup conversion, I had the same issue, the top irons seemed floppy. Once the hefty straps were installed they solved the problem.

I have also added a picture of my roadster top installation in progress showing the straps, the ones for a touring top will be longer, of course.

top01

top02

top03


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Mettling on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 11:53 am:

that's what I thought.....the straps do it. as always, thanks guys!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 11:56 am:

The instructions that came with the top kit should have specific instructions on how and where where to locate and staple or tack the straps (at least mine did, I got my top kit from Classtique).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Mettling on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 12:22 pm:

yeah mine came from Classtique too, good materials and quality. Issue here was more convincing my upholstery team that nothing else was needed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 12:29 pm:

Unless your kit came with them, you may need the top pads also.
http://www.modeltford.com/item/TPT27.aspx


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 01:05 pm:

Tell the shop they can call or email Elizabeth at Classtique if they have any questions or think something is missing, she was very helpful to me while I was doing my home installation.

http://www.classtiqueupholstery.com/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Mettling on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 01:06 pm:

ohh no I don't think I had that. I'll get that too. thanks!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 05:54 pm:

It is very important to get the rear bow the correct distance above the rear body panel (not the distance above the floor). Also the distance between front and rear top bows and they should be the same on both sides. The top should have come with instructions concerning the correct distances. Then try the rear panel on with just a few tacks but don't cut anything. Try the top on too. If everything seems to fit, then you can tack. Start with the center first. Find the center of the bow and the center of the material and tack toward the sides. That way you will have everything centered. After you get everything to fit, you can trim off the excess material, but don't trim until you are sure.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris from Long Beach & Big Bear on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 06:38 pm:

I always leave the to unlatched at the front. Then when it is all tacked, I latch it and it pulls out the sag.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - 10:25 am:

The pads are very important. I made new ones for my '13 roadster, and was having trouble with fitting the top. It turned out I didn't put enough padding in the pads. After I installed more padding, it corrected the problem.


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