Whoever was guilty for the design of the Convertible top on my Cat 7 needs shooting

[DB6]

So,
thought I would take it out of the box and put it on, looks like its not been on 4 a few years.
What a nitemare,I think I have done serious and permanent injury to my back, neck and fingers!
It is the most ludicrous piece of crap I have ever seen, then how the hell do I get in,lol.
I think I will just carry the toneau and a big brolly.
Seriously tho, does anyone ever drive with the full wet gear up, I would rather be buried alive.:7rain:

[pksurveyor]

I used the half top from Soft Bit For Seven. The Caterham top is in the closet and has never been on the car.

[DB6]

What is this "half top" deal, any pics / links,
Cheers
David

[yellowss7]

I didn't include the top in my order as I figured I'd never be able to get it with it on.

I did like Jon's. (Boxologist) I think it is a Soft bits for Sevens design. It has velcroed sections that you can peel back when the top is up and just step in. Pretty neat design. I'm sure he'll chime in to give a more accurate description.

Tom

[DB6]

Thanks Guys,
Yes I would like some more info on other options, the Caterham gear is a waste of time.

[scannon]

This seems strange, I've had the top and side curtains on my Caterham many times. Its quite simple and takes less than 5 minutes. Have you RTFM?

I always carry them in the boot as you never know when an afternoon shower/downpour will show up around here.

As old, overweight and creaky as I am, I find it only slightly more difficult to get in and out with the top and side curtains on than with them off.

I even had to run with the top up at a track event because I didn't have arm restraints
http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1839659179_SkipCannon-ZC.jpg


YMMV,

Skip

[DB6]

Well all I can say is that either you are David Blane's brother or you have a totally diff design, mine is on a 1984 S Sprint and is factory original.It really is useless for me as I am not a deformed leprachaun ( who must have been the test dummy for the design).

By the way what is ... RTFM? is that the yoga class I need to go to so I can wriggle in like a snake,lol.

[pksurveyor]

http://www.softbitsforsevens.co.uk/

[scannon]

My Caterham is an SV so it has a 4" wider and 3" longer cockpit. The width won't make any difference but the length might make it a bit easier. As far as mods, it is factory stock in the cockpit area, only mods are in the drive train.

RTFM = Read The F...ing Manual (a standard internet term ;) ). The manual gives sort of a sequence for installing the top.

I'm no relative to David Blane nor are there any contortionists in my family. I'm a 64 year old, 250 lb, 5' 9" couch potato with a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder.

Skip

[DB6]

we have much in common Skip, lol.
By the way I hear the Caterham Manual did not exsist in 84,lol.

[oilteq]

Does everyone on this list live in warm climates? When the topic of weather gear comes up, rain is discussed, but not cold. I live in the Midwest and drove my Birkin in temperatures down to freezing. The weather gear and heater made it possible. Yes, you have to be a contortionis to get in, and if you have a passenger, he or she had better be a close friend. And the blind spots are huge. But weather gear extends the number days you can drive in cold climates.

[Kitcat]

I use the top on my Caterham a lot: rain is no stranger to the Midwest. The first time I put it up it took 45'. Now it's under 5'. I also use it to extend the driving season into the colder months.

With practice, you will develop a technique for getting in/out smoothly (Although not gracefully).

Mike

[Davemk1]

If it's just chilly - say down to 35* I use the side curtains and a warm coat, hat and gloves. If it's colder than that or if it is threatening rain I use the full top on my Birkin.

I do a lot of out of town autocross events that I drive to and they always seem to let out at that time in the afternoon when there are thunderstorms forming. So I have the top with me when I get far away from home. It's saved me more than once. Hail really hurts!

My top was made locally by an auto top and seat guy and he modeled it after my stock Birkin top. I needed a new one made to deal with the tall roll bar I made. It takes a few minutes to erect if it's sunny and forever it it's raining :) Overall I like it and it keeps me dry but I like driving without it best.

Dave


http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1762733796_DSC_3839.jpg

[scannon]

we have much in common Skip, lol.
By the way I hear the Caterham Manual did not exsist in 84,lol.

Here's the sequence I use.

1. After opening the boot all the way, lift the hood sticks and make sure the straps are at their loosest position as well as aligned on the hood sticks with the point where they attach to the rear of the car.

2. Unfold the top and lay it over the hood sticks and snap it to the windscreen header.

3. Make sure the hood sticks are still in their up and forward position and then begin snapping the rear snaps. Some sequences work better than others here. Experiment with starting at the middle of the back and working to the sides and vice versa.

4. When all snaps are in place, climb in the car and fasten the velcro around the hood stick, then reach over your shoulder and pull the loose end of each strap forward until the top is nice and taut. This became a little more difficult when I changed from the standard roll bar to the Caged version with the double diagonal cross braces.

5. Install the side curtains.

If you have permanently mounted side mirrors, the side curtains will not stay open by themselves making it a little more difficult to get in and out.

Getting in and out of a Caterham is never a graceful act especially with the top in place.

With the top on I stick my right foot into the footwell, bend over as far forward as I can then extend my right hand onto the center console and sort of back into the cockpit. When I am mostly in, I put my left hand on the cockpit sill and use both arms to hold my butt above the seat while I draw in my left leg. Then I can sit down, unfold and start to breathe again. Top or not, I always slide the seat all the way back before exiting the car. Makes it much easier to get my feet and legs under the steering wheel.

Ohhh, to be 30 years younger and 75 lb lighter!

Skip

[Boxologist]

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/8992/2239031920099946657S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2239031920099946657FMidVA)

oddly my best pic of the 1/2 hood w/ double e-z in option. zipper sealed w/ velcro on the top mor better wind and precipitation protection. not as rigid as a one piece, but its very convienent.

I never complain about the standard Caterham hood. if someone larger and older than me can get into, i can swallow my pride and look as ungainly as the next schmo sliding/falling in. Because everyone else looks funny once ur inside!

[Sean]

I don't have a top at all for my car, which I now think is odd, because I have actually been referred to as a "deformed leprechaun" in the past at least once (that I know of!). ISYN*



* "ISYN" stands for "I Kid You Not"

[MoPho]

What's this rain and cold weather you speak of? :D

[scannon]

What's this rain and cold weather you speak of? :D

It's what the rest of the country gets in lieu of the four seasons of Southern California:

Earthquake, fire, riot and flood. ;)

Skip

[sparecr]

I have run with my top on a few times. I would even more but the fact I have 4 huge air filters that hang off my webers into the air makes me worry about sucking water. Since it is a 74/78 model it probally has the closest top toto the one that started the discussion. It is tough to get on (I would imagine after 4 yrs of no use it may have shrunk a bit, heat it up, a sunny July day works good, and it will go on easier.) Start at the windshield and work back, yes you will wonder if the windshield will break. After it is up it is no more diffcult to get in than a hardtop Elise. The noise well...

Biggest problem are the old school side screens, the later model hign-vis work much better.

[MoPho]

It's what the rest of the country gets in lieu of the four seasons of Southern California:

Earthquake, fire, riot and flood. ;)

Skip


I only get earthquake season where I live, but that's like only once ever ten years or so, and if you are prepared before hand, it will make a good James Bond Martini :D

[Al Navarro]

Here is a pic of the half hood on my old/Morgan's current Superlight.


http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/240459641_picture-7.jpg

Note that Jill fits these things for specific models, years, and roll bars...the top on Mr. Orange (see Morgan, I am open to change!) actually fits not so perfectly now that it has the FIA rollbar by Caged instead of the "r500" style bar that it came with.

So, be sure to send photos and measure roll bar height/width/cant if ordering. I would be remiss if I didn't tell you RMSCI sells these for Jill here in the USA. They might be pricier, but the exchange rate sucks as it is, and you'll save on international phone calls.

-Al

[slomove]

I only get earthquake season where I live, but that's like only once ever ten years or so, and if you are prepared before hand, it will make a good James Bond Martini :D

I like to pull people's legs with our fabulous CA weather, especially when it is snow shoveling season everywhere else.

But to be honest, it can be frickin' cold here...Last Thanksgiving trip with the local 7eners we drove off at decent temperatures here in Pasadena, just with a light sweat shirt. When we crossed over Los Padres NF on Cerro Noroestre Road the temperature dipped below 40 which was not that nice. Coming down into Taft, Rosie and I stormed the next Target store, first to thaw a little and then to buy some fleece windbreakers.

On my Sunday morning runs into the Angeles NF area in Winter I pay special attention to the ice sheets in corners where water runs across the road.

But, after all Winter is prime blatting season in SoCal.

BTW, below is my home made roll-up half-top. Major benefit is I can close it while sitting inside in a few seconds. It is mainly used for hot weather but it makes also for a decent rain-top. Together with the wind deflectors I haven been driving for hours in heavy rain with only the elbows getting wet.
http://home.earthlink.net/~slomove/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leftfront.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~slomove/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/rolling.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~slomove/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/rolledup.jpg

Gert

[MoPho]

I like to pull people's legs with our fabulous CA weather, especially when it is snow shoveling season everywhere else.

But to be honest, it can be frickin' cold here...Last Thanksgiving trip with the local 7eners we drove off at decent temperatures here in Pasadena, just with a light sweat shirt. When we crossed over Los Padres NF on Cerro Noroestre Road the temperature dipped below 40 which was not that nice. Coming down into Taft, Rosie and I stormed the next Target store, first to thaw a little and then to buy some fleece windbreakers.

On my Sunday morning runs into the Angeles NF area in Winter I pay special attention to the ice sheets in corners where water runs across the road.

But, after all Winter is prime blatting season in SoCal.




Well I am New England Transplant, so above 32 degrees in winter is shorts and t-shirt weather :D
Admittedly, each year I become more acclimated to the temps here, when I first moved I laughed at all the people wearing winter coats in 40 deg temps, now I freeze my arse off :ack:

I've been up on Cerro Noroestre Road to find there was a couple of feet of snow :eek:

[MHKflyer52]

I only get earthquake season where I live, but that's like only once ever ten years or so, and if you are prepared before hand, it will make a good James Bond Martini :D

It (earthquake season) also makes my recliner a back massager due to the vibrations (waves) of the quake when it happens...:d :d :d :crazy: :crazy:

No stinking top here eather......mainly due to being lazy and not making one.

[DB6]

Honestly looking at all the options I am removing the hoops and boxing the original top.I plan to carry the tonneau and on ebay they have some full waterproof covers for the whole car with a security cable if I do an overnite stay, not the best but at least some level of weather and security.I think the partial covers, either like Al or the other guys( split or half screens) make much more sense.I live in OR, (makes England look like Jamaica)and I need a fast way to stay reasonably dry quickly, if I have to spend all that time putting it up its of no use, I am already soggy,nothing worse than a drive in wet undies(os so I hear,lol).Plus as I said its wat too cramped with all the gear on, plus if you have to carry all the crap on a run what else can you carry.Which brings me to another point.....

[scannon]

I only get earthquake season where I live, but that's like only once ever ten years or so, and if you are prepared before hand, it will make a good James Bond Martini :D

During the 8 years I lived in the LA area, we had all four seasons several times. We even had snow on Malibu Beach!

Skip

[Boxologist]

It's what the rest of the country gets in lieu of the four seasons of Southern California:

Earthquake, fire, riot and flood. ;)

Skip

i had a response for morgan typed last night but would rather have him show up at Branson.

[MoPho]

i had a response for morgan typed last night but would rather have him show up at Branson.

I have to say, I can rarely understand your posts, are you suggesting you were going to insult me and that I wouldn't show up because of it?

Unless I hit the lottery, I won't be going to Branson anyway

[Mondo]

Though Brian gave me the weather kit, I plan on having a top for shade made as it gets HOT here.... only 6 inches a year in Bako town.

[DB6]

Err. excuse me,thought this was a topic about tops??
[edited for content]

[Sean]

Err. excuse me,thought this was a topic about tops??
[edited for content]


I find it humorously ironic that you titled this thread, "Whoever was guilty for the design of the Convertible top on my Cat 7 needs shooting" and then post this! :)

[slngsht]

hey all, looks like I got back just in time :D

[gjslutz]

With my much wrecked 6’1” body I purchased a good rain suit after using the factory top last year. I had too many problems trying to craw through the small side window. I don’t jump off anything much over 2’ anymore either. With the heater and helmet it is survivable. The down side is the inside clean up after a wet drive.
Gary

[pierats]

***,

Fit some brooklands and forget about the hood! ;)

[johnh]

The biggest problem I have with the Caterham weather gear is the trapped heat. On PNW2007 we were in Oregon, it was chilly and threatening, and I was bundled up against the cold. Then we stopped and put up the weather gear. I stopped two blocks later to strip down to a tank top! And now I know why the side curtains are hinged in the middle. You can push out the bottom and get some cool air into the car...