space for top frame on 100-4

[bighealeysource]

Hey y'all,
Well, got my interior all completed and installed the top
frame on my BN1. Of course now I need to cut off my legs
since I have to have the seat almost all the way forward to
avoid having the back of my new upholstered seat hit the
top frame !!! I haven't even put the new top on yet but
other than forcing the frame back on itself, I think I
now see why the previous owner had it off. Any suggestions
about this clearance problem ?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[AH100M]

That's the way mine is too. Original holes that mount the frame mounts to, original frame, original holes in the floor for the seats. I don't see how it can be any different. The seat backs actually rub against the outside of the top (hood) material, not the metal frame itself so no real wear takes place (been like this since the top went on in 1985). I'm only 5'7" so maybe my case is not as bad as yours...

 

[healeynut]

Mike -

The bows are designed to where you can work one side past the little bent frame piece on one side then work the other side of the bow past the other side's bent piece.

You do this by putting a little pushing pressure on one side, move it back, then walk to the other side of the car and put a little pushing pressure and move that side back.

you should be able to get the top bow within about an inch of the rear cockpit surround.

This way you will only get interference with the top if the driver's seat is in its furthest back position. the passenger seat should not interfere at all.

 

[zblu]

Alan,
I understand, a pic would help though

 

[healeynut]

Alan,
I understand, a pic would help though

My car is in California, I am in Hong Kong. :frown:

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey Alan,
Hoped you might weigh in as have appreciated many of your responses.
I tried what you suggested and as you said, by working one side and then the
other got enough room so I can actually sit in the car !!! I'm 6 feet tall
so have the seat almost all the way back but I can manage being a little
cramped so I don't damage the seat back. Haven't actually installed the new
top yet but now will go ahead and get that done. In some respects, don't know
why I even bother as have no intention of driving it in the rain but that of
course means I would get hit with a down pour as soon as I left if I didn't
have the top in place. Thanks for your advice and AH100M & zblu for their
help too.
Regards,
Mike

 

[pan]

You shoud try it on a RH steer car! I am 5'9". When we travel interstate I always travel with the hood up to allow a little more room. If the hood is folded away correctly it should allow enough legroom, but the seatback always rests on the hood frame and the rear window chafes on the spare wheel.
Translation: the hood is the "soft-top"; the bonnet is the body panel that covers the engine.

 

[glemon]

Mine always rubbed on the seatback too, but top up was no solution because at 6'0" my head was pretty much up against the top, no permanent damage to anything, but more irritating than the seatback problem, and top down driving is so much more enjoyable in a 100.

Greg

 

[roscoe]

Mine rubs the seat back as well. I'm perhaps a little better suited to fitting in my BN2 than some of you guys. I'm 5'8" tall, my wife is 5'1", so we put the seats about mid range and all is right with the world. At the all british show in Woodland, CA this past year, Norman Nock had made a tight fitting cover for his soft top. I didn't look too closely, but I assume it keeps it snug and out of the way. Do be careful the first few times you fold everything up. It is easy to pinch the top between the bows.

 

[healeynut]

In some respects, don't know
why I even bother as have no intention of driving it in the rain but that of
course means I would get hit with a down pour as soon as I left if I didn't
have the top in place. Thanks for your advice and AH100M & zblu for their
help too.
Regards,
Mike

I'm at the point where I think I actually might take the top off the car because of these issues. For about 5 years, for various reasons, the BN1 was the only car I could use when back in CA so I left the top on for cold night drives or if it rained. Since now I have other options for driving, I think the top will come off on my next trip to CA - I'll just use it for the good stuff!

 

[tontonene]

Mike,
I have learned to live without the top mounted. When it rains, I just keep moving.
Kip

 

[zblu]

And now if somebody has a way of stopping the water running in at the windscreen bottom corners!, forget the bluetack!

 

[Genos2]

Hello, my 53-100 has pivoting hinges that are attached to the body& the whole top assembly folds down neatly without having to remove bows. I'll try to enclose two pics.

 

[Michael Oritt]

ZBLU--

I added the BN2 doglegged gutter to my BN1 which now diverts the drip from the top of my leg down to my shin--a vast improvement.