Can anyone help with video camera mounting......

[toronto]

.........on the LT. I've only found one site that sells video camera mounts and I have no idea if it's any good. I'd like to video rides.

Thanks for any info.

Rod

[the1mavin]

Toronto,

I know a couple people using this set up with camcorders:

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/RAM/ram.asp?prod=RAM-CAMERA

I don't know anyone using this set up but it's another option:

http://www.premiercycleproducts.com/lobstermountm3page.html

[tnk12lt]

Here's a link to a thread with pix of the ram mount setup I'm using.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2533&page=2

[Dezrae]

I have just in the last few weeks bought and installed a RAM mount for videoa cameras in Australia from Johnny Appleseed GPS. (http://www.ja-gps.com.au/ram-mount1.html)

If you live in the USA, talk to fellow lister Raffy and he can help you out.

I have removed the plastic covers that go over my crash bars on the side of the bike and mounted the ram mount to it using a u-bolt ram mount add-on.
my video camera is a sony handy cam.

i added an extra nut/bolt to the base of the RAM that screws to the video camera to stop the camera from twisting around, and if i could find the digital camera, i would take a photo of it and show you!

but to describe it, the round base that screws to the base of my video camera has no homes that match the bottom of the camera for a locking pin to stop the camera un-screwing it self from the base.
so i very carefuly marked the RAM screw base and drilled a hole and jb wedled ina bolt/screw that screws in to a hole in the base of the video camera that is there for this purpose.

as soon as i lay my hands on the digital camera, i will add photos to make it easier for you to understand

[685ursus]

My brother and I went west to Yellowstone and Glacier park - Montana. I attached a video camera to my K12LT using a Manfrotto 035 bar and clamp combo for cameras. It attaches to a ball and swivel camera attachment #482 also from Manfrotto. This system worked great ...very steady video with camera clamped to rear foot rests and aimed forward. Great for scenic view shots as well as capturing friends who are riding along with you on their motorcycles. I have purchased some Ram mounts with the ball to mount my GPS or the camera on the dash area of the bike. You can get camera adapters from Ram mounts. Try GPS City in Alberta, not the US division if you live in Canada. I purchased the Manfrotto pieces from Henry's in Newmarket. You can also try Henry's Toronto.
Mike

[EzyMount]

www.dallasmotorcycles.com

[Dezrae]

I finally got the digital camera from my wife and got some shots of the RAM mount i modified.

You can easily see the extra bolt hole i drilled and JB welded an extra bolt in. The extra bolt just winds up finger tight and locks in to a locking hole in the bottom of my Sony Handycam.
The video i get from the crash bar on the side of the bike is so amazingly vibration free and crystal clear i was quite impressed.:thumb:

[EzyMount]

PanaVise Arms provide true 360 degree rotational adjustment at each end and 210 degree adjustment at the ball joint. In other words, much more adjustment than the R__ stuff, looks better and is same price, or in some cases less expensive...

At Rallys we attend, we have had customers remove all of their R__ stuff and replace it with PanaVise components, after observing the greater range of adjustability, finish, fit and prices.

What do our customer do with the old R__ stuff we take off..?? In most cases they ask us to throw it away, so it goes in the trash can !

Sincerely,

[scottydawg]

I use a RAM mount for my video camera but I mount a tripod head on top of it so with one twist of a knob I can rotate the camera 360 degrees. I use a Velbon PH-253 but there are many that will work well.

[toronto]

........thanks very much for all the information and the photos and links. Very helpful. I think the RAM mount is the most utilized unit, whether the best of not I don't know but I think I'm going that direction anyway. Still one question though, I understand the camera mount, the arm (I'll get the longest), but the base still baffles me somewhat. I've been in touch with some stores on-line and nobody can give me an assurance that the base they recommend will actually fit the LT near the left grip. Here's a photo of the threaded screw that one of the places emailed to me.......very nice to see but I still don't know if it'll fit. Does anyone happen to have any part numbers - it's a lot to ask but I think that what I'll require eventually.

Thanks much.

[Dezrae]

........tI've been in touch with some stores on-line and nobody can give me an assurance that the base they recommend will actually fit the LT near the left grip.

Are you going to try and mount a video camera to the handlebars ???

I would avoid this.

I strongly suggest you buy the ram mount u-bolt adaptor and bolt it to the crash bar. just remove one of the tip over wings and bolt it to that.

[Dezrae]

Its a pitty i dont have adsl or i would convert one of my rides that goes for about 2 hours to VCD so you can view it and host a ftp site for you to d/l it from on my pc, but seeing though i still only have 56 modem, that wont be happening :-(

[scottydawg]

I don't understand why you wouldn't mount it on the handlebar? I have the RAM mount that goes on my brake cover and took some really excellent video of the CCR last year.

[barryst1100]

Hi All,

I'm just at the beginning of working out how best to mount my Sony handicam to my LT. I've mucked about with mini helmet mounted cameras and found they just don't get me the picture quality I'm looking for. Its also difficult to start the video recording using gloves, as I have to press three buttons in sequence to start the recording, not to mention keep all the extra wires in check.

I'm figuring I need to mount the camera directly to the bike so all I have to do is flick the power switch and press the "big" record button. Ease to do even with gloves.

I've read all the previous posts on mounting a Camera on the bike, but have to confess that I was hoping to mount my camera on teh left handlebar using the spare hole on the clutch bracket assembly.

While mounting the camera there will help with ease of access and operation, I am concerned that I might get way to much of vibration and feedback from the roads tha will effect the quality of the footage. (our roads are pretty crook here in Australia).

Has anyone in the group tried both a handlebar, and a crash bar mount?
If so, I'd appreciate your feedback on how the two compared for the video footage quality?

I'd really like to know if the video bounces or vibrates around to much on the handlebar and affects the video quality?

Cheers
Barry
Brisbane
Australia

[toronto]

Barry, I've solved my problem. LobsterMount from (I think) N. Carolina in the USA provides the steel ball, the mount and the frame to screw into the base of the camera. All you need is a threaded screw the length (but not much longer) than the hole in the left handlebar. The steel ball threads right into the screw. I've found no vibration issues, but remember, you are on a motorcycle so there will be some movement.

Also, the camera will block the left mirror so the camera needs to be removed when not in use - this is easy to do, the steel ball stays on the bike and the frame just unscrews by hand to release.

Good luck.

Rod.

[billd]

........thanks very much for all the information and the photos and links. Very helpful. I think the RAM mount is the most utilized unit, whether the best of not I don't know but I think I'm going that direction anyway. Still one question though, I understand the camera mount, the arm (I'll get the longest), but the base still baffles me somewhat. I've been in touch with some stores on-line and nobody can give me an assurance that the base they recommend will actually fit the LT near the left grip. Here's a photo of the threaded screw that one of the places emailed to me.......very nice to see but I still don't know if it'll fit. Does anyone happen to have any part numbers - it's a lot to ask but I think that what I'll require eventually.

Thanks much.
Toronto..
I used the bmw adapter for my k1200lt hole where a mirror might mount. This is a ram product and I purchased from cyclegadgets.com.. they has all I needed the camera mount, base, arm and mount post.. not sure if it is still available, but it works great for me. PS.. always add a safety strap of some kind in case a screw or something comes loose. Mine has had no issues and works fine !