Rear camera mount for motorcycle

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My first from scratch project.  I've welded some items together and repaired some exhausts, but this is my first drawing board-to-metal creation.I'm sure that with a CNC machine and a bender I could make the whole thing out of one 3/16" plate, but I don't have access to such excellent resources.I removed the rear grab handle from the bike which exposes two 2-hole aluminum mounting surfaces directly on the rear subframe (the light blue in the pics).  But the rear cowl plastic doesn't allow me to mount a flat plate there and come straight off, so I used a couple nuts to raise it up for clearance.  The bottom and top plates are 1/8" steel and the vertical is 1" square 16ga.  The black knob is something I picked up at the hardware store with the proper threading for cameras (1/4"-20).  The body of the camera sits on the top plate and points 'down' in the pictures.  Due to the raised angle of the rear of the bike, the mount compensates nicely and levels it out.Here are the drawings.  The real thing is not yet photographed.
Reply:Looks great, make sure to post a photo of it on the bike.  Also, just a suggestion, think about a safety lanyard or other mechanism in case vibration causes your camera mounting bolt to work its way loose.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:I thought about a lanyard.  I'm open to recommendations on that.  The camera does have a metal loop for a strap.  But I keep thinking I'd rather lose my spare camera than have it dangle from my bike and do paint damage at the least or get stuck in the wheel/chain at the worst.I do use a split washer to try and keep it tight as well as a neoprene washer to squish and take up any play.
Reply:Interesting project Viper522.Just a thought - Once in a while it's necessary, -let's see how can I say this- to dismount a motorcycle in, an "unconventional" manner. Keep this exit strategy in mind with your design work. If you can think of any possible scenario where the rider would have to pass over the camera mount on his way off; then you would probably want to build the mount very smooth and possibly even able to bend, or maybe completely break away.We hope that never becomes an issue.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 04-02-2009 at 11:09 AM.
Reply:I'll just have to make sure I bail forward and left then!  It sits at the rear right corner.I finished the mount last night and started grinding back the sharp corners.  The vertical tube is roughly 3" on the short side and 4" on the long side.  Once mounted on the bike it sits just above the rear seat cushion nearly flat.Here's where it mounts
Reply:Nice CB600F4i.  Looks like your mount might risk getting kicked as you mount and dismount the bike.  I'm not suggesting you move it, just keep it in mind.  Just something else to remember with your expensive digital recorder mounted where your riding boot might clip it....For a lanyard, how about a short length of vinyl coated braided steel cable?  They make it in small diameters, sell it at hardware stores, and it's easy to customize to a useful length.  The mirrors on my R1150RT pop off if you hit them just right, I have some safety lanyards on them, so they don't fall to the ground if I accidentally clip a pole or handlebar or anything else in the parking lot.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:i wanna see some wicked video with this thing
Reply:Just a thought or two here, from your drawings it looks like the camera will be mounted too near the center of the bike and will only get a good shot of the riders backside. It will have to be mounted far enough out to see around the riders body and shoulder/arm. I'm thinking about as far out as the end of the throttle grip.The second thought is the vibration, I've mounted a camera on the frame that I thought was steady only to find out there was so much vibration in the mount the camera was on that there was little value in the video taken.If you work on it long enough and rebuild it enough times, you'll find something that works.
Reply:Thanks for the comments and constructive criticism.  fishon91 - big group ride coming Sunday, that's why I'm trying to finish it up.  Will have video!  I also have another mount on the tank and will switch between the two.alanh - the camera will be pointing to the rear, filming those behind me.  it's a Sony with SteadyShot or whatever their stabilization technology is.  the neoprene washers soak up the buzzing pretty well.  here's a sample of how it looks on the tank using this mount  http://www.nortje.com/Products/Mounts/MOUNTS.htm
Reply:That video's pretty good. There's not much vibration at all.  Oh, and by the way Tsk. Tsk, on your (lack of) regard for the posted speed limit.  Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doThat video's pretty good. There's not much vibration at all.  Oh, and by the way Tsk. Tsk, on your (lack of) regard for the posted speed limit.
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doNice CB600F4i.  Looks like your mount might risk getting kicked as you mount and dismount the bike.  I'm not suggesting you move it, just keep it in mind.  Just something else to remember with your expensive digital recorder mounted where your riding boot might clip it....For a lanyard, how about a short length of vinyl coated braided steel cable?  They make it in small diameters, sell it at hardware stores, and it's easy to customize to a useful length.  The mirrors on my R1150RT pop off if you hit them just right, I have some safety lanyards on them, so they don't fall to the ground if I accidentally clip a pole or handlebar or anything else in the parking lot.
Reply:Piktars.  Some of you will probably notice that the bike is vertical (on a rear stand) but the camera is not.  DOH!  Since it's higher than necessary anyway, I'll have to cut the post and take a wedge out then mend it back up.
Reply:Originally Posted by viper522. . .the camera will be pointing to the rear, filming those behind me. . . .
Reply:haha!  nothing like that I hope, especially inside a shopping mall.It should look more like this, only with a better camera and less bounce.  This is the group I ride with, only I wasn't there that weekend.  I did do the video for them.
Reply:Done!  Cut a wedge out and welded it back up.  Finally got hold of some .030 flux wire and boy does it make a difference on the 16ga stuff.There's still time to add a lanyard if there's a good way to do it without creating a dangling wrecking ball.
Reply:Nice work viper,i think you have it now.Lincoln 225 ACLincoln Mig Pak 15Lincoln Mig Pak 10Purox Oxy-Acet Outfit20 Ton PressHonda Generator
Reply:Originally Posted by viper522Done!  Cut a wedge out and welded it back up.  Finally got hold of some .030 flux wire and boy does it make a difference on the 16ga stuff.There's still time to add a lanyard if there's a good way to do it without creating a dangling wrecking ball.
Reply:just put blue lock-tite the night before and you'll be good. Be sure not to use the red you'll reget it
Reply:you should make another one for the other side, and point it forward.
Reply:You could drill those mounting bolts and safety wire them together preventing them from loosening and falling out.Same for the camera mount itself. We do this on all critical components on aircraft.
Reply:Originally Posted by rode2rouenIsn't your camera's field of view gonna be skewed pretty far from center with the mount as it is? Maybe it's a optical illusion in the photo.Just curious, how far do you guys have to ride to get to the twisty bits?
Reply:Originally Posted by MrRodeoCCYou could drill those mounting bolts and safety wire them together preventing them from loosening and falling out.Same for the camera mount itself. We do this on all critical components on aircraft.
Reply:Why the heck you care what's behind youEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:riding in groupsI'll see if I can find some pics of safety wired bolts, if not I'll make some.
Reply:If vibration gets that severe, what's going to hold the single camera mount screw tight?
Reply:Maybe an idea for you. Make a mount similar to the factory grab bar. That way it will bolt on each side of the bike, you can mount the camera in the middle and it should be tighter to the fender so it wont stick up as high.But watching those vids reminds me why I dont have a sportbike. I would absolutely kill myself. I love speed and acceleration waaaay too much.Nice job though
Reply:The ride was a success.  The video quality is excellent and the camera was kind enough to stay put.  I did find myself checking the mounting knob/screw but it never came loose.  It looks really neat.  There's no part of the motorcycle in the frame so it looks like it's flying.I'll spend some time on the video this week/weekend and report back.
Reply:Originally Posted by viper522The ride was a success.  The video quality is excellent and the camera was kind enough to stay put.  I did find myself checking the mounting knob/screw but it never came loose.  It looks really neat.  There's no part of the motorcycle in the frame so it looks like it's flying.I'll spend some time on the video this week/weekend and report back.
Reply:Nice little project! Don't really have much to add other than a few questions. Where in FL are you located? I'm moving down soon from VA. Also what program did you do your drawings in?
Reply:Originally Posted by yellowNice little project! Don't really have much to add other than a few questions. Where in FL are you located? I'm moving down soon from VA. Also what program did you do your drawings in?
Reply:Here's a frame from the unfinished video.  The mount did great!  The ride was cut short so I didn't get to try many angles but the mount itself is a solid platform.
Reply:Here's a short video for those who were interested.Right-click, Save as...http://www.mydotcombeatupyour.com/vi...09/OFFLINE.wmv
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepI can see this is gonna be good!  Attachment 31060
Reply:I think Classified has a good idea.  Make a Y-shaped mount that attaches to either side of the bar, and sets the camera almost right down on the center of the rear fender.  Would make getting on and off the bike a little easier, and you won't have to worry about boots and hips getting caught in the mount.Are you going to make an additional mount for the front of the bike, perhaps for the handlebars / fork tubes / front fender?  You may be able to do a fork tube mount that rests between the lower triple tree and the top of the front fender.  (I got a couple of friends fabbed up handlebar mounts and front fender mounts on their pocketbikes, and another mounted one along the left side fairings so it had the front wheel in the shot - looked cool when he was riding and knee-dragging...)Last edited by SpyGuy; 04-14-2009 at 12:51 AM.
Reply:Looky what I saw today!My camera timing was a little off, but you'll get the picture!Attachment 31939Attachment 31940Maybe for some riders, we need to rethink the fixed angle of any rear mounted camera. Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:36 PM.
Reply:seems like if you eliminated the short tube pedestal and extended the plate that bolts down, the height would be reduced, the camera would be cantilevered off to the side and you wouldnt kick it or asssss it...
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepLooky what I saw today!My camera timing was a little off, but you'll get the picture!Maybe for some riders, we need to rethink the fixed angle of any rear mounted camera.
Reply:Originally Posted by viper522Yikes, I don't condone that type of riding on the street, but good shots anyhow.
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyI think Classified has a good idea.  Make a Y-shaped mount that attaches to either side of the bar, and sets the camera almost right down on the center of the rear fender.  Would make getting on and off the bike a little easier, and you won't have to worry about boots and hips getting caught in the mount.Are you going to make an additional mount for the front of the bike, perhaps for the handlebars / fork tubes / front fender?  You may be able to do a fork tube mount that rests between the lower triple tree and the top of the front fender.  (I got a couple of friends fabbed up handlebar mounts and front fender mounts on their pocketbikes, and another mounted one along the left side fairings so it had the front wheel in the shot - looked cool when he was riding and knee-dragging...)
Reply:Originally Posted by Big_Pink_SnapperShouldn't that guy be covering his rear brake?
Reply:Here is an example of safety wired bolts: Here is a kit to make your own bolts:http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...utsaftblok.phpWe use safety wire all the time on our aircraft and it works great.
Reply:That's really nifty, thanks for the details.  This doesn't cause stress cracks in the bolt head?  Any idea if there's a minimum bolt grade required to withstand being drilled like that?
Reply:Im not sure on grade as all of our fasteners are aviation certified. Im sure grade 5 or grade 8 hardware would be fine to drill. The picture above show it going through the entire head of the bolt, for your application you probably only need a corner drilled.
Reply:I've put some miles on the mount now.  It's still doing great!Here is the latest video I have finished, be sure to watch in HQ if you can[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ima-HCppDtA[/ame]
Reply:Nice video.Where's the twisty roads? Rex
Reply:Originally Posted by rode2rouenNice video.Where's the twisty roads? Rex