Metal fabricators.. I need your help!

[NM_Shooter]

Remember this? It is a removable basket that I built that plugs into two receivers :



I now want to build a motorcycle rack for the back that will plug into the receivers that I welded on.  I'm thinking of using a piece of 4" or 6" channel to weld onto two sticks of 2" tube that come out from the trailer.  My question is... how the heck do I keep the motorcycle upright in transit?  Any ideas?

[NM_Shooter]

Maybe just ratchet strap the handlebars to the front 2" tube?

[MountainDon]

Not to scale: That's something like 1x1 tubing. Looks like a hitching rail.    Hitch/strap the bikes to it. That should help keep them upright.


Pardon the erasures and bottom bleed through.

[Redoverfarm]

Just lay it in the carrier.   No seriously I would probably just weld the channel to the top of the receiver tubes and then use a couple of other channels to hinge up along the side of the bike when in the upright position.  You can use a double hole pin hinge. I am trying to visualize how to explain. Just a couple of holes drilled into the excess receiver tube (one over the top of the other)  One will be a hinge pin and the other on top is the locking pin for the upright position.  Using linch pins you can easily remove the complete upright support and stow them under the carrier using a pattern of  holes that match up to your hinge holes.  When in tow you can use the DOT reflective tape on the traffic side of the upright for extra safety. The bike attachment to the uprights can be done several ways but I think you get the jist.  

                  X  <  upward support
          T      X
           i      X
           r      X
        I_e_I   X  
MMMMMMMM :]
(receiver tube
 "M")

I wish I knew how to draw with this puter it would make it so much easier. When you are not hauling the bikes you can leave the upright out for extra storage area.  You could even get fancy and put diamond wire to create a swinging platform rather than two individual supports.

[NM_Shooter]

Hmmmm... good ideas.  I need to take some measurements on that existing basket and see if maybe there is a way to rig that so I can drive onto it.  Maybe cut one of the side tubes off so I can drive on, and just figure out a way to bolt the side piece back on when I need it for a basket. 

I suspect I am going to reinforce my receiver to frame hitch with some grade 8 bolts since I don't trust my welds 

[Redoverfarm]

Frank if you made the uprights seperately and a little bit narrower than the tire channel you could interchange one for a ramp to temporary pin it to the channel that the tires rest on and once loaded you could pin it back as a support.  You could do the same with the other side and drive it off.  That way you would have a ramp to load and unload.  I am not exactly sure what you call the pins with the spring "D" shape retainer but that is what I was referring to.

Went back and found what i was looking for.  These are what I would use for hinge and retaining the supports and ramps.  When not in use they can be just pined to the part and stored.  No looking for bolts when it is time to use them.

http://www.huyett.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_31

I have seen some small racks but most use a drop for the tires to rest in. They do not require a support as the tires in the drop baskets act as support.  Then I guess just a rachet strap to keep it from bouncing out.  

[glenn kangiser]

I think the vertical post is a good idea.  Also - rings - loops etc. for tie down straps in locations that will assist in holding them properly and securely in place.  the post could be pinned into a socket so that it could be removed for loading.- (put a water drain hole near the bottom of the socket if used also)