There is a lot less oomph in me too!  You can tell if they are by looking at
the cables in the elbows.  When the top is down, they should be taught, and
hang loose when up.

The top practically lifts itself with the gas springs.  You just lightly
push up the top at the latch (it will stay half open) and then push the bar
for the final lift and lock.  Much less wear and tear on you and the bar.

The Skylight Guy sells the Jack Bombay kit I have, and It's one of the
nicest mods I've made.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jeff Palmer
Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 9:46 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Saggy poptop was RE: Out of storage!

It's had a fair bit of use :)

I am thinking about gas springs in the future.  I did notice that there is a
lot less oomph in the springs than there was 20 years ago.  I assume
everything's still hooked up.

But my main concern is these bars wearing out!!

Jeff

On 2013-05-07, at 11:40 AM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Well, that top has had a lot of use!  Add a set of gas springs, that will
> take a lot of the load off both you and that joint.   Are the cables and
> springs still hooked up?  They need to be even with the gas springs.
>
> Stuart
> '85 Westy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Jeff Palmer
> Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 8:49 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Saggy poptop was RE: Out of storage!
>
> Thanks to all those who responded on my upper bunk clearance issue
> (especially Dominic and Marc).  I think it is because of the failing
> poptop bar/frame.  Apparently this is more common than I thought,
> although I don't recall reading about it on the list.  As discussed on The
Samba:
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=420614&highlight=push
> +bar And also on a website out of Quebec for Atelier SPK who make
> canvas (I think with good reviews?)
> http://www.atelierspk.com/Install.html
> So there seems to be a few home made solutions and I'm looking to hear
> from those that have stood the test of time.  David B I'm cc'ing you
> as it sounds like you have some experience here!
> Any vendors want a piece of the action?!
> Thanks again everyoneJeff85 Westfalia GL
>
>> Date: Sun, 5 May 2013 01:42:16 -0500
>> From: jpalmer@MYMTS.NET
>> Subject: Out of storage!
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>
>> Better late than never.  Dropped a freshly charged battery in and
>> fired right up!  Felt great.  So this will be the first of many
>> seasonal questions . :)
>>
>> Here's a funny one.  The upper bunk doesn't seem to clear the roof
>> anymore
> when unfolding the bed.  One corner is catching on the roof.  Is my
> top sinking or bed rising??
>>
>> Thanks
>> Jeff
>> 85 Westfalia GL
>> Winnipeg
>                                          =
>