camera mounting

[Bill Ishmael]

Are there any good ideas for mounting a camcorder (Canon ZR-85) to an ST. I saw some ideas that had a plate mounted to the gas tank fill ring. But, you have to remove it in order to fill up. I have a RAM ball on my "Freshbaitlarry" handle bar riser that I could mount to but I would have to give up my GPS when I wanted to use the camera.
Bill

[Hewhois]

I use the RAM camera mount on the motorcycle larry risers plus a tripod ball head. The GPS and CB mount on the reservoir RAM ball mounts.

[Bill Ishmael]

Thanks for the info Charlie! I would like to see some of those videos you mentioned. It looks like the best thing going for the Helmet cam is that you can stow your camera away in a safe place rather than out in the open.
bill

[Bill Ishmael]

Thanks for the info Halfwing!
Bill

[Scaredy Cat]

I'm thinking about fitting a RAM ball into one of the tip-over wings in place of the allen bolt, then a 3" arm to my vid camera mount.
I think it's an M6 thread? I suppose I'll have to run a die along a RAM ball stem to suit.
I did think about getting a bar clamp type ball and getting it to stick out through one of the vent holes underneath the wing but it seems a bit fiddly.
I tried it on the brake reservoir MCL cover ball, it worked well but I need that space for my GPS and I think the shot from lower down will look better.
Anyone done this? Any expected problems?
Thanks!

Sandy

[Orangebiker]

I have a bullet cam that I use in conjunction with my Sony Camcorder, I also use the camcorder directly with a ram mount, works a treat!

A question for anyone who knows about Harleys? I am over in California for Moto GP in July and am hiring a Harley Road Glide? (I think!), does it have tubular handlebars as I want to attach my ram mount which also has a clamp to fit to tubular bars and want to try a little bit of video whilst over there!

Safe Riding

Dave Baglee

[Burger]

I would imagine the tip over wing mounting would give an interesting perspective of the road. Probably a bit too low down :) I use a bullet cam connected to my camcorder in the tank bag. I first mounted the bullet cam under the right mirror using the mount that came with it, but this wasn't robust enough. I've since used a ram mount mounted to the right side of the dash so the camera can look over the top of the right mirror. Pics in gallery...

http://www.st-owners.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=50

Having spent ages looking for a good solution for a small bullet cam, I can't imagine where, other than the filler, where a good mounting for a camcorder would be.

Regards,

[tricky_micky]

Tried both types of mount!

Firstly I tried the helmet mount, I had to have a mount specially made for the flip top type of helmet. It was good but I had cables comeing from everywhere and I had to mount the video recorder in a tank bag which I was not happy with. Mount I had made was expensive as it had never been done before on a flip top helmet.

Recently, I slung the 'Bullet' or 'Lipstick' camera under the left wing mirror pod using part of my old helmet mount and industrial velcro. The sticky is easier to clean off than to fill holes you have drilled in the bodywork! The mount allows me to pan and tilt the camera easily for best viewing angles, and stays in place at speed without any camera shake.

I have done a number of tests recently, and clips can be seen in the Riding Techniques Forum on this board. Short clips are of the mirror mount, and the long video clip is where the camera was helmet mounted.

My conclusion, the camera is better mounted under the mirror pod. I have no cables attached to me as the rider, all cables are now wired through the bike. The video recorder sits in a large piece of sponge inside the top box for protection, and I control the video stop, start and pause via the Lanc which sits in front of me on the gas filler cap, velcroed of course.

I have done a lot of testing and found this to be the best for me, drop down onto the Riding Techniques Forum and you will see what I am talking about.

I now run the on bike video with no cables attached to me as a rider, it is all controlled via the Lanc cable, and I can playback the video once I have stopped and opened the top box.

Recording time on tape (Hi8 tapes) is 90 mins LP, recording time on the video recorder is about 8 hours. Hope this helps.

[mister_bill]

Sony camcorder, Midland CB, and Garmin 176c GPS

10877

[Medicine Bear]

Sony camcorder, Midland CB, and Garmin 176c GPS

10877
Mister Bill, how's the vibration on the camera? What length arm did you use?

TIA,

Fred :03biker:

[mister_bill]

Mister Bill, how's the vibration on the camera? What length arm did you use?

TIA,

Fred :03biker:

Fred,

I used the 4" arm for the camcorder. Vibration was no problem for normal road conditions. As you may be able to see, I mounted the camera to the inside ram mount on the clutch reservoir. I had to adjust the arm so that I was able to avoid seeing the edge of the windshield in the view finder and still not block the rider's ability to see the the speedo and tach.

Bill

[Medicine Bear]

Thanks Bill. Think I'll go see a man about a RAM mount.

Fred :03biker: