MD80 Mini DV Camera Mount Bracket Mark I.

The Idea: I wanted to be able to mount a small video camera somewhere on the bike for the purpose of capturing video footage during local ride outs, this could then be edited and placed on You Tube for fun. I needed to find a place that would provide easy access to turn the camera on and off and such a place that would minimise vibration hence it would have to be mounted in a sturdy fashion. The Placement: I opted for placing a camera over the handlebar clamp using a secondary platform, the camera could then be attached to this and adjusted to suit pointing through the windshield. My way of thinking was this. As the platform was on the handlebar clamp which is in turn connected to the forks a natural damping effect should happen as it is the forks and suspension that smooth out the ride in the first place. The Video Camera: I purchased a MD80 Mini DV Camera for £9, this uses a Micro SD card of which I managed to get an 8 Gigabyte, Class six card for £11 so the project stands me at around £20 to start with. I made a secondary platform and attached it to the bike using cable ties, (easy to remove but sturdy when in position) I then attached the swivel bracket that came with the camera kit to this platform, (figures 1 & 2). Disappointingly the bracket that came with the camera in the kit was to flimsy and the video footage showed signs of vibration so I set about making a more "beefy" bracket to do the job. The Base Plate: This is the part that is going to marry up with the existing M3 x 0.5mm tapped holes that I put in the platform component that originally mounted the supplied plastic swivel bracket. I will also include a series of other holes to allow movement on the platform and the possibility of mounting it in a different location altogether. The following describes the method to produce a basic base plate, one with non-complicated shape unlike the one I produced... Machine a piece of Aluminium or similar material to 45mm x 74mm x 16mm. Drill two holes diameter 3.3mm with a 32mm pitch to match up with the existing platform holes. Counter bore these tapped holes 10mm diameter to a depth of 11.5mm, (to accept M3 screws with 8mm of thread). (Other hole sizes and patterns are optional for different applications). Holding the plate on its side in a vice, drill and tap an M6 x 1.0mm hole on either side of the base plate 8mm in from one end and on the center line. These need to have about 18mm of thread depth. Counter bore these two tapped holes to diameter 8mm for a depth of 4mm, (this is going to be for the pivot dowels if they are going to be used but it is not essential to do this option). A chamfer of 45 degrees, (roughly 5mm x 5mm) is now required along the width of the base plate on both sides to give clearance for the swivel bracket at the end with the tapped holes and optional counter bores. The Swivel Plate: This component is going to house the MD80 Mini DV camera and attach to the base plate to create an adjustable bracket that can be set to different required angles. These can then be locked into position using lock nuts and studding. The following roughly describes the method to produce a basic swivel plate, one with non-complicated shape unlike the one I produced... Machine a piece of Aluminium or similar material to 65mm x 65mm x 16mm. Mill out a slot 7mm x 21mm x 42mm from one end as shown in figure 4. Drill two diameter 6.2mm holes with a 30mm pitch, 23mm in from the same end as the slot. Mill out a slot 45mm wide 20mm deep at the opposite end of the plate, (also shown in figure 4). Turn the plate on its side and do one of the following... If it is the intension to use pivot dowels drill and ream a diameter 8mm cross hole 8mm in from one end on the centre line of the block, (again see figure 4). If the option is not to use pivot pins reduce the reamed hole size to diameter 6.1mm. A chamfer of 45 degrees, (roughly 5mm x 5mm) is now required along the width of the swivel plate ends on both sides to give clearance for the base plate at the end with the reamed holes. The Camera Clamp: This is the component that is going to hold the camera in place on the bracket in the machined slot. The placement of the clamp will also help to retain the Micro SD card should it work loose under vibration. The following describes the method to produce a basic camera clamp... Machine a piece of Aluminium or similar material to 45mm x 12mm x 12mm (camera clamp, figure 5). Drill and tap two M6 x 1.0mm holes 10mm deep, 30mm apart on the center line of the 45mm dimension. Mill a slot 22mmwide 6mm deep between the two tapped holes, (see figure 5). Screw a piece of M6 x 1.0mm 30mm long studding in to each tapped hole. Cut and stick a piece of 1mm thick rubber, 10mm wide by 22mm long in to the slot, (this is to protect the camera when clamping it to the swivel bracket). Fitting To The Bike: Having completed the new bracket this bit is the simple bit. Using a couple of M3 x 0.5mm screws with a thread of 8mm in length the base plate can be attached to the original platform that I made to house the supplied plastic bracket. The camera angle can then be adjusted and locked using the two nuts at the side of the swivel section. It is worth noting that the clamp holding the camera in place uses two nylock nuts that are only "nipped" up enough to hold the camera in place. Over tightening these nuts could damage the camera casing and the internal components. Use picture links, (figures 15 and 16) to link to video footage captured from this position posted onto You Tube. A Mark II version of this bracket has also been made to fit the camera in a slightly different location!	Figure:1 Rear view of the homemade platform and the MD80 Mini DV camera mounted on the supplied plastic bracket. Platform & Camera Rear View.. Figure 1.	Figure 2: Side view of the homemade platform and the MD80 Mini DV camera mounted on the supplied plastic bracket. Fork Clamp Collar Top View. Figure 2.
	Figure 3: Bracket base plate: This image shows 3 views of the component prior to being painted. It is designed to replace the supplied plastic bracket and house the MD80 Mini DV camera to the handlebar platform plate in conjunction with the swivel plate. Base Plate (Three Views). Figure 3.	Figure 4: Swivel Plate: This image shows 3 views of the component prior to being painted. It is designed to replace the supplied plastic bracket and house the MD80 Mini DV camera to the handlebar platform plate in conjunction with the base plate. Swivel Plate (Three Views). Figure 4.
	Figure 5: Showing four views, (Bottom, Side, Top, and End respectively) of the camera clamp component in it's painted finish with protective rubber pad. Camera Clamp All Views. Figure 5.	Figure 6: Showing a front view of the pre painted components, laid out in roughly the position they will be in when assembled after final fitting together. Front View Layout. Figure 6.
	Figure 7: Showing a rear view of the pre painted components, laid out in roughly the position they will be in when assembled after final fitting together. Rear View Layout. Figure 7.	Figure 8: All components painted and in place. Studding, dowels and lock nuts fitted where required to the swivel section and camera clamp. Painted Assembly Side View. Figure 8.
	Figure 9: Underneath view of the painted and assembled bracket showing the MD80 Mini DV camera clamped into position. Painted Assembly Underneath. Figure 9.	Figure 10: Rear view of the painted and assembled bracket showing the MD80 Mini DV camera clamped into position. Camera Fitted Rear View. Figure 10.
	Figure 11: Side view of the painted and assembled bracket showing the MD80 Mini DV camera clamped into position. Camera Fitted Side View. Figure 11.	Figure 12: Showing a front view of the bracket assembly with camera attached in position on the platform cable tied to the handlebar clamp. On The Bike Front View. Figure 12.
	Figure 13: Showing a side view of the bracket assembly with camera attached in position on the platform cable tied to the handlebar clamp. On The Bike Side View. Figure 13.	Figure 14: Showing a rear view of the bracket assembly with camera attached in position on the platform cable tied to the handlebar clamp. On The Bike Rear View. Figure 14.
	You Tube Video Link. Figure 15.	You Tube Video Link. Figure 16.