How I mounted a taillight
11-01-09, 10:40 AM
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How I mounted a taillight
I have a flashlight that burns an 18650 battery and throws a red beam.
I had been using it as a taillight on my utility bike. That was easy -- just zip-tied it to the rear rack.
But I most often ride my road bike to work, not my utility bike, and with the time change to darker skies in the evening I wanted to use the red beamer as a taillight during my commutes.
No rack to zip-tie it to, however.
So, I scratched around in my shop, trying to find something ... and I turned up a mount for a fishing rod. I had bought it for my old boat but sold the boat before I could use it.
I tried it out on the flashlight -- it held the light well, and was easy to release, as well, which is important, because the battery is hard to get out of this one -- you really have to give it some encouragement, more than can be done if it is attached to the LeMond.
So ... I took off my seatbag, emptied it, drilled four holes in the bottom (that aligned with the holes on the fishing rod mount), and used a rivet gun to mount it to the bag.
Works great!
Here a pix of the what I started with, and another mounted light.
The light, the mount and the rivet tool ....
And the mounted taillight....
I've been lucky about recycling different mounts to get lights where I want them, or just creating mounts out of what I have handy.
The PB SuperFlash, for example, is hanging on two zip-ties stretched between the tabs on the back of my Brooks saddle. It just slips on and off, but it stays where it it is supposed to stay, and is pointed perfectly.
I had been using it as a taillight on my utility bike. That was easy -- just zip-tied it to the rear rack.
But I most often ride my road bike to work, not my utility bike, and with the time change to darker skies in the evening I wanted to use the red beamer as a taillight during my commutes.
No rack to zip-tie it to, however.
So, I scratched around in my shop, trying to find something ... and I turned up a mount for a fishing rod. I had bought it for my old boat but sold the boat before I could use it.
I tried it out on the flashlight -- it held the light well, and was easy to release, as well, which is important, because the battery is hard to get out of this one -- you really have to give it some encouragement, more than can be done if it is attached to the LeMond.
So ... I took off my seatbag, emptied it, drilled four holes in the bottom (that aligned with the holes on the fishing rod mount), and used a rivet gun to mount it to the bag.
Works great!
Here a pix of the what I started with, and another mounted light.
The light, the mount and the rivet tool ....
And the mounted taillight....
I've been lucky about recycling different mounts to get lights where I want them, or just creating mounts out of what I have handy.
The PB SuperFlash, for example, is hanging on two zip-ties stretched between the tabs on the back of my Brooks saddle. It just slips on and off, but it stays where it it is supposed to stay, and is pointed perfectly.
11-04-09, 10:46 AM
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Looks good, where did you get the flashlight from and do you have any beam shots?
11-04-09, 11:45 AM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
11-04-09, 02:31 PM
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Flashlight is an Ultrafire. I got it through Amazon -- not sure what was the real source.
It is not P-7 bright, but it does a good job.
No beam shots, but not as focused as a Fenix L2D and not as broad as my P-7 Ultrafire.
It is not P-7 bright, but it does a good job.
No beam shots, but not as focused as a Fenix L2D and not as broad as my P-7 Ultrafire.
11-04-09, 03:27 PM
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Very cool. I have a light like that from when I flew planes. Had been thinking about mounting it up, but I already have so many blinkies. I guess one more light won't hurt.
11-04-09, 04:57 PM
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11-05-09, 09:11 PM
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I found these. I hope they will do the trick; 2 for $15.00 USD shipped:
https://us.ebid.net/perl/main.cgi?go=...o.x=22&go.y=13
https://us.ebid.net/perl/main.cgi?go=...o.x=22&go.y=13
Last edited by elopetomexico; 11-05-09 at 09:14 PM.
11-06-09, 12:00 AM
#12
Farmer tan
I just mount mine (same red light) to the end of the left drop pointing backwards with a nylon mount. I like that it moves it out towards traffic a bit.
