trek5500

I need to know the size (diameter) and thread pitch of the tow (ing) eye that comes with the car. I don't have a nearby source of large metric threaded rod or bolts and the parts guy at the nearest Lexus dealer didn't know and wasn't interested in finding out.

I want to fabricate two rods or tubes that will screw into the tow eye sockets on the rear bumper and extend a foot or so rearward beyond the bumper itself. The idea is to treat the two rods like to cross pieces on a roof rack to support a single bike rail (similar to the one below) mounted across the back of the car, rather than front to back.

The IS250 is my wife’s but the car is such a pleasure to drive, I think I will sell my Integra GSR (a '97 with only 45K miles) if I can find a nice solution to carrying my bike. We are concerned that the strap on carriers will sooner or later scratch the paint.

Anyway hopefully someone here either knows or has the ability to measure the tow eye threads and can help. Thanks.