Yakima Viper Installation Instructions

Round Bar &

Square Bar

Load

Crossbar

Spread*

Limits

16" (41cm) spread =

30 lbs. (13.6kg) / bike

1 or 2
bikes

Type of

Rack

DO NOT EXCEED RACK WEIGHT LIMITS!

HEX KEY (1X)

SNAP
AROUND (1X)

CARRIAGE
BOLT (1X)

LOCKING
SKEWER (1X)

END CAP (1X)

WHEELSTRAP (1X)

VIPER (1X)

16" - 42"

41cm - 107cm

18" - 42"

46cm - 107cm

3 or more

bikes

18" (46cm) spread =

40 lbs. (18.1) / bike

THIS HIDDEN SWITCH

ENABLES SAFE

MOUNTING OUTSIDE

THE TOWERS.

*CROSSBAR SPREAD

Your crossbar

spread is the

distance between

the crossbars.

Forks with
Safety Tabs

DESIGNED FOR FORKS
WITH SAFETY TABS.

OFF-ROAD DRIVING IS
NOT RECOMMENDED.

1033576B-2/15

BETWEEN THE TOWERS

Viper can slide along the bar for

easy repositioning, even when

locked and loaded.

Install tray bolt, wheel strap and end cap.

Secure opposite end.

Insert bolt head
into slot in tray.

If you have
SQUARE BARS,
loosen the tabs
by bending them
repeatedly.

Remove the tabs with

scissors or pliers.

Install the wheel strap with
the red button toward you.

Short bikes or wide crossbar
spreads may require the strap to
go on before the bolt.

Attach

SnapAround

to opposite

bar.

Attach the tray cap.

Lift the tab while

pushing.

Push until the tab

goes into the hole.

IF ROUND, continue to

Do you have
round or square
crossbars?

(The strap may need to go on first

depending on the bike-to-bar fit.)

Set opened Viper onto the crossbars.

Allow the cover to remain

open on the bar.

Align the bolt to the
SnapAround and insert
into the square hole.

• Press open the

red cover.

• Pull silver hook

outward until bottom
plate opens.

Decide where

you will position

the Viper along
your crossbars.

OUTSIDE THE TOWERS

Viper can be in a fixed location

for optimum security when

mounted outside the towers.

(Large bikes, or short crossbar spreads)

A

B

1033576B-3/15

Close the lower

plate, then press

the silver hook.

CLOSE THE RED COVER.

It should close with firm

resistance.

If not, repeat the previous

step, being sure to press

the silver hook.

ATTACH THE

HEX KEY AND

TIGHTEN

COMPLETELY.

CHOOSE YOUR MOUNTING OPTION (Read A & B below).

TO REARRANGE THE VIPER AFTER INSTALLATION:

• Lift the red cover, loosen the hex key.

• Reposition.

• Close the red cover, tighten the hex key.

CONVENIENT

REPOSITIONING:

Viper can slide along the bar for

easy repositioning, even when

locked and loaded.

The red cover cannot be opened

unless the skewer is unlocked and

removed from the Viper’s head.

SEPARATE THE

SKEWER’S SHAFT

FROM ITS HANDLE.

FIXED POSITION:

Viper can be in a fixed location for

optimum security when mounted

outside the towers.

Hold the switch DOWN and

insert the skewer.

Hold the switch UP and

insert the skewer.

Do not install the Viper outside
the tower if the switch is in the

DOWN position.

The switch is behind
the Viper's head.

Always install the Viper

outside the tower with the

switch in the UP position.

DOWN

The switch is behind
the Viper's head.

UP

Open lever. Hold the

adjustment knob. Turn

handle clockwise to

remove the shaft.

Place the Viper onto the bars.

Install the skewer from either side (consider access to the quick-release lever).

1033576B-4/15

Use extra caution when

installing, or removing bikes

with CARBON FIBER FORKS.

Fork tips can crack, or bend if

bike is not loaded vertically.

Remove the front wheel, and load the bike.

Secure the rear wheel.Lock the Viper.

ATTACH THE SHAFT TO THE LEVER.

If you have purchased

a lock, follow lock

core instructions to

install the lock.

Pull the strap
through wheel

spokes.

SOME BIKE WHEELS MAY
PREVENT A TIGHT FIT.

• Insert the strap

end behind the
red tab.

• TIGHTEN the strap
by repeatedly
lifting the red tab.

Slide the strap
in the tray until
it rests against

the rim.

TIGHTEN

AGAIN.

Prevent damage to

your forks!

SET THE BICYCLE FORKS
VERTICALLY ONTO THE SKEWER.

If the wheel is still loose in the tray —

CLOSE THE STRAP.

DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN

THE STRAP!

Do not let the strap push

against the valve stem.

DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE STRAP!

Hold the shaft at the far end. Join
the handle with the shaft, turn the

shaft clockwise.

NOTE: Adjustment knob will turn with shaft.

CLOSE THE LEVER.

It should close with FIRM
RESISTANCE against the forks.

TEST YOUR INSTALLATION! If forks

can move in the mount, open the lever

and tighten the adjustment knob more.

Your bike’s forks are secure ONLY after
the lever closes with SOLID RESISTANCE.

With lever
open, tighten

adjustment

knob clockwise until

the lever closes with

FIRM resistance.

NOTE: Shaft will turn
with adjustment knob.

1033576B-5/15

ATTACHMENT

HARDWARE CAN

LOOSEN OVER TIME.

CHECK AND TIGHTEN

IF NECESSARY, BEFORE

EACH USE.

MAINTENANCE

The Viper has a

self-lubricating internal

mechanism.

It is not necessary to add

lubrication.

DO NOT TRANSPORT

BICYCLES WITH

attached baby seats,

panniers, wheel covers,

or full bike covers.

Test bike stability by

Tugging on fork leg.

K E E P T H E S E I N S T R U C T I O N S !

BEFORE DRIVING AWAY:

• Check the security of the forks; close the lever completely.

• Close the wheel strap tightly against the rear wheel.

• Tighten the hex key on the rear crossbar.

• If Viper is mounted between the towers, and has been repositioned along the

crossbar, remember to close the red cover, and tighten the hex key again.

• Don't forget your front wheel!

If forks move out of the skewer:

Open the lever and tighten the

adjustment knob more.

THE LEVER should close with firm

resistance against the forks.

Refer to

CHECK THE
REAR WHEEL.

Tighten the strap
if needed.

To release the

strap, push the

red button.

OFF-ROAD

DRIVING

is not

recommended

and could

result in

damage to

your vehicle

or your bike.