Eric, how does one use the side bars to raise the top?  I have never heard
of that.  I am vertically challenged, being only 5'6".  I use a step stool
to help with that when raising and lowering the top.  I have never had a
problem with the bar bending, or the top showing enough resistance to being
pushed up to think that the bar could bend.  Maybe someone had put a heavy
load on top, like a canoe or something, and tried to raise the top.

On Mon, Jul 18, 2022 at 7:54 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:

> Wow!  I do appreciate getting a bit of help from my friends.
>
> At the West River Westies event we had the 84.  I recently noticed the
> bolt was missing on the right side of the pop top bar that goes left to
> right.  I put it in with difficulty and the top was a bit challenging to
> close.
>
> At the event I asked a Vw experienced friend to look at the bar and see if
> there was something I was missing.  I was…. The bar was bent in a partial
> curve.
>
>         Two men got in the van and together bent it back.  It was much
> improved and suddenly the pop top was working smoothly.
>
>         I put a Buese Shelf on the bar and it was a good fit.  Tom told me
> it would only fit if the bar was very straight and he felt it would help
> keep it straight.  It will as I always lower and raise from the side bars.
>
> So, that bar can bend!  And I am a believer in using the sides to open and
> close.
>
> And, I get by with a little help from my friends!
>
> Eric Caron
> 84 Westy with a much straighter pop top bar.
>