alcal Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 Does anyone here have experience with the Softbits cap with hooks and can recommend them?. I was happy with the Thundersport version for my trailer light car but they don't do one for new the new models.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted October 5, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted October 5, 2022 My Thundersports shower cap works fine with the new tail lights on my '99 era car, there's a small tube attached to the chassis at each side under the rear and the cords secure there fine. I believe later cars (metric?) don't have the tubes though, older cars possibly used it to hang a rear exit silencer.I did buy some small plastic hooks on ebay that I've intended to fit but everything seems fine using the steel tubes.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattB Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 I have the new lights and the Softbits cap with their plastic hooks - they work fine. As their website says you might want to put some clear tape on the panel where the hooks sit, but I haven't bothered.MattB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Dr Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 I put 2 little bits of 3M Helicopter tape on the bottom edge of the rear panel as the plastic hooks are in contact with the paintwork.They would probably leave marks over time without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 bike inner tube on the inside of the hooks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted November 7, 2023 Share Posted November 7, 2023 Reviving an old thread - I'm thinking of a Soft Bits long nose shower cap, but I currently have a full hood (which is a bit leaky). I'm told that it is not designed for use with the full hood and the rear contour is intended to lie fairly flat against the roll bar. So, for anyone who has used one with a full hood, how bad is the fit? Does it still work or does the full hood actually prevent fitment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlastairA Posted November 8, 2023 Share Posted November 8, 2023 (edited) I bought the long nose shower cap without realising that it was intended to fit the car without the hood fitted. It's perfect without the full hood fitted and the hood bars lowered - however, with the hood fitted, the shower cap is lifted up. It basically means the bottom edge of the side windows are exposed (see photo below) but it still does the job of keeping the rain out. IMG_5525.HEIC Edited November 8, 2023 by AlastairA Picture attachment 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted November 8, 2023 Share Posted November 8, 2023 Thank you - I see now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted November 8, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted November 8, 2023 I don’t understand why you would want a shower cap over a full hood. Surprised your full hood leaks but would expect it can be made waterproof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlastairA Posted November 8, 2023 Share Posted November 8, 2023 Paul - I bought mine after reading that heavy rainfall could cause damage to the 420 alternator if the bonnet louvres are left uncovered. There was also a thought that having the windows covered by the shower cap might improve security by preventing inquisitive eyes looking into the cockpit. I therefore chose to use both the full hood and a shower cap on a recent NC500 run. It was probably overkill but did give peace of mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted November 8, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted November 8, 2023 I wouldn’t have thought the alternator would suffer and I’ve certainly had no problems. However a long nose shower cap will certainly prevent water getting into the heater. I get your point about prying eyes and agree. I assumed you were arriving somewhere with no roof and then putting both a full hood and shower cap on. I know some put the shower cap over a half hood but if the shower cap is a good fit I haven’t found it necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted November 9, 2023 Share Posted November 9, 2023 22 hours ago, paul richards said: I don’t understand why you would want a shower cap over a full hood. Surprised your full hood leaks but would expect it can be made waterproof. Sadly, this has happened and it seems that it's not repairable. I don't fancy ~£900 for a new full hood... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted November 9, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted November 9, 2023 James. That’s not good. It’s obviously going to leak in use never mind when parked. You need a new one, but fortunately lots of people have spare ones. I’m sure a wanted ad on here would get you a replacement and at a much lower price. However I’d look to get a half hood. I’ve used nothing but a shower cap and half hood for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted November 9, 2023 Share Posted November 9, 2023 2 hours ago, paul richards said: However I’d look to get a half hood. I’ve used nothing but a shower cap and half hood for years. Same here. The long-nose shower cap fits perfectly over a half-hood, and also covers the bonnet cut-out and RBTB air filter. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted November 9, 2023 Share Posted November 9, 2023 (edited) I am considering a half-hood. Does one provide enough protection from rain coming in from behind the doors? Also is there much to consider between the Oxted and the SoftBits ones? I think I prefer the attachment of the side straps on the Oxted...would welcome experience of one over the other.. What are the downsides to a half hood? Edited November 9, 2023 by JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted November 9, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted November 9, 2023 If you have a spare wheel very little rain comes in from the rear, however without a spare the airflow is different and in heavy rain you’ll get a good soaking from behind … in my case enough to get water into a couple of gauges on the dash! I still use it (Oxted) though. Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted November 9, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted November 9, 2023 I have a Soft Bits half hood and had the easy in zips retro fitted. I like the Oxted version as the securing straps seem better attached at the side but not sure if they do easy in zips and Oxted weren’t available when I purchased mine originally. Positive point is less steaming up and no real down sides. As Stu says much better if you have a spare wheel to prevent rear water ingress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 Thanks Guys. I do run with a spare, so that's good to know. I think Oxted do easy in zips...I'll investigate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAL73 Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 13 hours ago, paul richards said: I have a Soft Bits half hood and had the easy in zips retro fitted. I like the Oxted version as the securing straps seem better attached at the side but not sure if they do easy in zips and Oxted weren’t available when I purchased mine originally. Positive point is less steaming up and no real down sides. As Stu says much better if you have a spare wheel to prevent rear water ingress. I didnt know you could have "easy in" zips retro fitted to a Soft Bits half hood - did you take it back to Soft Bits to do this work? If so what did they charge for this if you dont mind me asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 20 hours ago, SLR No.77 said: If you have a spare wheel very little rain comes in from the rear... That's interesting -- I hadn't realised that. I've always carried a spare yet failed to appreciate its rain-protection benefits! JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted November 10, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted November 10, 2023 The half hood can be swamped if the weather gets truly desperate but at least you’ll be cosy and damp rather than cold and damp … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted November 12, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted November 12, 2023 On 10/11/2023 at 13:25, JAL73 said: I didnt know you could have "easy in" zips retro fitted to a Soft Bits half hood - did you take it back to Soft Bits to do this work? If so what did they charge for this if you dont mind me asking? Yes. Soft Bits retro fitted the zips. I can’t remember the price. Over £100 but less than £200. There’s a lot of work in it. I was concerned that zips may allow it to leak but it doesn’t. They make a good job of it. Well worth it. worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 On 08/11/2023 at 08:10, AlastairA said: I bought the long nose shower cap without realising that it was intended to fit the car without the hood fitted. It's perfect without the full hood fitted and the hood bars lowered - however, with the hood fitted, the shower cap is lifted up. It basically means the bottom edge of the side windows are exposed (see photo below) but it still does the job of keeping the rain out. IMG_5525.HEIC 3 MB · 40 downloads I can see a place marker to download the image, but I can't see the image inline. Safari on macOS. Can others see it inline? Thanks Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 2 hours ago, Jonathan Kay said: Can others see it inline? I have to download it first and then open it as a separate file (PC: Firefox 119.0.1, Win11 -- Samsung S9: Android 10). JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 Thanks, John. I've logged it in the New Website thread. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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