tr2_applegreen Posted March 9, 2020 Report Share Posted March 9, 2020 (edited) I was thinking of adding bonnet straps to my TR2, however I was not willing to drill holes through the bonnet. Therefore, I build magnetic, detachable bonnet straps. You need: 2x Standard bonnet straps8x Neodym magnets (30x10x2mm) 1) Shorten the screws so that only the srew heads remain 2) Smoothen the edges of the metal covers of the bonnet straps 3) Glue the screw heads to the metal covers using a dual component epoxy adhesive (& let it dry) 4) Cut a piece out of the leather strap ends to place 2 magnets at each side 5) Glue the magnets to the leather straps using a dual component epoxy adhesive (& let it dry) 6) Glue the metal covers on the straps using a dual component epoxy adhesive (& let it dry) 7) Done Feel free to copy. Edited March 9, 2020 by tr2_applegreen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted March 9, 2020 Report Share Posted March 9, 2020 Clever cosmetic approach Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MilesA Posted March 10, 2020 Report Share Posted March 10, 2020 (edited) Very neat. For an even more authentic look I would use slotted screw heads. Just installed a knuckle jointed wing mirror support on the windscreen stanchion, using one of the existing screw holes and a longer (but not too long) single screw at the top of the support, strong double-sided tape under the support bracket and a glued in screw head at the bottom of the support (as I too did not want to drill into the stanchion). Seems very firm. Not claiming originality. Nicked the idea from others. Photo before the dummy screw was glued in. Edited March 10, 2020 by MilesA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 10, 2020 Report Share Posted March 10, 2020 Neat Miles - well done bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted March 10, 2020 Report Share Posted March 10, 2020 Where did you source the components for this Miles ? Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MilesA Posted March 10, 2020 Report Share Posted March 10, 2020 Roy I bought the complete package (support, knuckle, mirror with integral arm) from a dealer at the MG / Triumph Show last month. Afraid I do not know who it was (other than an MG supplier) and it was quite costly. Have seen them occasionally in the past but been looking to buy for a year or two. It is a new 'Desmo' branded circular mirror - hard to find. I did not want the commonly available oval version. Someone here may know a supplier otherwise very diligent internet searching may help you. After initial fitting, I also dismantled the mirror unit and replaced the 'flat' glass mirror with a convex one that I subsequently bought on the internet which gives better visibility. Forgot to mention that I shaped a piece of rubber to fit into the void under the support which I glued in with Araldite. This stops the support potentially scratching the stanchion. Miles Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 10, 2020 Report Share Posted March 10, 2020 I fitted a similar arrangement to a customers TR 2, the arm came from here https://www.completeautomobilist.com/products/806arm-mirror-mounting-arm-adjustable I found an old Desmo mirror to suit, I used the centre screw on the stanchion as the lower of the two on the arm and as it was never going to be removed anyway I drilled and tapped the stanchion for an upper screw. Having it higher meant you could open the door with the sidescreen mounted and it came nowhere near touching the mirror Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drewmotty Posted March 10, 2020 Report Share Posted March 10, 2020 (edited) That looks a nice job Miles. I use a sucker mounted stick-on in the extreme lower right of the windscreen. Sold by Halfords as a child back seat monitor thingy. It is very effective and covers the blind spot through the side screens when they are in place. It gets swapped to the passenger side when driving in Europe. Edited March 10, 2020 by Drewmotty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 10, 2020 Report Share Posted March 10, 2020 This was my approach. after some bending of the support bracket the sidescreen clears the mirror. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
R.M. Posted May 27, 2021 Report Share Posted May 27, 2021 (edited) On 3/9/2020 at 3:49 PM, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Clever cosmetic approach Peter W interesting bonnet catches, yes cosmetic and not structural, but surly not able to withstand prolonged and normal road use, surly they will just drop off after a while. Edited May 27, 2021 by R.M. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted May 28, 2021 Report Share Posted May 28, 2021 Neodymium magnets are pretty fierce. I bought some tiny ones to ‘adjust’ my ammeter and gave the spares to my wife to use as fridge magnets. You can’t get the bl**dy things off without something to lever them with. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tr2_applegreen Posted May 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2021 On 5/27/2021 at 8:38 PM, R.M. said: interesting bonnet catches, yes cosmetic and not structural, but surly not able to withstand prolonged and normal road use, surly they will just drop off after a while. They hold for 1,5 years and ~ 3.000km now, without any sign of wear. Just as Ian says, Neodymium magnets are very very strong, and the epoxy adhesive does its job to keep them together with the leather straps. In the meantime, I added small squared pieces of transparent paint protection film below the magnets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghia Guy Posted November 7, 2023 Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 On 3/9/2020 at 11:14 AM, tr2_applegreen said: I was thinking of adding bonnet straps to my TR2, however I was not willing to drill holes through the bonnet. Therefore, I build magnetic, detachable bonnet straps. You need: 2x Standard bonnet straps8x Neodym magnets (30x10x2mm) 1) Shorten the screws so that only the srew heads remain 2) Smoothen the edges of the metal covers of the bonnet straps 3) Glue the screw heads to the metal covers using a dual component epoxy adhesive (& let it dry) 4) Cut a piece out of the leather strap ends to place 2 magnets at each side 5) Glue the magnets to the leather straps using a dual component epoxy adhesive (& let it dry) 6) Glue the metal covers on the straps using a dual component epoxy adhesive (& let it dry) 7) Done Feel free to copy. Hi sir, do you make the magnetic bonnet straps for sale? I’ve been looking for a set forever for my Ghia. please advise? thelynnfirm@gmail.com thanks!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rocketman Posted November 8, 2023 Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 On 3/10/2020 at 9:17 AM, MilesA said: Very neat. For an even more authentic look I would use slotted screw heads. Just installed a knuckle jointed wing mirror support on the windscreen stanchion, using one of the existing screw holes and a longer (but not too long) single screw at the top of the support, strong double-sided tape under the support bracket and a glued in screw head at the bottom of the support (as I too did not want to drill into the stanchion). Seems very firm. Not claiming originality. Nicked the idea from others. Photo before the dummy screw was glued in. does this work with the side screens fitted. To see the mirror ok and open the doors with side screens fitted? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MilesA Posted November 8, 2023 Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 Yes, that is precisely why I eventually installed this particular set up. The knuckle joint enables the mirror to positioned slightly forward and so avoids fouling on the side screen. There is a full view of the mirror too when driving the car. Miles Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tr2_applegreen Posted November 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2023 On 11/7/2023 at 2:21 AM, Ghia Guy said: Hi sir, do you make the magnetic bonnet straps for sale? I’ve been looking for a set forever for my Ghia. please advise? thelynnfirm@gmail.com thanks!!! Hi, thanks for your feedback. I'll send you an email. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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