front mount bike rack

[torchard]

I wanted something that was quick to load and quick to detach from the van and frankly, didn't want to spring for a hitch plus the cost of a rack. So I tried this. I used an RV bumper mount receiver and adapted it to fit the round front bar via stainless u-bolts. For the rack I used a Yakima raptor roof top unit with a subframe built to support it. I built the drawbar to pin the thing onto. It seems ok at first trial run - quite steady. Somewhat high as currently set up. It loads quickly and the entire unit removes from the van quickly also. Perhaps not as quick as I imagined, what with all the locks and pins e.g. cable lock from bike to bull bar, locking knob from rack to base, locking pin through drawbar and receiver. Anyway it keeps the bike out of the van and keeps the little ones free from scrapes and cuts due to fending off the the beast.

I put some photos here http://drop.io/delicafrontbikerack 'cause I'm just so darned happy with myself.

--Todd

[sean]

Todd,
Great Idea!!! Does the bike start to wobble when you reach a certain speed in the Delica?
Well done.
Sean

[Jester]

does it impair your visibility at all?

[torchard]

My delica has never reached a certain speed ;). I've only tested it around town. I don't think it will wobble as it's pretty well secured. Having said that I intentionaly built this somewhat lightweight - trading convenience and cost against stoutness, because primarily this is for picking me and my bike up from work and general urban transport.

Yes, it almost interferes with vision. I moved the receiver from sitting ontop the bar to hanging below, which gained a couple of inches of drop, but even more would be better. We'll see how the thing goes before I invest further. My square-framed bike is pretty tall. A mtn or bmx frame would not be so, obviously.

--T

[loki]

just removing the seat would likely do the trick.

[torchard]

Yup. Did that. Right - the photo shows the seat on. It's more of a bother for the passenger as the handlebars are the high point.

just removing the seat would likely do the trick.

[visotzky]

Where did you get bumber reciever thingie?

[coaxial]

Would this perhaps carry the ultimate delica accessory?

high performance, small diesel engines are designed to start and run on multiple heavy fuel oil and kerosene based fuels, specifically JP8 jet fuel as well as all aviation kerosene, AVTR, NATO Mil Spec diesel, CARB low sulfur diesel and B20 and B100 Biodiesel fuels.

http://www.grandinite.com/2005/07/30/mi ... llian-use/

[torchard]

Where did you get bumber reciever thingie?

The one I used is a swagman unit, but there are others. Search "bumper mount RV receiver" and you'll find some samples. You may get a pal to make one for a lot less cheaper than the asking price on these things but I didn't have that option.