Custom Tow-Hook Bike Rack

[retrosmiths]

Great job, I can't wait!

[mistressmotorsports]

Pm'd on the remaining set. Thanks

[Haeb]

Check out SeaSucker racks. No body modifications needed. They adhere to the body and the glass with vacuum. If you felt so inclined you could mount the bike to the side of the car Having just picked up my FRS I havent invested in one of these yet, but since I own 3 times as many bikes as I do cars.... I'm going to LOL. This particular design of bike carrier has been run by the Kenda / 5 Hour Energy race team for the last couple seasons and they love it.

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by Haeb

Check out SeaSucker racks. No body modifications needed. They adhere to the body and the glass with vacuum. If you felt so inclined you could mount the bike to the side of the car Having just picked up my FRS I havent invested in one of these yet, but since I own 3 times as many bikes as I do cars.... I'm going to LOL. This particular design of bike carrier has been run by the Kenda / 5 Hour Energy race team for the last couple seasons and they love it.

I'm just a bit hesitant to place that much weight on the glass rear windshield. Also, how is it holding when cornering? I mean, with a bike attached I would be more careful when making turns, but sometimes you can't help it.

[Haeb]

I havent tried em out yet.... but they say each of those cups holds with 220lbs of force...so cornering and driving should be good. As far as the glass goes I'd share your concern, but at the same time I can recall seeing people try to break door glass - on purpose - and they fail miserably LOL....meaning the glass is much tougher and harder to break then you'd reasonably assume. I believe they also make a mount that has a footprint on the body of the car of about 1 square foot - tiny - that doesnt require anything be placed on the glass. All that said.... I have a concern about the cups leaving a ring on the paint.....but if that proves unfounded....the thing would sure beat any body modifications.

[Haeb]

I've got some contacts with the 5 Hour team.... I'll ask 'em about the glass and if the thing leaves any marks on the paint etc

[that_guy]

Originally Posted by Haeb

I havent tried em out yet.... but they say each of those cups holds with 220lbs of force...so cornering and driving should be good. As far as the glass goes I'd share your concern, but at the same time I can recall seeing people try to break door glass - on purpose - and they fail miserably LOL....meaning the glass is much tougher and harder to break then you'd reasonably assume. I believe they also make a mount that has a footprint on the body of the car of about 1 square foot - tiny - that doesnt require anything be placed on the glass. All that said.... I have a concern about the cups leaving a ring on the paint.....but if that proves unfounded....the thing would sure beat any body modifications.

Not to toot my own horn, but the bars being discussed in this thread do not require any body modifications either...

Be very careful adding weight to the roof of this car. It is thin metal and can/will warp and contort during driving. Weight is one thing but the leverage that a bike provides that weight is another. Think of your bike swaying on the roof as you turn and drive. That weight is prying at the glass and roof. If it's even remotely in a weak spot, it can cause damage.

The tow hook bar option does not cause any damage to the car and even if it did, it would be concealed under the rear bumper anyways. If something were to happen, it would happen with the rebar which is a replacement body part that any Joe can install themselves. It's fairly inexpensive too. Much cheaper and easier to replace than a heated rear window and painted body/roof.

Just saying. Think about it before you act.

[Haeb]

Originally Posted by that_guy

Not to toot my own horn, but the bars being discussed in this thread do not require any body modifications either...

Be very careful adding weight to the roof of this car. It is thin metal and can/will warp and contort during driving. Weight is one thing but the leverage that a bike provides that weight is another. Think of your bike swaying on the roof as you turn and drive. That weight is prying at the glass and roof. If it's even remotely in a weak spot, it can cause damage.

The tow hook bar option does not cause any damage to the car and even if it did, it would be concealed under the rear bumper anyways. If something were to happen, it would happen with the rebar which is a replacement body part that any Joe can install themselves. It's fairly inexpensive too. Much cheaper and easier to replace than a heated rear window and painted body/roof.

Just saying. Think about it before you act.

Totally valid points about the glass and body work. I'm not familiar with the SeaSucker mounts in practice - just in what I've seen online etc. Your design is a fantastic work around for the problem of where to put a hitch as well, and like ya say eliminates the risk of damage to some fragile and expensive parts. Just tossed the one out there as a thought for consideration.

[mistressmotorsports]

My issue with putting my bike on the roof is that I am a clumsy dude. So, eventually, I will drop my bike on the roof and dent it or break the glass with the dropouts or something like that. So, my bikes go inside or out back of any of my vehicles.

[Buddhalite]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

I'm just a bit hesitant to place that much weight on the glass rear windshield. Also, how is it holding when cornering? I mean, with a bike attached I would be more careful when making turns, but sometimes you can't help it.

[ame]http://youtu.be/zP9mndGzLt8[/ame]

[Silver Ignition]

I picked up a set of tow hooks to make a set of bars myself. I don't have a machine shop so I'll be welding steel rod (I know weight, blah blah), probably 1" .250 wall DOM to a pair of factory tow hooks with the loops hacked off...I'll post up when they're done!

[Moshpit37]

Damn, looks like I missed out...

[that_guy]

Originally Posted by Moshpit37

Damn, looks like I missed out...

I never expected this sort of demand...especially not after I already polled everyone here and only got a small group interested.

That said, if I can get enough to order these again, I'll do it. I need 5. PM me if interested and we'll start this all over again

[Silver Ignition]

Here's the thread to the ones I made
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...93#post1644893

thanks @that_guy !