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n0limdon
Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2005
Posts: 192
Location: Cresco, Ia.
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 Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:13 am Post subject: Bikini top Question |
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Could the bikini top be let down like the soft top and be driven around w/o any damage to it? It looks like to me that you could just unloosen the back two straps and unhook the top latches, not sure about the bows though?? This 77 yrs old F_rt is not very knowledgable about mechanicals.
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"Lili Marlene"
Cresco, Ia. |
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Semper_Dad
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3510
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:12 am Post subject: |
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Looks to me that a bikini top is is pretty easy to put up or take down. I plan to have all three. Hard top for winter, soft top for spring and fall (it rains here a lot), and bikini top for those rare sunny Northwest days (like today).
Don't see any reason why you couldn't run with a booted soft top and a bikini at the same time during those "not so sure" days. |
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sixty9fasty
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2004
Posts: 1066
Location: crockett, ca
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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I most certainly drive around with my bikini top tied down in back 
Wait, I don't wear bikini's.... But my Thing does, and yes, you can easily fold it back and tied it down like the soft top.. |
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n0limdon
Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2005
Posts: 192
Location: Cresco, Ia.
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 7:46 am Post subject: |
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I don't think you can have both on at the same time as mentioned in the first answer, all that tubing would not fit on the rods.
Second answer is what I was looking for. Just have to figure a good way to tie it down. Sometimes it would be nice to operate as a convertable, but some times its nice to block the sun from beating down on ya.
THANKS GUYS!
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"Lili Marlene"
Cresco, Ia. |
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sixty9fasty
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2004
Posts: 1066
Location: crockett, ca
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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| n0limdon wrote: |
I don't think you can have both on at the same time as mentioned in the first answer, all that tubing would not fit on the rods.
Second answer is what I was looking for. Just have to figure a good way to tie it down. Sometimes it would be nice to operate as a convertable, but some times its nice to block the sun from beating down on ya.
THANKS GUYS! |
I just roll it around the frame, and use the factory straps to tie it down. You can't have both on at the same time, no. It's great to have strapped back there for long drives on possibly hot days, shade if you need it. |
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Airborne Ranger
Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2010
Posts: 17
Location: Lake Tapps, WA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Answer is just as they all posted- the top easily can be set to the rear of the car by unclamping the front hinges just like the convertible top.. my question is for everyone who is saying they strap it back there.. how are you doing this? is there another strap that you guys/gals are using? I just fold my top under the bows but at high speeds (oxymoron, I know) it starts to come undone.. please explain, thanks |
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Nikkoleto
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:04 am Post subject: |
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I would love to see some pics of the bikini top folded down. When you fold the top back what do you do with the bikini top frame?
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1987 Vanagon GL |
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sixty9fasty
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2004
Posts: 1066
Location: crockett, ca
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| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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Ask and ye shall receive:
and for those wondering... the black "thing" under the bikini top is a 10'x10' easy-up canopy left there from the last show, it fits there perfectly |
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Nikkoleto
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the pics. I was looking for pics of the bikini top folded down using the two piece frame that came with the top. I dont have a roll bar.
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sixty9fasty
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2004
Posts: 1066
Location: crockett, ca
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Nikkoleto wrote: |
| Thanks for the pics. I was looking for pics of the bikini top folded down using the two piece frame that came with the top. I dont have a roll bar. |
You mean with it up in place? Mine would work fine without the roll bar.
Or if you are specifically talking about the two support bars for the bikini top... they are there... the bikini top is just rolled around them... |
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melissa33
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2007
Posts: 12
Location: New Orleans
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:11 pm Post subject: frame |
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is the top frame required with the Thing Shop bikini top? Will it work safely without it, but with the five point show bar?
My frame completely broke away where the side meets the windshield and, while I know I can probably have it welded, I thought I might just go with a bikini. Also, I am guessing you can't use the windows with the bikini? |
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sixty9fasty
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2004
Posts: 1066
Location: crockett, ca
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: frame |
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| melissa33 wrote: |
is the top frame required with the Thing Shop bikini top? Will it work safely without it, but with the five point show bar?
My frame completely broke away where the side meets the windshield and, while I know I can probably have it welded, I thought I might just go with a bikini. Also, I am guessing you can't use the windows with the bikini? |
My bikini top has it's own frame, bikini top specific, it's the one that's picture with it folded down. Not sure how it will work with the 5point show bar. I've never tried the windows with the bikini top, not sure they will work "right"
Looks like it will work with the 5point.http://www.thethingshop.com/BIKINI-TOP/productinfo/181+BK-GN/ |
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melissa33
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2007
Posts: 12
Location: New Orleans
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: frame |
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That is exactly the bikini i was looking at - but was confused about a frame. does it come with its own frame then?
ahh, i guess that is the bows? |
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Semper_Dad
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3510
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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You may be thinking of this Bikini top. It uses your exsisting roll bar instead if bows. Attaches to the windshield differently as well
I'm not sure if it's really available anymore. The website doesn't appear to be updated on a regular basis. Looks easy enough to make yourself though.
http://www.dastank.com/VW-Thing-Roll-Bar-Bikini-Top
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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492
Last edited by Semper_Dad on Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:28 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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sixty9fasty
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2004
Posts: 1066
Location: crockett, ca
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: frame |
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| melissa33 wrote: |
That is exactly the bikini i was looking at - but was confused about a frame. does it come with its own frame then?
ahh, i guess that is the bows? |
Yes, bows equals frame. As it is not truly a frame since they are tied together only by the tensioning straps. |
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alex77
Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Tijuana
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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i´m thinking of buying the bikini top from the thing shop can you guys post a pic of the inside of the bows and the upper windshield where it attaches.
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Semper_Dad
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3510
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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| alex77 wrote: |
| i´m thinking of buying the bikini top from the thing shop can you guys post a pic of the inside of the bows and the upper windshield where it attaches. |
I believe the frame (bows) and header come with the Thing Shop's Bikini top. I believe the front attaches to the windshield exactly like the soft top does. It’s essentially a soft top without the back or upper sides
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TKE381
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2009
Posts: 84
Location: Stillwater, OK
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 8:42 am Post subject: |
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| Semper - Any idea how the DasTank bikini attached to the windshield frame. I was thinking about making my own bikini top. My idea for attaching it was the make an aluminum piece that would slide into the channel where the upper seal usually goes. Bend the aluminum back and then connect the bikini top to that tab. The material for the whole thing would be less than 100, and less than fifty is I use a light weight cotton canvas instead. Any thoughts? |
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emersonbiggins
Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2003
Posts: 1681
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Semper_Dad wrote: |
| alex77 wrote: |
| i´m thinking of buying the bikini top from the thing shop can you guys post a pic of the inside of the bows and the upper windshield where it attaches. |
I believe the frame (bows) and header come with the Thing Shop's Bikini top. I believe the front attaches to the windshield exactly like the soft top does. It’s essentially a soft top without the back or upper sides |
So there is a header bow for the bikini top that is similar to the soft top frame?
Pic please someone. |
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Semper_Dad
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3510
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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| TKE381 wrote: |
| Semper - Any idea how the DasTank bikini attached to the windshield frame. I was thinking about making my own bikini top. My idea for attaching it was the make an aluminum piece that would slide into the channel where the upper seal usually goes. Bend the aluminum back and then connect the bikini top to that tab. The material for the whole thing would be less than 100, and less than fifty is I use a light weight cotton canvas instead. Any thoughts? |
Looks to me it's just sort of channel screwed on the front of the upper windshield frame. See how it goes over the top of the windshield. The top has some sort of rope on the front edge that slides in from one side or the other. Throw some tensioning staps on the trailing edge and you have yourself a bikini top. Yep, I think it can be done for less than $50.
Channel would look something like this:
What's nice about this setup is you can still keep your soft top attached to the car. Wonder how a 80% shadecloth would hold up? You can probably find the channel at your local RV center.
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