Laser Cans - are yours attached securely? .....

[julian]

... I thought my last pair were until they jetisoned one day in 2002 at 30mph. It could have been a lot faster too, and I guess they'll hurt if they hit a passer by / car window! Apparently there have been a number of similar incidents.

After several years' procractination I decided that the previous means of restraint (a bungy strap) needed a technology refresh. So here it is - essentially tapping (inserting a Helicoil, actually, because it's a 9mm diameter hole) and bolting on a washer. This not only stops the cans falling off, but also assists their attchement by drawing them onto the spigot and 'Y' piece. The photos show that the spigots/lLaser can eyes don't centre excatly so I guess this is why the cans are hard to push right onto the Y piece.

spigot-fest showing here

[Gromit]

I'd wondered about doing something like this when I had my first S, and especially when my Laser cans, whilst not actually falling off, did make a break for freedom. Nice work Julian.

Oh...and 'helicoiled spigot'. I like the sound of that, it's a bit like 'Wibblegasket' or 'Flanganated Dufflebucket'.

[Boxadog 2000]

Julian a perfect demonstration of how to Helecoil, you must have had a good teacher

[bigblackfalco]

Top idea Juliepoohs.....but I think the washers coulda been slightly bigger??
Bailey.

[julian]

Top idea Juliepoohs.....but I think the washers coulda been slightly bigger??
Bailey.

Mr BBF - they do look a bit small c/w to the outer fixing eye on the Laser, however there's a smaller diameter tube inside that fits onto the spigot, so no change of falling off.

[julian]

Julian a perfect demonstration of how to Helecoil, you must have had a good teacher

The best. he even provide a D.D.P. Helicoil inserter.

[sandbar]

The reason that these cans do make a break for freedom is that Laser make their system with mismatched tubing at the junction of the up pipe and the cans section. Having done that, they cannot be bothered to provide a suitable clamp to fasten the two parts together and let you rely on the OE clamp. The problem is that the bolt in the OE clamp 'bottoms' out i.e. it runs out of thread. It usually runs out of thread at a point that means that the joint feels pretty hand tight. Unfortunately it is usually not tight enough!!!

Another solution to the problem is to use a shim between the two pieces of tubing. I think that I have posted before that a Coca-Cola tin does the job perfectly. A nice cheap solution but it can be a bit fiddly to fit!! I have done three like this and there has not been a subsequent problem to my knowledge.

The neatest solution I have seen was, I think, posted on Pelican and used a couple of 'R' clips on the spigots.

I also think spigots is a good word.

Sandbar

[Gromit]

Just a shame Laser don't use the same tag/threaded post as the OE system. Zach fit the 'tag' on their mid pipe but it obviously only works with the original BM cans.

Ho hum.

[boxerpan]

The reason that these cans do make a break for freedom is that Laser make their system with mismatched tubing at the junction of the up pipe and the cans section. Having done that, they cannot be bothered to provide a suitable clamp to fasten the two parts together and let you rely on the OE clamp. The problem is that the bolt in the OE clamp 'bottoms' out i.e. it runs out of thread. It usually runs out of thread at a point that means that the joint feels pretty hand tight. Unfortunately it is usually not tight enough!!!


Sandbar

I hope your good friend in the States isn't reading this - he likes his 'quality Laser' stuff

[sandbar]

Yes - he certainly does.

Interestingly he has on a couple of occasions refused to make any comment about this issue.

In Germany it has become a serious problem for Laser.

Sandbar