LEDs on bike!

[Anonymous]

Hello, all!

I have a 1982 Suzuki GS850GLZ. My main worry when riding is that someone will have me in their blind spot and then merge into my lane (and consequently, me). At night, people just can't see me from the side!

As a result, I thought I'd make the bike more visible while spiffing up the appearance a bit. I added four LEDs (and I think I might add more) to the motorcycle, two to a side. I shined red LEDs on the rear of the cylinder head and a pair on the rear footpeg brackets. In addition to providing a red glow, this also illuminates the ground red right beside the bike. I'm thinking of adding more lights.

I've included some photos for your viewing enjoyment. Unfortunately, they do not show things they way they really look. The only time you really see the lights is when it's dark out, but when it's dark out, digital cameras don't like to take pictures of anything but black. The lights are quite brilliant at night, but in the photos you can barely see them. :?

The left side of the bike with the lights. You can barely see them in this photo, but in real life, combined with the red tail light and red gauge lights, they look pretty cool.

The left side engine, directly under and in front of the carbs. Again, the photo does not show how much the engine compartment is illuminated.

Left rear footpeg bracket. Also, some of the frame is illuminated, though this doesn't show up at all in the photo. These rear LEDs also shine a bit on the ground. I'm thinking of buying a couple of strips to put on the bottom of the bike. Then no one will miss me! Plus it'll be even niftier to look at! 8)

The great thing about LEDs is that they consume almost no power. The place I got them from online claimed that it would take 300 LEDs to equal the power consumption of a cigarette lighter. I don't think four will make a difference. I've also been thinking of putting some red wheel lights on, but I'm afraid my GS would look more like a Christmas tree. :roll: What do you think?

Incidentally, I have these lights rigged to come on with the headlight.

 

[Detman101]

Completely right man. LEDs take up NO power whatsoever. My led strips are under my tank on the frame with a switch.
I leave the LEDS on my bike on overnight so no one hits it in the parking lot.

 

[mrquadriga]

Just a thought, and I'm not sure about the laws, but could red be "illegal" if not used as a rear light or braking light? If that's the case, amber would be the choice I guess. You might want to check in with your state for any special regulations. -Pete

P.S. Nobody needs a ticket for something that ticky-tacky as red lights on the side but you know how they like to write citations!

 

[Detman101]

As long as it's not in the front of the bike it's okay.
Inside the engine area is totally fine.

 

[Jethro]

Dudes, you guys rock! That's cool as hell.

 

[Detman101]

Yeah, and it looks great too!
The ladies love the lights.
8)

 

[GARYEIN1]

LEDS ON BIKE

LEDS ON BIKE

ON ISSUE ONE
I HAVE 12LEDS ON THE BACK OF MY BIKE
6 AMBER HOOKED TO THE TURN SIGNALS
6 RED TO THE STOP/BRAKE
ALSO ONE 10 IN LONG 3/4 INCH WIDE RED AT THE TOP OF THE TRUNK
THAT ALSO IS HOOKED TO THE BRAKES

NO PROBLEM WITH POWER USAGE

ON ISSUE 2 OF LEGALITY
YOU NEED TO CHECK IN YOUR STATE
IN FLORIDA MOST ALL THE LED LIGHTS THAT PEOPLE ADD
UNDER AND AROUND THE BIKE ARE ILLEGAL

ON A PERSONAL NON-EMERGENCY VECHICLE
ONLY WHITE RED AND YELLOW ARE LEGAL
AND THEN ONLY IN THE DESIGNATED LOCATIONS

 

[ToddB3]

That does look good, Gary on the other hand has the most LEDS I've personally seen on a bike. You definetely cant say that you didnt see him ahead of you!!

 

[Mattman]

How hard was it to do?

 

[stiksave]

I like the effect of the led,s on both of your bikes. I know at the track, that my son and I go to, there's a HD that leaves them on while he's at the races. I guess so he doesn't get backed into or for show. So battery drain can't be an issue.

Where did you purchase them, and how much?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Clone]

The ticket I would get for any of that in my home town would read, "excess lighting" "red light not showing only to the rear" "improper use of blue lights not on a police vehicle or snow plow"
The RCMP is intolerant of lighting mods.

 

[bobasoozoo]

Lights won't help.

Lights won't help.

It's not about visibility. It's about the other driver not paying attention.
"I didn't see him" really means "I wasn't looking".

You ride an invisible motorcycle and you are wearing your invisibility suit while doing so.
If you don't keep this thought in mind all the time, you'll end up as roadkill.

-Bob

 

[mcycle-nut]

The ticket I would get for any of that in my home town would read, "excess lighting" "red light not showing only to the rear" "improper use of blue lights not on a police vehicle or snow plow"
The RCMP is intolerant of lighting mods.

Yeah, they're real party-poopers, aren't they! :evil:

 

[Anonymous]

"How hard was it to do?"

Mattman, it's pretty easy. I just opened up my headlight bucket and took off the gas tank. Then I spliced the two LED wires into the wires that are hot only when the ignition is on (the headlight wires). Then run the LEDs to where you want without them coming into contact with anything that gets very hot and secure to the frame/bike with wire ties.

Now all you have to do is put the gas tank back on and screw the headlight back into the bucket and BAM! you have yourself some very nifty lights.

 

[stiksave]

I bought these in red for my tac and speedo http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=4571726040&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT, and I bought these in blue to illuminate the engine area http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=7992515273&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT. Both sets of lights are first quality. The dash led,s replace the incondecent bulbs, the blue one I attached along the frame and tied them into a switch on my fairing. Both sellers were quick shippers.

Chris

 

[mixongw]

I added some (10) red LEDs to the rear of my GS and wired them in series. I used five in each series string. The result is even higher efficiency and no resistor needed, with the total current draw of .045 amperes (.0225 in each string).

 

[ToddB3]

I'm no electrical engineer so this will probably sound like a stupid question, what do you look for besides preference in color in LEDs? ie, brightness, size, draw? I have a Sigma cycle computer on my bike and need to wire a LED to light it, I'd like to use green for the color but I've seen some done in the past that werent bright enough to make it worthwhile.

Todd

 

[mixongw]

I'm no electrical engineer so this will probably sound like a stupid question, what do you look for besides preference in color in LEDs? ie, brightness, size, draw? I have a Sigma cycle computer on my bike and need to wire a LED to light it, I'd like to use green for the color but I've seen some done in the past that werent bright enough to make it worthwhile.

Todd

The only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked. It sounds like fitment is the main issue with the Sigma. Does it have a place to put an LED? There are a lot of fairly bright LEDs on the market now. The most common LED is 5mm in diameter. They have different lenses for different applications. Some are diffused and have a wide viewing angle, some are clear until lit and have a narrow viewing angle, some are colored the same as the light they emit. LEDs are rated for brightness in MCD or millicandella. The higher the MCD number, the brighter the LED. Radio Shack has a pretty good selection for purchasing small quantities. The type chosen depends on the application; whether it is used in a backlighting, indirect or direct application. http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_lighting_leds.html is a good LED primer.

 

[ToddB3]

Mix,

Thanks for the reply and the info link. I think the newer Sigmas are backlit but I put mine on almost 2 years ago, my stock speedo doesnt work and at night I cant read the Sigma so I was thinking of using the stock speedos backlight incoming voltage to power an led and position it facing the Sigma so I read it at night.

Todd

 

[bgmart450]

Mix,

Thanks for the reply and the info link. I think the newer Sigmas are backlit but I put mine on almost 2 years ago, my stock speedo doesnt work and at night I cant read the Sigma so I was thinking of using the stock speedos backlight incoming voltage to power an led and position it facing the Sigma so I read it at night.

Todd

Hmmm I have been considering doing something similar. I have (or had as I can't remember where I put the darn thing) a light special made for bike computers. Like this one:

But I would like to incorperate a LED powered from the light switch when I turn the lights on. Let us know if you work something out. I will as post if I get something done as well.