A
cam lever operated accessory gripping mechanism the gripping mechanism includes a
cam lever, a threaded stud, a
dowel fixed to a first end of the threaded stud, first and second relatively movable main body sections, the first of the main body sections including a handlebar bracket extension, a first clamping jaw for engaging a first side of the accessory, and an opening shaped to slidably receive the second main body section, and the second main body section including a bore and a slot for receiving a fastening member into which the threaded stud is threaded, and a second clamping jaw for engaging a second side of the accessory. The
dowel is rotatably mounted in the camming lever, which has at least one overcenter camming surface that engages a
cam-engaging surface of the first main body section, such that pivoting of the camming lever about the
dowel in a first direction causes the dowel holding section of the camming level to move in an axial direction of the threaded stud, pulling the second main body section against a biasing force provided by a biasing spring extending between the first and second main body sections, in a direction that causes the second clamping jaw to move towards the first clamping jaw and thereby grip the accessory. Adjustment of the gripping mechanism to fit different accessories is accomplished by turning the threaded stud to cause axial movement of the follower insert and corresponding movement of the second main body section is a desired direction, to adjust the initial spacing of the first and second clamping jaws.