| Author | Message | ||
     Hooaah |
Hey, what's your thought on the neon-like dress-up lighting on a sport bike? I mean stuff like the glowing spark plug wires or the stuff that illuminates the engine components or the wheels. I've always had a problem with it in the past - nothing I hate more than something that just screams "LOOK AT ME - LOOK AT ME - AREN"T I COOL!I put it in the same category as fuzzy dice, velvet Elvis paintings and washing machines on the front porch. But, acknowledging that a motorcyclists number one threat is low visibility to the 4-wheeled drivers, you have to admit that it does make you considerably more visible. Anyone ever see a way it can be tastefully employed? Just curious - what's your opinion? | ||
| Tsispyder |
I personally, think that as long as it is concealed, you cant see the light emitting object, and it is used strategically on beautifuk parts on the bike, its not too bad, But neones hanging down, being able to see the LEDs, is tacky and tasteless | ||
| Tripp |
when i try to add bling to my bike i usually hate it! in this instance if tastefully applied i suppose it could look good and there is the added safety benefit. let's face it, a buell in itself tends to say - HEY, LOOK AT ME! - if you're considering it, go ahead and try, the kits are cheap and easy to install, if you hate it give it to one of your harley buddies they'll love it. i've been going for a more subdued look after many bling failures. i started buying a lot of chrome since i got my bike and ended up hateing it. lately, carbon fiber and black semi-gloss spray paint have been my theme. if you do decide to do it post a pic for us, there's a fella named koz that posted some pics of his bling lighting and it looks good, he has a lot of chrome so it's especially brilliant.  | ||
| Newfie_buell |
That neon crap should be outlawed on bikes and cars. | ||
| Ryker77 |
I agree with the need for safety. I want dual filament (1157 bulbs) turn signals so that they can be wired as driving lights. I put a kit for them on my BMW and it was a huge improvement. Also have thought about the Uly hand gaurds with either a row of LED's or 3m reflective tape. | ||
| Fdl3 |
Couldn't the existing turn signals be used as DRLs if relays are used? That way, instead of current being applied to light the bulbs for blinking, current can be taken away to turn the bulb off to give the appearance of blinking? | ||
| Koz5150 |
I love it... These pics were taken before I completed the front of the bike. I have a total of 84 individual LED lights hidden on my bike. There is a 2 foot circle around my bike when I ride at night. I got alot of compliments. The key is being tastefull about it. You must hide every light so it make the bike glow rather then shine in peoples eyes. You also must know the laws concerning lights. It is ILLEGAL to run any color other then Amber on a vehicle. You may use red in the back of a vehicle. Flashing lights of any kind (that includes spark plug wire flashers)are ILLEGAL. But like loud pipes on a bike, most cops won't hassle you till you are annoying someone else. (hint: cops don't like seeing blue lights on vehicles other then theirs) Feel free to PM if you would like more info.    | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Yes the orange lights go well with your orange frame and shiney stuff. I have a blue frame and no shiney stuff though. | ||
| Fdl3 |
Natexlh1000: Whoa, what is up with your bike being in a TREE in your profile pic? DO tell!  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Ohh. I lost my belt and my friend (signguymike) rescued me. We got it to his house only to find nothing good for a ramp. Maple tree = ramp | ||
| Cataract2 |
Well, I plan on adding some LED lighting to my City X soon... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Yeah. Definitely the first thing that came to mind when I saw that clear bodywork. Inside the airfilter is just asking for it! | ||
| Ryker77 |
LAWs, flashing light are not illegal. you can have headlight modulators. also flashing amber hazards lights. I think most cops only hassle red or blue extra lights. | ||
| Jeremyh |
Ryker,Not in the state of california | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Remember also that if you make your self TOO pretty, you could become the target of cager target fixation... | ||
| Koz5150 |
State law in Wisconsin states you cannot have a flashing light. Modulating is different I believe because the light doesn't completely turn off. FYI Wisconsin Equipment of Vehicles Chapter 347.07 (2) Except as otherwise expressly authourized of required by this chapter, no person shall operate any vehicle or equipment on a highway which has displayed thereon: (a) Any color of light other than white or amber visible from directly in front; or (b) Any color of light other then red on the rear; or (c) Any Flashing Light. It is pretty well spelled out in Wisconsin law | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I just assume that they see me and want to KILL me. Kept me alive so far. | ||
| Seanp |
I have to say, before seeing Koz's bike, I thought that any kind of lighting would look trashy. But that looks very good - it's not screaming "Look at me, I'm cool!" It's more screaming "Look at me, don't hit me!" That's a good thing. I wear a high-viz Aerostich, mostly because it screams "Look at me, don't hit me!" I think those LED's, tastefully hidden during the daytime, say the same thing. Nice... I may have to look into something like that when I get home next summer. | ||
| Buelltroll |
could always do sumthin like this.    | ||
| Koz5150 |
It takes time to do it right. You also have to use the right products. Many different levels of quality and style. The best advice that I can offer is buy one cheap light and go in the garage with your bike. move it around till you find the spots to hide the lights and get them to shine where you want. I spent 3 days doing mine. I actually tapped a hole in the side of my horn to hide a small on/off switch so that would be hidden also. It's all about details. | ||
| Hooaah |
Wow. I'm so impressed with this site. In the past I posted 4 or 5 Buell-related questions on another web-site and got a grand total of two replies. This place is great! Thanks for showing me that the lighting isn't trashy if it's done right. I just don't think I up to the task of installing it myself. I've done electrical stuff on my truck - fog lights, driving lights, 12v power jack and dome light in the truck cap, but I was able to wire those off an adaptor from a battery post and feed the wires through an existing wire tunnel in the fire wall. I don't know anything about tapping into the fuse box and I don't want to burn anything out. Or up. Does anyone know of a shop who might install this for me in the Metro DC/Maryland area? PS - I'm all for high vis. My 99 Lightning was reactor yellow and I have a HJC full face yellow helmet to match. I applied those reflective decal shapes to it - they are black in the daytime but reflect light at night. I went for the midnight black on my Uly but still haven't given up the yellow helmet yet. But I am looking at the Buell black and silver helmets - just haven't found one in an XXL yet. I have a little light I found at Wal-Mart (I think). Its cylindrical, about 5 inches long and 3/4 inch diameter. When you twist the top, it glows like a super-bright green lightstick. I've been thinking of using a few of those - like velcro-ing them to the rider's foot peg or the beaver tail. I wonder if the traffic laws on lighting apply when the lights are installed on the rider instead of the bike? Anyway, thanks again for the inputs Don | ||
| Hooaah |
Found these on-line. These may fit the bill - possibly effective, easy to install, definitely (relatively) understated http://store.tireflysonline.com/automotive-tireflys.html |
