Miata Mailing List: October 1999, Message #213

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Well, being 6'3 - 6'5 (depending on the time of day and how much physical
labor I performed in the last 6 hours ;)) To give you an idea: My inseam is
36" (0.85 Meters?) (with a slight wrinkle at the cuff) and my sleeve is also
36" (half way between my wrist and the first knuckle of my thumb). I wear a
size 44L suit.

FWIW, this is going into a '90 with the original cloth seats.

I chose the Hard Dog Hard Core for its taller dimensions, which were
explained, BTW, as "slightly taller than the Hard Top version". With no
definite measurements of over seat height, over shelf height or some other
quantifiable number I took a stab in the dark and went with the tallest
version available that would still allow the soft top to close. I guess I
figured I could fit under the soft top without having any clearance issues
and the HDHC was fitted by Bethania to be the tallest under it, it would
have to be good enough.

I was glad I did!

Most of the vendors advertise the HDHC as allowing the full range of motion
of the seats (both on the track and the reclinining of the seat back) but
this wasn't the case. The top of my head sat even with the top of the bar
when the seat was all the way back and reclined fully against the rear
bulkhead. This actually created an interference fit with the rollbar's rear
supports and the headrest to the point that it was crushing the foam padding
under the vinyl. With my longish legs this is the ONLY comfortable position
I can drive in. If I move the seat a notch forward I wind up with no room
between my knees and the steering wheel, and if I move the seatback any
farther forward I wind up being too tall to fit under the soft top
comfortably (my hair rubs against the top rib which is *very* annoying). I
also experienced alot of squeaky rubbing of the vinyl against the rollbar.

I have recently been afforded the opportunity (thanks Ernie!) to sit in a
Miata with the HDHCHT and found that the top of my head was at least 1/2"
(1.5 MM?) (maybe a full inch. Nathan?) above the top of the bar. Basically,
the "crown" (flat spot) in the rear of my head was in perfect line with the
center of the rollbar. This could prove to be rather painful either in a
rear-ender or a roll over!

Now a year later and the metal frame under the vinyl seat has rubbed through
the vinyl and is exposed when I move the seat forward for vacuuming, etc.. I
use a piece of felt wire tied to the bar's rear braces at the top and bottom
of the felt right where the seat interferes with the rollbar to subdue the
squeaking. I have just removed a sizeable amount (but not all of) the seat
foam which has lowered me about another 3/4" (2 MM?). Now when I lean my
head against the headrest the crown of my head fits rather neatly between
the rollbar and the top of the seat. I have also removed the seat back
padding to give a little more leg room, but there is still not enough room
to move the seat forward a notch. Even after removing the padding I still
don't have enough room to meet the SCCA 2" rule for helmets.

Even though it didn't live up to it's advertised fitment expectations, I am
happy with the purchase. Fortunately I have not had need for it, but I think
overall that my life is in alot better hands than no overhead protection at
all! It looks great, stiffened up the rear end appreciably (which makes me
want better shocks that much more) and gives me a good place to hang on
while trying to climb (launch) out of my now much lower seat!

For those concerned: I didnt need to do much more than what the directions
called for to install the bar, no wrestling or pre-torquing necessary.
Initial fit was about 85 - 90% and got better as I tightened down the bolts.

Brad and K.Bee (the bug slaying, over-head protecting Miata)

----- Original Message -----
From: mchehab <mchehab@abac.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <miata@list.miata.net>
Sent: Friday, October 01, 1999 3:36 PM
Subject: Tall People and RollBars


> Hey all
>
>
> This questions is addressed to all the people who are at least 6'3" and
> above and who have roll bars.
>
> Is there any problem with using your miata with the roll bar. Do you have
to
> lean way back.?  Etc.  Any comments will be helpful
>
> Thanks
>
> Merwan
>
>