Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => DIY => Skip Bike and Bodge It => Topic started by: LEE on 05 June, 2013, 10:32:01 am

Title: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: LEE on 05 June, 2013, 10:32:01 am
This is how I affix my rear light because I strongly believe rear lights are best fitted so their beam shines (more or less) horizontally, into car-drivers' eyes rather than cyclists' eyes.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QzcuVlwv1W8-eTrY8b8bhUTUhaoVaSa_SFjFx43RCf8=w276-h207-p-no)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3_JZY7H8EHg/Ua8Cht2t3eI/AAAAAAAABJ4/UKyKZFbQHUQ/w958-h719-no/IMG_9076.JPG)

It uses a P-Clip (with the rubber insert), a standard Cateye bracket and a plastic block (I had loads left over from building some flat-pack furniture).  The blocks are pre-drilled, strong and light.  I wrapped it in black tape.

It's rock-solid but can be tweaked up/down or left/right easily. Without the plastic block the light hits the seat stay before I can get it horizontal, although this is a Cateye 600 issue that wouldn't affect other lights I imagine.

Some Star-washers, to dig into the plastic block, may make it even more solid.

I may turn the P-Clip over to get the light more in line with the seat stay.
Now I'm happy with the way this has worked I think I may stack another light on the same seat stay.  (I just like having 2 rear lights, flashing on different patterns).

The close-up photos make the setup appear more obtrusive than it is in reality.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Trull on 11 June, 2013, 07:07:48 am
Neat and sturdy looking, nice one.

The only thing I'd add would be a black cable tie to stop the light from pinging upwards out of the clip in bracket. This can be slid forwards to release, but keeps it secure during 50+mph bouncy descents!
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mr magnolia on 11 June, 2013, 07:15:43 am
Nice.
Now I need someone to show me their bodge to fix their toplight to the back of a flat plate rack that offers no fixings other than those you choose to carve yourself. :-\

Edit: upon fetching the steed from the shed this morning, I thought, hmm, let's just get that light out and look at it again. I've been tripping over it for months, but of course, its nowhere to be seen now....
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: LEE on 11 June, 2013, 04:06:22 pm
Surely a rear rack with a plate is a perfect option for fixing a light to.

Plus drilling holes in things is fun.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mr magnolia on 12 June, 2013, 08:20:35 pm
Surely a rear rack with a plate is a perfect option for fixing a light to.

Plus drilling holes in things is fun.
Yeah but this plate is horizontal and I want a vertical one. I'm feeling old man peevish at the idea of having coughed up for a rack and then having to bodge it!
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: LEE on 12 June, 2013, 10:30:47 pm
All my rear lights have been bodged to fit.

Here's another cateye bodge using an innertube and cateye clamp.

It's been secure for 6 years like that (but you can tweak it up/down with a bit of a twist if it needs aligning).

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Various/cateye.jpg)

Cateye seem to have a bracket for most things.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: drossall on 12 June, 2013, 11:06:31 pm
For those not inclined to do their own bodging, SJS do a good range of brackets (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rear-light-brackets-dept784_pg1/).
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mr magnolia on 15 June, 2013, 10:23:00 am
Hmm, and they seem to have one just for me, too!

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/busch-and-muller-rear-carrier-light-bracket-for-d-toplight-light-prod560/

Thanks.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: LEE on 18 June, 2013, 02:18:58 pm
SJSC come in for a bit of a beating sometimes "the bloody prices they charge" but I've always found them incredibly useful for that niche "pingphuket"  (pronounced "ping-foo-kay" ) that you need.

Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Kim on 18 June, 2013, 02:32:18 pm
Absolutely.  If they didn't charge enough to make their niche widget repository viable, they'd be just another Wiggle.

And for some items they're relatively cheap.  Short cranks, for example.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: nikki on 18 June, 2013, 11:23:19 pm
My rear light bodge seems to draw comment on group rides fairly regularly...

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/9078505605_9011e1bfd4.jpg)

Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Oaky on 19 June, 2013, 09:41:55 am
My rear light bodge seems to draw comment on group rides fairly regularly...

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/9078505605_9011e1bfd4.jpg)

I see nothing wrong with using lightweight racing corks in light brackets!


(http://www.oakden.org/mark/bike/yacf/ortlieb/light_detail_s.JPG) (http://www.oakden.org/mark/bike/yacf/ortlieb/light_detail.JPG)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mr magnolia on 06 August, 2013, 10:28:05 am
For those not inclined to do their own bodging, SJS do a good range of brackets (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rear-light-brackets-dept784_pg1/).

Thanks for that link.
I now have an official b&m bracket from sjs, and only had to bodge it with a hacksaw to make it fit!
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 August, 2013, 12:22:26 pm
My rear light bodge seems to draw comment on group rides fairly regularly...

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/9078505605_9011e1bfd4.jpg)
My rear light is currently zip-tied to the metal plate on my Carradice saddlebag, as the loop Carradice provide for this purpose just leaves it dangling its dazzle to the ground. It's working ok (remains to be seen what will happen if/when I need to replace the batteries mid-ride, but I do have two lights on this bike) but I have several times considered attaching it via a cork, so I could get the angle better. I've even collected two corks for this purpose, one from some New Year's champagne, one a more cylindrical cork. One day I might use one or both or perhaps get some re-usable cable ties instead...
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: LEE on 09 August, 2013, 01:57:28 pm
My completed rear light "array".

2 P-clips, 2 plastic connector blocks (to move lights away from seat stay) and 2 Cateye brackets (plus some M5 bolts/nuts)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/77GiAXzaRmOmQaASPxoneR9W6aNbIEt8GMrVslFxBqg=w276-h207-p-no)

They are slightly out of synch on flash mode, this gives a rather eye-catching effect as they slip in and out of synch with each other.

Check out the rear view.

You can see the benefit of aligning them horizontally as I move from "Motorist's view" to "Cyclist's view" and back again.

It's fairly representative of real world.  They are VERY bright at low level and not so if you are close behind, at cyclists height.  On "steady mode" they wouldn't be distracting at all to a cyclist close behind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAVPux99-xA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAVPux99-xA)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: robgul on 16 August, 2013, 06:33:49 am
My rear light bodge seems to draw comment on group rides fairly regularly...

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/9078505605_9011e1bfd4.jpg)

Dare I say it but more elegant solution can be found at  www.beewee.org.uk  under the Briefings tab on th LH side.

Rob
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: vorsprung on 16 August, 2013, 11:07:02 am
RH side, b&m seculite plus attached with a p clip and a shoe plate

http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/bm-rear-light-bodge-up

LH side, backup light uses metal putty to give the Roubaix stays a circular cross section

http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/fettling-for-pbp/
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Trull on 06 October, 2013, 08:19:12 pm
Just got busy in the garage to fab up this little beauty:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/torcuill/10116289815/in/photostream/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/torcuill/10116289815/in/photostream/)

And here it is disassembled:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/torcuill/10116339756/in/photostream/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/torcuill/10116339756/in/photostream/)

I drilled two holes in the blackburn rack and this allows me to hold the Topline as well as a Cateye on a hebie angled bracket.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Folly on 09 September, 2014, 09:33:14 am
(https://audaxgeek.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/wpid-20140615_175513.jpg?w=474)

This is how I mount my B&M TopLight without the rear rack. Just some aluminium strip which has been bent, drilled and filed to fit around the stays and brake caliper.

I've just made a similar bracket to attach to the bottom of a new style Carradice Bagman. Pics to follow.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Graeme on 13 December, 2014, 07:38:37 pm
(https://audaxgeek.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/wpid-20140615_175513.jpg?w=474)

This is how I mount my B&M TopLight without the rear rack. Just some aluminium strip which has been bent, drilled and filed to fit around the stays and brake caliper.

I've just made a similar bracket to attach to the bottom of a new style Carradice Bagman. Pics to follow.

Would love to see the extra pics.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Paul on 14 December, 2014, 01:35:36 pm
My own solution, as modelled on the workenback:

(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/gaydisco/Workenback002.jpg) (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/gaydisco/media/Workenback002.jpg.html)

1" dowel screwed to rear guard: one screw into the centre, and a smaller screw into the side (to prevent the lighthouse effect).

Since then I have moved it up the guard to a point much closer to the stays, which seems to have eliminated any flex.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mmmmartin on 15 December, 2014, 02:07:45 pm
SJSC come in for a bit of a beating sometimes "the bloody prices they charge" but I've always found them incredibly useful
Agreed, they are very helpful and you can ask them for advice, which is not what you can say for Wiggle. Their prices are pretty much similar to everyone else on the interwebs now anyway.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: LEE on 15 December, 2014, 03:45:30 pm
(https://audaxgeek.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/wpid-20140615_175513.jpg?w=474)

This is how I mount my B&M TopLight without the rear rack. Just some aluminium strip which has been bent, drilled and filed to fit around the stays and brake caliper.

I've just made a similar bracket to attach to the bottom of a new style Carradice Bagman. Pics to follow.

Interesting.  I was thinking along the same lines except fitting a dowel between the two "legs".  So in effect 2 metal strips, bolted to the carrier bosses, with the free ends screwed into a handlebar-sized dowel for a Cateye LED holder.  The dowel could be a piece of old alloy seat-tube.

My one concern would be that the leverage of a light bouncing up/down may cause it all to slip down.  In theory some star washers on the carrier bosses could lock it all down pretty tightly (and force the left-hand one to self-tighten).
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Kim on 15 December, 2014, 03:49:31 pm
How about the Brompton rear light bracket for non-rack models, that mounts on the calliper bolt and provides standard 80mm mounting holes?  Avoids the rotation issue.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-bracket-for-rear-lamp-l-e-versions-no-rack-prod13674/
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Folly on 18 December, 2014, 01:56:49 pm

Would love to see the extra pics.

Very similar setup to my last one, you can just about see what I've done here:

(https://audaxgeek.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/wpid-20140911_183836.jpg)

The light is far enough back and low enough that it is never obscured by the bag, even allowing for any droop or sag. Being a dynamo light and a bit of aluminium, it's not very heavy, so I've never had any problems with it slipping/dropping over time. Might not work well for battery lights though, where a cable tie or two to the bagman might be needed to hold it all in place.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mmmmartin on 19 December, 2014, 03:09:20 pm
A very good bodge indeed. In that photograph there is an intriguing bag on the front of the bike, similar to an idea I had recently. Can you tell us a little more about it please?
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Folly on 22 December, 2014, 01:45:32 pm
A very good bodge indeed. In that photograph there is an intriguing bag on the front of the bike, similar to an idea I had recently. Can you tell us a little more about it please?

That's a self inflate mattress, bivvi bag, and bag liner rolled up in a stuff sack and tied to the aero bars with a couple of webbing straps. Never used in anger, that was my backup plan if I didn't make it round The Flatlands in one go.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Graeme on 14 February, 2015, 11:45:55 am
Fitting the B&M Toplight to a Carradice Bagman:

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/shyumu/1_zpspn6vq9wi.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/shyumu/media/1_zpspn6vq9wi.jpg.html)

I first tried this bracket bodge, using a cut up bidon as a make-shift p-clip.

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/shyumu/7_zpsbadan4lj.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/shyumu/media/7_zpsbadan4lj.jpg.html)

But it kept shifting round to point at the ground - thankfully wilkyboy had a solution for me.

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/shyumu/p-clips_zpsnehnvz20.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/shyumu/media/p-clips_zpsnehnvz20.jpg.html)

Which have fitted beautifully and are holding the rear light securely.

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/shyumu/IMG_20150213_173211772_zpsqkfjjyhv.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/shyumu/media/IMG_20150213_173211772_zpsqkfjjyhv.jpg.html)

I wrote up a light review and my experience here:
Initial experience (http://balancingontwowheels.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/review-busch-muller-toplight.html)
New light fitting (http://balancingontwowheels.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/fittings-update-busch-and-muller.html)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mmmmartin on 15 February, 2015, 01:47:06 pm
Is there an easily-copied bodge that puts the rear light underneath the rear rack? The idea is that if the rear light was underneath the rear rack it would be protected from the bumps and scrapes of touring life. I have the rear rack plate fitted and the light is on that, but it often I'd knocked and bashed because it sticks out behind the rack. If it sat in the area underneath the rack and recessed by an inch or two it would be protected. I'm in Patagonia at the moment and about to get a series of local buses 1,000k north to the capital and fly back. The answer is to take the light off, obvs. But I reckon there is a simple bodge that would put they might in a protected area.
Ideas?
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Kim on 15 February, 2015, 01:55:05 pm
Good racks overhang the light bracket to provide this protection, so perhaps instead of re-positioning the light, the solution is to augment the rack.  The simplest approach that springs to mind is a bit of L-section with appropriate holes fitted between the light and the mounting plate.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mmmmartin on 16 February, 2015, 12:28:59 am
Interesting idea. Thanks.
I have a Thorn rear rack. Not sure how I'd extend that.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Folly on 08 March, 2015, 09:24:56 am
Here's a better photo of my Bagman 2 light bracket:

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b88kvjEw7Ls/VPu0vJ89JXI/AAAAAAAAEI8/ciGX3hUfrBs/w809-h607-no/20150307_105555.jpg)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Fab Foodie on 08 March, 2015, 10:46:01 pm
Fitting the B&M Toplight to a Carradice Bagman:

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/shyumu/1_zpspn6vq9wi.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/shyumu/media/1_zpspn6vq9wi.jpg.html)

I first tried this bracket bodge, using a cut up bidon as a make-shift p-clip.

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/shyumu/7_zpsbadan4lj.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/shyumu/media/7_zpsbadan4lj.jpg.html)

But it kept shifting round to point at the ground - thankfully wilkyboy had a solution for me.

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/shyumu/p-clips_zpsnehnvz20.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/shyumu/media/p-clips_zpsnehnvz20.jpg.html)

Which have fitted beautifully and are holding the rear light securely.

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/shyumu/IMG_20150213_173211772_zpsqkfjjyhv.jpg) (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/shyumu/media/IMG_20150213_173211772_zpsqkfjjyhv.jpg.html)

I wrote up a light review and my experience here:
Initial experience (http://balancingontwowheels.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/review-busch-muller-toplight.html)
New light fitting (http://balancingontwowheels.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/fittings-update-busch-and-muller.html)

Anyone know where such lurvely P-clips might be obtained?
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: nikki on 08 March, 2015, 10:53:52 pm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marine-Grade-316-Stainless-Steel-P-Clip-Hose-Pipe-Clamp-Cable-Mikalor-Lined-/190900783836?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item2c7292cadc

I fitted a rack with some today  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2015, 11:02:55 pm
Ooh, I've got a chain tube that would probably benefit from one of those...   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: nikki on 08 March, 2015, 11:19:22 pm
What sort of size do you need - I can bring one over tomorrow if the ones I've got are suitable?
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2015, 11:43:44 pm
12mm off the top of my head, presumably all yours are smaller.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: nikki on 09 March, 2015, 08:26:32 am
My receipts don't tell me what size I bought. They're about a cm diameter in their natural, relaxed state, so probably smaller than what you're after, but with a lot of scope for bending - I'll chuck 'em in my pannier just in case they're informative...
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Fab Foodie on 09 March, 2015, 04:01:46 pm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marine-Grade-316-Stainless-Steel-P-Clip-Hose-Pipe-Clamp-Cable-Mikalor-Lined-/190900783836?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item2c7292cadc

I fitted a rack with some today  :thumbsup:
Thanks Nikki :-)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Graeme on 09 March, 2015, 08:46:55 pm
That is a lot more affordable than the RS components (http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/p-clips/2988003/) pack of 50.

I was gifted some by a generous member of this forum. I wonder whether it would be worth getting a forum load of them and sharing them out.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: fruitcake on 19 November, 2015, 02:08:45 pm
Is there an easily-copied bodge that puts the rear light underneath the rear rack?...

I have a bodge for racks with a solid top plate. It creates a short post underneath the rack to which you can attach any rear light using the seatpost bracket.

(http://cyclingfortransport.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3482_pannier-rack-light-mount_rear_576p.jpg)

(http://cyclingfortransport.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3483_pannier-rack-light-mount_3quarter-shot_576p.jpg)

(http://cyclingfortransport.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3485_pannier-rack-light-mount_side_576p.jpg)

Ingredients:
a plastic spool of sewing thread. Black, ideally.
a bolt, 15mm longer than the spool and narrow enough to go through its centre
a nylock nut to fit the bolt
a washer

Equipment:
a drill 
a drill bit slightly wider than the bolt
spanner to fit nylock nut
marker pen

Method:
1. Unwind the thread from the spool and discard it. You just need the plastic spool.
2. Mark a point on the centre of your rack top, about 4cm from the rear edge. Drill a hole at this point.
3. Slot the bolt through this hole and fasten the empty spool to the underside of the rack using the nylock nut and washer.
4. Attach your rear light to the spool using the seatpost bracket.

With this bodge, the rack acts as a cage for the light and protects it from being knocked by luggage.

I used a roofing bolt which is good because it has a domed head. If you're beady eyed, you'll have noticed it's a square nut in the photos, not a nylock one. That's all I had when I put this together. To be replaced.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2015, 06:58:22 pm
My first thought on seeing that was that it was one of those rubbery doughnut Mini exhaust mounts as used for æons as seat mounts on Windcheetahs.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: cycleman on 19 November, 2015, 08:06:34 pm
i had the same thought but i used them as trailer hitches  :)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: andrew_s on 20 November, 2015, 01:28:38 am
I have a bodge for racks with a solid top plate. It creates a short post underneath the rack to which you can attach any rear light using the seatpost bracket.
(http://cyclingfortransport.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3483_pannier-rack-light-mount_3quarter-shot_576p.jpg)
That needs to be tilted back. It's the reflector that needs to be vertical, not the seam between the red lamp body and the black mount section.
As it is, the light is aimed at the ground 6 feet behind the bike, and it will appear much dimmer to approaching motorists than it ought.
(a common error with the TL-AU100)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: fruitcake on 20 November, 2015, 11:31:24 am
You're right, Andrew. It needs fettling.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Paul on 20 November, 2015, 12:48:13 pm
I have a bodge for racks with a solid top plate. It creates a short post underneath the rack to which you can attach any rear light using the seatpost bracket.
(http://cyclingfortransport.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3483_pannier-rack-light-mount_3quarter-shot_576p.jpg)
That needs to be tilted back.

Or just fit a smaller front wheel?

 ;D
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: fruitcake on 20 November, 2015, 03:34:54 pm
I always wanted a Chopper.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Kim on 20 November, 2015, 04:35:14 pm
Nowt wrong with small front wheels...

(Does that light come with a mudguard-mounting option?  I don't see why else it would be designed that way...)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: jsabine on 21 November, 2015, 12:08:38 pm
It's got a tab and a screw hole, which are spaced to allow you to fix it in place of the reflector fitted to some mudguards (at least, some of the SKS ones I've used).

It's really a bit chunky and heavy for that location though, given that it's cantilevering off a couple of relatively thin and flexible stays: IME it leads to the mudguard cracking earlier than expected.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: LEE on 23 November, 2015, 10:00:36 pm
Here's a better photo of my Bagman 2 light bracket:

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b88kvjEw7Ls/VPu0vJ89JXI/AAAAAAAAEI8/ciGX3hUfrBs/w809-h607-no/20150307_105555.jpg)

More brackets than bike frame !!!
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Jurek on 12 December, 2015, 04:20:16 pm
Digger, from LFGSS (NOTP), and I, occasionally cross paths and pleasantries on parts of my commute.
One evening, not so long ago, he caught up with me on Wickham Road and before peeling off, advised me that my bag (back-up) light was positioned in such a way as would lend it to being spotted by someone in an aeroplane, rather than someone following me at street level.
I took his point. Once I am aero-prone, the light, which is attached to one of the buckle straps of my courier bag, is pointing skywards, and thus, next to useless.
Like so.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/653/23698892155_178d860d33_k.jpg) (http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/C7c1YT) (https://flic.kr/p/C7c1YT)

The light needs to be lower down on the bag.
Ideally, attached to the base of the bag.
Unfortunately, there is no hardware on the base of the bag to which I could attach my Leyzene KTV usb light.
I could (potentially) rivet some sort of strappage to the base, to which the light clip could be attached, but I was loathe to compromise the watertight integrity of the bag.
My day clothes travel in this bag and even though I've cycled through some torrential stuff, they've always remained dry - on which basis I was in no hurry to start making holes in the bag.
So, after some pondering, I figured that magnetic was the way to go.
One on the inside, one on the outside, and attached to the outside one, something which would embrace the clip of the KTV light.
One magnet / anchor point - not enough. What if the light catches on something? Bye-bye £12.00 worth of light :(
Two magnets - better. But still at risk if one anchor is caught, leaving just a single one deployed.
OK, so it is going to be 3 magnets arranged in, wait for it...... a triangle - a nice structurally sound shape.
Bisbell Magnets. (http://www.bisbellmagnets.com) If you order them as I did online onna Friday afternoon, RM will deliver them on Saturday morning. :thumbs:
14mm Ø x 5mm Neodymium magnets - these are seriously strong. You do not want one of these either side of your ears lobe, nostril or nipple.
To give you an idea of how strong, one magnet will support another through  the palm of my hand.
As I had a triangle in mind, I figured that tubular webbing might be a useful way of achieving the shape, and keeping of the magnets in place.
Sourcing tubular webbing of sufficiently large diameter to accommodate the 14mmØ magnets was a bit of an issue, but I finally managed to track down some 26mm wide webbing at Dick's Climbing Store  (http://www.dicksclimbing.com)in Bristol.
Again, next day delivery service. No choice / option on colour (I had hoped for unobtrusive black) but when red turned up, I figured that it would do inna warning triangle kinda way.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/706/23331008049_9b344df225_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BxFvRt) (https://flic.kr/p/BxFvRt)
A bit of experimentation in Adobe Illustrator produced some printable triangles in a suitable size to use as a template.
Cuts in the webbing were made using a No.10 blade in a Swann-Morton handle. Curved blade, natch! - doesn't drag like a pointy one, y'see.
Cuts were cauterised using a creme-brulee blow torch.
Stitching was, alas, by hand as I haven't mastered the dark art of the sewing machine. Yet.
If there's a sewing machine wrangler out there willing to teach, I would be an eager student.
And thus, the magnetic triangles were manifest.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5783/23071866873_9fc7ed1f83_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/B9Mmda) (https://flic.kr/p/B9Mmda)
One on the outside of the bag, one on the inside, and you end up with something which looks like this:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5711/23672856076_b5b74ae819_k.jpg) (http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/C4TzmY) (https://flic.kr/p/C4TzmY)
Attach the lamp powered  by voles generally liberated from my employers USB ports and you get this:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5765/23590389032_9ea52945d1_k.jpg) (http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/BWAUMo) (https://flic.kr/p/BWAUMo)
One optimally positioned, highly directional, back-up lamp.
If I have one gripe, it is that I sooooooo wish I could use / had access to a sewing machine to make the thing about a million times tidier.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Wobbly John on 12 December, 2015, 07:47:45 pm
Magnets are a great idea for retaining the integrity of the bag. Couldn't you use a lanyard to one of the straps if losing the light is a worry?

Revisiting this thread reminded me of a rear light fitting solution I spotted on a bike at work - a 'Frog type' light fitted on the parallax rear hub.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: tom_e on 12 December, 2015, 08:11:23 pm
Look good, but wouldn't it be easier to mount the directional light on the bike, and put a fiber flare or similar on the bag?  Doesn't matter how well you align it on the bag, the bag itself will move about.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Jurek on 13 December, 2015, 10:35:29 am
Look good, but wouldn't it be easier to mount the directional light on the bike, and put a fiber flare or similar on the bag?  Doesn't matter how well you align it on the bag, the bag itself will move about.
There already is a directional light on the seat post - a Cat Eye LD 600 (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cateye/ld-600-rear-led-light--ec009136?country=GB&currency=GBP&esvt=1142-GOUKE249976&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-37422-1&esvcrea=61235011016&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvaid=50080&gclid=CIWKhNXQ2MkCFUYTwwodAvUFew) Tom_e.
This is a back-up light, and the fact that it moves around a bit I see as no bad thing, in the same way as a flashing light is more attractive to the eye than is a static one.
It has been in daily use for a couple of weeks now, with no indication of any attempts at bids for freedom, so I'm reasonably confident of the robustness of the fixing.

Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: drossall on 13 December, 2015, 03:02:49 pm
My big bodge is on my fixed. I was carrying a Carradice Briefcase pannier on one side and an Altura Clothing Carrier on the other. Both of these panniers go back further than normal, so the rear light I had mounted on the back panel of the carrier was obscured. Hence, I cut down the platform from an old, broken rack, and attached that to extend the existing platform backwards, using jubilee clips.

The extension had no back plate for the light, so I had to put an aluminium plate onto that and attach angle brackets, so that I could remount the rear light.

Not sure how well you can see it, but here's the result:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21716908/Marlboro_rack.jpg)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mmmmartin on 13 December, 2015, 09:50:12 pm
Am awfully, awfully, impressed. Am the very Proud Owner of a Frister & Rossman pre-WW1 sewing machine bought for a tenner in a junk shop. Fiddled and poked and finally sort of understood how it works. Thoroughly recommended.
eg
http://ebay.eu/1O3HfaI
sort of thing
more fun than sewing by hand.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Jurek on 13 December, 2015, 10:05:07 pm
Am awfully, awfully, impressed. Am the very Proud Owner of a Frister & Rossman pre-WW1 sewing machine bought for a tenner in a junk shop. Fiddled and poked and finally sort of understood how it works. Thoroughly recommended.
eg
http://ebay.eu/1O3HfaI
sort of thing
more fun than sewing by hand.
Mechanised B@st@rd! :)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: fruitcake on 13 December, 2015, 10:30:13 pm
Am the very Proud Owner of a Frister & Rossman pre-WW1 sewing machine bought for a tenner in a junk shop. Fiddled and poked and finally sort of understood how it works. Thoroughly recommended.

I'll second that. Old straight-stitch machines are great. The were made very, very strong, with all metal internals, and gear driven, and as a result could handle far thicker fabric than modern machines.

The thing that killed off their production was consumer desire for a choice of stitches, something available on inexpensive machines from the 1960s onwards, despite those modern machines being weaker, and by then the market was buying on technical specification, not build quality.

I'm still surprised that used pre-war machines sell for so little.

I used an old machine for the fastenings on the recent batch of trouser straps (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=89767.0) I made. Wonderfully smooth even sewing through four-ply suiting and velcro tape. The electric Toyota we have just would'nt have got through that. (It can sew zig zags though.)
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: vantage on 02 March, 2016, 05:28:07 pm
I figure if I'm gonna do my Raleigh then I'm gonna do it properly. Soooooo, several broken Dremel cutting discs and worn sanding drums later and I finished it this afternoon. 3mm alloy plate. It could do with some chromed dome head nuts but for now I'm pretty pleased with myself  ;D

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1568/25149523830_def821c37a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/EjnTeQ)2016-03-02_05-03-42 (https://flic.kr/p/EjnTeQ) by William McFadden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137835078@N03/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1527/24818430603_698804ab14_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DP7WKV)2016-03-02_05-04-31 (https://flic.kr/p/DP7WKV) by William McFadden (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137835078@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 March, 2016, 10:06:55 pm
Impressively neat.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: Ashaman42 on 02 March, 2016, 10:22:06 pm
Indeed. Thinking of redoing my light mounts now.
Title: Re: Rear Light Brackets and Bodges
Post by: mmmmartin on 29 December, 2016, 09:08:27 pm
Good racks overhang the light bracket to provide this protection, so perhaps instead of re-positioning the light, the solution is to augment the rack.  The simplest approach that springs to mind is a bit of L-section with appropriate holes fitted between the light and the mounting plate.
Been thinking about this for some time, and acquired an L-shaped bit of metal. Will attempt to fit it, then return here with pix.