Super-light lock...

[simonineaston]

Going through drawers, I found this Kensington lock, which I could adapt to use as a bicycle lock-of-last-resort. I recognise that the results will come in low on the spectrum of lock efficacy and am content to proceed on that basis.
Any helpful suggestions from you, dear ingenious mechanically-minded readers?

picture of metal wire cable

[Rob D]

Not sure what you're asking?
Is it one of those devices for locking your laptop to your desk?

[Cowsham]

Take it apart ( maybe need an angle grinder ) and use that bracket now with hole ( the bit attached to the cable where the bit that you'd cut off swivels) for the padlock shackle which will then join the two ends via the cable loop.

[Cowsham]

ie cut this bit off ( shaded out ) leaving the swivel bit which is crimped to the cable.

You'll probably only need to cut one end off -- the other will most likely fall away.

[Mike Sales]

I have a very light lock which I use when I nip into a shop and can keep my bike in sight. It consists of a short piece of light multistrand wire with a loop swaged in each end and a tiny padlock which I think came from a Christmas cracker!
I was rigging a small boat, so I had a length of rigging wire and the swaging tool with some sleeves to hand.
If you know a DIY yottie, or can find a friendly yacht chandler, this is a good route to follow. You might want to use a better padlock.

[simonineaston]

I have a very light lock which I use when I nip into a shop and can keep my bike in sight. It consists of a short piece of light multistrand wire with a loop swaged in each end and a tiny padlock which I think came from a Christmas cracker!
I was rigging a small boat, so I had a length of rigging wire and the swaging tool with some sleeves to hand.
If you know a DIY yottie, or can find a friendly yacht chandler, this is a good route to follow. You might want to use a better padlock.

That's pretty much what I had in mind. Just something to stop a kid walking off with it...

[Morzedec]

You all need these:

[Cowsham]

If you're needing to buy a padlock or other bits you'd honestly be better just buying a small gauge cable combination lock -- there's ones on eBay for about £5 to £8

[AndyK]

The most elegant solution would be to buy a self-adhesive Kensington security slot adapter and stick it to your bike, enabling you to use the lock in the way it was intended.

There are only two flaws with this:
(1) most of the adapters seem to come in the form of a disc with a diameter of 33mm or more, so you'd need a completely flat 33mm-diameter area of your bike to stick it to, and
(2) they cost around £8-£10, so it probably would be more economical to forget the whole idea and buy a cheap cable lock instead.
Might be worth a quick online search for "kensington security slot adapter" though.

[Carl05]

I’ve recently reassessed my views on “light” locks. Previously thinking like many others, a light lock would slow down a thief.
After a cafe stop I found that my combination padlock was jammed. it was used with a 3mm twisted cable, a common cable used on many “cafe stop locks” I had with me a small folding pliers/ multi tool and it took one snip to cut the cable. Myself and my fellow riders were amazed how quick and easy it was, I may as well have tied my bike up with string. None of us use light locks anymore

[Bmblbzzz]

Yes but no but... The point of such a lock is not to resist tools but to say "This one is locked and the owner is watching."

[Cowsham]

If I was a thief I'd be scanning around for light cable locks on decent bikes and have a set of these with me.
Heavy Duty Cable Cutters - Max. 120mm² Cable | 12 Volt Planet https://share.google/d8X4JvofImZQxGdpE

[Tigerbiten]

I use a mini aluminium D lock and a 4' cable to lock my bent trike.
I know if a thief tries, the D lock is easy to cut.
But it looks like a steel D lock, so hopefully deters a casual one.
The total weight of the lock and cable is easily less than that of a full size steel D lock, so I'm happy with what I've got.

[Cowsham]

I use a mini aluminium D lock and a 4' cable to lock my bent trike.
I know if a thief tries, the D lock is easy to cut.
But it looks like a steel D lock, so hopefully deters a casual one.
The total weight of the lock and cable is easily less than that of a full size steel D lock, so I'm happy with what I've got.

First thing that comes to mind -- where did you get an aluminum mini D lock and what was it intended for?

[a.twiddler]

When it comes to something like that I suppose it's about the art of illusion. Deterring the casual or opportunist thief.
I've had a steel chain with a purposeful looking padlock for years. It's not uber heavy -it fits in a side pocket of my rack bag. It originally came with a clear plastic sleeve which became brittle and stiff over the years. I replaced it with some inner tube. Curiously, after doing that it looks a lot more rugged and might be a more effective deterrent, at least to the casual observer. I do have a heavier chain and lock but this is the one I use most.