Bike rack?, Will the targa top hold? Options

[monkeywrench]

I have a spare targa top that I would like to use as a bike rack.

Will the clips hold a bike or bikes? I would like to avoid a disaster. Damage to the car and bike would be very expensive.

Is this a bad idea?

[ArtechnikA]

Will the clips hold a bike or bikes? I would like to avoid a disaster. Damage to the car and bike would be very expensive.

Is this a bad idea?

people have talked about it before but it continues to scare me.

i think i'd much rather have something fitted to the ski rack hardpoints under the Targa bar ( 3 M6 nut sockets per side) that could take the load, and then mount something to the base of the truck lid or the back panel.

if you were able to attach the front axle connectors to that hard point and something at the back to the deck lid, you might even be able to raise the trunk lid a bit with the bikes mounted.

i donno - maybe your bikes are lighter than i'm afraid of and maybe it's not as windy where you live and maybe you won't be tempted to swerve a lot and enjoy the 914 handling with them mounted up there. only you can decide if it's a bad idea based on risk vs reward.

but since even properly mounted tops have been known to depart the vehicle when it's towed backwards, since all race organizers require that they be bolted in place, and since the factory welded steel panels in place of a removable top with the 916 -- it still scares me a little. (i might be driving behind you some day ... :-) ...)

[Joe Bob]

I modified a ski rack and mounted the front forks on the mount that attached to the targa bar, then the rear wheel was sitting on a chamois on the deck lid with a bungee through the rear wheel and attached to the mount that screwed into the rear bumper tow eye.....

On my 911, I have a Blackburn that sits on the rear bumper and has two straps that attach with tension UNDER the bumper and two straps that slip between the top of the engine lid and the body. Bike munts at a 90 degree angle to the car's direction....

[TheCabinetmaker]

Contact Joseph222. He's got a slick setup.

[TheCabinetmaker]

Go here http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act...hlite=bike+rack

[dmenche914]

I used to carry a 14 foot long Kayak on my 914 targa top, It was longer than the car, however I never exceeded 45 MPH with it on, just to scarey.

For bikes I would suggest a rear mounted rack, just don't go whipping thru corners with it mounted!

dave

[Joseph Mills]

MonkeyWrench,

Here's a couple of pics of a bracket I fabricated utilizing the stock ski-rack pre-tapped holes under the targa bar. Make a template from cardboard. We used 1/8th inch steel for the bracket. Add the Bike Tight of your choice.

A nylon strap wrapped around the taillight bracket inside the trunk will hold the rear tire secure. Now I use some foam core tubing used for water pipe insulation (about 6" long) secured around the rear wheel with a bandana to protect the car body.

I can attest that 60-70 mph turns are not a problem.
Wind is not a problem.
Long distances are not a problem.
You can haul bikes with your top off.
Your car top....that is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Good luck.

PS: the additional hole you see on the bracket is for securing a locking bike cable.

[Joseph Mills]

bike

[Joseph Mills]

bike

[monkeywrench]

Thanks for all the input

that setup under the targa bar looks like it rocks.

Did you bend the metal or just used a piece of angle Iron? I may try it with a straight piece of aluminium.

[Joseph Mills]

Did you bend the metal or just used a piece of angle Iron? I may try it with a straight piece of aluminium.

I bent the metal. The right angle provides more rigidity. Make your first template from paper, to get the 3 mounting holes under the targa bar accurate, then make a cardboard mockup.

Make the bend an inch or so past the targa edge. The two holes you drill for the bike tight need to allow for the slope of the targa bar, so you bike will set perfectly straight. I ended up "slotting" one of the holes which allowed getting the bike perfectly plumb.

Aluminum may be okay. Steel is real! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

More pics.

[Joseph Mills]

bracket