AE86 Towbar / Roof Racks

[nastylilweed]

Right.

I already realise that this is the gayest thing I've ever contemplated doing.

HOWEVER my two main passions in life are cars and downhill. Unfortunately as I'm sure we're all aware an AE86 is not well setup for carrying anything other than two people. It hasn't worried me over the last 6 months as I've just had a knee reconstruction and havn't been able to ride. I'm at the point that I can start getting back on a bike again but I've run into what is a fairly big drama.

How does one carry a downhill bike with an AE86? On the Silvia I used to be able to use roof racks but there doesn't seem to be anything available for an AE86, which leads me to the potential of a Tow Bar mounted bike carrier, however AE86 towbars are few and far between...

I'm not willing to give up my car and the fun I'm having at the track with it, and I'm sure someone has had a similar issue with conflicting needs!!

Any recommendations / help from anyone who's had this issue before?

Cheers

Joe

[Hen may possibly be a nut]

Both towbars and roofracks are available (I've had a tow bar that mounts to the two tow hooks and the floor in front of the spare well). But I've got NFI where you'd find them. Another option is a hatch mounted bike rack (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=hatch+mounted+bike+rack&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=PRLmUd_YPIP8iQfzuoHQBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1213&bih=670#tbm=isch&sa=1&q=strap+on+bike+rack&oq=strap+on+bike+rack&gs_l=img.3...29945.30855.0.31581.8.8.0.0.0.2.202.9 91.2j5j1.8.0....0...1c.1.21.img.5UbcLSJLvEg&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.49405654,d.dGI&fp=4d8ade5525a923c0&biw=1213&bih=670).

But I've always just dropped the front wheel off my pushies and thrown them in the back. Two mountain bikes fit fine, downhill may be another story though.

[nastylilweed]

Thanks for the reply man. I should have mentioned in my post that's the ae86 in question is a coupe. Hence the issues, if it was a hatch I would have a problem at all!
Hatch = practical
Coupe = completely useless

Pity I like the coupes better Haha, would make life much easier...

I'll try and chase down a tow bar for it and use a tow bar mounted rack. It's easy to pull on and off then, and I'm not into the whole roof rack fan boy thing...

[maxhag]

Steve pembrey Has a tow bar on his AE86 driftcar and tows a trailer with his tyres to events......

[Matt]

You can fit a tow bar to almost anything.

[nastylilweed]

Haha touche. To both those comments. This is officially now a Wtb thread lol

[McLEVIN]

Thule make roof racks...but expect to pay big $$$

[nastylilweed]

Yeah not too sure I like the idea of the way they're non channel roof racks fit... Kinda sus when throwing several thousand dollars worth of bike on the roof Haha

I did however have Thule on the Silvia and they never let me down.

[dove grey 64]

You can get really good suction cup mounted roof racks. I'd rig it up so your bikes rear wheel is on the boot and front wheel removed and fixed to a rack on the roof.

[s13 james]

U can get a bike rack that you close the boot on then you wont need gay shit on car

[Hen may possibly be a nut]

1 - Sell coupe (for stacks because of its extra JDM-ness)
2 - Buy hatch
3 - ???
4 - Profit

[nastylilweed]

Haha not a chance. Coupes in all their uselessness are much cooler... I'll do some hunting for a tow hitch or maybe test fit some racks...

[rthy]

a bit of rope and she'll be right
http://www.hornsbycycles.com.au/product_images/uploaded_images/bike-rack.jpg

[nastylilweed]

Lol makes me feel like a pussy... Should just get in with it...

[rthy]

I got a spare towbar here, but in melb.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4773/321/24430160008_large.jpg

pretty much like this except with out the middle section that went under and around the fuel tank

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae22/justforfun1982/mini-DSC01230.jpg

Had 2x bolts and washers that went into the tow hooks and never had problems towing a 6x4 with a light load
Should be able to make something up that goes onto a bike rack?

[nastylilweed]

There's obviously a tow hitch in the centre yeah? Can't really tell from that picture if it's rhs or a mount point. Either way would be keen.

[ChrisBest]

I'm a bmxer and this image is tempting me. I'd be able to fit two bikes without ruining my nice interior but it's kinda lame. Dunno 28990

[nastylilweed]

I have looked everywhere and there are no racks that don't involve drilling holes in your roof...

[ChrisBest]

Yeah man :/ that's what ended my search

[nastylilweed]

Yep. I have been hunting everywhere! Just not going to happen. I'm officially going for a tow bar and a v rack... As gay as it is.

I think I'll just Jimmy something up so it's easy to remove the hitch and it doesn't have to stay on the whole time...