Sportster Hood Frame

[Stuart]

Marlin fitted my hood and the side screen front edges are just tucked in against the windscreen.

Stuart

[peterux]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Marlin fitted my hood and the side screen front edges are just tucked in against the windscreen.

Stuart

Thanks, Stuart.
Do they stay put or do they flap when you go fast??

[peterux]

Last evening, I took the plunge and glued up my cant rail. A bit of an act of faith that it will fit, because trying to glue it in place whilst on the car is nigh impossible.
Left it to dry overnight and strong arm wrestled it back on the car tonight.



It was a bit of a struggle but once on it looks great! The other good news, despite my doubts last night, the hood stick mounting points are actually in the right place.



I've still got some minor trimming to do and, of course, fix all the fixers along the sides.

I also need to mark and make some cut outs for the mirrors........





Drilling the holes in the windscreen frame for the cant rail pins is a very scary exercise as I could hear the drill bit catching on the edge of the windscreen glass

[Stuart]

Yes the sidescreens are very good and dont flap around at the front edge or let any water in.
Your fitment looks good one tip is the slit in the front edge of the roof where the cant rails join tends to rip in time so some form of reinforcement for the material is recomended.


Stuart

[peterux]

Thanks, Stuart.
Yes, that slot does look a weak spot.
I was thinking of a kind off flap with some velcroe to hold it down. Ideally the flap needs to be sewn on but not sure my needle work is up to that.
Is your reinforcement piece glued or sewn on?

...peter

[peterux]

Before removing my hood this year I took some more photo's


Hood fitting by marlinpeter, on Flickr

there is lots more pictures and hints on my Flickr site.

Hopefully useful for anyone embarking on hood fitting

[peterux]

There is a comment today from Terry on the Marlin Facebook page to the following....

Terry says.....
"I will be putting pics up later this week of the NEW Sportster hood & windscreen assembly. Watch this space..... :-)"


...should be interesting...

[GreatOldOne]

Did they ever get to putting the pictures up of this new hood, Pete? I can't recall seeing any on there last time I was on facebook... And it's been nearly a month.

[peterux]

Nope, not seen any more updates?

With the weather this 'summer' it would be a good option.
I've lost count how many times I've put mine on and taken it off this year (almost every trip out). And despite this it doesn't get any quicker!!

[peterux]

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Did they ever get to putting the pictures up of this new hood, Pete? I can't recall seeing any on there last time I was on facebook... And it's been nearly a month.

Still not seen any updates from Marlin on the new hood but came across these really interesting video's....

http://www.simmonds.uk.com/multimedia.html

According to my wife, she thinks that some us should be able to make something similar
She has had first hand experience of trying to put up the Sportster hood in the pouring rain this year when I forgot my '15 minute' rule. (i.e. stop and put up the hood 15 minutes before you think its going to rain )
I'm not yet convinced that I could design the hood rails but the Morgan videos are some food for thought....

[GreatOldOne]

Once vikki has been painted, I'm thinking of taking her here:

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

to get a bespoke tonneau made for her. I may also see if they can do one of these:

http://www.softbitsforsevens.co.uk/page56a.html

Which seems to be a fairly easy thing to put up if you get caught out by some showers. Looking from the video, it doesn't look like it would be too difficult for them to make one for a sportster. You could have body mounted tensioning points, use the spare wheel like some other guys have done or take the straps down to the rear bumper tubes.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

I may also see if they can do one of these:

http://www.softbitsforsevens.co.uk/page56a.html

Which seems to be a fairly easy thing to put up if you get caught out by some showers. Looking from the video, it doesn't look like it would be too difficult for them to make one for a sportster. You could have body mounted tensioning points, use the spare wheel like some other guys have done or take the straps down to the rear bumper tubes.

I think you will get pretty wet with on of those! I noticed it is described as a sunshade .
We have tried driving with the Marlin hood on but without the side windows zipped in but you get pretty wet and cold.
The only downside of the Marlin hood is the time it takes to put up. Once it's fitted, it is pretty water tight and more importantly very snug and warm inside.
I'll just have to practise 'pit-stops' to get the time down

[peterux]

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Did they ever get to putting the pictures up of this new hood, Pete? I can't recall seeing any on there last time I was on facebook... And it's been nearly a month.

Jason,
Terry tells me that they plan to have the new hood on display at the Exeter Kit Car show.

...peter

[GreatOldOne]

Hmm - hope they post some pics up, as I'm not likely to get to Exeter.

Thanks for the heads up though.

[Chris Cussen]

I may go to Exeter if the weather is OK. If I do I'll take some piccies.

[denniswpearce]

Is anyone else going to Exeter, I will be going. Can only make Saturday though.

[NigelB]

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Hmm - hope they post some pics up, as I'm not likely to get to Exeter.

Thanks for the heads up though.

I spoke to Terry on Friday. She told me she was going to post some 'taster' pics prior to the event and the 'full monty' once it was all over..............

I'm going down on Saturday for a couple or three hours and then carrying on westwards for a week of Cornish sunshine

[Chris Cussen]

If I go it will be Saturday.