Poor man's bicycle headlight!
By koopharper
@koopharper (7599)
Canada
October 3, 2012 4:14pm CST
This actually is a headlight designed for a bicycle but I got it real cheap at a dollar store. I broke the bracket for attaching it to the bicycle off the first time I opened it up to install the batteries. I attached it with electrical tape. Red Green of the Canadian Comedy series of the same name fame would have been proud of me. He would have noted the color match he wouldn't have gotten with duct tape. It's been working fine like this for about a year and a half. If you're stuck a small LED flashlight would work just about as well.
2 people like this
8 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
4 Oct 12
Hey that works..lol when I want to really attach something, I rely on Duck Tape and even have a sweatshirt that says something like, "If it's broken, grab the Duct Tape" Hahaha
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
4 Oct 12
Oh don't you know? Duct Tape now comes in a variety of colors, including black..I have black right now and I also have used it many times for the temporary fix I can't get my husband to do...
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
4 Oct 12
I've seen other colors but it was just the cheap stuff at the dollar store and there is never enough on a roll.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
4 Oct 12
I've been known to grab the duct tape on occasion. For this job though the handlebars are black and the electrical tape blends in better. My bike is in the bike rack everyday at work and no one has ever commented on my work.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
3 Oct 12
If you need a light, you get a light. You are inventive and fix it however you can. We call it rednecked repairs.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
3 Oct 12
I guess maybe I have just a little redneck in me. I'm a fan of the Red Green show. Like a lot of comedy shows it gets stupid but a lot of his inventions and repairs are pure genius.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
4 Oct 12
If you like that sort of thing,try out the icanhascheezburger site's affiliate,thereifixedit.com...You'll love that...
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
4 Oct 12
Had a quick look. There was some funny stuff there.
1 person likes this
Most of my make dos look exactly like make dos. 
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
21 Oct 12
That sounds like a good idea. I was wondering if the police stopped you, you would have a bitvofvtrouble explaining it. I hope you fastened it so it would not fall off.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
21 Oct 12
Nah, they don't have any problem with it. All they're concerned about is whether it is functional. I'm well known on the roads here anyway. The police are aware of who I am and what kind of conditions they can expect to find me cycling in. Had a good chat with one at a traffic light in the middle of last winter.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
31 Oct 12
It is a good idea of yours to have fixed the bicycle headlight with electrical tape, which lasted one year and a half. There are times when we have to do the repairing work by ourselves. This usually makes us creative and inventive. It well elaborates how many inventions come about when we humans are thinking of ways to figure out so many things. Thanks for the nice discussion.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
31 Oct 12
Fast and inexpensive. I do most of the repair work on my bicycle myself. Not only does it save money but I often do a better job than the bike shop mechanics. They don't always do the job right.
@beenice2 (2967)
• Sackville, New Brunswick
9 Oct 12
You can't put something too big on your bike otherwise it would be too heavy I believe. I understand that when you ride at night it is very important to be seen, and you don't have to pay much to have something that works well for you. Have fun dear.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
9 Oct 12
Weight is an important factor but I think on you handlebars bulk can be just as much of an issue. Not only is your headlight mounted there but so are you brakes and shifter levers. Only so much room to be able to operate those things effectively.
If you recall I had a big expensive one on Airwolf. Slipped on the ice a little bit one winter. Grabbed the headlight instead of the handlebar to keep from falling and snapped the bracket on that. Ended up taping it on the same way I run my current lighting system.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
4 Oct 12
Congratulations! You are very inventive. Wish that I could do things like this.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
4 Oct 12
Electrical tape earned a spot in my emergency bicycle repair kit a long time ago. I used to do a lot of self contained touring. I've had a tire tear before. Instead of being stranded I was able to wrap the tire tube with electrical tape to keep it from bulging out the the damaged tire and ride until I got to a town where I could replace the tire. You can also use it to secure cable to the bike frame as well although I prefer snap ties for that.
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
4 Oct 12
It would have been nice if you had uploaded the photo here, so that mylotters could have a look at it my friend.
1 person likes this
