Bicycle Rim Outdoor Lighting

Melanie
by Melanie
9 Materials
$12
3 Hours
Easy

We spend a lot of time up north at my mom's in the summer. It's the perfect escape from the city for us. She has an outdoor patio with a roof over top of it and we spend a lot of time there but it was lacking some lighting at night. I have one small solar lamp but I found most don't have cords long enough to be able to use in settings like this as the panel needs sunlight to charge. I found a way to create the lighting I wanted without expensive solar lights. This project cost me $12 to create using battery operated lights from the Dollar store.

Getting Started...


For this project I am using one bicycle tire rim from an old ten speed bike. It was previously painted in a rust color as I had used it for a wreath. I purchased 4 of these battery operated lights at my Dollarama for $3.00 each.

Placement of Lights


To determine the placement of the lights I put them on the ground and placed the rim over top to determine where my lights would hang from. Make sure your lights hang from two spikes that are on the same level.

Attaching Lights


I had some fine black link chain from another light project and decided to use this for my lights. You can use wire or rope also.

Cutting


After determining the length, I cut 7 links off using wire cutters. You will need 8 pieces the same length .

Next using my wire cutters I snipped a link at each end of my chains. These will be used to attach the lights to the rim.

Take one end of chain and attach to light and using a pair of plyers squeeze closed. Attach chain to the bicycle rim the same way. Repeat step until all 4 lights are attached.

Here is what it should look like when all lights are attached.

Attaching Chain


I purchased this chain loop at my local Habitat store a few years ago. So I will be using this to hang my rim from.

Cut Chains


As every ceiling height is different you will have to measure for the length of chain. My mom lives 3 hours away from me so I was unable to do this so I took a wild guess. Using wire cutters cut your chain. You will need 4 pieces.

I cut one link of the chain. This will be used to attach to the spoke of the rim. Squeeze closed with pliers.

Next I took some wire in black, cut pieces around 2 inches.

I wrapped this around the chain and over to the rim to prevent chain from sliding. Repeat step on all remaining pieces of chain.

Adding some Detail


I had this grape vine swag and decided to use it to wrap around the rim . You could also use rope or leave as is. I pulled the swag apart and using my wire attached around the outside of the rim.

So here is my rim complete. My light is now finished.

Hanging the light


So after a 3 and a half hour drive I am now home (my mom's house). Using a hook to hang lamps I screwed into ceiling and placed my chains.

Lights on!!


I love how this turned out. It creates the perfect amount of lighting for sitting outside on these beautiful summer nights in Northern Ontario Canada! The switches are easy to turn on and off and within reach.

Finished Result


This was a super easy project . There are so many different things you could do to create a different look. I hope my mom has many years to enjoy this!

Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • Vct29519406 Vct29519406 on Aug 04, 2020

    How can you reach switches?

  • Tana Foster Tana Foster on Aug 04, 2020

    I love this project! I was born and raised in Northern Ontario. I do miss the grandour of the North! But please tell me how you reach the on/off switches.

  • EILEEN HOBKIRK EILEEN HOBKIRK on Aug 14, 2021

    If you hang this out side how do you stop the rain from going into the 'Battery Operated Lights', cos then they wont work?

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