General Trailer Hitch / Bicycle Rack 500L Classic ???
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General Trailer Hitch / Bicycle Rack 500L Classic ???
the hobbler
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2 options to your problem----(1)--as I have suggested before, why not obtain folding bikes. They can then be carried in the rear seat area (possibly with the seat removed or, (2) tow the bikes on a small trailer. This is not quite as daft as it would initially sound---when Ann and I first moved to Edinburgh I had a job building large Ferro-Cement yachts (NOT concrete--Ferro Cement!) and my boss who was very keen dingy sailor had a 500. He had a tow-bar fitted to the 500 with which he towed his 'Fireball' dingy around (the Fireball is/was a high performance 2-man trapeze dingy). If you made a small, light trailer just for the bikes, the 500 would be able to tow it, and the tow-ball bracket could be quite 'lightweight'.
This is the thread that came up before.
https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/452666-hauling-bicycle.html?452666=#post4283411
Perhaps not many ideas on that one. I have something like this on our 'normal' car:
http://www.letour.com.au/2-bike-rea...URJzU3BXKoL1214PUWE32soTUcyvaFFgaAsMdEALw_wcB
I imagine it could work on a bambino - top straps to the sunroof, side ones to the front doors?!
https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/452666-hauling-bicycle.html?452666=#post4283411
Perhaps not many ideas on that one. I have something like this on our 'normal' car:
http://www.letour.com.au/2-bike-rea...URJzU3BXKoL1214PUWE32soTUcyvaFFgaAsMdEALw_wcB
I imagine it could work on a bambino - top straps to the sunroof, side ones to the front doors?!
2 options to your problem----(1)--as I have suggested before, why not obtain folding bikes. They can then be carried in the rear seat area (possibly with the seat removed or, (2) tow the bikes on a small trailer. This is not quite as daft as it would initially sound---when Ann and I first moved to Edinburgh I had a job building large Ferro-Cement yachts (NOT concrete--Ferro Cement!) and my boss who was very keen dingy sailor had a 500. He had a tow-bar fitted to the 500 with which he towed his 'Fireball' dingy around (the Fireball is/was a high performance 2-man trapeze dingy). If you made a small, light trailer just for the bikes, the 500 would be able to tow it, and the tow-ball bracket could be quite 'lightweight'.
I already have a bike completely set up for my touring. Folding is not an option. What would work is a hitch receiver then I could slip my bike rack into it. So any suggestions on sourcing a hitch receiver?
2 options to your problem----(1)--as I have suggested before, why not obtain folding bikes. They can then be carried in the rear seat area (possibly with the seat removed or, (2) tow the bikes on a small trailer. This is not quite as daft as it would initially sound---when Ann and I first moved to Edinburgh I had a job building large Ferro-Cement yachts (NOT concrete--Ferro Cement!) and my boss who was very keen dingy sailor had a 500. He had a tow-bar fitted to the 500 with which he towed his 'Fireball' dingy around (the Fireball is/was a high performance 2-man trapeze dingy). If you made a small, light trailer just for the bikes, the 500 would be able to tow it, and the tow-ball bracket could be quite 'lightweight'.
I won't strap anything to the car as it will eventually damage the paint and also makes access to the engine difficult when you're on a long trip - which I will be. Also, the idea of drilling holes in the roof don't appeal to me unless it was a stok option such as a luggage rack.
Tricky. Having tried to mount a tow bar before on another car, I don't see a point on the chassis I'd be happy to put one on the fiat.
I wonder how strong the mounting points for the original / stock luggage racks are. If you have a light enough bike I wonder if it would support the weight. It would certainly look cool!
I wonder how strong the mounting points for the original / stock luggage racks are. If you have a light enough bike I wonder if it would support the weight. It would certainly look cool!
Since I don't own the Fiat yet, perhaps someone could send me pics of the bumper attachment points. Perhaps I could fabricate one for others as well.
73Abarth500
New member
Hi - picking up on this thread from a few years back. Did you ever find a solution to the hitch question. I have a 1973 500 with upgraded 650 CC engine, and trying to attach a hitch for an ultra light mini trailer. Have seen pics of a 500 towing something but no info on how to attach a hitch safely. I would not be towing any distances, this is only for shows etc. Thanks in advance if you happen to see this and have any suggestions.
The bumpers only attach to thin sheet metal at a perpendicular angle - they're not designed for any vertical loads . So use of them for a bike rack would probably quickly lead to tear out unless you put something to distribute the load. Your best bet may be to engineer something that sandwiches between the rear engine support panel (that the bumper attaches to) and the body itself or fabricate a tubular crossmember that uses those same mounting points, but dip below the bumper to hold a 1.25" hitch adapter (quick and dirty draft idea attached)... or some iteration of a Seasucker setup.
Here are some pics of the mounting points without the engine support/bumper panel and with it installed.
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73Abarth500
New member
Thank you Matt! I was going down the same line of thinking - e.g. using the engine mount structure, but trying to come up with a way that does not require moving the engine mount bar. I am thinking what you sketched out, but maybe with some additional support rods that bolt into the body further in as well. Really appreciate the input!!
Sure thing. You’re basically just making a custom Class I hitch. You can google image search to get all kinds of design ideas for already-established products.
