Fitting the Canopy Slider Frame

[smithhb]

I am fitting the slider frame and wanted your opinion. My initial fit looks great and I don't think I will need to do any bending. But the problem I have is that the front bow of the slider frame is about 3/8" too high (above the roll bar). My side tubes are 3/8" too high as compared to their height at the rear, and the front bow does not line up vertically with the roll bar. I outlined the fit and show pictures of the frame here.

http://www.flightinnovations.com/canopy.html#1/27/08

I wanted to know your opinion: Can't I just trim 3/8" off each front tube at the rollers? This should drop the front bow and remove the vertical "gap".

[smithhb]

Wow, a week goes by and no replies.... I must be the first Rivetbanger to reach this stage of construction...

[Spike]

Could be. Looking at the pictures that might well be a good solution. From what I have gathered listening to Wicked Stick and others, those canopy frames sometimes need some barbaric treatment to get to work out.

Ive seen people have to fill gaps between the frame and the canopy in some areas because of poor frame fit.

Spike

[John H]

Bret,

Just saw your post on the slider frame, if yours is as good as I see, ideed you were blessed. Cause I had the frame from hell! Dont get too rowdy with trimming the lower tubes to start with. I saw the same and clipped them 3/8" and i after all the fussing about wished that it was only 3/16" of an inch. Strange things happen when you start to put the plastic in place. The frame moves in mysterious ways I can't account for. I have done numerous RV-8's and never had the headache that I had with mine. It looks great now have all the sheetmetal rivited in place and even the rear skirt is tight on the fuselage. Again if you need further info email me a kq4ft at cfl dot rr dot com, be glad to help.

John H.
RV-9 N194JH 99% done 100% remaining
Cherokee N5810U