Front soft top repair

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pcolette
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Front soft top repair

Post by pcolette »

I've decided to try repairing/replacing some of the front straps (over the windshield) on my soft top.
I ordered the straps and the 15mm long rivets. I've never used this type of rivet before, so can anyone please tell me the best procedure for installing them? Also the 15mm rivets seem sort of long - are they the right ones?
Any tips or hints would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul
Paul C.
_________
'73 Swiss 710M
'89 Puch 230GE
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David Dunn
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Post by David Dunn »

This link is to how I had made my top
http://www.sdp-pinzgauer.org/html/diy_canvas_top.html
Tubular rivets with washers are what you should be using.
I also made my own straps from the same material, just by gluing and laminating layers together. A lot simplier than you would think. :D
http://www.mcmaster.com/#rivets/=4paxak

I had fabricated 98% of the front section in less than 8 hours from scratch ( and no pattern to copy). It is only glued and riveted.
IF the rivets you got, are the tubular type, all you need is a steel backing surface for the rivet head, and from the reverse side, slide the washer over the rivet and use a "blunt" center punch to flair the rivet out. Then tap the rivet with a hammer to smooth any sharp edges out.

BTW, a forklift fork makes a good anvil. :wink:
.
The Trojan Horse... the 1st Pinz used to covertly carry troops into battle .




ATL Pinzgauer XM 718K TUM(HD) 6x6 FFR (aka The Green Grail)
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pcolette
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Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:38 pm
Location: Southwest Wisconsin

Post by pcolette »

Dave,

Thanks for the tips. I got the rivets from SAV and they are the "Press-Fit" type which I believe just get forced together. I think 15mm may be too long so I'll order the tubular style from McMaster and try those.

The top itself is in good shape, it's just the leather straps that need replacing.

Paul
Paul C.
_________
'73 Swiss 710M
'89 Puch 230GE
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David Dunn
United States of America
Posts: 2274
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 7:08 pm
Location: Arcadia, CA

Post by David Dunn »

Without knowing what the rivets are exactly, 15mm doesn't sound too long if you use a piece of leather/fabric as a backing to remove stress from a "pull through" of the rivet ( sandwich the top's fabric).
.
The Trojan Horse... the 1st Pinz used to covertly carry troops into battle .




ATL Pinzgauer XM 718K TUM(HD) 6x6 FFR (aka The Green Grail)
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