Try this amazing trick. Close all your windows, pop the latch, leave
your motor running, turn your fresh air on full blast and watch the
show.
Your poptop will magically rise more than half way, even on later
models with rear vents. Give it a shove for the last bit and you're up!
Earlier models are better sealed and may work better.
It's a great trick to show off at VW gatherings.

Roger Van Till
'89 Westy "The Moose Lounge"
'86 GL "Sugaree"
'81 L "CoJack"

On Jun 11, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Aurora Farm wrote:

> I admit it.  I'm no longer young and agile, and in fact have never had
> a
> lot of upper body strength.  I find that I can't raise that poptop
> gracefully, only with a major--I mean *major*--effort that leaves me
> gasping.  Even when I give it my best, sometimes I can't do it at all.
> On the Westfalia website a fellow mentioned inserting a well-padded
> stick in between the poptop and its seat when I've gotten it to the
> halfway point, but there's still the second, hardest, push to get it up
> high enough so the locking bar can make that final snap into postion.
> I've oiled the hinges on the poptop, but haven't yet lubed the locking
> bar mechanism, as there's little detectable friction there. What
> suggestions do other no-longer-young-and-agile owners have for me?
>
>