17 replies to this topic

[Slippy_fish]

Thought I would share with you an alternative solution to a snapped soft top cable.


It's a very straight forward solution using two bicycle chain split links and an archery bow string.

• Firstly you need to remove the cable and fixings from the hood by removing the countersunk allen screws on each side.

• Each end of the cable has a counter-sunk plate, we need to re-use these. It's a simple job to remove the threaded adjuster and fixed cable crimp. These are both secured to the counter-sunk plate by a small pin that is peened over. Grind off the peening and use a punch to drive the pin through.

• You should now have two countersunk plates. discard the rest.

• Next make a bow string. As you may have guessed I'm an archer so I have the tools and materials to do so. The particular string material I use goes under the brand name of "FastFlight". This is a HMPE fibre (High Modulus Polyethylene) which is very strong, extremely flexible and unaffected by moisture making it ideal for this application (as well as bow strings). The string I have made up will have a breaking strain of around 1000kg. Oh and the length of the string is 950mm I think.

• Next get two bicycle chain split links. I used SRAM 9spd Links as these are about the thinnest you can get and are easy to snap together and release. These are used to attach the loops of the bow string to the counter-sunk plates.

So that's all the bits sorted now you just need to fit it.

• Re-install the counter-sunk plates on both sides of the hood.

• Next thread the string through the hood. I first threaded a bike brake cable through, taped the string to one end and pulled it back through.

• Now working on one side of the hood, push one half of the chain link through the plate, loop the string on the other half and connect together.

• Do the same for the other side and test fit the hood.

The smart folk may have noticed there is no adjuster......no need, all you do is release the string on one side twist and re-connect. It may not be quite as easy but it only takes a minute or so.

And there you have it. A neat and simple solution that I can almost guarantee will last longer than a traditional cable.





It was dark when I fitted it so i'll take a photo in the daylight.

Cheers.

Slippy.

Attached Files

•  Cable 1.jpg   69.18KB   22 downloads
•  Cable 2.jpg   71.87KB   18 downloads
•  Cable 3.jpg   72.8KB   18 downloads

[ArticMonkey]

Nice! Got some links for the parts needed? Mods make this a sticky.

[MrSimba]

Most people's 16th post is still asking 'NA or Turbo'! Fantastic work there Slippy - this definatly needs adding to the 'useful threads' collection.

Edited by MrSimba, 30 October 2011 - 06:04 AM.

[Goosenka]

Thought I would share with you an alternative solution to a snapped soft top cable.


It's a very straight forward solution using two bicycle chain split links and an archery bow string.

• Firstly you need to remove the cable and fixings from the hood by removing the countersunk allen screws on each side.

• Each end of the cable has a counter-sunk plate, we need to re-use these. It's a simple job to remove the threaded adjuster and fixed cable crimp. These are both secured to the counter-sunk plate by a small pin that is peened over. Grind off the peening and use a punch to drive the pin through.

• You should now have two countersunk plates. discard the rest.

• Next make a bow string. As you may have guessed I'm an archer so I have the tools and materials to do so. The particular string material I use goes under the brand name of "FastFlight". This is a HMPE fibre (High Modulus Polyethylene) which is very strong, extremely flexible and unaffected by moisture making it ideal for this application (as well as bow strings). The string I have made up will have a breaking strain of around 1000kg. Oh and the length of the string is 950mm I think.

• Next get two bicycle chain split links. I used SRAM 9spd Links as these are about the thinnest you can get and are easy to snap together and release. These are used to attach the loops of the bow string to the counter-sunk plates.

So that's all the bits sorted now you just need to fit it.

• Re-install the counter-sunk plates on both sides of the hood.

• Next thread the string through the hood. I first threaded a bike brake cable through, taped the string to one end and pulled it back through.

• Now working on one side of the hood, push one half of the chain link through the plate, loop the string on the other half and connect together.

• Do the same for the other side and test fit the hood.

The smart folk may have noticed there is no adjuster......no need, all you do is release the string on one side twist and re-connect. It may not be quite as easy but it only takes a minute or so.

And there you have it. A neat and simple solution that I can almost guarantee will last longer than a traditional cable.





It was dark when I fitted it so i'll take a photo in the daylight.

Cheers.

Slippy.

Very nice Are you coming to Lord's next year to watch the Archery?

[dw1]

Nice work. He will it handle water penetration and dampness, will it get mouldy?

[Slippy_fish]

The fibre is unaffected by moisture and is actually waxed for added protection. I can't see it promoting mould growth any more than the damp canvass of the hood itself would. My car is going to be outside all winter so i'll let you know how it fares.....I have faith. Anyway not that it really shows a great deal more but this is a pic of it fitted to the car. Goosenka..hopeing to get down to Lords next year but i have to rely on a mate for tickets......i was a little slack. Oh and for anyone else wanting to try this i'm struggling to find an off the shelf string the right length but i could make a few up if people want.

Attached Files

•  Cable 4.jpg   69.55KB   13 downloads

[Robski]

Slippy, One year down the road, how is your home brew cable coming along? I've just had one of my cables let go on me so I think I'm going to give this a go. Logic would suggest that the HMPE archery string should hold up quite well. I've measured the cable and 950mm seems to be the right length but I just wanted confirmation from yourself. If you had to do it again, would you make it any shorter / longer? I'm assuming that any archery supply shop will be able to make up the strings to the required length? Many thanks and looking forward to an update. R

[Robski]

One more question, if I may!

I've found a place that will make up the strings in 'fastflight plus':

http://www.onlinearc...om-950-56-p.asp

However, they ask how many strands, 14 / 16 / 18. I guess the more strands the better?
Also, they ask for bow type. Would this affect the size of the loop at the end of the string?

It looks like the cost is around £9.50 which is less than a third of the price of a steel cable. There must be a weight saving element too!!!

Thanks again.

R

[GiGo]

It's a good alternative, but doesn't ElizP do a replacements for about 25 notes?

[Robski]

I think ElizP's are £31.50 on ebay, which is cool and would certainly reduce the issues with the original but I like the idea of getting rid of the whole steel cable / metal fatigue issue. This looks like it could be a superb alternative and most likely much easier to thread through the soft top. If this doesn't work out I'll certainly go with the ElizP solution over the OEM!!!!

[Claws]

Liz's cables are of a different design to the standard ones, they eliminate that single stress point as they're basically the same design as this but in stainless steel cable and utilises an adjuster too. This is a cool solution though

Edited by Claws, 16 October 2012 - 09:53 AM.

[Robski]

I've just ordered a couple of Liz's cables but I'd still really like to try this solution....it just seems so much simpler.

[simsy]

Looks a pretty and a very stronge build. But how do you adjust the tension? Is the photo of the roof pulled open into a loop to show the parts?

[Sarah_Casper]

Needs to be a sticky I think

[Robski]

Looks a pretty and a very stronge build.

But how do you adjust the tension?
Is the photo of the roof pulled open into a loop to show the parts?

Slippy mentions in the original post that in order to adjust the tension you simply twist the bow string a few times, this will shorten its length. No need to remove it, just unhook one end.
Yep, I believe the photo is just to show the parts.

[TheRealVXed]

Does a mod want to move this to Guides and Tutorials please before someone else asks

[Slippy_fish]

Sorry not be on the forum for a little while. A year on and it is holding up just fine. The only minor issue is that the chain links get a little surface rust on them but you can now buy Stainless versions which will eliminate this. Simsy..... Yes the last photo with the top just open is to show how the parts look installed. Robski......the string you linked to will do just fine, but as you say go for the 18 strand which will be a little stronger and creep less. if they ask say its for a recurve. I can't remeber what length i made it now but if i get chance i'll measure it up.

[Robski]

Cheers Slippy! I've done the repair with one of Liz's replacements, which is a nice piece of kit, but the next time one goes I'll be using your method! I love the simplicity of your solution! Thanks again for the original post and for the update. R