thinking about making one soon also. the measurements would be sweet. looks great
Home made bikini top question
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I will get some dimensions tonight
a correction from my last post, 6mm bolts not 10mm....
So far it is going well here are a couple of pics... I will post some of it installed and complete... I am using some 7/16'' stainless gromets and zip ties to mount the back of the bikini to the roll bar. My whole goal was to eliminate those ridiculous (2) straps that get in EVERYONES way on your normal bikini.....
Nice work! It looks like you know your way around a sewing machine. If you decide to go into business making cruiser related items please make a trail top.
Whats a trail top?
Sorry, They are called trail covers. https://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/168762-another-trail-cover-design-6.html#post2732262
Thanks - I've got it now....
So i pulled out the pen and paper to figure a reasonable number for this complete bikini set-up hardware included (strap, bolts, nuts, washers, gromets, 1 set zip ties, even installation instructions, the whole sha-bang...) In the end i figured $250 to your door step. (lower 48) What do U think? Am I crazy? R U interested? 
85roktoy
SILVER Star
I love it but I'm more concerned with the material used. Wonder how well it would hold up to weather and the sun. Especially black but I love the design. I think you could sell a few of these. I would consider buying one if the fabric used is durable. You could also use Sunbrealla but that might change the price. Another thought would be to use some sort or durable rope to wrap in and around the holes and bar without the zip ties. Like one long piece of paracord or something. Could you possibly post a few more pics. Maybe of it outside and the whole cruiser??
Also, if your really interested in selling these start a new post. Most people probably won't even look at this. I just stumbled upon it.
Also, if your really interested in selling these start a new post. Most people probably won't even look at this. I just stumbled upon it.
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So i pulled out the pen and paper to figure a reasonable number for this complete bikini set-up hardware included (strap, bolts, nuts, washers, gromets, 1 set zip ties, even installation instructions, the whole sha-bang...) In the end i figured $250 to your door step. (lower 48) What do U think? Am I crazy? R U interested?
I like it. But I think your crazy.
There are a good many bikini tops out on the market for a heck of a lot cheaper that are easy to take on and off which is one of the issues I have with this design. Plus while the zip ties add a cool look they don't allow for instant adjustment.SOR has more tops than you can shake a stick at.
Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 272 Bikini & Summer Tops
rusty_tlc
Dain Bramaged Member
If I made my own top I'd buy the awning rail used on RV's. It's like the aluminum tube idea but pre made with a flange to attach it. You sew a length of rope into the hem of the fabric and it slides into the tube with the fabric exiting through the slot in the side. The style sold by Best top et all has a flat piece of plastic on the top that fits into a groove in the mounting rail, sometimes if you let the top get too loose it will come out while you are driving, don't ask me how I know.
You defiantly want to have adjustable straps to tension the top. It will stretch over time.
I like it. But I think your crazy.
SOR has more tops than you can shake a stick at.
Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 272 Bikini & Summer Tops
I disagree. I have seen many bikini tops including the ones you have posted and i am extremely dissapointed with the fitting of them. I think the only time those bikini tops look, much less fit, decent are the instant they are installed. I also believe the two strap/ footman loop mount is a mickey mouse design as well. In all reality half of those bikini's stretch sooo much due to the water and air it catches. I have seen on numerous occasions a pool of luke warm water watiing to iether slowly evaporate or be pushed out from beneath leaving a poor excuse for a bikini top.
As far as the last post regarding self adjustment that is what the zip ties are for, i dont quiet understand how one would mistake that for not being self adjusting.
Also i had brainstormed on using some type of rope through the rear gromets but that does not allow for a uniform fit. When installing using the zip ties one can start from the middle of the roll bar and work your way out, similar to placement of a sticker. This bikini really does fit like a glove
when installed properly. As for material i liked the idea of it being canvas allowing it to be thrown in the washer for a quick rinse. Just my thoughts.
I will post some better pics of the entire rig as soon as i get a chance.
That would be nice to incorporate on a full cage stretching from the windshiled to the rear...Although it would be hard to fit it nicely without using your exact setup as a model. Dimensions would help but you cant beat fitting it on the exact cage, know what i mean Vern.
Oh ya, the weather has not been cooperating to take some nice complete pics 
again I will post some as soon as it does
again I will post some as soon as it does
Your top looks good.
While driving 40+ mph in my 40, my family length bikini top stretches and flaps like crazy against the cage. Wind resistance also pushes the windshield back a little which gives slack to the top and it goes pop, pop, pop, pop on the top of the cage. My next bikini top will be metal with some type of flexible strip from the windshield frame to the front of the cage.
While driving 40+ mph in my 40, my family length bikini top stretches and flaps like crazy against the cage. Wind resistance also pushes the windshield back a little which gives slack to the top and it goes pop, pop, pop, pop on the top of the cage. My next bikini top will be metal with some type of flexible strip from the windshield frame to the front of the cage.
My71FJ40
SILVER Star
sweet!
I do like it yes I do!!
I do like it yes I do!!
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Props: awsome design...i am going to have to try this on my '77 FJ40 once it warms up enough to take her top off...
not going to knock your craftmanship and ingenuity, but that looks like it can be done for about 75-100$ and a few hours labor...even including the self-adjusting zip-ties...
it does look like it fits like a glove, though, maybe some webbing straps would work, but i agree that is where the wind flappage is going to occur: with straps that also stretch over time, and zip ties that do not. it would be nice to have the option of taking it on and off throughpout the day...
not going to knock your craftmanship and ingenuity, but that looks like it can be done for about 75-100$ and a few hours labor...even including the self-adjusting zip-ties...
it does look like it fits like a glove, though, maybe some webbing straps would work, but i agree that is where the wind flappage is going to occur: with straps that also stretch over time, and zip ties that do not. it would be nice to have the option of taking it on and off throughpout the day...
I disagree. I have seen many bikini tops including the ones you have posted and i am extremely dissapointed with the fitting of them. I think the only time those bikini tops look, much less fit, decent are the instant they are installed. I also believe the two strap/ footman loop mount is a mickey mouse design as well. In all reality half of those bikini's stretch sooo much due to the water and air it catches. I have seen on numerous occasions a pool of luke warm water watiing to iether slowly evaporate or be pushed out from beneath leaving a poor excuse for a bikini top.
As far as the last post regarding self adjustment that is what the zip ties are for, i dont quiet understand how one would mistake that for not being self adjusting.
Also i had brainstormed on using some type of rope through the rear gromets but that does not allow for a uniform fit. When installing using the zip ties one can start from the middle of the roll bar and work your way out, similar to placement of a sticker. This bikini really does fit like a glove
Just my thoughts.
I will post some better pics of the entire rig as soon as i get a chance.
I like your idea I just think you could improve upon it to where the cost would justfy the product.
Why not use the tiger top windshield rail? Heck of a lot easier to get on and off. There are a lot of cruiser that already have this channel.
Ditch the zip ties. Figure a way to secure it without something that requires you to cut the hardware off when you want to remove it. Maybe use some good nylon straps and buckles. Or some good velcro.
The main purpose for a bikini is to provide sunshade and somewhat light rain protection at slow speeds. If your looking for something that keeps the water out and won't stretch in the rain or sun your going to be dissapointed in a bikini top. ANything over 25mph in rain and you will be doing the old towel on the inside of the windshield trick. That or Rain-X. And as far as the popping of a traditional top a little padding on the rollbar will usually fix that.
That top looks great. I have a bestop and it sucks! It won't stay tight. I have to tighten it everyday or it just slips right out of the channel and I have to try to hold it and hold the road until I can get pulled over.
I disagree that the bikini top is only to be used at slow speeds. My buddy has a nice canvas bikini top that he never has to touch and runs it on the highway at 60 or 65 with no problems and no flap. I think it would be awesome to see something other than the zip ties. I love the idea though of being able to tighten it equally all the way across so that its super tight and does not move. Just my 2 cents. 
I disagree that the bikini top is only to be used at slow speeds.
My buddy has a nice canvas bikini top that he never has to touch and runs it on the highway at 60 or 65 with no problems and no flap. I think it would be awesome to see something other than the zip ties. I love the idea though of being able to tighten it equally all the way across so that its super tight and does not move. Just my 2 cents. I'm sewing one of light canvas....I used 2 small flats of aluminum from Lowes sewn into the front that fits perfectly in the windshield channel (via bestop)......I havent done the back yet but think I'm going to try wrapping around the roll bar and using velcro.....we'll see....................Other than the mess Bestop has with their velcro issues around the door posts it actually is a great working product......Just not sure how it'll work there but I have to try it.....
