Tow Hook Bike Rack - my own spin on it
 

I will give credit when credit is due. I essentially used @that_guy 's idea in a slightly more crude fashion.
I don't have access to a fancy machine shop and all that jazz, but I do have a welder. So where he had a one-piece aluminum setup, mine is 3 pieces and made of steel.

So here's what I started with…I purchased two new tow hooks from my parts department
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps1bbfee37.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps2df0eed4.jpg

I then hacked off the loops, and cut down two 17" steel tubes (.250 wall 1")http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psd998bc0f.jpg

Then I stuck an orange slice in my mouth and got to welding. Welded the steel tube onto the very end of the tow hook (I'd liked to had sleeved it further but in order for them to stay tight, the tapered portion of the tow hook would have to seat)http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psca6f76eb.jpg

I was left with some open tubing on the end and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do there. I contemplated some rubber caps just to cover the open ends, or maybe welding some round plate onto it to seal it. I ended up using the loops I cut off the tow hooks just to "finish" it off…
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps58d22d45.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psbfed7fc7.jpg

…and as an added bonus I can use the loops to make sure the bars are tightened down to TAF specifications
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psa5c8f972.jpg

test fit
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps31e52b45.jpg

and yes, they're strong…I'm about 150lbs, my bike is 22lbs
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps742dffa7.jpg

Finished product after a coat of Rustoleum Hammered Black
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps060d169e.jpg

Installed with the Thule Big Mouth
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psa3440c51.jpg

aaaaaaand with my new 2014 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 29er
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psa7ca385c.jpg

This image made me cringe.

Overall, great DIY solution.

I'm still unclear how a bike will sit on those poles

Thanks! Why would it make you cringe? They're beefy!


Exactly like this:http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps41c71dd0.jpg

That's actually pretty amazing

You can literally lift the entire car from those tow points. I think they're strong enough to support 75 lbs each.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psa7ca385c.jpg


updated first post with new pics

This is awesome -- Ima gonna try this myself ~ thanks!!

That's brilliant! I have a trailer hitch on my mustang solely for the purpose of holding a bike rack. When I replace the mustang with an FR-S, I'm going to do something like this.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Thanks for posting! I have the same Thule big mouth and I was wondering if it would fit.

SELL IT!

All these stories about people getting banned for selling without paying vendor fees...gotta say I'm kinda scared to start

very smooth LOL..


goodluck!

Not bad, looks way better than this...

http://ekhatch.files.wordpress.com/2...0025copy-3.jpg