I am a frame builder AMA

Metal Supermarkets in Acton if you want walk-in service. They’ll cut to length as well.

http://www.nero.co.uk/Catalogue/Stainless-Steel-Tube/Seamless-Tube-Metric-316-Stainless-Steel?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2KHWBRC2ARIsAJD_r3dS6KsltY2THZocBMLCrF7VNEIELAobt2p4I3Nfp65Wk3fAPtkcge4aAp0iEALw_wcB

we use thes lots for doing other non bike stuff , they will provide certs though i reckon you wont need them

Thanks guys

I've been wanting to build a frame for ages but put it off for no particular reason for years now. This thread has definitely given me inspiration to get cracking. Just wanted to chime in and say thanks to everyone for all the information and tips, there's some really good stuff in here.

Are any of you frame builders up for a random, but hopefully cool, custom project, that is a bit off topic?

I would like to build up a bike carrier for my MGB, pictured below.

My first thought is to have a cross bar that comes behind the seats and has a couple of front QR axles on it to clamp forks onto, coupled with a boot lid mounted ravknof some sort that takes the rear wheels, leaving the bike standing up, in the direction of travel.

Any thoughts?

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ravknof

Intriguing. Nice car!

Ha. "Rack of some sort".

Gotta be better than this.

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Have you seen this? You could put a Thule rail on a regular luggage rack I guess. QRs on roll bars sound better though.

Wicked, that's almost exactly what I want. But that clamps to a pre installed luggage rack. I don't want one of those on all the time so would like that by to be integrated as part of the bike rack.

Who can make it for me?

Do you have any fixing points or anything solid to bolt to? Bumper mountings and seat fixings akin to how you fit baby seats and that sort of thing would be the best place to start.

I designed a bike rack for a car (which never bought in the end so never built) where it would slot in behind the number plate and latch to the rear bumper iron. When not in use the number plate would hide any fixings and be totally seamless.

Not sure. I'll have a gander tomorrow.

Jersey envy.

Thanks.

I got it from here. Rode to Cambridge with @hefty wearing the matching cap. I mentioned how much I loved it and he sold me the jersey that didn't fit him. I was and am stoked with it.

Hilariously, no one I was riding with yesterday and ever heard of Carter and thought I was a bit self aggrandising by declaring myself an USM!

(on the back collar it says "You fit bastard". )

That make’s it even better.

no one I was riding with yesterday and ever heard of Carter

Sorry, I never really pay any attention to what people are wearing :-)

or what bike they're riding

or their face

or name...

Or if they fall and die?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFFo7xz69t0

i once built one to carry 11 bikes for a team car? how many do you think you can fit?

Wow! I'm just after two.

Would really like to talk to someone seriously about this to see if we can come up with a workable idea. Someone who can weld...

have you found any good fixing points for it?

The semi permanent luggage racks for the MGB seem have rubber feet and clamps that attach to the boot lid. Copying their design would be a good idea I think.

Question is how to open the boot once the bikes are on. I’d buy an OTP roll over hoop and weld/rivet a couple of front axle qr style mounts to it, then mount a Thule style wheel retaining thing on the trailing edge of the boot.

I would mount it on a couple of those suction cups used for handling panes of glass or holding video camera rigs to the sides of cars etc.

have one of those generic rails or aluminium angle clamped on to the suction cups, the front fork clamps on with QR, then it latches some how to the bottom bracket or rear wheel with the rear wheel hanging over the rear of the car. front wheel can then be strapped to the rail/frame.

you could undo the cups and lift the whole thing off the car to avoid any scratches to the paint. also won't need to bolt or clip to any body work which could cause damage. also be easy to make and bare minimal fabrication.