Mount a compass and a small clock or watch on handlebars?

[bgk]

Has anybody mounted a compass on the handlebars? Does the steel frame cause inaccurate readings on the compass? (I don't need perfect, just good enough.)

I've seen small clocks for motorcycles that mount on the handlebars, but they cost around $50 to $70. Any ideas for a cheap equivalent, or some kind of bracket I could make to put a regular, cheap wristwatch on?

The reason I'm asking these questions is that I've been cruising the outer suburbs/rural areas west of Boston. I just hop on the bike and head generally west, looking to see which way the sun casts shadows, for a vague idea of the direction I'm heading. I don't wear a watch, because I keep breaking them and losing them from waterskiing and general active lifestyle. Somewhere along the line I need to know what time it is and what direction I'm going, so I can turn around and head home to the missus!

[Anonymous]

Brion, I have a magnetic tank bag and I put my cheap digital sports watch in the clear map holder. That way I can easily check the time when out riding. I can even push the button for the light on the watch for checking the time at night.


Mark

[Anonymous]

Brion

I installed a Sugma bicycle computer on the handlebars.. Apart from telling the current time, it also gives me speed, avg speed, distance etc..
You can get them for less than $50.

Regards
Tim

[Anonymous]

Sorry... its Sigma, not Sugma..

[redliner1973]

You can get 'fingerbands' for wristwatches at many places, they make a wristwatch able to be placed on a finger or thumb. i have seen kids wear them before. as for a compass, should be OK, but vibration may be a problem on a bike. :twisted:

[Anonymous]

I buy a small, round digital clock for about $2 or $3 at Pep Boys. The back of these have Velcro, which I glue to the face of my tachometer. I replace it once or twice a year. It's the cheap way to go, and it works.

Nick

[Anonymous]

Funny you brought this up.

Just yesterday I bought a cheap $4 digital watch at a local auto parts store as I was getting some other stuff (why they had them I don't know, some bulk buy I guess)

I cut a 2" long piece of foam pipe insulation I had lying around and wrapped that around the handlebar just left of the left mounting bracket down near the choke. I had put some 2-way tape on the handlebar to keep the foam from sliding around.

I shortened the watchband a little and secured it around the foam like a wrist.

I've wanted a means of telling time while I'm riding and looking at my wristwatch in traffic never seemed like a great idea. Since it was a cheap watch, I took both the front and rear covers off first and lined the edges with silicone and put it back together. Hopefully this weatherproofs it a bit.

If someone decides to walk away with the watch, I'm only out $4.

I guess it would depend on the space you have on the bars to do something like this.

[Jeff Tate]

I bought a small clock and compass at http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.store
They only cost 10 bucks apiece and just clip on the handle bar. I've had them for about a year now and the clock still keeps good time.

[twhite]

I did as Nick with a very cheap digital clock, but mine is stuck on the triple clamp/dash pad in the center of the handlebars. No fairing and it has stayed on at over 75mph so far.....

[bgk]

Thanks for your responses. As usual, the GSR forum has exactly the right answers to my questions. You guys are great!

[lhanscom]

Can you use any of the Sigma computers, or only a specific model? I would think the only difference would be if you could type in any wheel size or only specific bicycle sizes.

[Anonymous]

small clock

How have these various items been in the wet? Twice I've installed a cheap watch only to have them quit within a day from the slightest bit of rain. Frustrating!

[Anonymous]

now i have to go out and buy one of those $2 digitals for my ride. Good idea. 8O

[Anonymous]

I can't comment on the compass, but I also found a $2 digital round clock that had a piece of double sided tape. I stuck it to the lower left corner of my right mirror (normally would see my shoulder there) and it has worked great. Unfortunately, the clock reminds me it's time to stop riding and get back home.

[saaz]

I have used Nick's approach for years..it works! The watch can also be velcroed in other places that suit. A mate also velcroes a watch to his gloves, but I don't think a $3 watch is that desirable to people!