Photos (coming) of DIY Yakima Bed install for Tandems/bikes

[kahnartist]

My husband created a very nice 'custom' bike rack installation in the bed of his Ridgeline that I want to take photos of and post on the site. Please give Jeff Lew credit for this DIY design.
The front wheel of the tandem was elevated off the bed. The rear wheel rested on the open tailgate. We used bungee cords attached to each petal (to the rear OEM brackets) to make the bike solid as a rock in the bed.
Anyone handy can create this rack with about $20.00 of supplies (if you own the Tailgate extender). Cost will be higher with latch parts from Honda.

You will need the following to create this Do It Yourself custom rack for the bed of your truck:
-Left and Right 'latch' set for Ridgeline bed extender.
These attach to the upper end of the bed where your OEM brackets are installed.
If you want your bikes fully elevated OFF the bed, you will also need Left and Right BRACKETS as well plus a 2nd Yakima crossbar and short Yakima bike tray.
We did NOT have the rear wheel elevated.
The Tailgate extender 'latch parts' can be purchased at your Honda dealer (if you don't own a bed extender). You will need to be specific which latch sets you need. There are four total.

-1 Yakima round crossbar. Ours had a 3/4 outer diameter. NOTE: Yakima changes the outer diameter of their crossbars..so you will need to measure what you have and find the appropriate pipe size to fit inside your bar.
Crossbar will need to be cut to fit width of truck bed. so you'll need a hacksaw or sawzall.
-1 Yakima fork holder with skewer (to hold front forks of the bike to the crossbar)
-1 Yakima wheel holder (only necessary if you want the wheel with the bike in the bed)
-1 metal pipe (3/4 outer diameter) for insertion INSIDE hollow Yakima pole (or whatever diameter your Yakima crossbar is)
-1 belt sander
I'll add the rest of the info when I get the photos to upload.

[colorider]

Cool - anxious to see the pictures.

Moved from ICE

[kahnartist]

I think I uploaded the photos by adding an 'attachment'...but not sure.

Hopefully, images are there and show the left and right side of the Yakima rack attached to the tail gate extender pieces. And a photo of the fork mounting piece (on the Yakima pole).

You simply take an 'industrial belt sander' and sand down the INNER pole to approx 1/2 inch in size. You will now have raw metal (which will rust), if you don't prime/paint. The inner metal pipe inserts into the larger diameter Yakima pipe. And the smaller 'ends' attach right to the Honda tail gate latches.

Remove front wheel from Tandem/bicycle, attach fork to Yakima fork unit. Our Tandem really didn't need to be 'held' by straps, but we did it anyways so we didn't accidentially tweak the frame.

Instant 'custom' bike rack for rear of Ridgeline!