Lotus Elan Central

I decided to do a few things to the LGM rollbar (can't bring myself to say "improvements" to an already great product) - personal preference stuff really. Having it chromed among a few other things. The chroming is now done and I'll post pics of the other "steps" as they are done. Or, if they don't, we'll just forget I ever tried them below are some pics of the bar in progress.

The first thing I did was to grind down the weld joints in order to smooth them out and remove the "wavey" look that is common to pretty much all weld joints. Of course, I did this praying I wasn't removing too much of the joint causing the rollbar to fail should I really need it one day

So, now we have the rollbar back from the vat with a beautiful show chrome finish. The pics don't do justice. These guys did an oustanding job. Almost afraid to touch it! You'll also notice 3 tabs I had welded to support some glass I'm having made.

I was just going to have a moan that it didn't look very chromed to me but then you posted some more pics.

How much did it cost you (I'd been quoted 500GBP!:shock:) and when are you planning to get it installed?

Geoff

While having the rollbar chromed, at the same time I decided to add a little interior "bling" by having the seat protectors done too. This was a bit of a chore as I had to strip them down first. They are aluminum coated with a plastic-like covering that was difficult to remove. There may have been a chemical alternative available but I resorted to flaking and peeling it off bit by bit using a variety of tools including screwdrivers and carpet knives. This left a number of surface scratches especially on the back of the protector.

I didn't have much concern for that only becuase the back asn't going to be visible and I was able to sand and polish out pretty much all of the scratches I made. As an aside, the aluminum can be polished up quite nicely and , with a coat of clearcoat, would probably look nice on its own like that. I plan on adding some rubber strips to the are where the roof mechanism scratches the protectors just to ensure the chrome doesn't get too beat up. Here's the before and after pics.

Hi Geoff, I'm planning on prepping the car today for an install next weekend. hard to find time during the week for what very well may be a couple of hours to bolt it in (longer knowing my handy work).

I paid what I thought was a very reasonable price. I initially thought of going the chrome paint route due to cost. The I was quoted $1,200 for welding the tabs and painting it. I then did a bit more research and came a cross a plant in the city that is very reputable. They charged me $720 for welding the tabs and chrming the bar and seat protectors. That'd be about 320GBP I'm guessing.

Elanlover

Rollbar is looking good, maybe you should have fitted them first before chroming. Then you could have just dropped them in place once they were done, with less chance of damaging them.

I'm going to spray mine sparkling silver then have the hoops covered in dark blue leather. Have also been trying to work out a way of fixing the glass/plastic in the centre and possibly some mesh in the hoops.

Keep up the good work, look forward to some more pictures

$720=£365

Gary

Hi Gary,

Gazza wrote:
Rollbar is looking good, maybe you should have fitted them first before chroming. Then you could have just dropped them in place once they were done, with less chance of damaging them.

I gave that some thought. I plan on wrapping the bar up with they same stuff they wrapped it in when i picked it up. Gloves ona nd no watches, rings, etc. on. Its not going to stop a major scratch but it'll offer some proteciton. we'll be going real slow as we install it

Gazza wrote: Have also been trying to work out a way of fixing the glass/plastic in the centre and possibly some mess in the hoops.

I'm planning on having a custom piece of glass cut and then getting it tempered. Thus the tabs you see on the bar. I was concerned that a piece of glass wouldn't flex enough if the rollbar was straining under hard cornering and would shatter. So, I drilled the holes in the tab large enough to mount rubber grommets in the holes and will do the same with the glass. The short bolts will then "float" in the rubber grommets so as not to shatter the glass and allow some play with the rollbar moving and stressing. it should move that much but even a little flex could burst the glass.

As for the mesh.................well, that was the other little enhancement I wasn't going to comment on until I knew if my plan was going to work. But, since you've mentioned it, let me tell you what I have in mind.

I gave this a lot of thought. With the rollbar staring me in the face all winter I could afford to take my time. I've already bought some metal perforated metal and drawn up some templates for them to fit into the "hoops". The problem is in mounting them.............

I initially thought of having them gas arc welded which leaves a tiny bead. But, I just don't think that would look good. having a bead around the inside of the hoops and all. So, i tried to devise a way that wouldn't involve weldong. Here's what I've settled on.

I've had some custom rubber U-channel made up. Its got a curved bottom to rest on the rollbar a a groove in which the metal will sit. I am going to cut it to fit inside the hoops and use double sided carpet tape on the bottom of the rubber to mount it to the inside of the rollbar. The tape's really tacky and I've got no concern that it'll hold the mesh in place once (if) it goes in. I'll be painting them gloss black too.

The channel should arrive by the end of the month. I had to order a minimum 50 foot run so I'll have lots left over. Shouldn't take more than 10 feet to do both hoops with some margin for error. I'll post the final result when its done for all to see. If you like the idea, and haven't done anything yet, I can sell you some of the u-channel for you to use (would help me recover some of the expense for the minimum run too).

Here's some pics of the templates and perforated metal.

Blair,

I may well be interested in buying a few meters of the rubber channel off you (if yours works, and looks okay ).

Since i first saw pictures of Montys roll hoops, and then saw them 'in the flesh' at Donny, i have been deliberating between welding and silicone sealant to fit some mesh....

....but it appears that you may have found a method which would work well, and still allow some 'flexibility' to mount a harness to the bars.

I'm intending on having mine in a satin black finish, as chrome is a bit too 'bling' for a man of my age (and besides that, Hamerite don't do a chrome paint!!!)

Looking good

I'm going to attempt to fit the windbreaker type mesh inside the hoops. I've probably had this idea in my head for over 12 months now, just had no time as yet.
I have all the materials, just a case of getting stuck in. I was also thinking of using some U channel, but to fit the centre perspex cover in.
Will post pics when completed just don't hold your breath!

Like the chrome, just watch u don`t get blinded by the sun
Not sure about the carpet tape thou

I silicone mine in, would of prefered it welded but don`t have a Mig
It`s even got designer scuff marks on the top of the hoops

Blair,

Can you put my name down for some U channel as well please? Only too happy to help you offset your MOQ costs.

When you say dollars, to you mean US or Canadian - I had this notion you were North of the border, in which case 720CAD=319GBP.

Geoff

As I'm famous for jumping on any bandwagon.... me too please

Monty:

You were the inspiration for finding a way to secure the mesh in place. perhaps you recall but I PM'd you when i saw a pic of the mesh in the hoops. Looked great! I recall you saying you siliconed them in place. I knew I was going to go for chrome and felt the silicone option wouldn't look very nice on chrome. Thus this solution. We'll see if it works. The carpet tape I'm not at all concerned about. I've got an industrial strength version i've used before on things other than carpet and it does the trick. As long as they made the slot in the U-channel into which the mesh will sit deep enough, It will be very difficult to push the metal out of place with your hands. certainly the wind won't do it at any speed.

dapinky Geoff and ailwyn:

I'll post pics if/when successful with the u-channel mounting cluge. If it works, i should have enough for 3-5 more installs provided I don't screw mine up. I can always order more but it does get expensive in minimum runs. I'd have to look but i think 50 feet is goingn to cost me about $350 plus shipping, taxes, etc.

Geoff:

All figures quoted are in $CDN or "Loonies" as we call them here!

Chrome job looks great!! Can't wait to see the picture once you have it installed.

I am also trying to find some other way to secure the windblocker to the hoops as the leather straps stretched over time.

One option would be drilling into the bar but I don't want to do that yet. I might try to get the clips that could go through the windblocker, the type that you can loop bigger cable ties to it, and just tie it to the hoops. -- thinking out loud.

I want to be able to easily take the windblocker out for cleaning/polishing from time to time. Some kind of dust magnet it is.

Yeah remember now, the silicone part was a pain to do I`m sure it`ll work out fine and look forward to seeing a pic of the final product.

Ekapol wrote:I am also trying to find some other way to secure the windblocker to the hoops as the leather straps stretched over time.

One option would be drilling into the bar but I don't want to do that yet. I might try to get the clips that could go through the windblocker, the type that you can loop bigger cable ties to it, and just tie it to the hoops. -- thinking out loud.

I thought about finding a way to mount the glass after i had it chromed. The only thing I could come up with was this:



Its a clamp for a chain link fence. You can get them in black too. Might scratch the paint on the rollbar (but you wonldn't see it if the clamp was on I suppose) unless you got some adhesive foam for the clamp and put it on the inside to stop the scratches.

Just a thought for you.

What about chopping the bottom of these chrome plated clamps and having the glass drilled to take the screw in some way?



Available here.

EDIT: What happened to the picture of the nut and bolt Blair - I couldn't see how that was going to work!

geoffsmith wrote: EDIT: What happened to the picture of the nut and bolt Blair - I couldn't see how that was going to work!

You don't miss a beat Geoff Just pasted the wrong URL. What you're showing looks similar in concept. Take a loop of sorts with a hole for a bolt, drill (or use the existing hole in the LGM supplied plexiglass once the leather strapping is removed) and secure to the bars. Your's look a little nicer though. The one I posted is pretty basic stuff.

I was thinking of doing something along the lines of what Dico said, using mesh material in the hoops rather than metal. With the plastic piece supplied by LGM cut down to fit between the hoops.

As I want to leather the hoops I need to think of a way of fixing the mesh.

Dico did you say you have the mesh already? Where from?

Elanlover keep the pictures coming.

Gazza