Cheap, easy helmet lock (theft deterent)

painman said:

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:

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this padlock option is just a deterent and I'd not use it for an overnight or extended lock-up in an sketchy area. Unless I had to.

I use a reasonably heavy bike lock cable with integrated lock. Goes through chin bar of 1 or 2 helmets and armpit vent of my 'stitch and wifes jacket and grap handles. Often just cary it through grab hands and coiled on seat. An OEM helmet lock would be nice though!

You can always sew on another D-ring.

People used to bring them into my dad's shoe shop to sew them back on until we figured out what they were doing.

My first bike was a '78 Honda 750K. The seat was one piece, hinged on one side and latched to a keyed lock on the other. Just under the seat, along the frame rail were two hooks fore and aft. You unlocked the seat, lifted it to a ninety degree position, where it stayed, hung your and your pillion's helmet in the hooks using the D rings, closed the seat and went on your way.

Today's bikes remind me that not all change is progress.

By the way, there was plenty of room under that seat for a couple pair of gloves also. I miss that beast sometimes.

That looks like shit! You cheap bastards. <_< Go ahead and make you bike look like you got it at a second hand store. I spent the pennies on the bar end locks, and the weight of them took out ALL the vibration, and they look sweet. Not those little black things that come stock. Why not wrap a chain around the bars, and leave it there, in case you want to lock the bike to a telephone pole. It is Friday! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

I use my saddlebag lock, turn the key to open, slide in the D ring, turn the lock back to closed. The idea was posted over a year ago and I have used it ever since. Helmet sits on top of the bag.

fossilrider said:

I use my saddlebag lock, turn the key to open, slide in the D ring, turn the lock back to closed. The idea was posted over a year ago and I have used it ever since. Helmet sits on top of the bag.

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oh, I like that...will try it out!

NMRoadRunner said:

That looks like shit! You cheap bastards. <_< Go ahead and make you bike look like you got it at a second hand store. I spent the pennies on the bar end locks, and the weight of them took out ALL the vibration, and they look sweet. Not those little black things that come stock. Why not wrap a chain around the bars, and leave it there, in case you want to lock the bike to a telephone pole. It is Friday! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

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a little, almost indicernable padlock looks like shit? or the big cable?

personally I didn't have any vibes to eliminate. glad you found a solution that works for you!!

wow now I have something useful to do with broken laptop cable locks

UselessPickles said:

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.

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fossilrider said:

I use my saddlebag lock, turn the key to open, slide in the D ring, turn the lock back to closed. The idea was posted over a year ago and I have used it ever since. Helmet sits on top of the bag.

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Okay, I went out and tried this. Maybe my helmet isn't made that way. I couldn't find a way to do this. Pictures?

That's what I was talking about earlier.

Sorry for the poor cell phone photos

NMRoadRunner said:

That looks like shit! You cheap bastards. <_< Go ahead and make you bike look like you got it at a second hand store. I spent the pennies on the bar end locks, and the weight of them took out ALL the vibration, and they look sweet. Not those little black things that come stock. Why not wrap a chain around the bars, and leave it there, in case you want to lock the bike to a telephone pole. It is Friday! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

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What a MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:asshat2:

My brother and dad both ride valkyries and have small combination locks on their brake levers similar to what Lee B. describes.

The difference is they don't need a key and the lock itself is a little more sanitary looking.

They're using combo locks w/ shackles. Sort of inbetween the lock that Lee B is using and one of those small luggage locks.

slapnpop said:

That's what I was talking about earlier.
Sorry for the poor cell phone photos

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Thanks for posting the pics. That's exactly what I was referring to. Works great and nothing to carry. I could not find the original post.

fossilrider said:

I use my saddlebag lock, turn the key to open, slide in the D ring, turn the lock back to closed. The idea was posted over a year ago and I have used it ever since. Helmet sits on top of the bag.

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I guess I missed this tip. Thanks I can't wait to try it out in the morning!

Cudos for the great ideas presented here. I really like the latch method.

I had to get a lock for my FZ1, so I got bar end locks. Since I don't need but one, I put one on the FZ1 and the other on the FJR. Deciding it would be too much hassle to paint the locks black, I polished the paint off the other bar end of the FZ1 so they'd match. I had make a matching bar end for the FJR and the weight does dampen vibration, what little there is.

It was worth the effort as I like the end result — besides, I'm always up for a project on my lathe.

slapnpop said:

That's what I was talking about earlier.
Sorry for the poor cell phone photos

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this helped. I have an HJC with the same type of strap cinch you show in the pictures. The Dring part is flat/thin enough to fit in the gap and your method worked fine. My Nolan has a quick releease sort of strap and it didn't come with any Dring. On my last bike I needed the Dring to use the helmet lock. So I added a Dring ot the strap of the Nolan. However, it is too thick to use it in the side case lock. so, I will carry my very small padlock in the glove box with my key and spare key and will use that method when wearing the Nolan and the other method when wearing the HJC.

Thanks, all.

I carry a couple of Masterlock pistol cable locks. Run thru D-ring or thru chin guard and wrap around tail rack. $10 each.