Bike Rack Compilation Thread Options

[majkos]

Here's mine (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Rand]

My $.02, I would bolt a Yakima type system to a top.

As far as handling g-force cornering, it could be made as strong as anything mounted above the trunk lid. In fact, with backing plates/large washers to reinforce where it bolts through the top, it would be more secure than most of the clamp-on type connections, some of which can work loose.

I like the idea of just swapping a top and not having any sort of bracketry clamping to body parts and risking paint rub.

I would go with a flexible system that had options to secure more than just bikes, with attachments that can hold skis, snowboards, kayaks, cargo box, etc., all on the same rack base.

I use a very basic setup on my Honda that just has bars running across. I carry my kayak up there, plus sometimes add the mountain bike, leaning over on its side, everything secured with straps that loop through/around and cinch up... Totally secure to any kind of cornering forces.

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Kevin's rear mount is a cool option too. Then there's the type that inserts into a trailer hitch receptacle... They have those that carry motorcycles.

[Andyrew]

Here's mine (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Kevin, Awesome hitch mount setup! Can you post a little review? (I have some questions in the first post)

[Tom_T]

I don't know if our targa tops are thicker than a Westy fiberglass top but mine did not crack over 5 years of daily use. Yakima does make mounts to fit fiberglass tops used on pick up trucks. The mounting feet are nice and wide and distribute the pressure. I have a feeling that 2 racing bikes that total less than 40lbs is much less than what Westy owners are loading up on their tops.

There are no quick release pedals but you do need to take the time to remove them if you put the bike in the trunk, otherwise you will dent the trunk from the inside out. The metal is very thin and the pedal will force alot of pressure to a very small spot. * Remember - left side pedals thread in reverse.

No trunk lid dents in 10 years Mark, but I put a 4-8x towel between the pedal & top, then cinched the tie-down lightly to not press nor allow bounce.

BTW - my buddy into racing back then did have a quick release on his pedals, so we could pop his apart & completely close the rear trunk lid with no problems (even with the 8x towel) when I took him to races a couple of times. I wasn't a racer so I don't know the make nor type for those pedals, nor if they're made today (I basically got back into bikes for training for my Rugby after a bad case of shin splits one summer).

The Westy tops are thinner on top, but about the same at the sides/edges where the Yakima brackets mount, & yes those Westy types overload their tops - esp. the Synchro guys going to Baja etc. We never did.

My comments were directed more towards the folks wanting to drill mount through a FG targa top, as that will start stress fracture points for sure in the top - at any thickness. Even with edge/gutter mounted racks, it may cause enough torsional stress to tweak the FG top & cause stress fracturing, more due to the stresses of having the bike(s) weight pushing & pulling in response to lateral G-forces in corners, &/or due to wind pressures acting on them as "sails".

Your Yakima edge mount may be okay with lighter race bikes, but do monitor the edges for chips & cracks over time.

I say so because I recently discovered a small 1/8" v-chip at the front edge of my top just where the front ski mount goes into the windshield frame, apparently caused by the torsional pressure of it twisting slightly with the skis mounted (wind pressure?). 35-40 yr old FG can be more brittle than fresh stuff, as any vintage surfboard, Hobie Cat or other FG hulled boat owner can tell you!

BTW - for those mounting skis in the vertical (side up) position on 914's, make sure to mount them nose to the rear, so as to avoid additional pressure on the front mount into the windshield frame mount from the curved out tips (or up/down in a flat mount rack). My 914 ski rack had that tip in the instructions.

I agree with the others Mark - plz post pix & the info of your set-up - esp. which gutter mounts you used for your set-up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif)

Nice set-up at your link Elliot!
Although I liked your yellow zonker avitar better, than the UPS 747 of you former days! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

This was a great idea to do this link Andrew, now you need to do one for Ski Racks, or one of our active skiers needs to do so. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)
... (neither my skiing nor 914 are "active" right now, so I don't qualify to do so (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) ).

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[majkos]

With lead designer from Alien, Rick
we came up with a "Removable receiver hitch"
Pics. says it all

[majkos]

Sacrifice a very nice bumper. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[majkos]

Answers
1) Very easy to set up, no scratches
2)Same as above (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
3)Very confident. I strap the rear wheel down, front forks are bolted down with quick release.
4) The reciever hitch itself would be the most expensive, donated by one of our fellow member, metal? $20-30 ? (I had a lot of scrap laying around from Kar-B-Q)
5)Nope
6)Nope

[Andyrew]

I dont see a locking pin on that receiver, was that pic prior to the hole being drilled?

How much did the bike rack cost you?

I have always wondered how sturdy side to side those hitch racks are, Comments on that?

Thanks!

[majkos]

I dont see a locking pin on that receiver, was that pic prior to the hole being drilled?

How much did the bike rack cost you?

I have always wondered how sturdy side to side those hitch racks are, Comments on that?

Thanks!

Good eyes!
Second set of bolts goes thru the bar

The bike rack;
I do all kind of wheelie and dealing, trade outs
and think it costed me $45 Many,many moons ago

They're sturdy! but here's the catch, the bike tends to *snap* side to side.
Rocking back end forth, bam! ...........bam

I strap the ends down to the bumpers, (no worries there, the bumper)
Haven't really checked with the 914
I threw the rack on today to see if it's doable. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Another shot of the hitch,finish that night

[Tom_T]

Sacrifice a very nice bumper. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

Interesting concept, but IMHO too much hacking to a nice 914 for a bike rack.

Too bad somebody can't make a hitch crossbar mount tight under the rear valance (or under the bumper in place of the valance with the valance removed), which tucks cleanly away under the bumper with the hitch insert removed (not to mention no holes thru the 914 rear wall/bumper/trunk floor where future rust dwells) -
... say something similar to this one by GoWesty for Vanagons .....



http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php...gory_parent_id=

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
... not sure what to attach the crossbar mounting plates to up under there - maybe the rearmost longs - plus it will need to clear around or at the ends of the muffler/tailpipe. This Vanagon one was easy because the detail of the bolt-on connectors is to the 2 L&R tow hooks under the rear bumper.

I know I've seen some 914's towing small trailers on here before, so somebody must have a way to attach a tow set-up.

Any hitch wizzes out there have any thoughts on this?
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Nürburg Nomad]

Some very cool looking bike rack setups... I do a lot of road cycling myself but will never transport a bike outside of the car, so unfortunately no bike transportation will occur with my 914!

I drive too spiritedly, plus value the paint on my cars and bike too much to transport them on the exterior of an automobile.

My one exception would be if the road bike(s) were mounted in the bed of a Holden Ute with the front wheels off, then I'd be all over it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Andyrew]

Great info all! Keep it coming!

Tom, Im pretty sure all the 914 hitches go through the bumper. All the one's that I have seen do at least.

[Tom_T]

Great info all! Keep it coming!

Tom, Im pretty sure all the 914 hitches go through the bumper. All the one's that I have seen do at least.

Andy -

There's gotta be a better way to do a thing like that GoWesty Vanagon set-up, but the tow insert will need to sweep out & up in order to get to the proper hitch height level - cuz IMHO it's pretty "Hill Billy" to hack into a 914 like that! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

- & I'm part WVa Hill Billy too! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Maybe by connecting extension struts/bars from the orange arrow points at the rear underbody crossbrace &/or longitudnals' rearward extensions in pic below? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)



That way the hitch loads transfer to the longs directly, which are the main fore-n-aft structural components of our 914s' unibody "frame".

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Andyrew]

You could probably tie into the trani mounts and have a custom welded unit.. But it would have to be 1/8" plate or better...

I dont have an original car by any means so hacking into a 914 is nothing for me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
But its good to discuss for those wanting to go that route.

Maybe i'll make a hitch receiver compilation thread later..

[Tom_T]

You could probably tie into the trani mounts and have a custom welded unit.. But it would have to be 1/8" plate or better...

I dont have an original car by any means so hacking into a 914 is nothing for me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
But its good to discuss for those wanting to go that route.

Maybe i'll make a hitch receiver compilation thread later..

Add it to your To Do list with the Ski Rack Compilation Thread! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

It's here for ideas that folks can use for a hitch mounted bike rack, but I probably wouldn't do that to my 914 after the resto for hitch or bikes anyway, since we have the Westy, which is a better vehicle for those types of trips anyway, and my 914 is a pretty original ealry 2L or "914S" that I'm sinking too much into a resto to hack, risk getting scratched with bikes, etc. ..... although maybe skis on the old racks, if my old joints can take it - XC at least - the sking that is! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I've seen a swing out bike/shittage rack that hitch insert mounts for VW Buses/Vans, which would be cool for a 914 so you could access your trunk more easily - if it doesn't add too much weight to the set-up (sorry, can't find that link right now).

BTW - many/most of the hitch mount bike racks that I've use a welded or bolted rail to secure the bike wheels into, to avoid that swinging of the bike on the rack problem mentioned above.

[jmargush]

Here is the one I just started the other week. Winter project is to build a roof rack that mounts to the roof so I can carry some of the autox stuff up there so my son can ride along to events.

[Andyrew]

Can you upload the pics any bigger? You can upload a file 500kb! 800x600 is good! Bigger if you want!

Thanks!
Its kinda hard to see. Looks like you bolted a V track to the roof? Can you post pics of the underside?

If you've driven it, any details as to impressions and so on?

[majkos]

no easy solution on mounting a hitch to the trans mount because the exhaust/muffler
is in the way.

and that bumper?
it has rust bubbles.
I was being mean

play in the rack/into receiver is the culprit of the snapping issue.
it's a tight fit but still wobbles.
maybe i should go for a bike ride tommorrow.......
Test it out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Tom_T]

maybe i should go for a bike ride tommorrow.......
Test it out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Better have a spotter in the right seat with a red flag to hold up then - like in water ski boats - in case you fall off the bike into the roadway while they're driving the 914 for you to test riding the bike on it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jmargush]

Yes I took a piece of angle iron and welded it to a piece of strap steel, then bolted down through the angle through the roof.

I glued a piece of strap steel to the under side up at the front where the fork attaches.

I have used it twice with no issues.

I will take some pictures of the under side later and post them.