Very hot here again today, so slow going in the workshop.
I thought I'd get a start on the sliding canopy frame but met with a problem almost immediately. The very first step is to assemble the two canopy rollers, but using all the parts supplied I could not figure out how they could possibly go together without binding the nylon roller. I eventually figured out that Vans have supplied two of the roller bushings in the wrong size. The drawings and packing list both reference a pair of bushings that need to be 1/2" long. The bushings I have been supplied are only 1/4" long. I'll send them an email to clarify.
With the first step aborted I then proceeded to prepare the roller guide channel pieces, one for each side of the canopy opening. This is a length of extruded aluminium from which you cut two pieces and then lay out and drill a series of six rivet holes in each. No drama with any of that. I then recalled a recent conversation with mate Pete where he suggested making up a "nutplate strip" to aid in fixing these guide channels to each side of the canopy .... very good idea, given the extremely difficult spot the nuts will be ..... so I started making this up for the right side. Will continue this later.
Another job I realised needed finishing before the canopy guide channel can be installed is final rivetting of the mid bulkhead frame. This was left only partially complete by the factory builders so as to leave it a possibility to change my mind regarding tip-up versus sliding canopy. I'm staying with sliding, so finished off rivetting the right side. The bottom picture shows the area, plus about nine more rivets on the vertical portion of the frame, out of photo. Looking at the picture now I realise I also still need to finish some of the skin rivets.
The canopy roller bush on the left was supplied too short
Making up a nutplate strip for the right canopy slider track
