Hood fitted.

[john 4d]

What a great weekend, rain forecast for Sunday, not a drop. So I managed to complete the fitting of my new hood on my old restored frame. Just one or two questions though.
1). My new hood has two elastic straps sewn into both sides of the rear window zipper, what are they for? They have female 'poppers' to attach somewhere, but where?
2). I'm going to follow this forum's advise on stowing the hood with the rear window unzipped, mainly because I can't see how the hood would fold into the stowage well without doing so, the zipped folded plastic window seems to cut across the back seat rail to much and would have to be manually distorted to fit around, is this normal?
3). When raising the elbow rail to the vertical locking position, the folds of the material seem to want to tangle with the locking mechanism. I thought that the guide or hold off wires were supposed to protect the folds from becoming entangled?
John4d
P.S.
In the time it took me to write this I was once again logged out! Thank goodness for cut and paste.

[V Mad]

John, if you must unzip the window, do it with care, and I would advise against doing this while the hood is under tension; unlock the rear catch first. You can fold the hood without unzipping; but the window may need to be pushed back by hand, as some hood windows are very thick gauge. For winter stowage, if fitting the hard top only then I would unzip. The rear hoop has holes at the sides where you can fit (rivet) press studs (male part). These might be used for restraining the window if unzipped? But I cant see the point myself.

[john 4d]

Thanks Chris,
I've heeded your advice about not unzipping under tension before. Those elasticated straps, do they also help pull the fly stick back towards the elbow rail during the opening action by any chance? Any suggestions about controlling the folds, or is that a hood to hood specific issue that just a matter of taking care during folding?
John4d

[JesusofCool]

If you do store the hood with the wimdow unzipped, it's a good idea to wrap a rag around the catch so it doesn't rub on the "window". I store mine unzipped and also rolled, with two webbing / velcro strips to secure (like the wind deflector connectors to the T Bar) which prevents it creasing. Still has to be maneouvred behind the rear seat when lowering though.

[V Mad]

Thanks Chris,
I've heeded your advice about not unzipping under tension before. Those elasticated straps, do they also help pull the fly stick back towards the elbow rail during the opening action by any chance? Any suggestions about controlling the folds, or is that a hood to hood specific issue that just a matter of taking care during folding?
John4d

The elastic straps with the press studs dont help with hood folding, but the ones on the flysticks are supposed to if they are strong enough. Its always best to check the folds are not getting caught in the side catches before closing the back hoop up. Some seem to fold ok, others just seem to get in the way.

[john 4d]

but the ones on the flysticks are supposed to if they are strong enough.

There are more?
Photo's please!
john4d

[V Mad]

There are more?
Photo's please!
john4d

These straps are attached at one end to the flystick (the hoop that goes just above the window) where the tubular bit joins the flat bar; to the top of the B-post seal plate near the top. I dont think I have a piccy. Perhaps someone has?

[john 4d]

I store mine unzipped and also rolled, with two webbing / velcro strips to secure

Again photos please, sound like a plan. I've unzipped my window and the simple matter of laying it down on the closed tonneau prior to raising the elbow rail has caused me some grief, the chromed/st.st. strip that lines the tonneau's inner edge is slightly proud on its upper edge and has quite a sharp edge, enough to shave a slight scuff on my brand new plastic, I'm not too happy but I guess it's now christened for the inevitable future abuse.
John4d

[john 4d]

Perhaps someone has?

I have one of these, torn and stretched and unusable, and I never really knew where it belonged. Lets hope someone can come up with a photo. I wonder where replacements can be obtained and can they be retro fitted?

[john 4d]

Is this the strap in question? Close up required please! Photo from frame currently on auction in ebay.
John4dan old frame.jpg

[V Mad]

Yes thats the one.

[Duncan Skye]

Dear John4d,

Here's the best I have from my old hood strip-down.

Hope they're of some help,

Duncan, Skye.
ds_25 - Elastic Retainer to Rail Location.jpgds_25a - Elastic Strap Location.jpgds_28 - Securing Flap to 'B' Pillar 1 JPG - Copy.jpg

[john 4d]

Duncan,
Thanks, but what a sorry frame, I hope it was salvageable!
I can just make out that one end is sandwiched between the 'B' post seal carrier and the portion of the hood which is held down by the seal channel. Dammed if that's going to be a pain retrofitting. How much trouble am I going to be in if I left it out?

flystick elastic.jpg

This is one salvaged from mine, with your pictures it makes sense now.
John4D

[Duncan Skye]

Hello again. Yes, the trouble with the climate here is that you need to start with two of everything just to get something decent to be getting on with. I'll be fitting these elastic straps when I get started on the soft coverings. From memory, these elastic straps are the only things that pull the fly bar up when you erect the hood, and the elastic keeps the bar in about the right position whilst that is hapenning. If not fitted, the bar would probably stay down whilst the rest of the hood went up. I don't know why there weren't pockets to take it on my hood(s) but guess there must be some reason why Triumph preferred elastic.

Good luck with it!
Duncan, Skye