steve1979 Posted June 26, 2009 Report Share Posted June 26, 2009 Hi guy's, i just got my new rack to bolt onto my girlfriends corsa, the thing is when i put the bike on the bike wants to lean right into the boot, whats the best way to strap her down also i take it the the two removable parts just sit in the bar that bolts to the towbar, would these not need a pinch bolt of some sort to stop it bouncing out or do they sit in fine? , sorry for the daft questions, i have not yet used the rack yet. Infact any pics of your bike strapped on would be fantastic. Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizza5 Posted June 27, 2009 Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 whats the best way to strap her down also i take it the the two removable parts just sit in the bar Cheers, Steve Now there are a lot more experienced people on here but I will give it a go.................. Starting at the top of the ''bed'' you could use the headboard brackets to get a firm hold, the bottom could be a bit more tricky, maybe using a rope and the castor wheels, either way I think you could ''strap her down securely'' ..............however I do have concerns about the removable parts, has she got false limbs?? I am nore impressed that you have a bar in your bedroom?? Seriously though you need to find out the towbar weight rating for the Corsa as a bike on the back might be too big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzaecowarrior Posted June 27, 2009 Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 The Cooper rack is good. I've had mine for years with no problems. The weight of the bike stops it from bouncing out as does how you strap the bike on. I strap the left side of the bike (closest to the bumper) on first with a strap from the yoke down to the strap loop on the towbar bracket. I then strap the right side of the bike on by hooking the straps through the frame and hookning it round the other strap loop on the towbar bracket. When you tighten this strap it pulls down on the bike which in turn pulls the bike away from the car and compresses the suspension. Use good straps as if it comes loose you have got big problems. Best of luck. Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1979 Posted June 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 Cheers gazzaecowarrior, thats just the info i needed, i'll have to get some ratchet straps and that should be me away. Come on GIZZA5, where's that pics of you and your strap on at that i asked for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan Posted June 27, 2009 Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 : Seriously though you need to find out the towbar weight rating for the Corsa as a bike on the back might be too big. according to the local traffic cop, towbar rating is a manufacturers recommendation not a legal limit, the only thing the cops will be intererested in is axle weights and that the "load" is secure. On a practicle note, although i am well within any weight limits, and the car (an A6) looks OK when loaded, there is a definate loss of grip from the front wheels and corners can get interesting in the wet.. watch out in your corsa.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1979 Posted June 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2009 Hi alan, thats good advise, i'll be prepared. If i had fitted a tow bar to my car (2.2 turbo diesel vectra) weight over the front probably wouldn't be an issue as she's a heavy lump but i lowered her in a moment of madness and now the front splitter pretty much scrapes over the tiniest of bumps let alone on a dirt track road, so i fitted a tow bar to the girlfriends corsa which is only a 1.2 mainly for the extra ground clearance. i'll keep an eye on the steering issue, Thanks, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 I've been using a Dave Cooper rack with my Ford Fiesta for a few years now, without a problem. Sure you know its there but it works fine, in fact I think the shorter overhang between the wheels and the back of the car helps I think. One thing I do is add a strap from the rear seat belt mount to the handlebars or top of the forks, it stops the bike rocking back and forth as much. Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stushine Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 easier than trying to explain... thats how mines strapped down, dosent go anywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perce Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 I have one of those racks & I don't think much of the way you're strapping your bike down. This is how I strap mine:- Back wheel strapped to the vertical post, strap wraps round wheel & post. 2nd Strap from outrigger next to back wheel round the handle bar throttle side. Fully tension this one first. 3rd strap from loop on towbar bracket nearest back wheel to handle bar clutch side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stushine Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 I have one of those racks & I don't think much of the way you're strapping your bike down. lol, it cant go anywhere the way i strap it down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daved444 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 I never liked the idea of just strapping the bike to the rack as I always felt that the whole lot could bounce out - unlikely I know but it just didn't feel safe. I strap the outside of the bike from the loop by the rear wheel to the frame or the footrest then put another strap from the yokes or handlebars on the clutch side round the hinge on the tailgate and pull the bike back towards the car which also pulls it against the outer strap. Just for safety I also then put one round the rear wheel and the upright. Doesn't budge and holds rigid against the car too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 I never liked the idea of just strapping the bike to the rack as I always felt that the whole lot could bounce out - unlikely I know but it just didn't feel safe. Don't you believe it.... I lost a GasGas off the back of my Sierra 4x4 years ago from wailing it round a roundabout. Centrifugal force took over and the bike just shot out sideways and got dragged behind the car. I was only 200 yards from the house. The RAC rally was in town that year and a few crews were using the local filling station on the roundabout as a service area so I thought I would impress them with the Sierra's cornering ability. Gave them a good laugh anyway. No way could I have got that bike out manually though, it was well strapped in using the tailgate hinge, towbar etc. Never figured how it came out but that Sierra did corner well... Not learning from this experience I lost an Ossa a couple of years later on the way home from a trial. Feeling hungry enough to eat anything I went into one of the local shopping centres that had a MacDonald's. The place was pretty empty so rather than follow the lanes to Mac's on the farthest side of the carpark I bollocked it accross the middle. Didn't know about the slight elevation change, only spotted it at the last moment, obviously too late, so the car (Mk3 Escort estate this time) launched off the slight ramp at around 30mph. It bounced hard enough to smack my head into the roof, first bottoming the front suspension, then the rear. As the rear rebounded the Ossa catapulted upwards out of view of my rear view mirror before returning with a loud thump on the tailgate and landing on the tarmac, once more resulting in a dragged bike before I brought the whole sorry mess to a stop. Fortunately no damage to the Ossa which was more than enough of a relief to offset the large dent in the tailgate inflicted by the bike on its return to earth. Strap them in tight boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perce Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Then add in that bike tie straps do snap. I had some of the rachet ones, I had the bike on a trailer but was driving quick & over one big yump the straps holding the bike down both smashed the mechanism. I've also snapped one of the pull down types, they're the best way to carry a bundle of flags when flagging the Scott route, the loose end went round the rear wheel & pulled the strap very tight. Luckily I had a bumbag on & it took most of the force before the strap snapped. I also bounced a bike off the rear of a discovery when it was racked, I hit a big pot hole whilst dodging an oncoming car, luckly no damage to disco or bike. I'd have thought the way Stu has his bike strapped on if he did an emergengy stop the bike would come straight over the top & end up on the bonnet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie prescott Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 Hi Guy's Never used a rack, but if I did i would use the truck type ratchet straps, as you can pull the front end of a bent motor out with these little boys, but be careful where you use, to strap the bike or you may bend the bars or frame? As I said I have never used a rack, but I think I would weld on extra tying rings to the draw bar itself and even make a fixing to clip into the roof rack channels of the car. But I always do go over the top with projects. Regard's Charlie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perce Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 Hi Guy'sNever used a rack, but if I did i would use the truck type ratchet straps, as you can pull the front end of a bent motor out with these little boys, but be careful where you use, to strap the bike or you may bend the bars or frame? As I said I have never used a rack, but I think I would weld on extra tying rings to the draw bar itself and even make a fixing to clip into the roof rack channels of the car. But I always do go over the top with projects. Regard's Charlie. A Dave Cooper rack has fixing loops on the bracket which is bolted to the car. It is the best rack I've had by a long way, I've even got some vertical posts for mine so that it'll double up as a push bike rack as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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