Homemade fork light mount
#1
aka Tom Reingold
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Homemade fork light mount
My handlebars can't spare space for a light, and I usually have a handlebar bag, so I can't mount a light on the handlebar.
This is the second such mount I've made. The first was out of PVC pipe about 1-1/4" outer diameter. I couldn't find my PVC pipe, so I found some copper pipe which appears to be about 1" in outer diameter.
Cut the pipe to length.
Miter one end with a half round file so it fits the fork's profile.
Cut slides in the sides so a hose clamp can fit through.
Put a bit of inner tube between the pipe and the fork so the pipe doesn't mar the fork.
Insert the hose clamp and tighten.
Wrap the pipe in self-sticking rubber tape to increase diameter and friction.
Insert a handlebar plug for æsthetics and safety.
It holds on very well.
What do you think, ugly hack or elegant? Any suggestions for making it look better? I think hose clamps are ugly but they really do a good job.
This is the second such mount I've made. The first was out of PVC pipe about 1-1/4" outer diameter. I couldn't find my PVC pipe, so I found some copper pipe which appears to be about 1" in outer diameter.
Cut the pipe to length.
Miter one end with a half round file so it fits the fork's profile.
Cut slides in the sides so a hose clamp can fit through.
Put a bit of inner tube between the pipe and the fork so the pipe doesn't mar the fork.
Insert the hose clamp and tighten.
Wrap the pipe in self-sticking rubber tape to increase diameter and friction.
Insert a handlebar plug for æsthetics and safety.
It holds on very well.
What do you think, ugly hack or elegant? Any suggestions for making it look better? I think hose clamps are ugly but they really do a good job.
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#2
Senior Member
I like it. Only thing that bugs me is the slots are bigger than the clamp.
Even properly sized, maybe some silicone to stop water sitting inside?
Even properly sized, maybe some silicone to stop water sitting inside?
#3
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I think the idea behind this design is good. Often when a new design idea comes up where I work, we don't try to make it elegant at first. Crude prototypes are first. Then more refinement as things prove out or we modify the design.
This design clearly works, it is simple enough for anyone to do and it can be made elegant if you would like. I am definitely storing this idea somewhere.
Good one @noglider .
This design clearly works, it is simple enough for anyone to do and it can be made elegant if you would like. I am definitely storing this idea somewhere.
Good one @noglider .
#4
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Looks slightly steampunk. I probably would have wrapped the whole length of the pipe, then cut into the wrap for the slots. But if it's solid and holds the light without vibration while going down the road, cool.
#5
aka Tom Reingold
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I didn't make any measurements whatsoever. That was dumb. With the next one -- and I have a few more to make for our fleet -- I'll make the slits smaller. I might cover the whole thing in rubber tape, but the copper is appealing, and that's what gives it the steampunk look. I suppose zip ties would hold on almost as well, and they're generally more acceptable on bikes than hose clamps, but that rule is rather arbitrary.
I've used silicone glue such as Shoe Goo, but how can I control it? It globs sloppily.
I've used silicone glue such as Shoe Goo, but how can I control it? It globs sloppily.
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#6
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This is for the SC? Looks good! If you want to diminish the look of the hose clamp a bit, spray 'em black. Have you been using those lights much? I had them on our bikes in VT last week. They're pretty bright, even in full daylight.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#7
Senior Member
I was thinking just a quick dab out of a caulk gun, or even a bit of hot glue.
I guess if you had plasti-dip on hand, you could also dunk the whole thing (if keeping the copper look was not a concern.)
I guess if you had plasti-dip on hand, you could also dunk the whole thing (if keeping the copper look was not a concern.)
#8
aka Tom Reingold
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Thanks for the black paint idea. Not bad.
I saw you're waiting (and waiting) for dynamo lights from France. I hope you like them as much as I said you will.
I have an idea for a prototype which would power permanently-mounted dynamo lights with a USB battery. My spouse can't remember to charge bike lights or even to mount them and turn them on. But she does have a habit of carrying her USB battery in her purse. So she could pop that onto the bike and go. She does not want me to install dynamos on her bikes.
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#9
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I have an idea for a prototype which would power permanently-mounted dynamo lights with a USB battery. My spouse can't remember to charge bike lights or even to mount them and turn them on. But she does have a habit of carrying her USB battery in her purse. So she could pop that onto the bike and go. She does not want me to install dynamos on her bikes.
Along the lines of spousal gear, the parts for the flat-ish bar setup should arrive tomorrow: VO Milano bars, Microshift 3x10 triggers, Avid brake levers and cork grips to start with.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#10
Disraeli Gears
While your inventiveness is certainly noted, there's this:
It's a Problem Solvers product. Has the additional benefit (to me) of getting the light lower, where the pavement profile is better lit up, and keeping it out of others' eyes (even if, like wearing a mask, the flash-holes won't do it for me). Does look pretty dorky without a light on it, but I use a USB rechargeable (Urban 500), and don't leave stuff on that can be easily palmed while I'm looking the other way. I do carry a regular QR nut too, just in case the mount disappears.
Would your spouse be averse to one of those Velogical bottle dynamos? They look pretty slick to me, and I'm tempted.
It's a Problem Solvers product. Has the additional benefit (to me) of getting the light lower, where the pavement profile is better lit up, and keeping it out of others' eyes (even if, like wearing a mask, the flash-holes won't do it for me). Does look pretty dorky without a light on it, but I use a USB rechargeable (Urban 500), and don't leave stuff on that can be easily palmed while I'm looking the other way. I do carry a regular QR nut too, just in case the mount disappears.
Would your spouse be averse to one of those Velogical bottle dynamos? They look pretty slick to me, and I'm tempted.
Last edited by Charles Wahl; 09-17-20 at 03:53 PM.
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I've made a similar mount using a plastic hose tee fitting, I cut across the top of the tee, and used a heat gun to soften it so I could mould it to the fork. I attached it with cable ties.
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#12
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Not finding a great solution for a headlight mount on my basket bike I made this. Basically some hardware store steel and an piece of a True Temper toptube (because it's laterally stiff and vertically compliant). It allows me to have tall items in the basket and still use a front headlight.
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#13
aka Tom Reingold
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@Charles Wahl, I have one of those, and I don't like it. The headlight is too low, so aiming it is tricky. It's too easy to point it too high, into people's eyes. Also, before making this mount, I was looking for another of the type you are showing, and I couldn't find them. The one I got was from one of those funky Chinese web sites, and they don't have them anymore. Problem Solvers stuff is expensive.
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#14
aka Tom Reingold
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Your spouse's setup is going to be dreamy. I bet I would love those bars, and I love trigger shifters.
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#15
Senior Member
I did something similar, using a stainless P-clamp, a short chunk of handlebar, a couple washers, and a Velox plug with a longer bolt substituted for the standard one. I taped it for better friction so the light won’t rotate.
#16
Disraeli Gears
I hear you, and won't disagree, but they've saved my bacon on several occasions. I can't remember what this thing cost, but it wasn't anywhere close to $30.
#17
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I've been mounting the light onto the lower portion of the bars- wherever my hands aren't going to be.
720 Lighting by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
720 Lighting by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
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#18
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Mine, shown to @noglider in a different thread. PVC, a clamp piece and bolt from a Quix seatpost bag, and an aftermarket Aheadset top cap.
#19
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Not finding a great solution for a headlight mount on my basket bike I made this. Basically some hardware store steel and an piece of a True Temper toptube (because it's laterally stiff and vertically compliant). It allows me to have tall items in the basket and still use a front headlight.
#20
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This one is only $9 and mounts to any m5 threaded hole, e.g., fork eyelets:
https://www.modernbike.com/origin-8-eyelet-stub
Peter White sells the NOB for $10.50:
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/accessories.php
https://www.modernbike.com/origin-8-eyelet-stub
Peter White sells the NOB for $10.50:
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/accessories.php
#21
aka Tom Reingold
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This one is only $9 and mounts to any m5 threaded hole, e.g., fork eyelets:
https://www.modernbike.com/origin-8-eyelet-stub
Peter White sells the NOB for $10.50:
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/accessories.php
https://www.modernbike.com/origin-8-eyelet-stub
Peter White sells the NOB for $10.50:
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/accessories.php
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New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#22
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This one is only $9 and mounts to any m5 threaded hole, e.g., fork eyelets:
https://www.modernbike.com/origin-8-eyelet-stub
Peter White sells the NOB for $10.50:
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/accessories.php
https://www.modernbike.com/origin-8-eyelet-stub
Peter White sells the NOB for $10.50:
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/accessories.php
Near the bottom of this page: https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tubus_racks.php