DIY Bicycle Camera Mount

Yes, there are already a ton of posts on the ‘net telling people how to do this, and I’m indebted to them all, as I read most of them when planning out my approach. Still — this is how I did it, so I’m going to add to the chatter. :)

Parts

(I really don’t know the technical names for any of these, I’m reading off the Home Depot receipt, so my apologies if I’ve flubbed a part name here and there.)

  • 1 basic reflector. I’d recommend one with two distinct screw placements, one for the actual bike mount, and one for adjusting the reflector (this makes sure you don’t have one assembly doing two jobs in the final mount). Reflectors may be easy to come by at your local bike shop, Cycle Therapy in Kent gave me two (well, a bag full, but I only took two) completely free of charge!
  • Drill and 1/4” drill bit.
  • 1 1/4” X 2” coarse (20 thread count) bolt.
  • 2 small 1/4” cut washers.
  • 1 1/4” hex nut.
  • 1 large 1/4” fender washer.
  • 2 large 1/4” rubber washers.
  • 1 1/4” wing nut.
  • 1 1/4” acorn nut.

Assembly

  • Remove the reflector from the mount.
  • Drill out the open screw hole to a 1/4” diameter.
  • Thread the bolt through, then secure it with one small washer and the hex nut.
  • The rest of the pieces attach in this order: wing nut, small washer, large rubber washer, large fender washer, large rubber washer, acorn nut.
  • Attach the mount to the bike.
  • Remove the acorn nut (put it in a pocket so you don’t lose it!) and attach your camera.
  • Use the wingnut to tighten the washer platform assembly snug against the bottom of the camera.
  • Go riding!

Photos

Camera Mount Step 1 Camera Mount Step 2
Camera Mount Step 3 Camera Mount Step 4
Camera Mount Step 5 Camera Mount Step 6
Camera Mount Step 7 Camera Mount on the Bike (rear)
Camera Mount on the Bike (front)

Results

And that’s it. Works pretty well, too — here’s the result of my first ride with the mount, just a short jaunt out and back along a section of the Green River Trail:

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  1. […] I want to leave you with this link to an article about crafting a camera mount for your bicycle. My friend Amber sent me this link, […]

  2. […] my bike and fishing the thing out every time I wanted to snap a pic.  Then, I happened across this helpful site, which had plans for what I needed.  A trip to the Lowes and about $2 got me the parts I needed.  […]

  3. By Bike commuting video | Kylkiviiva.net on September 26, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    […] Askartelin polkupyörän heijastimesta, muutamasta pultista ja prikasta ohjaustankoon kiinnitettävän jalustan kameralle. Ohjeet löysin netistä. […]

9 Comments

  1. What a cool ride! Lovely place too. I should get a bike myself…and move to a city with more parks to go to. hehe

    Posted April 8, 2009 at 10:45 am | Permalink | Reply
  2. I wish I had done this for Bike NYC. Would have been pretty cool in some of the sections.

    Posted April 9, 2009 at 6:36 am | Permalink | Reply
  3. Joseph Singer

    Nice pics and cool 16 X 9 video! Though at times I felt sure that I’d feel better if I had access to a Dramamine tab :)

    BTW, greetings from northern Israël

    Posted April 13, 2009 at 5:32 am | Permalink | Reply
  4. BFike

    Think it could handle a larger miniDV camcorder? Weighs just shy of 2lbs.

    Posted July 28, 2009 at 10:26 am | Permalink | Reply
  5. I’m not sure if this little guy will support something that heavy, but I do remember seeing some more heavy-duty DIY mounts for people with video cameras when I was researching mine. A little Googling should track them down. Good luck!

    Posted July 28, 2009 at 10:31 am | Permalink | Reply
  6. edwin

    this is what i been looking for!!

    Posted September 30, 2009 at 11:17 pm | Permalink | Reply
  7. I just have to let you know that this DIY and the video is helpful and cool, thanks!

    Posted May 21, 2011 at 11:07 pm | Permalink | Reply
  8. CanadianKristin

    Thanks for the idea, the shopping list and the tutorial photos! My son has been asking for a $300 bike mount camera (dreamer!) and this is exactly the happy medium I was looking for! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Posted October 23, 2011 at 2:16 pm | Permalink | Reply

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