Just a note to let everyone know about the inexpensive bike rack available
through Canadian Tire stores.  Made for rear hatch attachment, from steel
tubing painted black, will hold three bikes up to a maximum if 100lbs.  I
got it last week on sale for $99.00 "cnd of course" and it's normal price is
$120.00.  I put to the test this past week end and found it to be just
great for the price.  No scratching of the bikes or hatch.  Bikes hang
from two horizontal rubber coated supports.  There is no latteral support
so the bikes need to be tied up to one another then to the rack so they do
not swing.  I think I can invent a stabilizer bar quite easily to cure
this one problem. Rack sits up high on the rear hatch and the rear
wiper and window are free.  Hatch will open with rack and bikes on but
the original Vanagon struts on  my "87 Westy are not strong enough to
hold the hatch open when loaded.  The rack is removable in a matter of
a few minutes and there are no permanant mounting points to worry
about.  Racks are made by "SportRack International" in Granby, Quebec.
800-561-0716, if you want more info.  Another good deal in Canada !  At
current exchange rates this rack would cost you Americans $60 US plus
shipping and whatever customs charges but of course if you come for a
visit to Canada and stop by a Canadian Tire outlet and put one on your
Vanagon, I won't tell anyone !

Cheers

Frank

--
              *  Frank Condelli  *  Almonte, Ontario, Canada  *
                      *  ad793@Freenet.carleton.ca  *
                   '87 VW Westy, '69 MGB & Lionel Trains
                http://members.aol.com/RAlanen/index.html