Driving lights
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,976
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RE: Driving lights
ORIGINAL: kpreese
A lot of riders (often of other types of bikes) SWEAR by a lower set of lights. You'll see quite a few BMW's for example with lights down on the lower part of the fork tubes. It actually makes sense if you think about it. A cluster of lights near the headlight area doesn't help someone if they think you are a mini-van that is a mile or more away and you are really only a hundred yards away. Whenever I see crash bar lights, or something like what Boxjoint did, or those lights on the lower forks, it is always readily apparent that the vehicle is near even if I don't know right away that it is a motorcycle.
But that was funny to say the guy in the rear was hard to keep track of. You are at the back, with big bikes between you and him and then they apparently all had a rack of lights. I suspect you could hide an aircraft carrier behind enough lights.
Kevin
A lot of riders (often of other types of bikes) SWEAR by a lower set of lights. You'll see quite a few BMW's for example with lights down on the lower part of the fork tubes. It actually makes sense if you think about it. A cluster of lights near the headlight area doesn't help someone if they think you are a mini-van that is a mile or more away and you are really only a hundred yards away. Whenever I see crash bar lights, or something like what Boxjoint did, or those lights on the lower forks, it is always readily apparent that the vehicle is near even if I don't know right away that it is a motorcycle.
But that was funny to say the guy in the rear was hard to keep track of. You are at the back, with big bikes between you and him and then they apparently all had a rack of lights. I suspect you could hide an aircraft carrier behind enough lights.
Kevin
My bike was in the shop that day, so I took my aircraft carrier.
The leadman said later, after a few refreshments that I was the only one he had trouble seeing........ Maybe I stayed back, too far. (LOL).
Novice
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
RE: Driving lights
Harley sells a light kit that mounts to the engine guard p/n 68913-98b. Both lamps are 55w and are very bright . Iran my wires inside the bar for a cleaner look. Everything needed in box. Ran relay wire to other hot wire not low beam soI can operate driving lights while main light is high or low.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
RE: Driving lights
I don't think the touring style light bar looks that bad on a Dyna ... one of the forum members who rides a Wide Glide looks pretty slick with the light bar. \\; There's a setup you can buy from Custom Chrome catalog. \\; See attached
 \\;
Priest
[IMG]local://upfiles/29151/04CCB1C5511A498D90BA6BDFD810F55A.jpg[/IMG]
 \\;
Priest
[IMG]local://upfiles/29151/04CCB1C5511A498D90BA6BDFD810F55A.jpg[/IMG]
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,649
Likes: 705
From: DFW
RE: Driving lights
ORIGINAL: jimsreddyna
Great job Boxjoint. I am a wood worker and probably could follow your lead but my personal taste is for higher mounted lights. A couple of you said run a brighter light for the headlight. What are you running?
My best solution so far has been to use the Kuryakyn Large Silver bullets with clear lenses and the 35 watt bulbs. The make 49 mm clamps for $49.99 and a mounting kit that looks like it mounts under the pinch bolt for $24.99. I don't know how visible they would be and how much light they would provide for night riding.
Great job Boxjoint. I am a wood worker and probably could follow your lead but my personal taste is for higher mounted lights. A couple of you said run a brighter light for the headlight. What are you running?
My best solution so far has been to use the Kuryakyn Large Silver bullets with clear lenses and the 35 watt bulbs. The make 49 mm clamps for $49.99 and a mounting kit that looks like it mounts under the pinch bolt for $24.99. I don't know how visible they would be and how much light they would provide for night riding.
 \\;i have a suggestion for you, I am looking into using my old PIAA driving lights (55w/ emit 85w brightness) and mounting them underneath the headlight. \\; From the front it will look like a triangle with the lights. \\; I have a set of PIAA lights (black) that I would rather sell as I want a chrome pair instead. \\;
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
RE: Driving lights
ORIGINAL: thrillseeker
by the way, I think that guy was full of sch!t anyway. I've been the leader of larger groups numerous times and I've never had an issue keeping track of who was back there based on their lighting setup. \\; Think about it... he couldn't see you cuze you didn't have a friggen light wing sticking out there in space... you were behind someone, therefore your lamp was behind someone.
by the way, I think that guy was full of sch!t anyway. I've been the leader of larger groups numerous times and I've never had an issue keeping track of who was back there based on their lighting setup. \\; Think about it... he couldn't see you cuze you didn't have a friggen light wing sticking out there in space... you were behind someone, therefore your lamp was behind someone.
Oh. right.... replacing the oem headlight bulb with a Sylvania made things a lot brighter! \\;
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Driving lights
I have the Lindby Linbar crash bars on my 03 Wide Glide. I mounted the large Kuryakyn Silver Bullets on the crash bar just beneath the right angle downturn. They are very bright and light up the road well. They are also the lower mount that some of the guys prefer. I tried mounting them on the forks just under the triple tree but they hit the crash bars and restricted my turning ability. I bought the 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 p-clamps and they look pretty good. PM me and I'll post pictures if you are interested.
 \\;
I don't like how I ran the wires and haven't taken time to run them inside the crash bars but I may. I also used Kuryakyn's relay and can't use the driving lights with the headlight on low beam. I always keep it on high so it hasn't been a problem yet.
 \\;
I don't like how I ran the wires and haven't taken time to run them inside the crash bars but I may. I also used Kuryakyn's relay and can't use the driving lights with the headlight on low beam. I always keep it on high so it hasn't been a problem yet.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 1
From: NC
RE: Driving lights
One good headlightlight on a Dyna with a good bright bulb. Any more lights (in my opinion now) just don't look right.(on a dyna).
I keep my highbeams on all the time during the day and that helps. Maybe the guy was just bustin your chops coz you had a real mo'sickle.
 \\;A Dyna...
I keep my highbeams on all the time during the day and that helps. Maybe the guy was just bustin your chops coz you had a real mo'sickle.
 \\;A Dyna...
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Driving lights
ORIGINAL: puddle jumper
Harley sells a light kit that mounts to the engine guard p/n 68913-98b. Both lamps are 55w and are very bright . I \\;ran my wires inside the bar for a cleaner look. Everything needed in box. Ran relay wire to other hot wire not low beam so \\;I can operate driving lights while main light is high or low. \\; \\;
Harley sells a light kit that mounts to the engine guard p/n 68913-98b. Both lamps are 55w and are very bright . I \\;ran my wires inside the bar for a cleaner look. Everything needed in box. Ran relay wire to other hot wire not low beam so \\;I can operate driving lights while main light is high or low. \\; \\;
+1 - has a very distinct look and makes you a lot more noticeable. \\;Looks different than driving lights since they are mounted lower on the bike.
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