Introduction: Tow Hitch Bike Rack
I made this bike rack in order to carry our bikes and to prevent soiling the interior with chain oil. Now I don't have break our bikes down in order to prepare them for transport. I made it at Techshop San Jose (http:\\www.techshop.ws).
Step 1: Cut 1 1/4" Mild Steel Tubing and Angle Iron
Step 2: De-bur and Bevel Mild Steel With an Angle Grinder
Step 3: Drill Holes in the Clamping and Hitch Pieces
Step 4: Tack the Pieces Together With a Mig Welder
Step 5: Mig Weld the Bike Rack Frame and Clamp Sections
Step 6: Grind the Welds With a Flap Wheel on an Angle Grinder
Step 7: (Optional) Weld Stainless Steel Bolts Into the Clamping Section.
Step 8: Sand Blast the Bike Rack
Step 9: Wash the Bike Rack With TSP
Step 10: Dry and Preheat Bike Rack in the Powder Coating Oven
Step 11: Powder Coat Bike Rack. Cover the Bolt Threads With Polyester High Temperature Tape.
Step 12: Bake Coated Bike Rack in the Oven at the Appropriate Temperature and Duration.
Made one just like that. It fails at the joints from off roading. SO, if you go off the asphalt, gusset the thing. Leave a hole in the gusset to run your choice of chain/cable through it. If you weld a washer on the vertical, you can cable tie your bike so it doesnt swing each time you brake.
Well done !
Why spend 100$ for a fancy one in a shop,
if you can do it yourself with some "gardening "tools !