ST1300 as camera bike

[overwoody]

So I'm planning to combine some of my pleasures biking; photography and geekery all together to turn the ST 1300 into a camera platform and sell this service to fellow riders who wish to have either HQ digital or video recording of them riding.

Part 1 is to get on of my DSLRs (Canon 500d) mounted in a spare top box, and part 2 is to set up various bullet cameras around the bike.

For the DSLR I'm looking to cut a hole in the lower part of the box (ie not the lid) and use a remote shutter/view finder. Have the remote figured out, but not yet the way of making a 'porthole' in the double curvature base of the top box. I've settled on getting hold of an ABS plastic pipe fitting in 3" which is like a giant compression pipe fitting, but getting a custom glass disk made to allow the lens to see out.
Any help or suggestions on this part gratefully received, and anything that allows the camera to see out and keeps it dry and safe.

Part 2 is the video setup.
I'm planning to mount the DPVR for video in the police spec communications hump (USB connection to my ruggedised laptop which lives in spare top box ) and would welcome advice on mounting the four bullet cameras (I'm using a system from 4kam in the UK).
Depending on the subject and brief from the client, I'm considering various options.
Rear facing camera locations; under top box; on frame next to rear wheel to allow my bike to be in shot...
Front facing camera locations; Migsel dash mount; under headlamp; on front wheel(??)
Rider camera locations (ie me); helmet or some form of shoulder mount.
I've got three standard cameras and one wide angle.

I've got a large memory card and can shoot for up to 16 hours. The system has a unit that allows for cameras to combine their footage onto one digital recorder (split screen).

I mentioned this to one of my colleagues at work who is taking is bike test very soon, he is an advanced LEO cage driving examiner and has an active role in the process of which equipment local force uses. He said that when they wanted to fit video cameras for recording law enforcement activities on the police BMW's they had lots of vibration issues...

I plan to route as many wires inside farings etc to keep the bike looking as stock as an ST can

So another farkle in the making, and one which I'll be taking opinions and experiences of forum members before finally committing to where cameras finally go...

 

[Tackleberry]

Overwoody,

In relation to your friend's comment about vibration issues on the BMTroubleU's I also experienced this issue when trying to use video. Bad enough to the point of loosening screws in the front panel of my VIO POV camera. Since getting rid of it, the same video has run on my work FJR for the last 18 months without any issues of vibration, so I believe as long as you mount the cameras securely you won't have any issue other ST either. I have also done long distance rides on my ST1100 with the same camera mounted without any issues.

The TroubleU had the typical tractor motor vibration at lower speeds that you really felt.

Good luck with the venture buddy. Would be interested in seeing the finished product for some ideas.

 

[BakerBoy]

My friend mounted a nice vid camera to his V-twin handlebards and it died within a couple hours ... we did get a few videos off of it before it died--some clips were were great, others highly smeared due to certain vibration frequences amplifying into his camera. While it wasn't a professional setup (and was on a rattling v-twin), it did illustrate the challenge. Certainly the ST is a more stable platform.

A material called Sorbothane looks like a help to address vibrations. Have you looked at Isolate[It!] for sorbothane pads/rings for mounting 'under' the camera? They seem to have a good selection of isolating materials/shapes, and their materials are available on Amazon. (I have no experience with these materials)

Let us know how you get yours setup, enjoy!