

| Subject: | Re: Need Bike rack Suggestions ;-) |
| From: | Richard M. Myers |
| Date: | Fri, 21 Jul 1995 18:18:22 PST |
** Reply to note from cdesign@atlanta.com 07/21/95 09:31am CDT I mounted 3 Performance fork mount units (800-727-2453, $18 - normally used to mount onto their roof top bike carrier) to the rear of my pop top. Other mfr.s such as Bike Tight (800-247-3843) make a better, but more expensive product. I mounted 2 of the fork units about 28" apart on the lower step of the pop top sandwiching inner and outer aluminum plates for strength. The third fork unit is mounted in the same manner on the middle of the upper step of the pop top. The bikes hang off the back with the rear wheels hitting at about the engine hatch hinges. No rear wheel guide is needed as the quick release, gravity, and absence of any significant side to side forces conspire to keep the bike pointing straight up and down. As a safety/security precaution, I bolted two stainless steel loops (?? - shaped like a capital omega) 2' down from the rain gutter on the apex of the body curve (above tail lights) through which I run a large diameter cable lock. The cable runs through the rear triangles of all three bikes. Yeah, you have to drill holes in your pop top (which don't compromise water proof integrity) and your body, but they're small and easily patched in the event that you no longer want the bike carrier. No big deal. You also have to take the bikes off to open the rear hatch or to raise the top (unless you convert the fork unit to have an axel instead of just a quick-release). The benefits are that it's a really clean and convenient way to carry your bikes, it's relatively cheap, and you've made it yourself. I've put this carrier to heavy use for about a year now and have found that the bikes don't move a bit, not even side to side. Dick Myers, (619)224-5937
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