bike rack

[85 Cab 81 SC]

I found an inexpensive bike rack that works very well on a 911. Its a 'Bell, Serial #B401898'. If memory serves I paid about $30 for it from K-Mart. The rack is actually made to fit a flat back vehical but one of the three mount bars will flip-up and makes it fit a 911 very nicely. The lower padded support fits right where the rear lens meets the bumper while the upper support rests perfectly on the "Carrera" logo so it doesn't touch the body paint. I've used this rack for several years and haven't had any paint wear from where the plastic clips attach to the engine lid.

I lock my bike to the rack but the rack isn't locked to the car. If you have a greater concern for security you may want to use a padded chain or cable that can be locked around the bumper support tube beneath the car.

The rack will hold two bikes but I've never carried more then one. I think I would put a tie-back strap from the lower mount to the license plate mounts before adding the weight of two bikes. That would prevent too much pressure againest the lens.

Hope this is useful to someone.

Ron (P.S. It fits my '85 911 & my '90 C2)

[85 Cab 81 SC]

Be glad to e-mail pictures. Couldn't figure out how to include them with the post.

Ron

[Drew001]

Love to see the pictures.

I've been casually looking for a rack for my 911 for a while.

[Kraftwerk]

I bought a used Thule on E-bay. Works well can carry the surfboard as well.
Be carefull not to bend those rain gutters tho!

[85 Cab 81 SC]

Drew001, I've e-mailed the photos to someone who offered to get them posted for me. I don't know how to reduce them to be accepted thru Pelican. Be glad to e-mail them direct.

Ron

[Thrasher]

Here are Ron's pictures:

[BrokeMyCar]

Ha! I may get this just to hold down my new emblem while the glue dries... =)

Is this the part? It looks styled slightly differently-

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-3897160-5451342?asin=B000IT2VSM&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000IT2VSM|Bell_2Bike_DoubleBack_Rack&nAID=14110944&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

Babak

[k9handler]

I have been looking...but with a 45+lb bike and could add up to about $4k hanging off the back I am not sure I would trust it. Would you say it's that good or since I have a coupe just go with a solid mount rack?

[Thrasher]

K9,

I think you need one of these!

Well, since you're a hucker and all, I guess you'll be keeping a long-travel heavyweight. I think your best bet on the back of a 911 would be the license plate bolt-mounted receiver with a Thule or Hollywood Racks style rear tray mount.



http://www.willwoodsystem.com/bicycle%20carrier.htm

I know a guy with a C4S that has one of these and he swears by (not at) it. I've checked it out and it really feels secure.

But, I'm not sure about the compatibility with older 911's

[k9handler]

Thanks I will look into it.

[daltvater]

How about something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thule-Spare-Me-963-Bike-Rack-for-Jeep-Tire-Mounting_W0QQitemZ260103318914QQcategoryZ56198QQss PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You could take off the licence plate and drill into the bumper.

I may try this and see how it works.

[85 Cab 81 SC]

K9

For an older 911:

I was considering a custom rack and thought removing the bumperettes would provide both the strongest attachment points and a place where any holes would be hidden in the future.

Ron

[CarreraDan]

Kraftwerk brings up an interesting point, can you bend the rain gutters? I have seriously been thinking about getting a Yakima rack for the Carrera to put two kayaks on that mounts to the rain gutters. One of the best roads around is along a very popular whitewater river, the Jeep just can't hold the corners like the 911. It would be fun to drive the Carrera, play on the river, then drive it back home. Lets say total weight for two kayaks around 65 lbs--do I need to be concerned? Just thinking out loud, will most likely keep kayak duty to the Jeep. Sorry for the semi-hijack.

[Drew001]

Originally posted by 85 Cab 81 SC
Drew001, I've e-mailed the photos to someone who offered to get them posted for me. I don't know how to reduce them to be accepted thru Pelican. Be glad to e-mail them direct.

Ron

Thanks Ron, Thrasher's post of your pictures is great.
Looks like a simple solution that'll work fine on my coupe.
Thanks again.

[arerrac]

I use Yakima on my Carrera for bikes.

Bend the rain gutters?

You would have to have them adjusted badly and REALLY crank them down. And given the fact that part of the the attachment is plastic, I really think the rack would break before you bent a rain gutter. They just sandwich the rain gutter.

[mingmong]

Got back into mountain biking myself and I've been toying with the idea of a bike rack too. Been thinking about getting one of these for quite some time...
http://www.classic-carriers.nl/english/brochures/brochure_%20911_mailer.pdf
I'm holding out for now as I can managed to fit my bike on the back seats. Honist!

[k9handler]

the dual crown fork on my bike is to long to fit inside the 911 so a rack would be a must, so for now I haul the bikes in my van and pay big for fuel.

[TWIN911]

I have a 1988 Turbo Look Targa. Finding a bike rack solution for this car hasn't been easy! So I made my own!

I purchased the BDI solution from Performance (Not available from our host). Drilled additional holes in the plate that mounts behind the license plate (the pre drilled holes don't line up with the two holes in the bumper). Dropped the top mount bar to the bottom. Cut the L brackets they had to hold the bikes (won't work on modern mountain bikes). Mounted a Yakima Viper to an aluminum bar and I was done! Used it several times now. No problems, easy on and off, solid and safe.

The bike sits a little high for my taste (though no higher than most trunk mounted racks). When I have more time I'll work on a solution that drops the bike down 4 inches or so. In the meantime I have a solution that works!

[TWIN911]

Oh, and yesterday the car rolled over 250K! Special thanks to Bob, Dan and Dan at RMG! Still putting money away for the eventual rebuild! They way the car is running it could many more years before I worry about it!

[Kraftwerk]

Yeah, the rain gutters are bendable. Ask me how I know. But not because of the load on the roof : The old Thules (all metal) can give a subtle tweak to the fine lines of the roof gutter if you are not careful setting them up, ie. spacing of the towers etc. Please be careful! I guess in the same way they can also be un-bent, but that is a whole 'nother science.
Personally, I think Ron's bike-rack rests against the rear reflector in a disturbing way. That is apricey item. Nice car color tho.

I have also been thinking about the all Targa owners who could have a second F/G targa top with a roof rack bolted directly on.... Might solve a lot of issues for you Targa folks.
Congrats on the above car @ 250,000 miles! Nice.