How I locked my Bike to a Standard Outdoor Garden Tap.

W

will_start

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Sydney, Australia
Hi All,

I moved into a new apartment, and had a problem. How to secure my bike in a room that had nothing but a Standard Water Tap to lock my bike up to.

This area is like a hall-way that connects the outside to the internal stair-way.

So there's nothing but two walls, the Tap, a light switch, and two doors.

So here's what I did with a length of strong dog chain
I had laying under the house.

With an Angle Grinder:

1. Cut two lengths of chain to go round the tap.
2. Cut two longer chains to connect to this with standard bike locks.

So first up, I wrap the one small chain around the tap and lock it
with a Padlock that I had.
Then, add the longer chain to the pad-lock.

I did this twice, as I'm a gemini, and have to have two of everything.
I had two locks so I figured why not.
Then attach bike lock through the longer chains.

So all up, I've got a reasonably secure setup without having to drill into
the walls and attach dyna-bolts, and rails etc. Plus, I'm probably not allowed to do that, as its a rental unit block.

The tap still works, and it cost me nothing.
This would apply to anywhere you have just a tap or similar to lock your bike to.

See attached picture, I'll take some more of the complete setup
just for the record.

It could be more secure, but I'm just trying to keep away the honest thieves anyway :devilish:
 

Attachments

  • locks and chains.jpg
    locks and chains.jpg
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wanger said:
shifter undo tap new bike
sorry mate
Click to expand...

Yeah I'd already thought of that.
Which is why its there to stop normal opportunist thieves.

A real thief carries a portable angle grinder,
and probably better tools than that,
which 90% of bike locks will do sweet FA in stopping.
and probably not even my bike locks.

Do you have any input that would improve the situation.
As I said, I've spent a total of $0 on it.
and can't see/think up anyway of making it more secure.

BTW, I have household insurance, so if my bike is taken
I get a free replacement anyway.
 
I live on the fifth floor, and carrying a long 45kg bike up and down stairs is
not practical. I was actually lucky to even get a key to this room,
in time to move in.

I guess what I would/should be doing is installing some proper lock-down method.
With permission from the Body Corporate of the Building.

But have no expertise in doing that ???
Anyone else installed lock-down methods to a wall.

Even standard wall dynabolts can be removed with above said Thief Shifter.
 
Hows This Idea

buy a cheap van from wreckers not running use carpark supplied lock bike in van
bike locked up twice locks around bike, door locks on van
cant drive away van doesnt work
YOU DID ASK FOR IDEAS
 
hi will start

well -- I studied your picture posted -- for a while

must share with you -- I wouldn't trust that locking setup -- for long -- at all

Iam a retired water worker
that hose bib -- can be kicked off in 5 seconds
yes - water will be running - but - punks don't care about that

and you chain
looks like the (baby) bolt cutters -- would make easy work of it

please be careful as you ----------- park that MB thing
 
Mountainman said:
hi will start

well -- I studied your picture posted -- for a while

must share with you -- I wouldn't trust that locking setup -- for long -- at all

Iam a retired water worker
that hose bib -- can be kicked off in 5 seconds
yes - water will be running - but - punks don't care about that

and you chain
looks like the (baby) bolt cutters -- would make easy work of it

please be careful as you ----------- park that MB thing
Click to expand...

Hey Mountainous One,

I looked at your neighbourhood on Google maps/street view.
you must have some good views in that back country,
hey, that could be a good post.
put up your google maps rides, so people can view it,
and get to know where you live.

I digress...

I know the setup is faulty/simple/easy to break etc etc....
but I did it quickly with stuff I had at home,
on my already busy weekend.
I had no time to buy stuff or work out a better way.

What I want to do is install something into the wall.
But What ??????????????????????????????????

I have a drill, with wall hammer setting.
I have installed dynabolts before in concrete,
but they can be unscrewed...

and wanger, thanks for the idea, but,
un-used/trashed vans get towed in my area if they are left on the street...
so the bike would go with the van.
 
Last edited:
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