Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
Reload this Page >

handlebar switch question

Search
Notices
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets HRM, GPS, MP3, HID. Whether it's got an acronym or not, here's where you'll find discussions on all sorts of tools, toys and gadgets.

handlebar switch question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-27-12 | 04:11 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
handlebar switch question

I'm about to purchase a new folding bike which I will be riding a lot after dark. Being an electronics geek, I'd like to make some kind of led contraption to make the bike more visible and stylish at night (I already have a good headlight system).

I'm still working out the details, but I would need a handlebar mounted switch to turn the lights on and off. After looking around on ebay, I saw some motorcycle switches that looked cool. Does anyone know if these would these fit standard bicycle handlebars?

(also, feel free to link any cool led mods I could use as reference.)

Thanks.
toasterburn is offline  
Reply
Old 11-27-12 | 05:20 PM
  #2  
Burton's Avatar
Certified Bike Brat
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 6
From: Montreal, Quebec
Yeah - the motorcycle bar size is the same as hybrid, bmx or mtb bars.
Burton is offline  
Reply
Old 11-27-12 | 05:41 PM
  #3  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

I have an Old Night rider 12v double halogen light , they had a 4 position switch A,B,A+B and off,

Option Continued, remote button to sit near the grip.
mine has a lever switch directly on it.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 11-27-12 | 08:34 PM
  #4  
Burton's Avatar
Certified Bike Brat
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 6
From: Montreal, Quebec
You might want to check out these as well: https://trailtech.net/switches.html
Burton is offline  
Reply
Old 05-21-13 | 01:57 AM
  #5  
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Hrvatska
Hi gentlemens,
I made switches for my bikes and it is very nice thing when you have at least two modes of lighting (strong and strongest) so that you can signalize to people on the way which are turn to you by the back to move away.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg
P1010018.JPG (90.7 KB, 16 views)
File Type: jpg
P10100319888.jpg (100.9 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg
P1010016.jpg (90.0 KB, 13 views)
File Type: jpg
P4150024.jpg (98.7 KB, 20 views)
hermes07 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-21-13 | 06:49 AM
  #6  
2_i
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 398
From: Michigan

Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...

I also make mine, packing a bit more functionality per space. Yours look good, and seem well thought through. The only negative is that you need to take e-thing off to thread them on. I use hose compression straps. Incidentally, my last batch of the compression straps was purchased in a hardware store in Zadar , following the principle of never missing an opportunity of hardware-store sightseeing.
2_i is offline  
Reply
Old 05-21-13 | 06:59 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Hrvatska
Nice Zadar, i agree with your principle.
Sorry didn't understand what you mean by e-thing off to threat them on?
hermes07 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-22-13 | 04:35 AM
  #8  
2_i
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 398
From: Michigan

Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...

Originally Posted by hermes07
Sorry didn't understand what you mean by e-thing off to threat them on?
I missed at first the crummier 2nd design in the last photo. I meant that to mount (should have been thread) the 1st design, in the first 3 photos, you need to take off the handlebar, shifter and brake lever, which is inconvenient. Incidentally, where the heck is your lever for the rear brake??
2_i is offline  
Reply
Old 05-22-13 | 07:47 AM
  #9  
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Hrvatska
A well yea its a kind of complicated with mounting.
That bike doesn't have rear brake hand lever, have torpedo rear hub.
But it doesn't have a chain as well...
Thats my cardan geared customized city bike .
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
P101002300.jpg (104.7 KB, 22 views)
File Type: jpg
09989.jpg (100.2 KB, 23 views)
File Type: jpg
Ekoteh3.jpg (43.4 KB, 25 views)
File Type: jpg
P1010029.jpg (90.9 KB, 17 views)
hermes07 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-28-13 | 10:14 AM
  #10  
2_i
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 398
From: Michigan

Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...

Have you got an access to some serious machining tools and appropriate skills? It certainly appears as if custom elements were for you like bread and butter.
2_i is offline  
Reply
Old 05-28-13 | 01:33 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 7
From: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(

Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"

I just did the same project and used this switch.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Ha...item20ce65777f

I have a small solar cell and battery on my bike rack. then I have it powering an LED headlight and tail light.
So much easier flicking this switch instead of multiple things all over the bike.
Just make sure everything is the same voltage, I chose 3V since bike lights usually run 3V.
12V would open up lots of car/motorcycle options.

I also added EL wire front and back but they come with an inverter/control box so they have to be switched on after the main switch.
I could probably rig the box to always be on and controlled by my bar switch, but haven't bothered to figure out the pcb board yet.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Party-Wh...item35bfcf1383

Last edited by ttakata73; 05-28-13 at 01:39 PM.
ttakata73 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-28-13 | 04:59 PM
  #12  
2_i
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 398
From: Michigan

Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...

My own switch cluster can be seen below.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
switch.jpg (89.2 KB, 12 views)
2_i is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CrowSeph
Classic & Vintage
11
11-15-18 08:59 AM
SeanBikes
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
5
08-17-18 11:55 AM
Morimorimori
General Cycling Discussion
13
06-09-18 09:29 PM
fatbikerboy
Bicycle Mechanics
9
04-27-12 09:39 AM
vmaniqui
Folding Bikes
2
05-03-10 09:12 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.