Interesting information about invisibility.

[Guest]

This was posted today on out local forum. Its interesting information. apologies if its a repost.

http://www.helmets.org/invisibl.htm

Ride safe folks.....add lots of horizontal lights as the artical mentions. I actually have a couple of halogen spots mounted at the location of my horns ( parallel with the valve cover). When I'm coming up on a busy intersection or riding in lots of traffic, I switch them on. I'm not sure if it really makes a difference but I feel better for doing it.

I've been thinking also of the strobeing lights fore and aft and I think they may be on the list of mods for this season.

I've also noticed more folks with hi-viz jackets and helmets and I'm thinking that might be a good idea as well since they really do stand out even at distance.

Anything we can do to keep safe seems a sensible approach as they are definitely out to get us as my last sunday ride proved.

Stay safe folks,
Spyug.

[emjay]

Good info in that post. I really like the idea of converting the blinkers to running lights.
Also, I wouldn't mind doing the brake light mod that turns it into a bright flasher.

[hikermikem]

Interesting read - I've often wondered why people who apear to be looking right at you, abruptly cut you off.

His reasoning makes a lot sense to me...

[nastyjones]

Good article & great advise buddy.

[Steve]

I've been thinking also of the strobeing lights fore and aft and I think they may be on the list of mods for this season.

Hopefully you are thinking of "modulating" lights, not "strobing". Subtle difference, but modulated lights are legal, strobes are not.

Strobing lights are generally reserved for emergency response vehicles or utility vehicles, like power company repair trucks. Although the modulated headlights look like they are flashing, the power is never fully turned off, so they really just go from normal intensity to a much lower intensity. Also to be considered a legal device, they have to modulate at a specified rate (240 +/- 40 cycles per minute, basically 4 cycles per second. It also has to have a photocell to prevent operation at night. Most of the devices available are built to these standards, but I have seen a few that thought they had a better idea. It might be 'a better idea', but it's not legal, so take your choice.

By the way, as long as a headlight modulator meets these standards, it's meeting FEDERAL standards. Those same Federal standards that make the modulator legal also state that it is illegal for any lesser authority (state, county, city, etc.) to make these devices illegal.

Also, I wouldn't mind doing the brake light mod that turns it into a bright flasher.

Brake modulation is another story, altogether. There are a few states that have started to pass laws governing their operation and use. Unlike the headlight modulators, there is no Federal standard for brake light modulators, so you will have to check to see what is legal or at least tolerated in your area.

Before the states were passing laws about the brake modulators, I spoke with law enforcement officers in many states about them. The general concensus was that you could do just about anything you want, especially if you had at least one light that stayed steady all the time. I like the concept of a modulated brake light and have mounted such a device on most of our bikes. Mine does only the LEDs in the spoiler on top of the trunk. My wife's system is a coule of Hyperlites beside the license plate, the main light stays steady. I have the device that I took out of Freebie before he left. It will probably go in #2 son's bike, as that is the one the boys will be taking on the road this summer. It does the main brake light.

If anyone is interested in more discussion on modulated lights, let me know.

.

[spyug]

Steve you are right as always. I said strobing, I was thinking modulating.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Cheers,
spyug

[Steve]

Steve you are right as always.

I try.

Sometimes I'm more trying than others.

I'm not perfect (yet), but I'm getting closer.

.

[djturnz]

Apparently PA passed a new law a couple years ago allowing for ornamental lighting. The Law actually says that you can add most any light that draws attention to you and allows drivers to see you better at night. So the neon tube up under the gas tank or the LEDs under the frame that shine on the ground all seem to be legal now. Even the blue dot in the tail light.

[pete]

This definitely gives me food for thought.

The difficulty over here of course is they have laws against doing funky things with lights, as in I'm pretty sure flashing brake lights are illegal, and multiple headlights are fine but with restrictions.

Will have to think about this when I get closer to finished for sure as I like to be a road user, not a road statistic

[gs scott]

Running Lights

I am not sure what converting "The blinkers to running lights" means.

DP

On my 82 and 83, if you look at the wiring in the front of the bike, near the headlight, you 'll see 2 wire connectors with nothing connected. Plug in your turn singal lead into this and they'll become running lights. Meaning, the turn signals will stay on while you're riding, AND flash when you use the directional. Suzuki already thought of that for you!