Quick question about running light hook ups

[Hammered]

Do you guys think it would be too much strain on the fuse to hook up the marker light of the new dual intensity turn signals to the marker light wire of the brake/marker? If its too much, where should I make my connection?

[Steve]

If your new dual-intensity lights are at the back, first, you need to make sure they have RED lenses to be legal. Then you can tap in anywhere at the back, where you can see the tail light wire.

If your new lights are at the front, there might be a brown wire in the headlight bucket that is unused. That is there for the factory lights, if the bike is so equipped.

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[tom203]

For my front marker lights, I tap into + wire for horn ( hot when ignition is on) and any suitable ground. To lower the current draw, I put the lights in series (resistances in series, blah,blah......); at 6 volts, still bright enough for my taste plus if one burns out, they both do, so as not to confuse folks.

[Hammered]

These are a new set of LED turn signal/markers, so Amber is fine for the rear. Ill check draws at the tail/brake light before and after. Im replacing the Brake as soon as Im done building the new one anyway.

Thanks guys

[Steve]

These are a new set of LED turn signal/markers, so Amber is fine for the rear.

Check with your local laws. Most states don't care whether you are running incandescent, LED, HID, whatever, they don't want yellow (amber) facing the rear, except for turn signals. Even reduced-intensity (tail lights) don't cut it, they have to be red.

Ill check draws at the tail/brake light before and after.

If they are LEDs, don't worry about current draw. Even at full bright, they won't draw enough to matter.

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[argonsagas]

I have marker lamps on the front of the 1100G Windjammer fairing and they are stock on the 1100 GK......no problem at all.

[850GT_Rider]

I have marker lamps on the front of the 1100G Windjammer fairing and they are stock on the 1100 GK......no problem at all.

I have the incandescent side marker amber lamps on the Vetter fairing in front and 2 red LED running lights on each side of the Bates luggage in the rear. No problems at all.

[1_v8_merc]

LED's are the best choice.

I had 2 massive LED underglows on my 650, WITH a limping/dead charging system,
and I could still ride with them On full blast, and it barely sucked any voltage.

On a seperate note....do you guys Actually have problems with cops?
I rode around with underglows kits, no mirrors, vertical license plate,etc...
I pass like a 100 cops a day and never Once been pulled over for Light issues?
You would think cops would understand Us trying to be visible!

[Steve]

On a seperate note....do you guys Actually have problems with cops?
I rode around with underglows kits, no mirrors, vertical license plate,etc...
I pass like a 100 cops a day and never Once been pulled over for Light issues?
You would think cops would understand Us trying to be visible!

It depends a LOT on where you live, where you ride and where your bike is registered.
Yeah, for some of us, that could be three different places.

My son has talked with the LEOs in our town and found that the blue LEDs he had installed on his car were legal, as long as they don't flash. It's better if you can't see the actual light, only the glow. NO red facing forward. NO white facing rearward. Other than that, you can do just about anything that does not glare into other drivers' eyes.

On the other hand, he has also installed some LED strips on one of his bikes. Had the local LEO check them out and got a "thumbs up" for the extra visibility. Even though he has yellow LEDs at the front, facing forward and red LEDs on the frame ahead of the shocks, but facing rearward, he was told by an officer in another state that they were not legal, as the red LEDs were not at the rear.

If you do get pulled over, whether you get a ticket or not can depend on your attitude and whether you have a switch to turn off the extra lights.

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[Hammered]

For the most part, I dont get messed with by cops. I did get pulled out just before my run in with the deer last year in a random speed trap. The 2 bike cops just wanted to see a 30 year old bike. I laughed and told them thanks for the few seconds of sweating they made me do. While living in SC, I pulled a ton on the bike down route 20 right past a State boy. Nothing, not so much as a notion to pull out and give chase. The 650, once done will be a little less stock looking but even more subtle than it is. Vertical plates are fine here, just need to be lit and underglow kits are fine for bikes, just not cars. Rear light color isnt regulated here either. So I can run them amber or swap out the bulbs for red since my lens are clear.

[whereiwannabe]

Good thread as I have been searching online for an answer to this for Texas to no avail. As luck would have it my daughter needs to get her driver's permit so will be going to the DMV soon and will ask there.

I have a set of K&S 3-wire turn signals coming so am very interested in running them as marker lights for more viz at night.

[Hammered]

Good thread as I have been searching online for an answer to this for Texas to no avail. As luck would have it my daughter needs to get her driver's permit so will be going to the DMV soon and will ask there.

I have a set of K&S 3-wire turn signals coming so am very interested in running them as marker lights for more viz at night.

This should be everything you need for TX

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/asp/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=TX

[whereiwannabe]

Thanks for the link Hammered. Unf. it doesn't say anything about running lights for or against that I can see. Am I missing something (not unusual)?

[Hammered]

ID have to assume, they dont have any restrictions for lights. Id do like you said you were going to do, check the DMV while there.