Custom Tow-Hook Bike Rack

[Jmt147]

I'm in when you restart production.

[retrosmiths]

FYI, I've finally decided to sell my setup: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1985936

[petergun]

Standing by for an order. Spring will be here in 90 days. (crosses fingers)

[Mrmib]

Originally Posted by that_guy

The FR-S / BRZ's one limiting factor to ownership is...that it can't accept a rear mounted bike rack. Well, no more!

When I first picked up my FR-S, I started reading about various designs and ideas, starting with MINI and BMW, both of which have options for a tow hook bike rack. I studied whether these options could be adapted to work for the FR-S, but sizing wise, it was just going to be too complicated.

Next, I used trusty Google and came up with only one hit: a Smart car forum. It seems those little car owners have run into the same issue as us, but a few have found a solution that seems to work.

Not long after though, I started working on some design ideas and taking measurements. It was at this time that I noticed some members here popping up with homemade tow hook mounting options for the FR-S / BRZ. This was reassuring, so I finally worked up the nerve to send mine into production.

Here's the results:







And here it is with the bike removed:





These are roughly 23.75" long each, with roughly 18" of material left to attach a bike rack to. They are made of 303 Stainless Steel and are each milled from 1.125" stock - so no welding or anything that could weaken the bars.

In my case, I designed this for use with the 1UP USA roof rack attachment as it seemed to have the most robust design for mounting across the back of the car. It's completely aluminum with stainless steel hardware. The bike is held solid! But the bars are 1.125" diameter to accept Yakima and Thule products as well. The bars drops to 1" for a 1.125" section of the bar length to provide a ridge to prevent movement of the 1UP rack.

Anyways, while this isn't a for sale thread, I do have 2 sets of bars left that I'll be looking to unload. I had to machine from a 12ft stock, so I produced as many as possible within that. PM me if interested.

More images below...

Any more left to sell?

[that_guy]

At the present time I'm fresh out. I'm contemplating making some more but I've been extremely busy lately and unfortunately this has fallen by the wayside.

I will be sure to post here the second I run another batch. As mentioned in previous pages as well, I might look at another avenue of sale so that it's easier on members here versus PM each time. I'm again, not a vendor, so I'm not making a business out of this. I, like many of you, just like riding my bike and driving this car. It's nice to be able to blend those two passions!

Stay tuned and thanks for the continued support and interest.

[jknakes]

would it be possible to get two bikes on this set up? typically i'd have just one but it would be good in case i take the girlfriend out as well. and if you do another batch i'd be interested. planned on going the uhaul hitch rout but they seem to have changed their design and a lot more of the hitch would show under the bumper.

[that_guy]

I have contemplated running another batch but it requires a significant investment (and therefore risk) on my part to support the manufacturing.

Unfortunately the rack is only designed to hold 1 bike. Could it hold 2? Possibly. But it was never tested to support that much weight.

[phobos512]

Originally Posted by that_guy

I have contemplated running another batch but it requires a significant investment (and therefore risk) on my part to support the manufacturing.

Unfortunately the rack is only designed to hold 1 bike. Could it hold 2? Possibly. But it was never tested to support that much weight.

How much was it designed to hold? Some of you yahoos with your DH setups have rigs that weigh more than double what my road bike weighs.

[yo joshman]

Originally Posted by that_guy

At the present time I'm fresh out. I'm contemplating making some more but I've been extremely busy lately and unfortunately this has fallen by the wayside.

I will be sure to post here the second I run another batch. As mentioned in previous pages as well, I might look at another avenue of sale so that it's easier on members here versus PM each time. I'm again, not a vendor, so I'm not making a business out of this. I, like many of you, just like riding my bike and driving this car. It's nice to be able to blend those two passions!

Stay tuned and thanks for the continued support and interest.

I will be interested in the next batch

[AtlasMick]

Hey guys, I don't have my car anymore. I'm selling mine in the linked thread...

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83969

[starbot]

Originally Posted by yo joshman

I will be interested in the next batch

Likewise!


Out of curiosity, how did you determine the length of the rod? Is there a downside with reducing the extra length?

[that_guy]

Originally Posted by phobos512

How much was it designed to hold? Some of you yahoos with your DH setups have rigs that weigh more than double what my road bike weighs.

About 75lbs including the weight of the rack assembly. Mine is about 50lbs (bike and rack) and when we modeled stress tests, deflection was only about 0.01 inches with 50lbs. They are overkill but that doesn't mean the spots in which they are installed were engineered to support this idea.

Originally Posted by AtlasMick

Hey guys, I don't have my car anymore. I'm selling mine in the linked thread...

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83969

Good luck with your sale! Might want to point out that they are actually 303 stainless steel. They will outlast the car in which they are installed

Originally Posted by starbot

Likewise!


Out of curiosity, how did you determine the length of the rod? Is there a downside with reducing the extra length?

I basically modeled these after my own bike. I considered pedal clearance to the back of the car, bike sway, and trunk swing angle when determining length. The extra material at the end is only a few inches and is there to act as a damper for possible vibration in the rack. It also ensures the rack is not mounted at the furthest out point on the bar where leverage and stress could be increased.

[Pug_BRZ]

Originally Posted by that_guy

I have contemplated running another batch but it requires a significant investment (and therefore risk) on my part to support the manufacturing.

Unfortunately the rack is only designed to hold 1 bike. Could it hold 2? Possibly. But it was never tested to support that much weight.

Hey man, I'm in ON until July, if you manufacture some more then please keep me posted.

[petergun]

Looking forward to this item, the weather now has me contemplating road-trips to some very fine bike locations!