Z4 Surf 'Rack'

aten · 05-05-2022, 02:23 PM

Hey Everyone. Just wanted to share the solution I came up with to transport a surf board in a Z4. Board here is 9'.

I designed and built an articulating cross bar that attaches to the roll hoops. It locks into the higher position to raise the rear of the board to be more horizontal and catch less wind (and looks cooler imo). It then locks into a lower position to clear the roof but still allow rear view visibility. I also made pad/strap that uses the roof latch anchors. Both install without modification or damage.

It takes all of 30 seconds to rotate the cross bar and hook on the front pad. I've used it for about a two years now and have gone through a few iterations with minor improvements. Haven't had any issues even cruising at 80 mph.

The material I 3D printed with (PLA) doesn't take heat very well so I do remove it or unload it when im parking in the sun for a while.

I'll try and get some better photos up but here's the gist. Considering making/selling a few of these if anyones interested.

Let me know your thoughts! thanks.

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kaybat · 05-05-2022, 06:57 PM

Cool man.

Huz-Z · 05-06-2022, 07:43 AM

Cowabunga Dude!!

Piper1 · 05-06-2022, 09:13 AM

This just reiterated me telling the Mrs on who says it’s not a practical car?

tophermac · 10-17-2022, 03:00 PM

Hi Aten, this is great - I am interested in connecting to discuss getting a rack. Still available?

thanks - topher

grannyknot · 10-17-2022, 03:10 PM

Very cool, love to see people fabricate there own solutions to problems.

vt100 · 10-17-2022, 03:13 PM

How much down force does this generate?

aten · 10-17-2022, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vt100

How much down force does this generate?

Ha. unfortunately it creates a bit of up-force.

aten · 10-17-2022, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tophermac

Hi Aten, this is great - I am interested in connecting to discuss getting a rack. Still available?

thanks - topher

Thanks! Yeah still available. I just made another iteration with ABS so no more worrying about heat warping. I'll dm you.

pungo · 10-17-2022, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aten

Ha. unfortunately it creates a bit of up-force.

Put the skeg at the rear instead of the front and you'll reduce the up-force. I've always mounted my boards with the skeg/fin at the rear, though never on my Z4.

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tophermac · 10-17-2022, 10:33 PM

Hi Aten,

Yes, for some reason I can not DM - something about making a certain number of posts and having to wait 7 days. That said, I did get your PM, though I can not reply to it. If you want to PM your number we can chat. I'm in El Sereno and am happy to meet you - check out the rack, etc... I gotta go West to get to the waves!

05-05-2022, 02:23 PM	#1
aten New Member 14 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 04 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Z4 Surf 'Rack' Hey Everyone. Just wanted to share the solution I came up with to transport a surf board in a Z4. Board here is 9'. I designed and built an articulating cross bar that attaches to the roll hoops. It locks into the higher position to raise the rear of the board to be more horizontal and catch less wind (and looks cooler imo). It then locks into a lower position to clear the roof but still allow rear view visibility. I also made pad/strap that uses the roof latch anchors. Both install without modification or damage. It takes all of 30 seconds to rotate the cross bar and hook on the front pad. I've used it for about a two years now and have gone through a few iterations with minor improvements. Haven't had any issues even cruising at 80 mph. The material I 3D printed with (PLA) doesn't take heat very well so I do remove it or unload it when im parking in the sun for a while. I'll try and get some better photos up but here's the gist. Considering making/selling a few of these if anyones interested. Let me know your thoughts! thanks.
	Appreciate 4 sikedsyko41.00 grannyknot950.50 AK72286.00 SD ///M42992.00 Tweet Quote

05-05-2022, 06:57 PM	#2
kaybat First Lieutenant 126 Rep 355 Posts Drives: '06 Z4MR, '14 Cayman S Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ormond Beach,Fl iTrader: (1) Garage List '06 Z4M [0.00]	Cool man. __________________ Ken B.(BMWCCA/PCA/ZSCCA/SCCA)
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05-06-2022, 07:43 AM	#3
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Cowabunga Dude!!
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05-06-2022, 09:13 AM	#4
Piper1 Lieutenant 570 Rep 561 Posts Drives: E85 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Here and there iTrader: (1)	This just reiterated me telling the Mrs on who says it’s not a practical car?
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10-17-2022, 03:00 PM	#5
tophermac Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Hi Aten, this is great - I am interested in connecting to discuss getting a rack. Still available? thanks - topher
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10-17-2022, 03:10 PM	#6
grannyknot Captain 951 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4M coupe Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	Very cool, love to see people fabricate there own solutions to problems. __________________ 2008 E86 M coupe
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10-17-2022, 03:13 PM	#7
vt100 Second Lieutenant 126 Rep 264 Posts Drives: '06 Z4MC, '12 128i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: SFO iTrader: (0)	How much down force does this generate?
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10-17-2022, 10:33 PM	#11
tophermac Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Hi Aten, Yes, for some reason I can not DM - something about making a certain number of posts and having to wait 7 days. That said, I did get your PM, though I can not reply to it. If you want to PM your number we can chat. I'm in El Sereno and am happy to meet you - check out the rack, etc... I gotta go West to get to the waves!
	Appreciate 0 Quote