DIY: Bike Lock

Thieves easily break through all but the most expensive bike locks, according to an article at online magazine "Slate." Why pay close to $100 for something you can create yourself for less than ten dollars? If you own a bicycle, protect your property by locking it up with a virtually indestructible, DIY bike lock so your bike doesn't become one of the one and a half million bikes the National Bike Registry estimates are stolen every year.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 yard sturdy, outdoor fabric
  • Fabric scissors
  • Pins
  • Fusible hem tape
  • Iron and ironing board
  • 3 feet welded link chain, links at least 5/8-inch diameter
  • Steel or steel alloy padlock
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut fabric into a long, 6-inch wide strip; do not cut the length of the fabric, which should remain at 1 yard. Lay it out on top of the ironing board, patterned or colored side facing up. Fold it in half lengthwise to create a folded, 3-inch wide and 1 yard long fabric piece; now the back side is showing.

    • 2

      Pin together the two long open edges of the fabric, which should meet at one side; leave 1-inch of space between the edges of the fabric and the pins; this is a "seam allowance." Turn on the iron and allow it to heat up.

    • 3

      Cut hem tape to 1 yard. Insert the hem tape into the seam, on the open edge side of the pins, inside the seam allowance you earlier created. Iron over the edge of the length of fabric, where you inserted the tape, to activate the adhesive inside the seam. Continue to apply heat until the fabric seam is fused.

    • 4

      Turn the fabric inside out to reveal a finished-looking tube which is 1 yard long and about 4-inches in circumference. Feed your chain through the tube, until both ends of the chain are visible on either side of the tube; you're covering the chain with a tube of exterior-grade fabric to protect your bike's finish from chain scratches. Unlock the padlock and attach it to both ends of the chain to complete the project.