How do I get a Half Hood ?

[pistonheadneil]

Hello

On June 2, I placed an order for a half hood with Soft Bits for Sevens.

On June 3, I received and email confirming my order had been received.

On June 28, I sent a reply to their email asking about progress.

I have yet to receive a response.

I looked at Caterham website and they do not have any.

I live in the desert and would like to have a half hood for protection from the sun.

I would like to get one before the summer is over.

 

Does anyone have experience with this and can give me some advice ?

 

Thank you.

[pethier]

I was a bit luckier with my Storm Cap.  Soft Bits for Sevens was very-responsive.  They confirmed that the Storm Cap for the SLR cage on an SV would would fit my CSR 260 with an SLR cage.  They had them in stock.  It arrived in a very-short time.  It fits perfectly.

 

Apparently, if they don't have stock on an item, they make it to order.  They may be dragging their feet on an answering you while waiting for an answer from the production shop.

[JohnCh]

Soft Bits makes great products, but for various reasons, their supply and communication process can be quite leisurely -- sadly, the communication issue is a common refrain with many of the UK vendors who support our hobby. My Long Nose Shower Cap took over three months from order to shipment. My best advice when working with any small UK vendor is to be persistent with email and supplement with phone call attempts. Eventually one of those will get through and generate a response.

 

If you do give up on Soft Bits, check with Caterham to make sure they don't have a half hood in stock. The website isn't always accurate from that perspective. Also, call some of the US dealers. Josh at Rocky Mountain and Bruce at Beachman Racing both stock a fair number of parts. One of them may just have a half hood in their inventory.

[pistonheadneil]

I now understand why so many European soccer fans were impressed with the USA.

[williamwashere]

Josh is helping me get one for Houston heat too, he might be able to help you. Rocky Mountain Caterham.

[pistonheadneil]

Has anyone considered contacting a small Chinese company that can make something like this?  

It should be easy for a Chinese company to make them, and several companies that can do so.

Even people in Europe and the UK would probably be interested.

[JB455]

Alternately, you could go to a local upholstery shop. They should be able to make one up pretty easily. 

 

I'd love to have one for my car, but my head sticks up higher that the windshield and the roll bar, so that wouldn't work too well for me. 🫤

 

Edited July 17 by JB455

[pistonheadneil]

I have been thinking of that.  A flat piece of vinyl with snaps in the front and four holes for straps would work OK.  The rear corners would not be "tailored", they would be left square and flapping in the wind, but that would be fine.  I would have shelter from the sun, here in the desert.  The vinyl can even be white or any other color.  

[JB455]

I was talking more of an actual upholstery shop- the kind of place that does car interiors, convertible tops, boat covers, etc. I don't see any reason a competent shop couldn't make one as good or better than you'd get online, and from any material and color that you'd like. 

[pethier]

I think I would like to have a Bimini for the CSR. It has an SLR cage and no full windscreen so the half hood from Soft Bits For Sevens won't fit. 
 

74PHIL does not need a Bimini. The full hood with the backlight zipped open does the job.