I've finally run into a unique problem that I can't seem to figure out entirely, so I'm hoping to get some feedback from the forum since a search doesn't seem to yield any results.

I just recently started getting into mountain biking, and given that my only other mode of transportation is a motorcycle, the FD has become my "utility" vehicle when not being driven on the track. I figured I would just one of those universal bike racks that I could strap to the back of the car, but I can't seem to find any conclusive evidence that any of them fit our cars. I was about to pull the trigger on one of those U-Haul hitch installs that some of the guys here have done for trailering, but looking at the mounting of the hitch, I'm worried that the bumper support alone is not good enough to support the vertical movement of a bike hanging off of it (let alone 2 if I want to bring a friend!) although it looks great for the pulling motion of a trailer.

For now, I just have to take both wheels and the seat post off of the bike, and I can fit it barely into the car, but I was hoping that somebody else here may have found an easier solution.

Thoughts?
Allen

 

I saw a pic of a black (if I remember right) FD on here about a month or so ago with a bike rack on it but I can't remember what thread it was in, probably the 3rd gen pic thread.

 

Do you recall if it was a roof rack type of rack or a rear mounted rack?

 

I've packed a pretty damned heavy (tongue weight) trailer on my U-haul hitch. Unless you've got one of those 50's cruiser tanks, I'd say you're OK.

 

I use a "hunch back" by delta

It's a strap on rack that mimics a roof rack. It straddles the rear hatch glass & it quite secure. It clears my 99 spec spoiler.

As you can see from the pics it's a fork mount with a bracket for the front wheel (you don't want to put that muddy thing in your car)

It holds two bikes.

As a bonus the bikes sit low enough that I can drive into my garage with them installed (try that with a roof rack)

 

very nice!

 

It was rear, and now that I think about it, I think it was a hitch style instead of mounting to the hatch or something similar to that.

 

have a fab shop make you a hitch. then run a rack off the back. I'm going to be getting a hitch receiver made soon so I can trailer around my race wheels/tent/tools and whatnot for trackdays.

 

Whoa...sled driver, I think that's exactly what I was looking for.

Regarding the tow hitch route, I'm still not convinced that it's a good idea. I can understand that towing something even with a fairly high tongue weight is okay, but the bike rack, although not as heavy on the tongue stationary, has a lot more potential for damage because of the bouncing nature of the rack and the torque placed on the bumper mount...especially with our FDs with track suspension...I could see how going over rough roads might really do some damage...has anybody actually done it or seen it? MyRedFD, it looks like you did...I'll try to dig around for that picture and owner...

Thanks all for your input! Keep em coming, and I'll let you know which route I take...

 

PM Redlinewins, he posted this: https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...6&postcount=55 look at the last pic

 

This guy recently posted pics of his car with 2 bikes:
https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...6&postcount=55
Might want to PM him to figure out what rack he is using.

The Uhaul hitch mounts to the diff / rear suspension subframe and under the aluminum rear bumper. Very sturdy. I used it on my last FD and it was great.

Please PM where you go mountain biking. I'm new here and don't know where any good trails are. Thanks.

 

dont faba a hitch to your car... just get a bike rack.. it will work i know a friend of mine did it with his 7... it looks geto (or just odd) but it works and you can take it off un like a hitch...

 

I can't find this product on the web. Can you post a link to where it can be purchased?

 

That's the one I was thinking of.

 

wait.... you can actually buy a pre-made hitch? LINK! I need this for my trailer. So much easier than fabbing one.

 

Oh yeah...Damian and Damon have threads with fairly detailed info:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/hitch-trailer-install-pics-337174/

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/trailer-hitch-install-39691/

gracer7-rx7, I haven't actually taken a look at the aluminum bumper support, but I thought in my mind that it would be relatively flimsy (at least compared to the rear subframe, which looks sturdy enough for sure).

I contacted U-haul a few days ago via their website, and they're pretty responsive...the prices are very reasonable, I think:

-----
Class 1 receiver hitch #UHI 24930CH (2000#Capacity) $119.95
Installation & Free Lifetime Hitch replacement Warranty 45.00
Need to be very careful of Tongue weight an Rack Bounce Torque at the end of the rack. It increases exponentially and may cause hitch or chassis damage.
==============================================
If you are Towing- the package requires additional items
=====
Trailer wiring harness 4 Flat --13486 16.95
install harness Interior or Exterior of vehicle 65.00
Strapped-Bracketed-Sealed & Warrantied
=====
Ballmount/ball/pin/clip/cap 13106/08 35.95
wiring service plan 2 yr warranty 10.00
=====
Your Lowest Cost Tow ready hitch installation $292.85
Plus applicable state, local or provincial taxes
=====
Labor estimates are based on $75.00 per hour Shop Flat Rate
That rate may vary in different regional areas. Please verify the
flat rate at your installation location.
-----

I'm probably not going to need the wiring harness and work involved with getting a trailer installed, so my all-in cost would be closer to $165. $45 bucks for the labor seems pretty reasonable as well.

Still, they did specifically note the danger in tongue weight and "rack bounce torque", which is what got me thinking in the first place.

 

You can try

http://www.brauns.com/gc/gc_item.exe?K=DELHNCHRK

I purchased mine years ago.

Looks like it's been discontinued, you might contact delta info@deltacycle.com & ask them why.

 

I PM'd redlinewins to hopefully get some feedback about his bike rack and how well it works - definitely looks like what I'm looking for though:





Sled Driver - thanks for the info...I'll try to find out if they're still available.

gracer7 - I actually JUST started getting into it by going to China Camp up in Marin, which was awesome (given, it was my first time, so I don't have much to compare to...) I'm planning on honing my skills there for a while and the moving onto other tracks that my friends know about...

 

May I suggest:

 

I just ordered the Hunch Rack from Braun's...will let guys know how it goes (or if they even still have it!) I contacted Delta about it:

-----
We actually did sell a lot of this rack to customers like yourself and they loved it. Unfortunately, we discontinued this rack back about 5 years ago. Not sure if you might find one on EBAY?
-----

That's a pity...

 

I have the Delta rack that mounts to the rear hatch glass and it is better than the Uhaul rack IMO, if you can score one. My FD wasn't running for a long time so I gave it to Robert...Redlinewins to use. I think he uses it more than the Uhaul rack because of its convenience.

I am sure he will chime in with more details.

Speaking of which...I need to get my rack back!

 

Uhaul doesn't have a hitch listing for a FD. The Uhaul kit I used was #24930, I think it is listed for another Mazda model...I don't remember which model. Uhaul makes them to order so it took two months to get mine. You will have to drill two holes through the bottom of the rear bumper rebar otherwise the hitch is pretty much bolt on. I use a Yakima hitch style bike rack...you can basically use any type.

The Delta rack is cool because it is easy to use, however, I don't like the cheasy fork mounts. I actually use a Thule Echelon fork mount bolted on the cross bars, this mounts the bike directly in the middle, with this the bike is stable and you can lock the bike. I will take some pictures on Monday.

The Delta is a universal fit bike rack, designed for cars like the FD and is no longer in production. That is why I went the Uhaul route.

Brian, come by my house and pick it up anytime.

 

talk about DOWNFORCE!

but wow!.... the bikes mounted in back of the vehicle is nutss... its bracket is so far away ~

idk maybe its just me... :S

 

I think you are correct about UHaul's FD hitch being discontinued. There was a thread about it from toomuchpwr last year.

 

U-Haul still sells it (see posts above) - it's custom-made to order.