I bought two bicycle fork clamps to mount on the bars. I bent the bars to shape by measuring where I wanted the bends then heated the bars with a torch and bent them by hand.
I made pockets for the eyebolt ends of the turnbuckle screws, hooks for the factory roof rails, and a foot to rest against the top if need be.
I connected the bent bars with the turnbuckle and added mechanic's wire to keep it from turning.
Now I just put the rack in place across the rails and tighten the turnbuckle. Then I secure the turnbuckle with the wire. Then I can mount the forks of two bicycles in the clamps and padlock the clamps. It is extremely sturdy and I've already used it. The idea was to make a cheap way of transporting our bikes to the beach without being in the way the whole time. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I primed and painted it but that didn't seem like it was going to hold up to the use so I tried Plasti-Dip. I used the liquid stuff for the foot and the hook and later decided that I wanted to use the spray to coat the whole thing so that's what I did.
I think ya done good. I'd much rather see someone use their head than their wallet to solve problems.
Innovation, imagination and a little work will always get you ahead. With me, I end up with a lot of ruined, bent metal that I can sell for salvage but, I still like what you did.
------------------ Ron Sadly, it appears that in these days, the definition of an honest politician is one that, once bought, STAYS bought...
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09:17 PM
Boostdreamer Member
Posts: 7175 From: Kingsport, Tennessee USA Registered: Jun 2007
Here it is on the Pilot. It is just connected by tention across the two roof rails. I'll post a pic of the bikes mounted later. The car won't fit under the carport with the bikes on top so I took them off before I realized I forgot to take a pic.
I think ya done good. I'd much rather see someone use their head than their wallet to solve problems.
Innovation, imagination and a little work will always get you ahead. With me, I end up with a lot of ruined, bent metal that I can sell for salvage but, I still like what you did.
I looked at purpose-made rack systems and they started at $120. Not only were they expensive, they got poor reviews. They were said to be flimsy, plastic and aluminum. This thing is SOLID! Very sturdy and TIG welded with stainless rod. It should last a VERY long time!
Here it is on the Pilot. It is just connected by tention across the two roof rails. I'll post a pic of the bikes mounted later. The car won't fit under the carport with the bikes on top so I took them off before I realized I forgot to take a pic.
Now see there, that's what I'm talking about. Thinking ahead. Yeah, you didn't get a pic with the bikes on the car but, you also didn't have to buy new bikes or repair the car and garage ceiling like I would have.
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09:32 PM
Boostdreamer Member
Posts: 7175 From: Kingsport, Tennessee USA Registered: Jun 2007
Now see there, that's what I'm talking about. Thinking ahead. Yeah, you didn't get a pic with the bikes on the car but, you also didn't have to buy new bikes or repair the car and garage ceiling like I would have.
Yeah! That would have negated my efforts in a hurry! The odd thing is, my wife's bike is taller than mine. Even though her frame is 2 inches smaller than mine, she likes to pedal with her tip toes so her seat is high. Then she didn't like being bent so far forward so I bought her a handlebar with a 4-inch higher rise!
The bikes make the clearance about 9' 6". Too tall for my carport by about 4 inches but I shouldn't have an issue too many other places.
I meant for the "foot" area to sit on the roof so I gave it a good Plasti-Dip coating so it wouldn't scratch. What I found out was that when I put full tention on the turnbuckle, it pulled the feet off the roof. Now, when in place, it "hovers" about 1/4 of an inch off the roof. The weight of the bikes might press it down some but I doubt much. This way, the "feet" act as bump stops.
I think ya done good. I'd much rather see someone use their head than their wallet to solve problems.
Innovation, imagination and a little work will always get you ahead. With me, I end up with a lot of ruined, bent metal that I can sell for salvage but, I still like what you did.
i completely agree, well except for the last sentence
nice job and just out of curiousity why did you tig weld instaed of just miging it?
nice job again
steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 05-11-2013).]
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10:03 PM
Boostdreamer Member
Posts: 7175 From: Kingsport, Tennessee USA Registered: Jun 2007
i completely agree, well except for the last sentence
nice job and just out of curiousity why did you tig weld instaed of just miging it?
nice job again
steve
The reason for TIG was to use stainless. I made this on my last day in Metal Fabrication Tools class. With stainless, the weld won't rust. Two guys in my class who are further along in the program than me asked me if I would let them TIG them. They acted pretty excited to be a part of it so I let them. I was going to stick it because that's what I'm good at but a stainless weld made more sense.
If it were me, I'd want to put some kind of cushion on those feet. You can probably find something suitable at your local home improvement store. Some stick-on felt or rubber pads would do the trick.
That said, your bike rack looks pretty cool. Nice job.
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11:52 PM
May 18th, 2013
Boostdreamer Member
Posts: 7175 From: Kingsport, Tennessee USA Registered: Jun 2007
Thanks everyone! The "feet" have a thick coating of Plasti-Dip. I don't expect them to slide around so I don't anticipate friction or too much wear. They sit on two of the raised "ribs" on the roof of the car so there's not a whole lot of contact. I'll keep an eye on that area and take additional steps if a problem develops.
I just finished a pretty thorough test of my bike rack. I took the family and bikes to Charleston for several days and got back last night. The rack performed exactly as needed. The bikes made it there and back without damage to them or the Pilot. It was completely quiet with no creaking, etc. It never slid out of place or had any problems of any sort.
I just finished a pretty thorough test of my bike rack. I took the family and bikes to Charleston for several days and got back last night. The rack performed exactly as needed. The bikes made it there and back without damage to them or the Pilot. It was completely quiet with no creaking, etc. It never slid out of place or had any problems of any sort.
I'm happy with it!
Until you pulled in under the carport...
That's what I would have done, anyway
------------------ 1986 SE Aero coupe.
3.4 DOHC swap is complete and running, now just have to finish the rest of the car...
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12:28 PM
Boostdreamer Member
Posts: 7175 From: Kingsport, Tennessee USA Registered: Jun 2007
Guilty as charged! Not this last time and not the first time, but when I used it the second time. I had put the bikes up there to test a new tie-down strap, to go to the Greenbelt, and for pics for this thread. We were going to ride to eat then ride back to the car. Tammy decided she didn't want to eat in the middle of the ride so we agreed to eat afterwards. I was pretty hungry so I went back inside and got a power bar. I sat and ate it in the car and when I was done, I had forgotten about the bikes. I decided I needed to re-position the car to get around the corner of the driveway so I started pulling forward back under the carport to make some room. CRUNCH!!
Long story short, the car was fine, the carport was fine. One bicycle wheel - ruined. $50 to Amazon.com for another rim plus a few hours of re-lacing it. Anyway, I fixed it in time for the trip and all's well. Riding bikes on the beach is a great way to enjoy it. It also helps me to forget the crappy scuba and snorkling off the beach on the Atlantic.
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