Bullet cam on 1200

[JDH]

In case anyone is about to embark on on-board video on a 1200, you might find the following of use. Previously used bullet-cams on sportsbikes and got some very good results. Just bought a new cam from Dogcamsports (great service from these guys by the way) and have been experimenting with where to locate the cam.

Not easy, but after countless trials/testrides/disappointments I have come up with a good setup. Mounted the cam on the beak, left hand side. using a strong velcro mount that I actually had with my last bullet cam from Rfconcepts, works very well. Also bought a 'Zorst mic from Dogcam which I have attached under the left rear indicator. Essential to tape a piece of foam around the mic to reduce the wind noise effectively, but I am chuffed with the results. Bullet cam is linked to my camcorder which is in my tank bag and a remote from the lanc socket is in the mobile phone pocket of the tankbag so I can see it and operate it easily.

Spending a week travelling through France and Germany from next Wednesday so it will get a good trial.

Also, for what it's worth just had new Avons fitted after reading the write-up in Bike mag. Storm rear, Avarro front. Again, will post up on my return to let anyone interested know how they performed. I like fast road-riding so hoping they deliver.

JDH

 

[John Armstrong]

Fitted my bullet cam onto the front off-side indicator using a p-clip that in a previous life attached the centre stand protector on an 1150 GSA. Nicely eliminates the vibration.

 

[skyenet]

I know some folk use Archos bullet cameras and one of the problems I find with them is that they do not have a tripod screw for ease of mounting.

I managed to come up with a way of adding a Tripod socket to use with an Archos Bullet Camera.

The main ingredient is a knurled 1/4" tripod screw with a tripod 1/4" threaded socket in it. These should be available from a camera shop. If you have a way of attaching a 1/4" nut to a strip of metal then you could get by without this screw/socket.

You will also need a 50mm length of 25mm diameter tubing. I used some pond hose but afterwards discovered that the centre of a roll of 50mm wide insulating tape suits fine. A 1/4" nut and a rubber washer. You will also need a length of metal about 70mm long by about 20mm wide. I was lucky to find a bit which had a ridge at each side. You will need some 50mm wide insulating tape as well.

At one end of the strip of metal I drilled out a 1/4" hole and then using the insulating tape I attached the tuding to the metal strip. Put the screw/socket through the hole with rubber washer attached and tightened it into the 1/4" nut.

I wrapped the Archos Bullet Camera in a 50mm wide strip of heavy duty Velcro and this then slips neatly into the rubber tubing or insulating tape centre tube.

You now have a 1/4" socket to attach to a tripod or ball and socket head.

In the photo below I have mounted it on a suction mount which has a ball and socket head. To the left is a ball and socket head that has a 14" mounting socket in its base. This type of ball and socket head is available from Jessops for about £8. On the right is the centre tubing of a roll of insulating tape. The Velcro covered Archos camera slips neatly into this. I have covered the tubing in Velcro as I have some ideas of other ways of mounting the Archos on my motorbike or helmet.

The combination of using a ball and socket head and the neat fit of the Archos camera in the tubing allows the camera position to be adjusted to get the ideal view. Can even attach to a helmet for the Tellytubby look

I have also used the Archos Bullet camera in a length of 25mm diameter tubing mounted to the bottom of my Vario Panniers just below the front right hand hinge and kept in place with a webbing belt right around the pannier. Good position and got shots like this.

Have made some other mounts up and will test them out and post photos when I get a chance. Some other problems with the Archos Bullet Camera is the relatively short lead from camera to recorder and the mic built into the lead halfway along it beside the remote controls. Got some ideas to work on getting better sound.