P1000 Roof Alternatives

[Kal]

I'm having a hard time spending $600 plus shipping for a premade roof of sheetmetal or plastic so I've been thinking about making a roof out of plywood. I thought about making my own sheet metal roof but metal isn't readily available in my area so there's a good chance it's gonna have to be wood. One of the benefits to a wood roof is it's cheaper than a ready-made roof, it's heavier duty, and I can possibly mount a roof rack to it without extra bracing. Does anyone have thoughts to this, already did it, pros/cons... I've got a net sunshade on it now but I want something that's better for monsoon season coming up and blocks the sun a touch more.

 

[Admin]

 

[WagginTail]

Check this out

Post in thread 'Todd's Wildcat Build' Todd's Wildcat Build

 

[JenElio]

I'm having a hard time spending $600 plus shipping for a premade roof of sheetmetal or plastic so I've been thinking about making a roof out of plywood. I thought about making my own sheet metal roof but metal isn't readily available in my area so there's a good chance it's gonna have to be wood. One of the benefits to a wood roof is it's cheaper than a ready-made roof, it's heavier duty, and I can possibly mount a roof rack to it without extra bracing. Does anyone have thoughts to this, already did it, pros/cons... I've got a net sunshade on it now but I want something that's better for monsoon season coming up and blocks the sun a touch more.

What machine?

I'm sure you can do it......over time you'll have to re-do it cause it's plywood (delimitation) even if you seal it. As far as heavier duty? Meh.......the OEM plastic roofs take a beating and a half, they work great. All depends on your needs and riding areas.

But to more specifically answer the question, YES it'll work just as well probably. When I was young(er), dumb(er), broke(er) 😂 I made a bed cover for my truck out of marine grade 3/4" ply (free to me) sealed it and it lasted a good year or so out in the elements 100% of the time....

 

[Kal]

What machine?

I'm sure you can do it......over time you'll have to re-do it cause it's plywood (delimitation) even if you seal it. As far as heavier duty? Meh.......the OEM plastic roofs take a beating and a half, they work great. All depends on your needs and riding areas.

But to more specifically answer the question, YES it'll work just as well probably. When I was young(er), dumb(er), broke(er) 😂 I made a bed cover for my truck out of marine grade 3/4" ply (free to me) sealed it and it lasted a good year or so out in the elements 100% of the time....

The machine is a 1000-5. The plastic roofs cost more than the sheet metal counterparts after doing some research. When I bought it the sales guy was telling me a honda roof was around $800. I balked and said to hell with that, I'll put a sheet of plywood on it. I didn't think I was that serious at the time, I figured I would just buy an aftermarket roof. Wrong.
In my younger days I would have broke down some pallets and made it out of that, lol.
In my area I don't have a lot of trees and stuff to worry about, it's mostly juniper trees and open land. Kind of a shame really, I really wanted an excuse to get a brushguard bumper like the ones in that bumper thread, I just can't justify it at the moment and my wife and buddy would kill me if I did.
I thought about using a spar urethane to coat it, then maybe put a coat of paint over it so it's not so obvious. The sun really beats the hell out of things here so it's kinda iffy, I don't know.

 

[Robobrainiac]

Your local menards should have some HDPE

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/plastic-utility-panels/1-4-x-4-x-8-hdpe-panel/blkhdpe48x96x220/p-1561703293089-c-14048.htm?tid=3164584860857645060&ipos=4

 

[WagginTail]

Your local menards should have some HDPE

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/plastic-utility-panels/1-4-x-4-x-8-hdpe-panel/blkhdpe48x96x220/p-1561703293089-c-14048.htm?tid=3164584860857645060&ipos=4

Definitely better than plywood and doesn't cost much more

 

[Robobrainiac]

P1000m5 - The Robo Build

The Purchase: 07-16-20 Hello All! I don't think I have made an introduction yet. I have been on here for awhile now. My wife and I are from central MO. We recently purchased our first home on 20 acres almost a year ago. We have had a couple Honda 4 wheelers for maybe 4 years now and enjoyed the...

hondasxs.com

Post #8 was our first roof before we bought the Honda OE roof. It worked well and is removable and required no fabrication skills.

 

[Kal]

Your local menards should have some HDPE

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/plastic-utility-panels/1-4-x-4-x-8-hdpe-panel/blkhdpe48x96x220/p-1561703293089-c-14048.htm?tid=3164584860857645060&ipos=4

I don't have a Menards but I get your meaning. I never thought about plastic sheet panels before, thanks! I do like that idea better than the plywood, I'm going to have to check and see if my local depot or lowes has it. Kinda sucks I'm going to have to buy two sheets of it though, if I can find it that is.

 

[Kal]

P1000m5 - The Robo Build

The Purchase: 07-16-20 Hello All! I don't think I have made an introduction yet. I have been on here for awhile now. My wife and I are from central MO. We recently purchased our first home on 20 acres almost a year ago. We have had a couple Honda 4 wheelers for maybe 4 years now and enjoyed the...

hondasxs.com

Post #8 was our first roof before we bought the Honda OE roof. It worked well and is removable and required no fabrication skills.

I've got a mesh net on it now, it does alright so far, but we are still getting snow and monsoon season starts in about June. I do love the temporary tarp though. 👍

 

[Kal]

The closest thing I've been able for find is black acrylic sheeting which is about an 1/8" thick for $154 a sheet and depot has to order it.

 

[bumperm]

The closest thing I've been able for find is black acrylic sheeting which is about an 1/8" thick for $154 a sheet and depot has to order it.

I don't think acrylic sheet would be suitable. Cracks easily, not impact resistant (think Plexiglas) and can make sharp shards when it breaks. As suggested, HDPE would be a much better choice.

 

[Remington]

The plastic roofs cost more than the sheet metal counterparts

LETS GO BRANDON!!

 

[Kal]

I don't think acrylic sheet would be suitable. Cracks easily, not impact resistant (think Plexiglas) and can make sharp shards when it breaks. As suggested, HDPE would be a much better choice.

I agree with you whole heartily, it's just finding it...

 

[Kal]

LETS GO BRANDON!!

Amen! I love your don't tread on me on your hood by the way. Caught a glimpse of it in the bumper thread

 

[Kal]

What about FRP wall panel board? The description says it's supposed to be tough, though it is a little thin. And it's $38 for a 4x8 sheet. 😁 I can't find anyone near me that has HDPE sheets.

 

[JenElio]

What about FRP wall panel board? The description says it's supposed to be tough, though it is a little thin. And it's $38 for a 4x8 sheet. 😁 I can't find anyone near me that has HDPE sheets.

I wouldn't just do the FRP alone, maybe lay it on some 1/2" ply at least. FRP by itself might be really flappy

 

[bumperm]

"Roof Alternatives" being the original question posed in this thread:

94 bucks'll get you 68 inches of convertible comfort and convenience.

 

[Kal]

I wouldn't just do the FRP alone, maybe lay it on some 1/2" ply at least. FRP by itself might be really flappy

Good point. That's a good idea, lay down plywood, seal it, then that stuff on top of it like a barrier.

I did look into on-line vendors for the HDPE sheets and I found some, problem was the shipping was so high I might as well buy a real roof. I did find a used Honda roof on ebay but they want $900 for it.....for a used roof....

 

[Kal]

"Roof Alternatives" being the original question posed in this thread:

94 bucks'll get you 68 inches of convertible comfort and convenience.

View attachment 321636

Knowing my luck I'll do a Mary Poppins with it......😆

 

[JenElio]

Good point. That's a good idea, lay down plywood, seal it, then that stuff on top of it like a barrier.

I did look into on-line vendors for the HDPE sheets and I found some, problem was the shipping was so high I might as well buy a real roof. I did find a used Honda roof on ebay but they want $900 for it.....for a used roof....

If you're thinking of the FRP route, I'd stop by a commercial job site maybe and ask if they have any FRP glue left over and trowel it on. No need to seal the ply then 🤷‍♂️