Which roll bar????

[Mr nanotech]

Ok I've made the decision I want a roll bar for my car (obviously). I was pretty set on getting a BD bar but after more research I see there are a lot of others to consider. I'm not so worried about what is or isn't CAMS approved anymore and looking for an aggressive black jdm look. So anything 4-point sounds pretty good to me!
I'm going to take this opportunity to clear up right now that I'm not interested in style bars at all. Kudos of those of you who are, I'm glad you guys know what you like! But just to put it out there, I'm not a fan myself as it's not quite the look I'm going for.

Ok so what I'd like to do is ask you guys what you would go for in my position! The BD is great but a little on the expensive side so I'm looking into the say... $500 mark. Most notably the 'Hard Dog' and 'Hardcore' bars (seen it listed as both of those names on different sites but looks exactly the same). Then there is the carbing/cusco 6 point roll bar which goes right to the ground behind the seats. I'm not so worried about seat travel as I'm not exactly the tallest guy around but a lot of my passengers seem to be, so it's probably something to take into account when selecting one.
Then there is the issue of roof rubbing, I'm not sure if that's an installation problem or the bar itself, but I have read that some bars are more prone to rubbing on the hard top than others. I should probably throw in that I have a na6 mx5 with soon to be replaced roof with glassed in robbins roof. The Mazdaspeed bar is dirt cheap but it looks that way for a reason...

So any suggestions? ALL ADVICE WILL BE *MUCH* APPRECIATED!!!!!!! Just remember, blacked out square shaped bars with at least 4 points and cross bar.

[Fatty]

you won't find anything of that description in your price range for sale in australia. that is, unless you go second hand, then something may eventually pop up. so just keep a very keen eye on the "for sale" section of the forum and on eBay. that is what i did, it took a while but eventually i found one that fits your description and price range, so it can happen... you just have to be patient!!



cheers.

[Mr nanotech]

you won't find anything of that description in your price range for sale in australia. that is, unless you go second hand, then something may eventually pop up. so just keep a very keen eye on the "for sale" section of the forum and on eBay. that is what i did, it took a while but eventually i found one that fits your description and price range, so it can happen... you just have to be patient!!



cheers.

Yeah I've seen a few this price (without shipping). I know what you mean though. I'll do what you said and keep myself on the lookout here. So what is your bar and what other manufacturers would you recommend?

[Fatty]

my bar is custom made, bought second hand off the forum. it's got design elements similar to a cross between BD and mx5 plus torque box... i think there was a batch of these made up in nsw or act but to be honest i'm not completley aware of it's origins.

if i were you, i'd be on the lookout for a second hand mx5 plus torque box rollbar.

[cshaks]

I had a BD installed in mine. I made sure that I got one for an NB as I always planned to upgrade the roof on my NA.
There is a difference with the NA and NB Roll bars, it is a different positioning of the Diagonal.
I replaced my roof last weekend with a Robbins no zip heated glass roof, and the clearance is fine. I've only lowered it once since then (waiting for the roof to stretch properly), and the glass seems to sit in there perfectly. The only thing I will have to watch out for is to make sure that I have a towel or something on the parcel shelf, so that the window won't rub on the harness eyebolts, which are screwed into the flat horizontal section on the BD.
Cheers
Chris

[93_Clubman]

yeah like fatty said, go a 2nd hand one - shipping from US, UK or within Australia involving Australia Post is a problem as Aust Post has a 105cm maximum length.

[RG.net]

I've been through quite a few bars in my time.

It started off with a cusco 4 point rollbar, it took slot of seat travel away and I soon switched it for a Mazdaspeed 4 point rollbar (similar to the one that was on Ebay). I sold that and now have a Mazdaspeed Type NR-A Rollcage that I love.

Anyway the cusco I bought for $200, the MS 4 point for about $550 shipped from japan, and the cage for roughly $800 shipped from japan.

All bars were used. So keep an eye out as you will find something your after. Iirc Vespa has a carbing rollbar that he was thinking of selling, maybe send him a PM.

[Nick3]

Greetings.

A Mazdaspeed 4-point bar has just been listed on ebay, with a Buy-It-Now of $425, and it's in Melbourne.

Sounds ideal for you and your location.

[wun911]

There is a rumur mx5 plus make a single hoop roll bar, it weighs like 7 kg less than their double hoop roll bar...

Drivers can live passengers are dead weight literally...

[Mr nanotech]

Greetings.

A Mazdaspeed 4-point bar has just been listed on ebay, with a Buy-It-Now of $425, and it's in Melbourne.

Sounds ideal for you and your location.

Yeah I saw one up the other day! I was pretty tempted but I really want one with the cross bar. Although it has 6 days left and if the bid hasn't gone up much I might just buy it. The only thing I don't like about the Mazdaspeed bar is that the two angled bars are joined at a hinge, I much prefer the solid finish where it's all one big welded thing. Not trying to be particular here by the way, I really appreciate the advice and I'm already very temped!I'll see how things end up with the bids

[Old Dude]

Nanotech, you can't go past a good old MX 5 plus bar, for strength or fit( hard top/ soft top). I have the twin hoop torque bar from mx5 plus and it is brilliant.

I also was considering the BD bar but after seeing the MX 5 plus bar, the mounting points, and investigating the weight that it would hold before bending, decided it was the only bar for me.

P1020386.JPG

P1020384.JPG

The added body stiffness and increased side impact protection provided by the full length torque box also impressed me. They do a one piece bar with diagonal brace as well but it is so easy to raise the top while sitting in the drivers seat with the twin hoop, and from memory it takes about 3tonne forward or back load and about 9tonne vertical load before it fails. Also no problem at all with full seat travel, or roof clearance.
Anyway Nano thats my 20cents, good luck
Cheers
Dale

[93_Clubman]

As RG.net mentioned Vespa has a Carbing for sale in the following thread (scroll down for pic):
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=40972

Hinged & no diagonal cross bar, so again may not be the style you're after.

[bruce]

Not trying to create a COW, but note that depending upon the bar you buy you may need it engineered and/or come under police attention (I note that you're in Vic).

[Nick3]

Greetings.

A Mazdaspeed 4-point bar has just been listed on ebay, with a Buy-It-Now of $425, and it's in Melbourne.

Sounds ideal for you and your location.

Yeah I saw one up the other day! I was pretty tempted but I really want one with the cross bar. Although it has 6 days left and if the bid hasn't gone up much I might just buy it. The only thing I don't like about the Mazdaspeed bar is that the two angled bars are joined at a hinge, I much prefer the solid finish where it's all one big welded thing. Not trying to be particular here by the way, I really appreciate the advice and I'm already very temped!I'll see how things end up with the bids

If you are still looking for a roll bar, there is a sturdier looking one, with the crossbar you want, just listed on ebay.

Good Luck.

Nick.

[Mr nanotech]

Just saw it! But I'm in Victoria.. The seller says local pickup ONLY and he's in Sydney!!!!!!! Unless I can find someone up there willing to ship it back to me, I don't think I can buy it!