Tesco torch handlebar fitting

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rjb
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Joined: 11 Jan 2007, 10:25am
Location: Somerset (originally 60/70's Plymouth)

Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by rjb »

As autumn is creeping up on us and the darker evenings approach i modified an old Cateye HL500 light bracket to take a Tesco torch as well as still being able to hold the original cateye unit. There are probably hundreds if not thousands of these Cateye lights lurking in peoples bike cupboards as they were very popular in their day. The only tools needed were a 2mm drill and a needle file. I also needed a reusable cable tie to secure the torch. This is how i did it.
Tesco 1.JPG
Tesco 2.JPG
Tesco 3.JPG
Tesco 4.JPG
Tesco 5.JPG

Roger
Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X2, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840, Giant Bowery, Apollo transition. :D
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Si
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Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 7:37pm

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by Si »

simple solutions are often the best! :D
stewartpratt
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Joined: 27 Dec 2007, 5:12pm

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by stewartpratt »

Nice - I've got one of those, might give that a go. I've been using Lockblocks until now, which are fine on the road but a bit wobbly for off-road use.
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andrew_s
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Location: Gloucestershire

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by andrew_s »

Similar handlebar brackets are available as spares from the likes of wiggle or chainreaction for £3 or so. Some of them are quick release and with left/right angle adjustment.
cjchambers
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Joined: 29 Jun 2008, 9:55pm
Location: Hartlepool

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by cjchambers »

Good work!

When I made my DIY 12v 30w light setup, I cannabalised the quick release brackets from a a set of lights found in the pound shop. After a few months of use, I broke one of them by being a bit too rough, so I just went along to the pound shop and handed over another pound for a new set! Nothing gives me more pleasure than avoiding spending money!
fixer
Posts: 152
Joined: 14 Jun 2007, 8:00pm

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by fixer »

I use a toe strap. There's a bit of an inner tube on the torch to prevent scratching the bars.

Using a light bracket is a good idea if you've already got an old one lying around, but getting the £10 Lockblock or even a £3 bracket is not worth it considering that the torch is only £8.
Attachments
torch on bike .jpg
torch on bike .jpg (43.48 KiB) Viewed 2385 times
torch on bike.jpg
rjb
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Joined: 11 Jan 2007, 10:25am
Location: Somerset (originally 60/70's Plymouth)

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by rjb »

I forgot to mention that i also loop the carry strap around the bars as a secondary retention (just in case!).
Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X2, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840, Giant Bowery, Apollo transition. :D
bikefish
Posts: 91
Joined: 18 Aug 2009, 12:21pm

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by bikefish »

Good pics - its always hard to get solid, easily removable bar clamps. An old inner tube looped around the handlebar worked ok for me to lock the torch on. Vibrated a fair bit but the beam was so poorly focussed anyway.
OT - but max brightness after 6 months is down about 50 % - anyone else ? . .. I see Tesco price has gone up to 10 pounds.
stewartpratt
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Joined: 27 Dec 2007, 5:12pm

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by stewartpratt »

fixer wrote:getting the £10 Lockblock or even a £3 bracket is not worth it considering that the torch is only £8.


Alternatively: Since the torch is only £8, there's probably cash left in the bank to afford something decent to attach it with. Not sure why the fact that a perfectly decent light can be had for little money means it should only be attached with some workshop detritus you've found under the fridge :)
james01
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Joined: 6 Aug 2007, 4:48am

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by james01 »

Discarded Post Office rubber bands. Solid, vibration free. A+ award for cost, D- for sartorial elegance.
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tescotorchDSCF4412.JPG
kwackers
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Joined: 4 Jun 2008, 9:29pm
Location: Warrington

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by kwackers »

Si wrote:simple solutions are often the best! :D

Holding it with your teeth is the simplest.
rualexander
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Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by rualexander »

james01 wrote:Discarded Post Office rubber bands. Solid, vibration free. A+ award for cost, D- for sartorial elegance.

Don't trust those RM bands, they are biodegradable and will fail without notice sooner or later.
james01
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Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by james01 »

rualexander wrote:
james01 wrote:Discarded Post Office rubber bands. Solid, vibration free. A+ award for cost, D- for sartorial elegance.

Don't trust those RM bands, they are biodegradable and will fail without notice sooner or later.


You're partly right, they do deteriorate over time. However their imminent failure is obvious as they discolour and take on a ragged appearance, giving plenty of notice. Apply a bit of over-engineering, use 2 or 3 bands (they are free after all) so that one failure isn't a disaster .
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andrew_s
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Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 9:29pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by andrew_s »

james01 wrote:Discarded Post Office rubber bands. Solid, vibration free. A+ award for cost, D- for sartorial elegance.

I do similar using a big rubber band thing normally used for tent flysheets
bikegeek
Posts: 149
Joined: 9 Nov 2007, 11:11am

Re: Tesco torch handlebar fitting

Post by bikegeek »

Hi Folks, long time no post. I've become a voyuer for a while but this thread prompted me to show you what I did with my old Cateye stuff.

If anyone can explain how to upload photos I can show you what I've done.

Cheers.

Oops, just found the thread that does this. Preparing pictures now & will upload soon...
Last edited by bikegeek on 15 Oct 2009, 1:39pm, edited 1 time in total.
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