Bike rack project.

[BTJustice]

This might be of no interest to people on here but you never know so here is a project that we finished off this weekend.

I have an Audi A6 avant and while it will comfortably swallow my bike in the boot it becomes a struggle when my Mrs wants to take her bike. It is also a quick way to get mud, bike oil and dog sh*t in my boot so an alternative was sought.

First plan was the style of carrier that straps through the hatckback seals.......Horrible thing, free to whoever wants it.

I then aquired a set of roof carriers and bars to go on my roof rails. Better but didnt like not being able to see the bike so I was paranoid about them falling off.

Thought about a trailer but they need stored, limit your speed and make parking a pain.

So I thought about making a rack for the tow bar, similar to the Thule or Fiamma carriers but with a few alterations and not costing £180.

Criteria for the carrier.

1. Carry 2 bikes.

2. Be easy to remove when not in use

3. To fold up easily when on the car when not carrying bikes

4. Be more substantial than the commercially available racks (I'm sure they do the job but look flimsy)

5. Allow the tow bar to be used without removing any part of the rack.

I mentioned my ideas to my mate Jack who is a welding genius, he makes the adjustable/wheeled jack stands that I have for my beetle project;


Time to move. by route9autos.co.uk, on Flickr

He invited me over at the weekend to see what we could come up with and I think we did pretty well.

I used the roof carriers but mounted them accross the car instead of in line with the car then we made the frame to fit them to.



There is enough clearance for the unit to fold up.



Comfortably carries 2 bikes;



Here is a close up of the fitting;



Removing the 2 pins at the bottom lets the frame lift off



And the only bit left on the car is this bracket;



I'm well chuffed with it, just need to shorten the cable for the lights a little.

Dave.

P.S. I have washed my car since.

[banjo]

well done that man.prof pat pending is alive and well.

[HollowHorn]

You must have parked this, there is no way your wife could have managed it.

Time to move. by route9autos.co.uk, on Flickr

[BTJustice]

Just showed this to Joanne and she has a message for you;

"I may not be able to park but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you take that back now, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you."