So im getting into biking a lot and want to take my 914, However I need to build a rack for it. I wanted to make a thread for bike racks to put all the links and pictures together in one place. Also I was hoping any closet bike rack makers might come out and show their setup if they havent already.
Also if you could comment on a setup if your using it, that would be great!
Answering questions like the following.
1. How easy is it to set up (time, difficulty aka preventing scratches)
2. How easy is it to take down (same as above)
3. How confident are you durring cornering and braking that nothing will move
4. What was your cost
5. Would you do anything different/ modifications
6. Does it cause any scratches
Onto the setups,
Elliot Cannons setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=52072&st=0
Josheph Mills setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=52072&st=0
(2/3rds down the page)
Gopacks setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=111251&hl=bike+rack
(1/4 way down the page)
Dlee2604s setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=111251&hl=bike+rack
(2/3rds down the page)
Dontravers setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=97880&hl=
Mepsteins setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=112231&view=findpost&p=1384919
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=112231&view=findpost&p=1384761
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=112231&view=findpost&p=1385046
Majkos's hitch mount setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=112231&view=findpost&p=1385104
Jmargushs setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=112231&view=findpost&p=1385755
JTarver
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=112231&view=findpost&p=1385866
Joe Owensby
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=112231&view=findpost&p=1386255
Andyrew
mettelman's setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=212234
Here are some aftermarket options. (From Bowlsby's web site)
http://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/Accessories.htm
"Hardt"
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=112231&st=0&gopid=1384808&#
"Piper"
"2 Bikes"
Next as refference it was claimed that the bolt hole size is M6x1.00 for the holes under the targa bar.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=80421&hl=Bike*+Rack
Please post up any information you have and I'll try to encorperate it!
Reserved
UPDATE 10-27-10
I went and picked up some of these mounts on craigslist for 20 bucks for a pair. I have manufactured one side, But I dont like how it rocks back and forth a little. I only made it out of 14ga sheet metal, so Im going to retry it with some 1/8 ga metal.
Front Fork Mount
http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Bike-Hitch-Locking-Mount/dp/B000ACAM9C/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_c
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QJC5F8/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000AO7GRG&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0EEFQ1RP5FC9V736ZE9W
I went and bought this ebay auction. ALMOST had it for 32, but some guy came in at the last minute and bid it to my max... Eh, 52 bucks is still good. I know they are the rain tray clip style but thats what it looks like some of the guys here have, I'll make em work
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350405447294&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT
Why not mount a Yakima Tray & fork on an extra 914 top, there are plenty around. I plan on building one to haul my bikes to the track on..
I think that my setup is going to be a combo of Joseph's setup on the front
and Gopacks setup on the rear (I have a 6" rear autocross spoiler, so I need some clearance, or else I'd just copy Josephs setup.)
Wonderful Info guys! I'll update the first post later today!
Thanks!
Andrew
Mine has been tested at 110 MPH with the bike on it.
Cheers, Elliot
Thanks for the input Elliot! Think you could answer a couple other questions? This would greatly benefit others looking at building a similar mount!
1. How easy is it to set up (time, difficulty aka preventing scratches)
2. How easy is it to take down (same as above)
3. How confident are you during cornering and braking that nothing will move
4. What was your cost
5. Would you do anything different/ modifications
6. Does it cause any scratches
Thanks!!
Andrew
Excellent thread. Thanks for posting this Andrew. I've been wanting a bike rack for my 914 for a while now. I've always likes Elliot's setup.
Elliot, don't you have a thread on it somewhere? If not could you post some pics and details of the front mount in particular?
Gint, His thread is located under his pics, AS with everyone's setup.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=52072&st=0
Sweet, thanks. Didn't see it hiding there.
Good point, I moved the links above the pics and put in some spacing.
Much better. Again, great thread.
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.
mepstein,
If you could post some pictures of your setup I would love to put it in with the rest of them!
Thanks!
Andrew
Car is being restored. This will have to do for now. I also used a strap that went through the crankset to each end of the rack to keep the bike from swaying on turns. I -sort of- took the turns more carefully with the bikes on the top but still did almost 100 at times on the straights. Don't tell my kids Mark
Attached thumbnail(s)
Thanks! I was hoping you had a pic from the years you used it daily, but this will certainly do!!
Thanks!
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.
---
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.
With lead designer from Alien, Rick
we came up with a "Removable receiver hitch"
Pics. says it all
Answers
1) Very easy to set up, no scratches
2)Same as above
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
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!
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!
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.
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
But its good to discuss for those wanting to go that route.
Maybe i'll make a hitch receiver compilation thread later..
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.
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?
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
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.
Attached image(s)
Wonderful! When you post the rest of the pictures, can you answer a couple general questions?
1. How easy is it to set up (time, can one person do it?)
2. How easy is it to take down (same as above)
3. How confident are you durring cornering and braking that nothing will move
4. What was your cost
5. Would you do anything different/ modifications
Thanks!
Pretty easy to set up one person can do it. doesn't way much more than just the top, you do have to be carefull with the back part of the wheel tray sticking out so you don't bang it into something. I got an extra top so I wouldn't butcher my good one. took me maybe 2 hrs to build the tray and bolt it to the top.
Cornering I was bit cautious the first time I used it but last trip was about 30 miles round trip and I didn't worry about the car too much. If one was really worried about the strength of the rear bolt I would add a steel strap like I did on the front.
but in my opinion the forks are where most of the force is transfered too.
Cost about 15$ for fork mount, 10$ for angle, and maybe 10-15$ for the 2 pieces of strap steel
I will try to build a roof rack this winter which will attach to the top so i can carry some autox stuff. Once that is done I will probably mount hte bike rack to the roof rack. that will make adding two bike racks easier.
Attached image(s)
more!
Attached image(s)
Awesome! Out of curiosity, why did you go so wide with the front support? In preparation for the roof rack?
I had a rack left over from my Saturn when I took it off, so I decided to see if it would fit on my 914. It did. Very well I might add. It's a yakima rack, and hooks under the edges of the targa top, and clamps down tight right above the hooks to the top side.
It works fantastically, and I have cornered fairly quickly with the car while the bike and one of my kayaks was on top. It did just fine.
I wouldn't recommend racing around corners with it however...as somehow sooner or later it will probably mess something up. Its just not made for itm just as any of the other racks described here aren't.
That being said, it handles just fine. I can carry my bike, and at least two boats on top of the car. Sooner or later I am gonna put my 16 foot sea kayak on top and get some pictures, just to be funny.
Here are a couple pics.
Joe
Got any pics with the bike mounting? If so I'll throw it in the mix! Detailed pics would be great if you could!
Actually, the bike mounting is up there right beside the kayak. Here is another pic of it with a bike on it, close up shot. Pay no attention to the man in front of the curtain cheesing it up. I will try to take some really detailed pics tomorrow if I get the chance.
Joe
Yes, Please review!! Wonderful setup! I'll add it later tonight.
Actually on the highway it does just fine. At least I haven't had any problems any of the time I've been on the highway. I notice a decrease in speed a bit but hey, I get to carry my bikes and boats. The faring on the front of the rack system helps deflect some of the wind. It's the part with stickers directly behind me in the pic.
The rack also has a bar that holds the bike in place really well, so i don't have to take off the fron tire whenever I mount it up there. I think the rack model is called the Cobra, or something. I can find out for sure if there is interest.
Here is a closer pic of the rack...it shows how the rack grabs ahold of the top.
It's been a perfect setup for me, and so far I haven't had any issues out of it. It's been up for about a month or two now, and I use it alot.
Joe
Here are some photos of my set up. I have a 1 1/4 inch receiver mounted just below the bumper. This enables me to leave the tag in place. It accepts a standard bike carrier. I have a set of bars that attach to the rear receiver, and also to the rear of the roll bar. This allows me to carry 2 kayaks. It doesn't add any load to the front windshield frame, and also allows me to remove the top if I want. I can also access both the rear trunk and engine compartment with everything installed and loaded. The receiver has a steel tube that is supported on the rear of the car by two 3/16 inch bars. The inner portion of the tube is welded to a 1/2 inch bar that is bent to go up and over the muffler and transmission. I have a few bolts through the trunk floor that hold the 1/2 inch bar. I have trailered a 30 foot long sailplane trailer with this set up, no problems. JoeO
Side view of both bars, and detail of rear end of receiver tube mount.
Joe,
I saw your rack and I like it! But I didnt see a bike rack on it so I didnt add it with the rest of them.
Also how is the hitch mounted under the car?
If you can post some pics of the bike rack mounting and how all the connections mount to the car (If you havent already posted them), I would love to add it with the rest of the racks!
Thanks!
Receiver is a standard 1 1/4 inch tube that is mounted as shown. Notch out the rear valence to clear the tube. Outside mounts are shown. As I said, there is a piece of steel bar welded on the inner portion of the tube that is bent to go over the muffler, and is bolted to the floor of the trunk. The receiver accepts a standard 1 1/4 inch bike carrier. Either an expensive one from Thule or Yakama, or a cheap version from Harbor Freight. Just plug the bike carrier into the receiver, and insert retainer pin. I just included this info since someone asked about mounting the hardware. Someone could also mount the front bar as I did. I leave the aluminum retainer blocks on the car. I just plug in the front bar and insert two quick release pins to hold it on. The bar is a standard Thule aluminum cross bar, and would accept Thule bike holders. JoeO
Just won this auction
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350405447294&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT
Phase 1: Aquire mounts: Complete!
See post #2 for more on my setup so far. Pics to follow today!
Got my setup!!
The raingutter mounts are perfect for the trunk!!!
So far im out $73! Plus maybe 5 bucks in scrap metal.. (However I do want to redo the mount as even with a bunch of reinforcement its wobbly.. I did make it out of 14ga metal though so now im gonna try 1/8"...)
I suggest some how connect the two plates, help brace themselves.
You've put together a nice, easy and afforable set-up!
Congrat
I'm using some info learned on here for Henna's trailer
(one wheel bike trailer for single track,slightly modified)
Ya I think it would be the easiest way to stabalize it.. I've thought about welding a plate between the two, or even adding a square tube bar to the center (Between the bolt holes) of it all the way through connecting them. But I really dont like how much that adds to the weight/complexity of install (you would need 2 people to put it on..)... Im curious if Josheph's made up of 1/8" metal sees the same problem that I see...
Square tubing would be nice,
and if you want a one person design,
how about square tube into a sleeve of another, slighly larger square tube?
make whole thing aluminum, bolts together.
simple.
Aluminum? Way to much money
Tubing that slides into each other is nice in theory, but I dont think it would implement well.
I think the thicker base metal really is the answer.. I'll do it in about a week and update! Pretty sure I have some 1/8" at my dads.
Added a second bike rack to my extra targa top. This one attaches to the front fork with the wheel off. Tested it and the entire unit seems stable ... we'll see how it holds up on a windy day!
Attached thumbnail(s)
look at the way it hold on a side hill!
I'm happy I found this thread. I plan on adding a rack to my 914 this weekend. I'm planning on scavenging parts from a Thule rack that I, um, forgot was on my other car when I pulled into the garage one day. Luckily the bike was fine. The roof of my Subaru was not. And I busted the bike rack as well.
The rope rack
Attached image(s)
Nice Bill. Looks highway ready to me. And to unload.. they just cut the rope then?
Although, not cheap the SeaSucker company might make something that will work on the rear trunk. I doubt it would work on the targa since I'm not sure you would get a good seal on the suction. Likely could get a windshield or trunk application to work and no bolts and timely installation or removal. These things are highly reviewed.
https://www.seasucker.com/product-category/bike-racks/
I like the rack on the driver side. How is the front piece attached, and same for the aft part. I'vebeen toying with the same idea and possibly using the three ski-rack holes to secure a plate that would hold the tray.
I made this rack back in 2005 and used it at the WCC. I could add another bike by using an additional Yakima tray and fork clamp. If you loosen the fork clamp and the rear clamp, the bike can be slid over to accommodate another bike. It doesn't look like it but when you loosen the clamp on the rear bar, you can open the trunk lid as long as you take the bike off first. I found the straps were not necessary. I used it on the Rt 66 tour in Palm Springs and it worked great. I have more detailed pics if someone wants them. Holy $hit, was that really TEN years ago.
Attached image(s)
Well I'll be. And I thought that you put that Duck Tail on your car as the chock for the Bike's rear wheel.
Modified pieper ski rack with Rockymounts thru axle fork adaptor and a sear sucker suction cup rear mount
Attached thumbnail(s)
Love it. Love the new Creamsicle, and the bike rack application. And what I know about Ferg's rep, is it will be done clean and well. Nicely done, sir.
F ing show off! Nice work!
If that PO only knew what he had! At least 2 people even suggested it to him...Oh well...to Ferg-mans benefit. Thanks for saving this one Mike.
He was told and knew or had an idea. He Didn't care.
I was asked on Facebook if u could rotate the pieper rack to lower the overall height. Answer is yes but then engine lid would hit when opened
Here is my rack, similar to a lot of others here; Mine uses a Thule head unit, a Yakima rail, and a Thule wheel strap that has been modified to fit on the Yakima rail. The wheel holder is also Thule. the seat stays of the bike are strapped down to aluminum plates attached beneath the targa and make for a solid triangulated mount. the wheel mount simply uses the velcro strap to keep the wheel from spinning. I had a different version from a couple of years ago, but just now used what rack parts I had laying around on an extra targa top.
Attached thumbnail(s)
Thread bump with my solution to this problem.
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=22428 this is for you bud. :-)
The finished product, with and without bikes.
My goal was to have a rack strong enough to mount 2 heavy-ish bikes and front wheels on m 914 so I could drive hundreds of miles away from home for bike camping car trips. AND, the top had to be removeable with the rack in place.
I used the 6 existing ski-rack mounting bolts and fabbed up the bar using a Thule bar from my very first car back in 1998 that has somehow stuck with me for the past 24 years. This pic is the MK2 mount I fabbed, as there is a requirement for spacers in order to clear the chrome targa bar trim. In this pic the mount is only tacked together and held with one loose hex cap screw for fitment. One of the tricks that came up was that the mount had to be at an angle to the Thule bar, to match the slight curve of the Targa.
Almost all the non-home made parts came from https://www.backcountry.com/.
I used fork mounts simply bolted to the bar to hold the bike at the front, and QR wheel mounts to hold the front wheels.
To hold the back tires to the car I used suction cup rear tire mounts. They work really well.
Here you can see that the clearance is TIGHT with my ancient Iguana mounted to the rack. In fact I chipped some paint taking the roof off and putting it back on. BUT I COULD AND DID TAKE THE ROOF OFF. If I were doing it again I'd make the mounts I fabbed up about an inch longer. But I was concerned about having too much of a lever pushing against the mount, and I also needed to be able to clear the spoiler for the rear tire. Also, I quickly realized with the 914 loaded with a tent, cots, sleeping gear, a cooler spare clothes, eating gear, and 2 people there was nowhere to put the roof anyway once removed.
Again, not a lot of room to spare with the spoiler in place. This pic also shows the beefy suction cup mount used to secure the rear of the bike to the car. The trunk cannot be opened while bikes are mounted - pack accordingly!
both bikes and both wheels mounted. The mount is strong, with minimal sway of the bikes while they are on it - no more then any fork mounted bike. I did not hammer any twisties with the bikes on the car.
Loaded with the bikes, and all the camping gear the car was HEAVY. It is sitting visibly lower then usual. Both trunks were filled, with the spare tire moved to the rear to make space up front for the cooler.
Driving the car fully loaded like this was disconcerting at first. But the night before the "big trip" I loaded the bikes on and did a late night blast up I83 about 40 miles. The bikes add a LOT of drag, but I was still able to drive the car about 85-90mph without issue aside from the CHT gauge going a bit higher then usual.
For the trip (about 150 miles one way) and loaded with all our camping gear, I drove it a lot more like a bus then a sports car for most of the trip. But I was still able to keep it at about 75 on the free way, and drive to the CHT like you would a bus. I was a good bit more ginger on the curves then usual.
My car usually get attention when I drive it. But my car with BIKES on it got a ton of attention. One guy we drove by pointed and yelled loud enough that we could clearly hear him "Holy shit, that little car has bikes on it. Thats cool!"
I will be changing things up a little bit this year (maybe). I bought a new bike (first new bike in 22 years) and it uses through axles rather then Quick Release tabs on the forks. But this will be a simple change up.
Zach
I think using the ski rack mounts is one of the best solutions. Although, I wonder if getting the forks down to the engine lid would help with the aero. I had always though of getting a 2nd engine lid and putting fork mounts (along with some reinforcement) directly on the metal of the engine lid, like shown on the black(ish) car on page 1.
I guess you’d have to watch your crank arms and pedals from digging/scratching up the trunk lid…
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=1435
thank you for link. Like the creative reuse of the ski rack holes . . . bookmarked for future . . ..
i picked up a RockBros. suction bike rack setup and ran it this weekend, worked well. i used a strap to add extra security. it is not in the photos…
Okay so instead of putting the bike on the car, put the bike in the car.
It just barely squeezes in there
(Spent the previous year at college making this folding bike concept.)
It is a little floppy around the hinges but hopefully the next year I'll get around to making another one that is more rigid.
You went old school with the spinergy wheels. I haven’t seen them since the 90’s.
Not a 914, but here is the rack I had on my Boxster. Made by Bird Automotive, it had a pair of receiver tubes that mounted under the car, and the rack then slid in (and out) easily. To prevent wobbles, it cam with straps that hooked onto the leading edge of the trunk lid. I changed that by adding a bracket that bolted into the Boxster rear tow hook hole behind the license plate.
I never tried but I bet the Bird rack could be adapted to the 914.
Attached thumbnail(s)
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)