DIY Headlight Inspiration

[Tailwinds]

I like threads that get me thinking about new ways to use materials or items that weren't originally intended for bicycles, and, I've been working on a restoration for a while and was getting a little burnout so I had this old camping lantern and a good dose of inspiration. I really needed to stop obsessing over OEM pinstripes for a while and just cut and customize to get some energy out.

Freebie vintage camping lantern (photo courtesy of the interwebs).

After some cutting, sandblasting, painting, and customizing of the guts....

Rewired...

All finished...

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Or you can just swap the mount and have something very cool

 

[scrumblero]

that looks awesome! why not LED tho?

 

[Tailwinds]

that looks awesome! why not LED tho?

I've done a couple LED bike lantern retrofits and they're the way to go probably, but I'm a nerd from the lighting industry and I just prefer the warm authentic yellow hues from an incandescent lamp. They do make warm-white LEDS which look pretty convincing, but I'm still looking for them in cheap and abundant supply though.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

that looks awesome! why not LED tho?

Mine IS LED, You don't remember the light from the bootlegger build?

It's a little clip on light from the dollar store. Not really bright but it works.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

that looks awesome! why not LED tho?

Mine IS LED, You don't remember the light from the bootlegger build?

It's a little clip on light from the dollar store. Not really bright but it works.

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

I'm rebuilding a headlight now, but can't find a stupid bulb anywhere :roll: Yours looks GREAT :mrgreen:

 

[Tailwinds]

I'm rebuilding a headlight now, but can't find a stupid bulb anywhere :roll: Yours looks GREAT :mrgreen:

Thanks Schwinnray, I'll PM you for a local-to-you source for bulbs.

 

[ozzmonaut]

Mine is a camping lantern also. Took aff the actuall bulb housing, put a 6v battery in a paint can, and used some cloth covered wire from an old iron. Also drilled a hole in the back of the housing for a toggle switch. Not the best but I like it.http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/ ... NY0457.jpg

 

[ozzmonaut]

 

[Tailwinds]

I dig that fabric wire!

 

[choppedandtwisted]

I just got bulbs for my old headlight. They are flashlight bulbs i picked up from the hardware store for like 2 bucks a pair. Hope this helps.
jeff

 

[Fisch]

Freebie vintage camping lantern (photo courtesy of the interwebs).

What a FANTASTIC light! The star theme is amazaballs.

 

[Fisch]

Freebie vintage camping lantern (photo courtesy of the interwebs).

What a FANTASTIC light! The star theme is amazaballs.

Just found me one of these beauties at a fleamarket! Did you just omit the mid section? (Mine is being a real paint to get apart!

 

[Tailwinds]

The center section is roll-formed or mechanically press fit in with the other sheet metal. I just removed the back battery cover and then used the Dremel w/ metal cutting wheel to cut the center section out altogether. The long threaded piece I added to pull everything back together.