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sam_w
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 1479
Location: Petaluma, CA
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 Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 3:31 pm Post subject: Installing new bikini top |
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My top of 12 years was showing its age, so I got a new top from The Thing Shop/
They have improved it and now the back hoop fits in a sleeve inside the top. I can't get it on and wonder if he used a smaller diameter rear hoop.
I spoke to TTS and they haven't changed the hoop diameter, the sleeve holds it in place much better.
Any ideas?
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63 singlecab
73 thingster
74 Thing |
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Hot Rod Harp
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2008
Posts: 186
Location: Englewood, New Jersey
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: installing new bikini top |
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Maybe use Vaseline on the metal hoop, or leave vinyl top in the sun
for a while to soften it.
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74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
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RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956 |
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Semper_Dad
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3510
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: installing new bikini top |
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I installed a brand new Thing Shop Bikini top several weeks ago and had a bear of a time getting that hoop through the sleeve. It was tight. It won't just slip right on. I had to work it little by little. Kinda like putting on socks that are too small.
I won't use any form of wet lubricate other than maybe water. Perhaps a bit of cornstarch would help. Might be a bit messy but should clean up easily.
If you wish, I'll go ahead and measure the OD of that tube. BRB....
EDIT:
Both of my hoops are 3/4”
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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492
Last edited by Semper_Dad on Wed Jun 15, 2022 6:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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sam_w
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 1479
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: installing new bikini top |
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Thanks
I think water and liquid soap will help. I'll have another go tomorrow.
Sam
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73 thingster
74 Thing |
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Joe 20
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2005
Posts: 655
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: installing new bikini top |
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Maybe Pam...I use it in the garage for different things.
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"Someday the world is gonna be populated by nothing but Volkswagens'" Corporal Klairvoy |
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sam_w
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 1479
Location: Petaluma, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: installing new bikini top |
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Success!!
My daughter, Clara, came round and helped me, She had me find a candle, and rubbed the prop with candlewax. With two people we managed to get the rear hoop into the new improved top. It stops the top from flapping up and down over the rear tube, I have it all assembled and will take a drive
Sam
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Semper_Dad
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3510
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2022 5:53 am Post subject: Re: installing new bikini top |
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| sam_w wrote: |
Success!!
My daughter, Clara, came round and helped me, She had me find a candle, and rubbed the prop with candlewax. With two people we managed to get the rear hoop into the new improved top. It stops the top from flapping up and down over the rear tube, I have it all assembled and will take a drive
Sam |
Thanks Sam for sharing your solution. Using wax would have never come to me although it makes perfect sense.
I'm sure having extra people helped immensely. I remember my old hands hurting for days.
Enjoy the drive.
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fastmc25
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2004
Posts: 1202
Location: East Tennessee
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| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2022 7:35 am Post subject: Re: Installing new bikini top |
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Got mine installed with little issues. Overall i just need a extra set of hands to get the frame installed.
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Peace,
Paul
1973 Type181 Kubelwagen (Thing 2 ) 2110cc
1971 Transporter (Pickle) 1914cc
1961 Deluxe Beetle (Christine) 1776cc
1973 Adventurewagen Baja Bus (Clyde) 3.4L
1970 Formula Vee Beetle 2276cc
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