door handles
I've seen many different ways, two of the most popular around here include;
1) Fitting another handle for the outside of the lower door. This type is made by welding on a small piece of round stock (1/4) to penetrate through the lower door w/ a folding handle. The 1/4" round stock has a slot in the end where you attchach a regular handle w/ a pin. Because its slotted & squared on the end, the handle can be swung into place for use, or folded down when not in use. When you lower the door, the handle folds flat as to not hit the fabric below the door. However if you EVER let the lower door fall It will most likey result in some minor fabric damage.
2) Another common way is to weld a short piece of an allen head bolt to the outside of the exsisting handle and then drill through the lower door glass leaving a small access hole. Then you can use a "T" handled allen-wrench as a key to slip through the hole and rotate to work the closer rods/pins. This nice things about this is that there is nothing on the outside of the plane to rub against the lower fabric when the lower door is down. However having another small hole does allow a little bit of water in during the rainy days.
That said, I keep a small bungee cord attached to my upper door for storage. When I leave the plane for a few days I shut the lower door and allow the upper door to swing down; the upper door is still outside the lower door and not messed. The purpose of the bunge is just to keep the upper door from swinging and banging when I'm not around. Keep in mind that I have absolulty no security worries where I live,we never lockour house, take our keys out of our cars, "lock" the airplanes, ect.......
I wish I knew how to post pictures, this would be a good time.
Good Flying...>Byron