Cheap, easy helmet lock (theft deterent)

[Lee B.]

I've been slightly bugged that I don't have a helmet lock. I don't always have room in the side case and don't always feel secure leaving it on the bike unlocked. I saw the recent posts on the order for bar end helmet locks and started thinking about an alternative.

I first came up with the idea of buying cable and those cable clamps and making a small figure 8 set of loops. One end would be put on the stock left side bar end by removing the end and putting the cable around the small part that fits against the grip, using removeable lock-tite and reattaching it. The other loop would have to hang there all the time and when I needed to lock the helmet I'd use a small padlock to attach the hanging loop to the D-ring on the helmet strap. It would be short enough to work with a padlock but not so long that it would hit the tank at full turn...about an inch loop hanging down from the bar end.

Normally, I'd have headed off to the hardware store for a search but the store was closed. So, I had this padlock and got to thinking maybe something simpler and cheaper and right now. I found out that I could slide the D-ring over the knob on the end of the clutch lever. Then if I locked the padlock between the D-ring and the knob of the lever the padlock couldn't slide over the knob and the D-ring couldn't slide over the padlock. Theft is detered!!

I'll either leave the padlock there. It doesn't interfere with operation or riding comfort. Or I'll leave it locked in the glove box with my kickstand plate, registration, and garage door opener.

This is so easy I don't even have to post pictures!

 

[cardingtr]

I've been slightly bugged that I don't have a helmet lock. I don't always have room in the side case and don't always feel secure leaving it on the bike unlocked. I saw the recent posts on the order for bar end helmet locks and started thinking about an alternative.
I first came up with the idea of buying cable and those cable clamps and making a small figure 8 set of loops. One end would be put on the stock left side bar end by removing the end and putting the cable around the small part that fits against the grip, using removeable lock-tite and reattaching it. The other loop would have to hang there all the time and when I needed to lock the helmet I'd use a small padlock to attach the hanging loop to the D-ring on the helmet strap. It would be short enough to work with a padlock but not so long that it would hit the tank at full turn...about an inch loop hanging down from the bar end.

Normally, I'd have headed off to the hardware store for a search but the store was closed. So, I had this padlock and got to thinking maybe something simpler and cheaper and right now. I found out that I could slide the D-ring over the knob on the end of the clutch lever. Then if I locked the padlock between the D-ring and the knob of the lever the padlock couldn't slide over the knob and the D-ring couldn't slide over the padlock. Theft is detered!!

I'll either leave the padlock there. It doesn't interfere with operation or riding comfort. Or I'll leave it locked in the glove box with my kickstand plate, registration, and garage door opener.

This is so easy I don't even have to post pictures!

And I can use the same padlock for the locker room if I go to the gym!

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

No pics........ it doesn't exist........ ;.

rules are rules.....

B.

 

[UselessPickles]

Here's another cheap option: https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=102492

I actually loop it around the entire chin of the helmet now.

 

[SacramentoMike]

And I can use the same padlock for the locker room if I go to the gym!

Sure, but then what do you do with the helmet?

I just wear my helmet wherever I go. Protects my helmet AND my head!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Take the screw driver or pliers out of your tool kit.

Put it thru the D-rings.

And lock the seat in place to trap the screwdriver, so the helmet is hanging below the seat.

(Carabiners and other hardware can also work.)

You can send me the money you just saved on a lock.

Or a beer.



Side benefit:

You also won't have the open end of the helmet up to catch rain or dirt.

Once upon a time in Santa Monica, I locked a helmet to a bike and came back to find somebody'd poured a beer in it.

 

[Lee B.]

No pics........ it doesn't exist........ ;.rules are rules.....

B.

must have missed that rule in the member handbook!

seemed sort of silly to take a picture of a small padlock hanging from my clutch lever...silly and insulting....sort of.

 

[Lee B.]

Take the screw driver or pliers out of your tool kit.Put it thru the D-rings.

And lock the seat in place to trap the screwdriver, so the helmet is hanging below the seat.

(Carabiners and other hardware can also work.)

You can send me the money you just saved on a lock.

Or a beer.



Side benefit:

You also won't have the open end of the helmet up to catch rain or dirt.

Once upon a time in Santa Monica, I locked a helmet to a bike and came back to find somebody'd poured a beer in it.

already had the lock but if you are in town I'd buy you a beer just for fun.

you are right, I don't like the upside down arrangement and may take another swing at this tonight. unlocking the seat isn't always an easy option: if my side cases are too full for a helmet it is 50/50 that I have a bag strapped to the pillion. But if I didn't your idea is workable.

 

[Lee B.]

Here's another cheap option: https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=102492

I actually loop it around the entire chin of the helmet now.

yep, this is a great idea unless I have my bag strapped to the pillion and the side cases full.

 

[Jon T]

You hit on one of the reasons I passed on the current group buy. Putting aside for a moment the benefits of bar end weights (and price--I'm cheap), I didn't like the idea of my helmet hanging upside down (to possibly collect... who knows what).

I'm not looking for max secruity, just something to provide enough resistance to keep someone honest. I have several bike cable locks that could do probably do the trick. Mrs and I have full faced helmets so it seems easy to loop the bike lock cable thru the chin like a stringer and to some closed loop on the bike frame (the stock rack on the back would probably work.) It would coil up pretty small.

 

[Lee B.]

Here are some picures of the "arrangement" of the D-ring and the padlock.

I took these this afternoon after testing whether the helmet could rest on the left side rear-view mirror and still reach the D-ring onto the clutch lever. It works. Helmet will be secured, right-side up so it doesn't collect rain or a beer!

okay, I'm winging this picture embeddment so be patient. I also just had dinner and a glass of knob creek on the rocks so I can't claim to be at my best...

 

[Patriot]

from another forum member - I believe this might be only for Gen I feejers:

there's a tab on the bottom of the tank under the extension of the seat to hang a helmet's D ring on, then replace the locked down seat...

 

[Lee B.]

from another forum member - I believe this might be only for Gen I feejers:
there's a tab on the bottom of the tank under the extension of the seat to hang a helmet's D ring on, then replace the locked down seat...

thanks for showing that. I came across a description of that. the poster mentioned that there was probably a tab like that on both sides.

I think I'll stick with my set up and just keep the small lock on the clutch lever or in my pocket or in the glove box for handy access. That way I don't have to mess with seat removal either front or rear.

 

[Patriot]

the padlock on the lever is quite clever and creative

I guess for me, it's another key to lose and I hate figuring out how to saw off the aluminum ball off the lever on the fly

guess I'd have to carry a hacksaw blade in my emergency kit or a cordless or 12v dremel just in case; might try cutting the lock, though

 

[mattster31]

Once upon a time in Santa Monica, I locked a helmet to a bike and came back to find somebody'd poured a beer in it.

At least it was just beer................Once upon a time in Toronto, I left my truck parked at the carpool lot for a few days while I was out of town on a job, and I came back to find that someone left a "dump" on the back seat!! :angry: :angry: I guess I should be thankful it was just an animal "turd", and that they didn't place it on the drivers seat :blink:

Good ideas on the helmet locks though everyone!!!

 

[slapnpop]

I don't know about you guys, but I use the saddlebag. It's almost always on the bike, requires no modifications, and I don't have to carry anything extra.

I can't remember who posted that one first, or I'd give them Kudos!

 

[Lee B.]

I don't know about you guys, but I use the saddlebag. It's almost always on the bike, requires no modifications, and I don't have to carry anything extra.
I can't remember who posted that one first, or I'd give them Kudos!

I go there first, too.

The issue was if my side cases are full and can't fit the helmet in. Or if I ride w/o the cases which I do about 25% of the time.

the padlock on the lever is quite clever and creative
I guess for me, it's another key to lose and I hate figuring out how to saw off the aluminum ball off the lever on the fly

guess I'd have to carry a hacksaw blade in my emergency kit or a cordless or 12v dremel just in case; might try cutting the lock, though

I always carrry an extra ignition key in my jacket pocket so the extra padlock key can be right there, too. If I lose my first and back up I've got bigger problems than getting my helmet off the clutch lever!

 

[FjrVfr]

No pics........ it doesn't exist........ ;.rules are rules.....

Fabulous!

If you don't have gear strapped to the pillion, this works too and doesn't require the lock and extra key. (Gawd, did my bike ever look that new?!?)

 

[painman]

I like the idea of using the saddlebag for helmet storage as well but I always seem to have too much junk for that good option. So I use a monster type cable with built in combo lock and run it through the rear wheel and then up through the opening of my full face helmet, set the helmet on the rear seat, and then run the cable through one of the sleeves on my jacket and or one of the legs on my riding pants and cover the helmet with them. Makes a tidy bundle and the bike is now locked along with the gear and the helmet is covered out of view and out of the sun or rain.

Yes I took the gear off before I ran the cable....sounds complicated but works well and I have heard of D-rings getting cut off when locked but that doesn't make much sense because the strap is now junk and so is the helmet. Just a thought...PM. <>< :dntknw: