Plan to use my Caterham during rubbish weather

[PeterGadsby]

Hi,

I have a Caterham 7, but have only ever put the roof up once & can't remember the easiest way of getting it up oo er ....

I tried last weekend managed to get the front and back poppers on but then couldn't erect the rails at the back which tighten up the roof as they seem to close to the poppers at the back of the car.

Has anyone got any simple instructions on how to best put it up.

thanks

- Pete

[k20erham]

You need to get up more!!! apparently

[Mclavert]

Store it in the airing cupboard - it's more stretchy when warm...

Michael.

[PeterGadsby]

Thanks guys I hung the roof on the back of the sofa near the radiator which seemed to make it a bit stretchy. I loosened the the straps on the rear poles, that seemed to work and it is now fitted :-)

A couple of poppers I couldn't stretch it to but the ones at the extremities are on.

So now to see how it copes with traffic :-)

- Pete

[Far Cough]

undo all poppers on the rear deck. Fold rear deck into boot. Put up the roof sticks ensuring the straps are loosened off ( the roof sticks will then be in their lowest position ). The throw the roof section over the car and roof sticks holding the front so that it doesnt knock your rear view mirror off. Secure all front poppers across the top of the windscreen. Flap both doors all the way open then attach all rear poppers.

Finally reach in and tighten the internal straps on the roof sticks which will pull the roof sticks up and tighten them against the roof stretching it into place. Once done velcro the roof strut into the underside of the roof to stop buffeting.

Close doors tucking the top into the fold

job done - about 2 minutes !!

[PeterGadsby]

Perfect thanks.... didn't take 2 mins for me, but I think I need a bit of practise

[MBBlat]

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned - get a half hood, much easier to put on, and keeps the worse of the weather off especially when combined with a draft reducer.
I've been out in torrential winter rains in mine and been nice and cosy with just the half hood. Combine with a warm waterproof jacket for the odd bits of water that get through and for when squeezing out of the doors.

[andy99998]

Far Cough said:

undo all poppers on the rear deck. Fold rear deck into boot. Put up the roof sticks ensuring the straps are loosened off ( the roof sticks will then be in their lowest position ). The throw the roof section over the car and roof sticks holding the front so that it doesnt knock your rear view mirror off. Secure all front poppers across the top of the windscreen. Flap both doors all the way open then attach all rear poppers.

Finally reach in and tighten the internal straps on the roof sticks which will pull the roof sticks up and tighten them against the roof stretching it into place. Once done velcro the roof strut into the underside of the roof to stop buffeting.

Close doors tucking the top into the fold

job done - about 2 minutes !!

This is pretty much the technique I use, although after putting the roof sticks up I chuck the roof over my head and do up the velcro first then shuffle out and do the front poppers on the screen, then the rear...god knows if it's any better or worse, just the way I have always done it, takes me around 2 mins I guess...has anyone turned this into a competition yet?

[anonymous-user]

andy99998 said:

Far Cough said:

undo all poppers on the rear deck. Fold rear deck into boot. Put up the roof sticks ensuring the straps are loosened off ( the roof sticks will then be in their lowest position ). The throw the roof section over the car and roof sticks holding the front so that it doesnt knock your rear view mirror off. Secure all front poppers across the top of the windscreen. Flap both doors all the way open then attach all rear poppers.

Finally reach in and tighten the internal straps on the roof sticks which will pull the roof sticks up and tighten them against the roof stretching it into place. Once done velcro the roof strut into the underside of the roof to stop buffeting.

Close doors tucking the top into the fold

job done - about 2 minutes !!

This is pretty much the technique I use, although after putting the roof sticks up I chuck the roof over my head and do up the velcro first then shuffle out and do the front poppers on the screen, then the rear...god knows if it's any better or worse, just the way I have always done it, takes me around 2 mins I guess...has anyone turned this into a competition yet?

Doesn't that make the rear poppers hard to fit? I follow what I thought was the standard method: sticks forward on loose straps; front poppers, rear poppers then tension the straps and do the Velcro.

[andy99998]

The poppers are still easy enough to do up on mine :-) guess it depends on how much flex you have in the roof.

[corinthian]

I took mine to the karting at Banff this weekend but didn't bother with the roof, I wished I had 5 mins after I left, I was frozen all day.

[coppice]

There is a school of thought that says real men never put the roof up, remove the heater and instal aeroscreens. Often reflect on this- never more than when tackling the Lecht in late spring snow showers. I was warm , dry and more than a little smug.

[framerateuk]

MBBlat said:

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned - get a half hood, much easier to put on, and keeps the worse of the weather off especially when combined with a draft reducer.
I've been out in torrential winter rains in mine and been nice and cosy with just the half hood. Combine with a warm waterproof jacket for the odd bits of water that get through and for when squeezing out of the doors.

This.

I was sold until I bought one as I quite liked the full hood, but the half hood is so much easier to put on, store and give you more air (and less noise) in the cabin. If you intend to use it regularly then I'd definitely look at the half hood; my full hood hasn't gone near the car since buying it.

[BadBob]

A Caterham with the roof up and a heater is a very comfortable place to be in even the worst weather.
Getting some slack in the hood sticks, fitting all the poppers and then tightening the sticks from inside is the easiest way. But don't slacked the straps, just slip them off the 'shoulders' of the second stick at the start and back on again as the final step. Much quicker and you don't lose the adjustment.

[PeterGadsby]

Thanks guys, ended up driving to work with the roof on, and on the way back roof off. Lots more fun with the roof off even if it was raining a little.

- Pete

[Helluvaname]

Drive faster - the rain just goes over the top

I'd echo the half hood recommendation. 20 seconds to put on, and if you get one of those mesh rear window sunshades for tintops, and slide it in between the rear rollbar straps, you don't get any rain or spray coming in the rear