Hardware experts - I need a clamp with mounting hole.

[ATC]

I'm not sure how to describe this, or where best to post it...so here goes!:

I am wanting to mount some aftermarket LED lights to the forks of my motorcycle. I need a clamp that will work with it. The built-in mount on the lights has a 1/4" hole. I had them mounted on a previous bike (not on the forks) with just a 1/4-20 bolt and nut. If the new clamp has a stud on it, that would work too. Is there anything in the hardware world that will work for me?

I've done a quick search in the motorcycle accessory world, and the cheapest I could find that *might* work are around $60

I still have to measure my forks for the diameter.

Something like these:

 

[SlowAl]

What about something like this?

At least they're cheaper.

 

[ATC]

Yes, those are the right style. However I just measured my forks and they are 51mm. Thanks! I'll keep looking

 

[jeremy v]

Could you modify something like a standard double clamp split shaft collar? Possibly use a piece of all-thread instead of a bolt for one side and extend the all-thread out to attach the led light to? You could also just drill and tap the collar itself to accept a 1/4-20 stud in any orientation you want. The split collars come in lots of price ranges and materials and most are cheaper than the $60 a pair price you are trying to beat. Your shaft diameter is probably 2" which is 50.8mm. If you look for a collar in SAE sizing that should make it easier to find what you are looking for, because most metric sized collars also have metric threaded cap screws to tighten them down.

 

[jeremy v]

You could also look into light mounting brackets for mounting off-road KC type lights on 4x4 trucks to roll bars, tube bumpers etc. Here are a few examples. The KC clamp works for 2" diameter, but it is plastic.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030M0WQM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ATC]

Could you modify something like a standard double clamp split shaft collar? Possibly use a piece of all-thread instead of a bolt for one side and extend the all-thread out to attach the led light to? You could also just drill and tap the collar itself to accept a 1/4-20 stud in any orientation you want. The split collars come in lots of price ranges and materials and most are cheaper than the $60 a pair price you are trying to beat. Your shaft diameter is probably 2" which is 50.8mm. If you look for a collar in SAE sizing that should make it easier to find what you are looking for, because most metric sized collars also have metric threaded cap screws to tighten them down.

Yes, these might work great. I'm thinking I could weld a stud to it (drill, tap, install stud, then weld). Basically, the same thing SlowAl posted.

I don't have much space to work with. The mounts and lights have to clear the fairing while the forks turn back and forth.

 

[jeremy v]

These don't come in a 51mm bore diameter, but they come in a 50mm and a 52mm, so you could probably make one of those work pretty easily with minor modifications. They are $33 each.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/71/982/20994/ITEM/Pro-Tek-Fork-Tube-Clamps.aspx


Another option is that you could look into 2" chrome or stainless Harley exhaust clamps. They are not as nice looking as billet aluminum clamps, but they are only around $6-15 each. You would have to spread them to get them around your fork tube but that should work without issue if you were careful.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HardDrive-H...Each-Chrome-For-Harley-Davidson-/111108666980

That's about all I have for ideas, good luck.

 

[Dustball]

How about a pipe coupling and replace one of the bolts with a longer one to attach your light to?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#4487K45

If you want to go ultra-cheap- use a 2" muffler clamp.