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I am looking for some good ideas from the Forum to improve the modifications I have started to the side curtains on my BT7. I currently have brand new sidecurtains. They fit reasonably well, have new clear plexiglass that slides easily and the new aluminum frames are blemish free. In other words they look about as good as side curtains can look.
However, as some of you know, I will be taking a 7,000 mile cross country trip next month, and as good as those side curtains look, they still rattle like crazy. The two plexiglass panels bang together and make a real racket.
So, Tim Moran and I have been working independently on a modification or redesign of the side curtains to address a couple of issues, but in my case primarily the noise.
I decided to use an old set of aluminum side curtain frames as the basis of my project. I cut the top and rear upright out of the frames so that I could slide a new piece of Lexan (one piece) into the frame. The inside track of the frame is wide enough to accept the 1/4" Lexan. I suppose that I could spend some big bucks and have a fabricator make a chromed brass channel for a frame, but I didn’t have time before my trip. The other reason for modifying the original frame is that it allowed me to just insert new rubber seals to seal the side curtain to the exterior of the door. I used Lexan because it is much stronger than plexiglass, doesn’t scratch as easily, and it can be drilled without fear of cracking.
I also used the two original brackets that mount the side curtains to the inside of the door. For the rear bracket (as the photo shows) I inserted the bolt for the top fitting of the bracket through a hole I drilled in the Lexan. I then made a pattern for new glass and had a glass shop cut my Lexan. I am pretty satisfied with the one-piece side curtain glass. While the modified frame doesn’t look as finished as the originals, it works and I did what I set out to do which was to eliminate noise. When I return from my trip I will clean-up the frames, buff them to get rid of scratches and re-anodize.
I wasn’t completely satisfied with the solid Lexan panels so I made an additional Lexan panel with a hinged section so that I could let in some fresh air and pay the tolls at the toll booths. I got my idea for this from Tim although our concepts are bit different. I used a plastic hinge from McMaster-Carr. https://www.mcmaster.com/#11565a22/=1ds5g1 This clear plastic hinge has a polyester center that is white. As you can see from my photos the hinge works beautifully and unlike the old sliding side curtains, this approach is noise free. However, I am not happy with the esthetics! It looks like the window has a big band-aid on it. I have just ordered a slightly different hinge that has a clear center – we will see how that looks and functions. https://www.mcmaster.com/#11565a12/=1dshce
I am open to any ideas and would appreciate your most critical comments to improve on this concept. I am limited in the time I have to get things done on this. While I like the idea of the hinged panel opening, right now I am thinking of just going with the solid glass, or maybe just carrying along the lower portion of the hinged glass to replace the solid piece when I want to do so. You can switch out the glass in about 2 minutes if you choose to do so. Since this is a spring-early summer trip I really only plan on using the side curtains when it is raining.
Anyway, here are some photos of what I have done. Give me your ideas please – especially you Tim!
Lin
However, as some of you know, I will be taking a 7,000 mile cross country trip next month, and as good as those side curtains look, they still rattle like crazy. The two plexiglass panels bang together and make a real racket.
So, Tim Moran and I have been working independently on a modification or redesign of the side curtains to address a couple of issues, but in my case primarily the noise.
I decided to use an old set of aluminum side curtain frames as the basis of my project. I cut the top and rear upright out of the frames so that I could slide a new piece of Lexan (one piece) into the frame. The inside track of the frame is wide enough to accept the 1/4" Lexan. I suppose that I could spend some big bucks and have a fabricator make a chromed brass channel for a frame, but I didn’t have time before my trip. The other reason for modifying the original frame is that it allowed me to just insert new rubber seals to seal the side curtain to the exterior of the door. I used Lexan because it is much stronger than plexiglass, doesn’t scratch as easily, and it can be drilled without fear of cracking.
I also used the two original brackets that mount the side curtains to the inside of the door. For the rear bracket (as the photo shows) I inserted the bolt for the top fitting of the bracket through a hole I drilled in the Lexan. I then made a pattern for new glass and had a glass shop cut my Lexan. I am pretty satisfied with the one-piece side curtain glass. While the modified frame doesn’t look as finished as the originals, it works and I did what I set out to do which was to eliminate noise. When I return from my trip I will clean-up the frames, buff them to get rid of scratches and re-anodize.
I wasn’t completely satisfied with the solid Lexan panels so I made an additional Lexan panel with a hinged section so that I could let in some fresh air and pay the tolls at the toll booths. I got my idea for this from Tim although our concepts are bit different. I used a plastic hinge from McMaster-Carr. https://www.mcmaster.com/#11565a22/=1ds5g1 This clear plastic hinge has a polyester center that is white. As you can see from my photos the hinge works beautifully and unlike the old sliding side curtains, this approach is noise free. However, I am not happy with the esthetics! It looks like the window has a big band-aid on it. I have just ordered a slightly different hinge that has a clear center – we will see how that looks and functions. https://www.mcmaster.com/#11565a12/=1dshce
I am open to any ideas and would appreciate your most critical comments to improve on this concept. I am limited in the time I have to get things done on this. While I like the idea of the hinged panel opening, right now I am thinking of just going with the solid glass, or maybe just carrying along the lower portion of the hinged glass to replace the solid piece when I want to do so. You can switch out the glass in about 2 minutes if you choose to do so. Since this is a spring-early summer trip I really only plan on using the side curtains when it is raining.
Anyway, here are some photos of what I have done. Give me your ideas please – especially you Tim!
Lin
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