Automatic Bicycle Handlebar End Lights

Step 9 Other Stuff...

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I designed the layout of this instructable to encourage the use of gloves while riding.

I feel that gloves are second only to helmets as vital cycling safety equipment. In reality, I know most people do not and will not wear gloves when they ride so I came up with an alternate triggering device that does not require the use of gloves.

The alternate design uses a ring with a magnet mounted on the palm side. If you intend to use this device you may need to position the reed switch inside the handlebar rotated slightly more forward than you would for use with the glove. The basic idea is to get the reed switch as close to the magnet as possible. I recomend building the ring before installing the switch to ensure correct positioning.

Parts:

1) Magnet, same as glove method
2) 25 Cent Novelty Ring
3) J-B Weld

To begin, obtain a ring that fits your hand and you do not mind ruining. I used some rings from the 25 cent vending machines at the front of the local K-Mart but any ring you have laying around will work.

Next, prepare the J-B Weld according to label directions. You only need to mix enough to mount the magnet to the ring.

You'll use the cold weld to attach the magnet to the palm side of the ring. You want the magnet to be positioned so you can grip the bars comfortably with the magnet attached so shape the cold weld accordingly.

Allow the cold weld to set overnight and your trigger ring is complete.

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The neat thing about brain injuries is that they only happen once. Please wear a helmet when you ride your bike.

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Thank you for viewing my Instructable! If you liked it please vote for it in the Instructables Universal Laser Cutter Contest.

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Some other bicycle projects still in the development process in my workshop include:

Automated Bicycle Pedal LED's ^{to compliment my bar end lights.}

Build a Bicycle Alarm for under $5

and eventually,

How to stuff LED's into every aperture of a bicycle

The last one is tongue in cheek becasue I have 2 existing bike/LED instructables and more on the way. My wife calls my commuter bike the "The Christmas Tree" because of all the lights I have strapped to it.

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I'd like to thank...

~> My wife for putting up with me and pretending to care about all my silly inventions.

~> Earth Traverse Bike Shop for donating several sets of bar end plugs for prototyping. If you are in the Knoxville area you should stop by and check these guys out. They have always treated me right and I have no reservations about recommending them.

~> Finally, I'd like to close this instructable with a sincere thanks to everyone who makes this site what it is. I am frequently inspired by things I see here, and I hope my instructables might inspire others as well.

In the movie Field of Dreams, Shoeless Joe Jackson once said, "If you build it, he will come", I'd like to add to that, "if you teach him how to build it, that's Instructables.com"