Bike Rack on the front push bar

[Firesong]

I've been wondering and wondering how to set up the front
to handle a few bikes. I haven't installed a tow hitch/bar in the
back yet which would fit the 2" bar on the bike rack I already
own. When you have to pack up 4 bike for kids and possibly
another 2 for us adults it adds up quick. I got to thinking about
the front push bar and remembered someone saying that there
isn't anything strong enough to really put a receiver onto for
anything to strenuous. So I ended up thinking that if anything
goes on there it will only be a couple bikes.

My bike rack is a swing down, swagman 4 bike style. 2 prong..
I almost put a reciever on the push bar to allow me to slide the
2" bar down into. Meant welding the receiver vertically behind the
push bar tubes. Since I don't own a welder and didn't feel like
buying a receiver I went for the next best thing. 3 grade 8 bolts
through the tubes and the bike rack is on. I took the bottom of it
off that goes horizontal so it only had a vertical bar. Finally got
it done in the dark. Looks really good and quite stable/secure.

The height should work out perfect for the top of the bikes.

I had put the red/silver reflector tape on it last year and looking
out the window of the house it sure shines well.

Just an idea for those who want to haul bikes in the front, a basket
in the back hitch and not stick bikes waaaaay up on the roof.
Although I still might have to so as to accommodate 6 bikes :)

James

[fexlboi]

Nice work and interesting idea.

We have something similar. Mitch did our removable front bike rack for 3 normal bikes or 2 heavy downhill bikes. Basically there a two holes in the push bar, with a little splint in the back. If we need the rack, we just put two solid metal rods in it and secure them with a pin. Works really great so far.

[jrman]

Mitch is great.

Really enjoyed have a few pints and the stuff at his shop.
I'm sure he'd still do this up for anyone interested.

Check out the following link for an interview with him;
http://bikehacks.com/bike-artist-steve-mitchell/

And here is his contact site for anyone interested in trying the "devil horns" - they tuck away nicely too compared to a normal rack.
http://www.bikeartist.ca/index.html

I bought a welder because of that visit - and have been tinkering ever since (and I do mean tinkering - just finished an Easter Egg Catapult for my son for this weekends festivities ).

I eventually had a receiver hitch put on at E&H as well so can carry 6 downhill bikes.

[alec]

wow that is great!

i would be into having this bike rack added to my van...

so far no problems?
sweet!

[fexlboi]

wow that is great!
i would be into having this bike rack added to my van...
so far no problems?
sweet!

If you talk about the bike rack from Mitch... No problems so far, not even with heavy stuff. Works for snowboards too :)

[Delica]

What about road debris on long hauls?

I once had a friend who said his bike got lots of rock chips from being on the front of truck.

[fexlboi]

What about road debris on long hauls?
I once had a friend who said his bike got lots of rock chips from being on the front of truck.

Well, I don't know. Either I carry an already beat up $50 "around town" bike or a heavy downhill bike (with rock chips from somewhere else :)

[loki]

What about road debris on long hauls?
I once had a friend who said his bike got lots of rock chips from being on the front of truck.

Well, I don't know. Either I carry an already beat up $50 "around town" bike or a heavy downhill bike (with rock chips from somewhere else :)

I just wouldn't want any rock chips on my stanchions

which is probably why my big bike goes in the back of the van all the time :)

[fexlboi]

...which is probably why my big bike goes in the back of the van all the time :)

Are you talking about outside or inside?
Someone told me he had to change his disc brakes after a long drive with his Delica and the bike on the back. A lot of diesel exhaust debris...

[loki]

...which is probably why my big bike goes in the back of the van all the time :)

Are you talking about outside or inside?
Someone told me he had to change his disc brakes after a long drive with his Delica and the bike on the back. A lot of diesel exhaust debris...

IN, I usually have the bench out and just roll her in the back, if I have the bench in for some reason I take the front wheel off and she goes in diagonally. don't get me wrong I don't baby the bike on the trails, but if something is going to get broken on it I want it to be from riding it, my stanchions are about the only part of my bike that I get nervous about, don't want to replace or have to fix my brand new 66 rc3 forks, LOVE them!.

[Firesong]

I've always mounted bikes in front, back and roof. Never had any chips taken
out of them. Sometimes bugs.. lots of bugs on loooong hauls.
We have been known to take 6 bikes at one go.. lots of kids to
keep happy.
J

[Kinl]

I love these designs, looking for a rack myself.

Does anyone know if this would errm, get you RCMP attention in the Vancouver to Whistler area whilst carrying bikes?.. looks like the wheels could obstruct the headlights, I know in back in the UK it would have got you a ticket for sure.

Kinl

[Firesong]

If the cops wanted to give anyone a hard time they could do it without
getting at someone for putting bikes on the front.
It's done a lot. RV's, vans... I remember hauling bikes off the front
of my VW Bus which is why I set it up on this one the same way.

The bugs are the problem. Lots of bug guts on the bikes after a long
haul.

FS

[jessef]

I love these designs, looking for a rack myself.

Does anyone know if this would errm, get you RCMP attention in the Vancouver to Whistler area whilst carrying bikes?.. looks like the wheels could obstruct the headlights, I know in back in the UK it would have got you a ticket for sure.

Kinl

Yes it would.

I had a rack made up on our L300 on the front bars carrying 2 bikes like in the one pictured above.

roadblock check 2 years ago. They saw me coming a long way up the road with funny looking lights.

Made me take the bikes off and load them inside (no other place to put them) due to the tires obstructing the headlights.

We spent over an hour unpacking the whole Delica in the pissing rain on the side of the road trying to figure out how to load the bikes inside with the people and gear.

It was the stupidest mod I did on the Delica full well knowing (anyone that looks at the front can plainly see it blocks the lights) that I may get pulled over one day.

Turns out it was at night outside of Squamish on the way back from Whistler in the pissing rain with 6 bikes and 6 people with gear.

Needless to say, EVERYONE suffered outside while I was shifting everything around.

We ended up having to disassemble the bikes and the two people in the back had the gear on their laps soaking wet.

My friends at the time said they'll never get in Delica with me again. It was a miserable experience.

The cop was right. It was as if I had no lights driving. The L300 lights are bad enough as it is but to block them with tire/rims was just over the top.

No offense to you guys who have done it as well but just don't act surprised if you end up in a situation like mine.

[Kinl]

Ok thanks, makes sence...

Maybe a trailer hitch is the better more expensive route to go...

kinl