Dale
Club Member
Hi all,
A bike rack for a 350Z is something that has been discussed many times on various forums, and it seems no definitive solution has been found.
One rack that has been mentioned as a possibility is the Saris Bones II, so I decided to have a drive up to Amble to buy one from 'North-East Roof Racks'. I rang the chap first, and he said he had fitted one to his neighbour's 350Z and that it would definitely work.
Although I don't need to use it for a while I thought I'd have a go at fitting it today to see how easy it was and if I'd need anything else for it.
Fitting it was an absolute doddle. I adjusted the legs first so that it would sit in the correct position, then it was just a case of fitting the bootlid hooks and then tightening them. The top hooks needed the boot open slightly to get on but the four lower hooks fitted with the boot shut. I was a bit concerned about the paintwork as the hooks are metal, so I cut up some chamis to put between the hooks and the bodywork (the top two hooks seemed ok without). The feet of the rack are rubber, so I dont think they will mark the paintwork.
Once the hook straps were tightened I gave the whole thing a bit of a push and shove and it seemed extremely solid with just enough 'give' to soak up any vibrations.
Then the bike went on. Three straps hold it in position, but it needs a bit more strapping to make it good and fixed. I used some old rag to tie the front wheel to the rack so the handle bars don't clatter into the car and some more for the back wheels to stop it and the pedals spinning. It also need more rag to tie the lower part of the frame as I didn't want to risk the bike moving back and forward under acceleration and braking.
The rack will hold a second bike but I only tried it with one.
After all that I took the car for a bit of spin to see how it was. I was fairly careful with my driving (which I would be anyway with it on the back) but the bike barely moved at all; it was fine over the quite severe speed bumps and potholes around here too. I didn't get up to any speed so I'll see how that goes when I use it properly.
Some small concerns are that the visiblity out the rear view mirror is a tad restricted, and I don't know what the Police will make of the slightly blocked license plate number?
Other than that, it seems to be spot on. The last word in bike racks for a 350Z? It could well be.
A bike rack for a 350Z is something that has been discussed many times on various forums, and it seems no definitive solution has been found.
One rack that has been mentioned as a possibility is the Saris Bones II, so I decided to have a drive up to Amble to buy one from 'North-East Roof Racks'. I rang the chap first, and he said he had fitted one to his neighbour's 350Z and that it would definitely work.
Although I don't need to use it for a while I thought I'd have a go at fitting it today to see how easy it was and if I'd need anything else for it.
Fitting it was an absolute doddle. I adjusted the legs first so that it would sit in the correct position, then it was just a case of fitting the bootlid hooks and then tightening them. The top hooks needed the boot open slightly to get on but the four lower hooks fitted with the boot shut. I was a bit concerned about the paintwork as the hooks are metal, so I cut up some chamis to put between the hooks and the bodywork (the top two hooks seemed ok without). The feet of the rack are rubber, so I dont think they will mark the paintwork.
Once the hook straps were tightened I gave the whole thing a bit of a push and shove and it seemed extremely solid with just enough 'give' to soak up any vibrations.
Then the bike went on. Three straps hold it in position, but it needs a bit more strapping to make it good and fixed. I used some old rag to tie the front wheel to the rack so the handle bars don't clatter into the car and some more for the back wheels to stop it and the pedals spinning. It also need more rag to tie the lower part of the frame as I didn't want to risk the bike moving back and forward under acceleration and braking.
The rack will hold a second bike but I only tried it with one.
After all that I took the car for a bit of spin to see how it was. I was fairly careful with my driving (which I would be anyway with it on the back) but the bike barely moved at all; it was fine over the quite severe speed bumps and potholes around here too. I didn't get up to any speed so I'll see how that goes when I use it properly.
Some small concerns are that the visiblity out the rear view mirror is a tad restricted, and I don't know what the Police will make of the slightly blocked license plate number?
Other than that, it seems to be spot on. The last word in bike racks for a 350Z? It could well be.
