Some more questions about SPF Cobras

[mattpatt]

Originally Posted by Gatorac

If you get in and out of the car the right way, your legs will never get close enough to get burned.

Looking under the hood is another story....

Hi, Jim,

I hate to ask this - but what is the "right " way? Also, any advise on getting in/out with the sot top on?

thx

Matt

[patrickt]

Matt, seriously, I have some pretty bad burn scars on the back of my left ankle. Yes, I know the "stand up and step out" way to get in and out, and I even carry welding blankets cut for just the right size, and I keep it tucked behind the seat. They're only really needed when you're wearing shorts in the summer time. I'm really careful when I have passengers, I put the blankets over the pipes before they get in. But I'm not so carefuly with me; I have trouble remembering to use the blankets after a really good ride and I tend to get out of the car the same way I do any other car. I have really sizzled my skin -- borderline third degree burns. It's not a big deal when it's you, though. I've saved kids, and grown-ups, from burns by keeping them away from my pipes when I've pulled in to car shows. One time I literally "intercepted" a little girl headed straight for my primaries with her dad standing behind her completely oblivious. I now put blankets over my pipes the moment I park at a show and don't pull them off until I can touch them. Honestly, though, the back of my left ankle looks like something bad happened to me... more than once.

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by mattpatt

Hi, Jim,

I hate to ask this - but what is the "right " way? Also, any advise on getting in/out with the sot top on?

thx

Matt

Get in, then have someone else put the soft top on while you sit in the driver's seat.

Down side is that you have to live in there until Spring when someone can take the top off and let you out.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by mattpatt

Hi, Jim,

I hate to ask this - but what is the "right " way?

Matt

No one really answered the primary question, so try to visualize this sequence:

1. Open the driver's door.
2. Take your right hand and reach in over the top of the driver's seat, firmly grabbing it a little off-center (toward the center of the car). This is your balance point.
3. NEVER GRAB THE WINDSHIELD!
4. Now with your right arm/hand firmly anchoring you to the seat, you step over the sidepipe with your right leg and have it rest on the floor.
5. As you simultaneously apply more weight to your right leg (right arm is still firmly attached to that seat!), take your left arm and reach around behind your back and you will find the top of the seat with it. It sounds awkward, but your left hand will find the top of the seat.
6. Now with both hands taking on most of your weight, swing that other leg over the sidepipe and into the car, placing it next to your right leg.
7. Allow yourself to sink into the seat (sort of like a reverse push-up).
8. Buckle up, close the door, fire her up and have fun.

The procedure for getting out is the opposite (i.e. open door, start by working your hands up the side of the seat until they are both anchored at or near the top, then push yourself up, THEN swing that left leg out over the pipe, and so forth).

Again, both the windshield and either door are not designed to be weight-bearing members. I've heard war stories of people taking others for a ride and the passengers grab the corner of the windshield to pull themselves in...CRACK! Some will grab/lean on the steering column or wheel, but it's not a good idea either.

-Dean