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?sho...=52072&st=0




Josheph Mills setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=52072&st=0
(2/3rds down the page)




Gopacks setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...mp;hl=bike+rack
(1/4 way down the page)




Dlee2604s setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...mp;hl=bike+rack
(2/3rds down the page)




Dontravers setup
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...c=97880&hl=




Mepsteins setup
Mepstein comments on his targa top setup used for 5 years, SEE POST # 17
More comments, SEE POST # 6
Comments by Rand SEE POST # 22




Majkos's hitch mount setup
Majkos comments on his setup. See previous posts as well for more info!



Jmargushs setup
Comments and detailed pics!



JTarver
Comments




Joe Owensby
Description SEE POST 52,53,55



Andyrew


mettelman's setup

Comments and Pictures

Here are some aftermarket options. (From Bowlsby's web site)
http://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/Accessories.htm


"Hardt"

REVIEW BY TOM_T, SEE POST # 8






"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?sho...p;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-Loc...d_bxgy_sg_img_c
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QJC5F...1RP5FC9V736ZE9W


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/eBayISAP...RK%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.)

Ive got a spare top, but I dont think that it would be solid enough for me as I want to still be able to carve some corners a little bit..

I managed a bike shop for 7 years. The guys who hung racks on thin sheet metal sports cars always complained of damage to the car. More if it was a heavier mt bike. The rubber coated hooks will also start to bend the metal even at the thicker sections of the seams and edges. The paint will scuff and scratch anywhere it has contact with the bike or the rack. Even with the roof mounted racks you must be careful since a hard turn will pull the bike to the side and put a lot of strain and torque on the clips that hold the roof on. They were not designed for this so be careful.

The one pictured is a Bic Sport Rack. Made in the '80, I used it weekly for 5 years. I'm glad I held on to it. it ataches quickly and can be stored in the rear trunk under the targa top. If I was buying one today, I would buy a Yakima or similar for the roof.

PS- the bikes mount upside down on this rack, attached by the handlebar and seat so they can easily fit the short roof of a 914.

I plan on using plates underneath, so it should be very solid. Plus, I will be able to use the rails on the rack for my Burb..

Okay Andy - I can comment on this one above, because it's mine.

BTW - the Hardt instructions above list 6x16mm Allen Bolts/screws for mounting under the rollbar (3 per side), & that's what was also used on ski racks mounting up under there.

Not necessarily in your number order above ......

Cost -
It was about $35-45 back in the late 70's from Chick Iverson Porsche+Audi (now Newport Porsche), so if you use the 2x per decade rule of thumb inflation rate, that's about $140-180 in today's dollars.

Stability -
Listen - common sense has to rule a bit here. You're just NOT going to find any bike rack set-up which allows you to corner all out, as you would without it on. The Hardt B14 was certainly stable enough for me to have a fun time driving, but I didn't go out playing "double the speed limit" (yellow diamond speed warning signs) on the corners either! You have to choose aggressive driving or a bit of common sense speed/cornering - or suffer the consequences to bikes, racks, 914 body parts, etc.!

Set-up & Dismount -
About 10-20 mins. including mounting 1-2 bikes - about the same either way on or off - but only 5-10 mins. to get just the bikes off to ride or access the rear trunk (see below) assuming you take off the trunk/seat plates to avoid their sliding or dropping to damage paint with the lid up.

Once you've got the hang of it, it was in the shorter time frame, or if you had a partner to help. You'll want the bikes well secured, so a race to mount them isn't helpful, as you're best to recheck & re-tighten everything once. Ergo, dismounting the bike(s) &/or racks is slightly faster.

BTW - with quick release wheels I usually removed them & put them in the rear trunk first/out last, in order to avoid theft when in food/pee/gas/etc. stop, since I could use a cable lock on each to secure them to the racks & park it in-view to at least deter theft.

Functionality -
I used it & it was stable & held the bikes well - even at freeway speeds & on the winders, but I used a couple of old towels doubled up under the plates for the bike seats where they go on the rear trunk/deck lid to protect the paint a bit more than the foam pads did.

That said - I still would not use it that way if your 914 has fresh paint, it's still pretty perfect, you're picky &/or is a CW queen. In which case I wouldn't recommend it at all in such cases, and probably not any bike racks nor my other hauling method for that matter.

The way it mounts you can remove/replace the targa top with the bikes on, but you still need to take them off to open the rear trunk to stow the top &/or to get at luggage/etc.

It can haul either 1 or 2 bikes (street + mountain, 1 for your gal or buddy), with the securing straps to an empty seat plate with just 1 bike (see instructions pic above). I liked them & used them often 76-85 & never had a problem with them, and was very careful to not cause paint damage.

But frankly, when hauling just my 1 bike - unless I needed the rear trunk for luggage, camp gear, etc. - I just took off the quick release front hub/wheel & stowed it in the rear trunk with a towel over the rear wall/lip & a shoestring to secure the trunk lid (wink-wink-nod-nod), since I didn't have quick release pedals & the height was a bit more than the trunk closed dimension with them on. That was usually a lot faster & easier for a quick trip by myself to San Diego or wherever to go cruzin with my buddies.

Future Use & What to Do Different -
That above was when it was my DD & only car as well, so I had to use it more functionally then - than I & others do today as a collector/vintage car (or than I will do - whenever my resto is done, that is! ). I doubt that I'll use them soon after my resto - until a later time when the paint isn't quite perfect anymore, unless if I can take some additional steps to protect the paint & bodywork from damage when in use.

Other Bike Rack Ideas -
I've seen another set-up similar to Elliot's modified Yakima set-up below, except that it had 90 degree-angled riser plates similar to on the Hardt I have - connected under the rollbar & extending up, to carry a standard Yakama cross-bar above & clear of the rollbar & targa top. That guy had used it for skiis, surfboards, kayaks, bikes, etc. The downside is that everything had to come off to access the rear trunk.



.

For skiis alone, that is why I preferred the ski racks which spanned flat above the targa top from the rollbar mounts to the ones in the windshield frame, because the skiis could stay on & locked in place, but still get access to the rear trunk for your stuff. I used these ski racks for about the same price & purchased from the same P+A dealer in the late 70's.

Click to view attachment

.

.

Word of Caution on mounting into Targa Top -
The FG targa top will crack & break with the stresses of a bike rack etc. mounted into it - even if it's a 2nd top, which is just asking for trouble. A lot of VW Westy owners have had trouble with the FG pop-tops cracking/failing with the various roof rack mounted on them & loaded up. It would have to be a highly reinforced top - or steel with under bracing as with the 916/914-6GT racers' steel roofs - in order to hold up.

Even then, you're adding a lot of stresses to the windshield frame, which can be bent out of position simply by people using it as a hand-hold getting in & out of the car! Plates or washers alone underneath won't prevent the FG from cracking with a couple of bikes above & the speed & cornering forces the 914 will generate - & a steel X-brace with welded plates for the rack attachments - similar to what many 914/4 & 914-6 racers use for bracing the rollbar to windshield frame - may or may not "save" the FG top from stresses from the through bolts to the rack.

Plus, I don't even know if the targa top latches will stand up to the stresses & weight of a couple of bikes up there!

Hope this helps your quest for the Holy Grail!

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?sho...=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

Thanks! I was hoping you had a pic from the years you used it daily, but this will certainly do!!

Thanks!

Here's mine

Click to view attachment

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.

Kevin, Awesome hitch mount setup! Can you post a little review? (I have some questions in the first post)

No trunk lid dents in 10 years Mark, but I put a 4-8x towel between the pedal & top, then cinched the tie-down lightly to not press nor allow bounce.

BTW - my buddy into racing back then did have a quick release on his pedals, so we could pop his apart & completely close the rear trunk lid with no problems (even with the 8x towel) when I took him to races a couple of times. I wasn't a racer so I don't know the make nor type for those pedals, nor if they're made today (I basically got back into bikes for training for my Rugby after a bad case of shin splits one summer).

The Westy tops are thinner on top, but about the same at the sides/edges where the Yakima brackets mount, & yes those Westy types overload their tops - esp. the Synchro guys going to Baja etc. We never did.

My comments were directed more towards the folks wanting to drill mount through a FG targa top, as that will start stress fracture points for sure in the top - at any thickness. Even with edge/gutter mounted racks, it may cause enough torsional stress to tweak the FG top & cause stress fracturing, more due to the stresses of having the bike(s) weight pushing & pulling in response to lateral G-forces in corners, &/or due to wind pressures acting on them as "sails".

Your Yakima edge mount may be okay with lighter race bikes, but do monitor the edges for chips & cracks over time.

I say so because I recently discovered a small 1/8" v-chip at the front edge of my top just where the front ski mount goes into the windshield frame, apparently caused by the torsional pressure of it twisting slightly with the skis mounted (wind pressure?). 35-40 yr old FG can be more brittle than fresh stuff, as any vintage surfboard, Hobie Cat or other FG hulled boat owner can tell you!

BTW - for those mounting skis in the vertical (side up) position on 914's, make sure to mount them nose to the rear, so as to avoid additional pressure on the front mount into the windshield frame mount from the curved out tips (or up/down in a flat mount rack). My 914 ski rack had that tip in the instructions.

I agree with the others Mark - plz post pix & the info of your set-up - esp. which gutter mounts you used for your set-up.

Nice set-up at your link Elliot!
Although I liked your yellow zonker avitar better, than the UPS 747 of you former days!

This was a great idea to do this link Andrew, now you need to do one for Ski Racks, or one of our active skiers needs to do so.
... (neither my skiing nor 914 are "active" right now, so I don't qualify to do so ).

With lead designer from Alien, Rick
we came up with a "Removable receiver hitch"
Pics. says it all
Click to view attachment

Sacrifice a very nice bumper.

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!

Good eyes!
Second set of bolts goes thru the bar

The bike rack;
I do all kind of wheelie and dealing, trade outs
and think it costed me $45 Many,many moons ago

They're sturdy! but here's the catch, the bike tends to *snap* side to side.
Rocking back end forth, bam! ...........bam

I strap the ends down to the bumpers, (no worries there, the bumper)
Haven't really checked with the 914
I threw the rack on today to see if it's doable.
Another shot of the hitch,finish that night
Click to view attachment

Interesting concept, but IMHO too much hacking to a nice 914 for a bike rack.

Too bad somebody can't make a hitch crossbar mount tight under the rear valance (or under the bumper in place of the valance with the valance removed), which tucks cleanly away under the bumper with the hitch insert removed (not to mention no holes thru the 914 rear wall/bumper/trunk floor where future rust dwells) -
... say something similar to this one by GoWesty for Vanagons .....

Click to view attachment

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php...gory_parent_id=


... not sure what to attach the crossbar mounting plates to up under there - maybe the rearmost longs - plus it will need to clear around or at the ends of the muffler/tailpipe. This Vanagon one was easy because the detail of the bolt-on connectors is to the 2 L&R tow hooks under the rear bumper.

I know I've seen some 914's towing small trailers on here before, so somebody must have a way to attach a tow set-up.

Any hitch wizzes out there have any thoughts on this?

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.

Andy -

There's gotta be a better way to do a thing like that GoWesty Vanagon set-up, but the tow insert will need to sweep out & up in order to get to the proper hitch height level - cuz IMHO it's pretty "Hill Billy" to hack into a 914 like that!

- & I'm part WVa Hill Billy too!

Maybe by connecting extension struts/bars from the orange arrow points at the rear underbody crossbrace &/or longitudnals' rearward extensions in pic below?

Click to view attachment

That way the hitch loads transfer to the longs directly, which are the main fore-n-aft structural components of our 914s' unibody "frame".

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..

Add it to your To Do list with the Ski Rack Compilation Thread!

It's here for ideas that folks can use for a hitch mounted bike rack, but I probably wouldn't do that to my 914 after the resto for hitch or bikes anyway, since we have the Westy, which is a better vehicle for those types of trips anyway, and my 914 is a pretty original ealry 2L or "914S" that I'm sinking too much into a resto to hack, risk getting scratched with bikes, etc. ..... although maybe skis on the old racks, if my old joints can take it - XC at least - the sking that is!

I've seen a swing out bike/shittage rack that hitch insert mounts for VW Buses/Vans, which would be cool for a 914 so you could access your trunk more easily - if it doesn't add too much weight to the set-up (sorry, can't find that link right now).

BTW - many/most of the hitch mount bike racks that I've use a welded or bolted rail to secure the bike wheels into, to avoid that swinging of the bike on the rack problem mentioned above.

Click to view attachmentHere 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

Better have a spotter in the right seat with a red flag to hold up then - like in water ski boats - in case you fall off the bike into the roadway while they're driving the 914 for you to test riding the bike on it!

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.

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.

more!

Awesome! Out of curiosity, why did you go so wide with the front support? In preparation for the roof rack?

Yes
but it helps to distribut e the load and torque of the bike out to the stiffer edgeds of the roof too.

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

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

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

Click to view attachment

how is that setup on freeways? i would be afraid of the bikes as a sail ripping off the top.

i cant see one good way to mount up a rack to hold heavy downhill bikes.

Yes, Please review!! Wonderful setup! I'll add it later tonight.