DIY Cheap Mods
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,481
Likes: 11
From: NJ
Evil,
Check out http://www.customdynamics.com/ they stock all kinds of different LED's, equilizers, and modules for bikes.
Should drive you nuts trying to figure out which way you want to go.
I didn't mention the Diode trick, mostly because most people have no clue either what I would be talking about or how you would go about doing that kind of thing. Its really hard to explain how to accomplish one way circuitry to the average bike rider.
But if your familiar with diodes and such your two points up on fixing the problem. Just remember your going to need a fairly hefty diode to handle the current loading for those two aux lights.
Me, I would rather reroute the AUX lights power feed line to the headlight power supply line in front of the HI/LOW beam switch. That way if the bike is on, so are the lights. Regardless of the beam selection switch position. It will also keep the AUX light switch in the loop, just in case you need it.
For instance if your alternator should go bad and you need to save battery power to get home or something.
Good luck looking and be sure to let us know how you make out. Might be helpful to someone else who would like to do it.
Check out http://www.customdynamics.com/ they stock all kinds of different LED's, equilizers, and modules for bikes.
Should drive you nuts trying to figure out which way you want to go.
I didn't mention the Diode trick, mostly because most people have no clue either what I would be talking about or how you would go about doing that kind of thing. Its really hard to explain how to accomplish one way circuitry to the average bike rider.
But if your familiar with diodes and such your two points up on fixing the problem. Just remember your going to need a fairly hefty diode to handle the current loading for those two aux lights.
Me, I would rather reroute the AUX lights power feed line to the headlight power supply line in front of the HI/LOW beam switch. That way if the bike is on, so are the lights. Regardless of the beam selection switch position. It will also keep the AUX light switch in the loop, just in case you need it.
For instance if your alternator should go bad and you need to save battery power to get home or something.
Good luck looking and be sure to let us know how you make out. Might be helpful to someone else who would like to do it.
All worked out perfect!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From:
front fender emblem
I wanted to remove the front fender emblem from my Deluxe but needed to cover the holes. Rather than have expensive body work done on the fender I picked up some "automotive panel fasteners" from Ace Hardware for $1.50 (25 cents each). I just popped them in and they covered the holes perfectly! Ace only had black fasteners but that worked out fine on my bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
16 dollar light lovin
found these at harbor freight for 8 bucks each and snagged a pair... didnt know what I would use them for... but... I bought them anyway *shrug*
Honestly I bought them because of a single word... WATERPROOF
They had them on display submerged in a glass of water.
I fiddled around with sticken them here and there and then.... CLICK...
I knew what to do with them....
A little superglue, some waterproof LEDS, and the cheap vinyl stock seat profile and pladow!
I think they look fairly sweet.
My girl rides my Dyna now so I dont have any passengers to worry about.
Here is a link to some crappy video of them working that I took off my phone. At least you get an idea that when they are wired directly into the turn signals... if you are using a run/turn/brake mod.... they look pretty cool for less than 20 bucks.
http://picasaweb.google.com/cdensmor...75723728543554
Honestly I bought them because of a single word... WATERPROOF
They had them on display submerged in a glass of water.
I fiddled around with sticken them here and there and then.... CLICK...
I knew what to do with them....
A little superglue, some waterproof LEDS, and the cheap vinyl stock seat profile and pladow!
I think they look fairly sweet.
My girl rides my Dyna now so I dont have any passengers to worry about.
Here is a link to some crappy video of them working that I took off my phone. At least you get an idea that when they are wired directly into the turn signals... if you are using a run/turn/brake mod.... they look pretty cool for less than 20 bucks.
http://picasaweb.google.com/cdensmor...75723728543554
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
No More Plain Old Seat Screw
1.99 keychain from the quick mart
Bolt I had laying around that I whacked the head off of
Drilled a 1/4" hole in the 8 ball where the screw eye for the key chain attached. Used a cut off wheel on a dremel to whack the head off a 1/4" bolt.
Yeah Yeah... I know... the number appears to be upside down.... but... I got another one if it begins to bother me. Personally I am kind of diggin that it is driving my girl NUCKIN FUTS that its upside down so it probably isnt gonna change. ROFL!
But there are skulls, pool *****, baseballs, basketballs, little team helmets... all kinds of junk you can pop a quarter inch bolt into for a seat keeper. Just a 2 dollar somethin different for my bike from stock.
Sometimes I dont care if it even looks good! LOL!
Bolt I had laying around that I whacked the head off of
Drilled a 1/4" hole in the 8 ball where the screw eye for the key chain attached. Used a cut off wheel on a dremel to whack the head off a 1/4" bolt.
Yeah Yeah... I know... the number appears to be upside down.... but... I got another one if it begins to bother me. Personally I am kind of diggin that it is driving my girl NUCKIN FUTS that its upside down so it probably isnt gonna change. ROFL!
But there are skulls, pool *****, baseballs, basketballs, little team helmets... all kinds of junk you can pop a quarter inch bolt into for a seat keeper. Just a 2 dollar somethin different for my bike from stock.
Sometimes I dont care if it even looks good! LOL!
Thread Starter
|
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Dagerazod,
Now that's clever!!!
Hmmmm, I wonder if I could use them as extra brake lights if I drilled holes for them to fit through in a plastic license plate frame?
In a black plastic frame they would be virtually invisible until you hit the brakes.
Also a hell of a lot cheaper than the $100+ they want for the fancy chrome ones and give me a little extra brake light insurance in the bargain.
Do you know if you can get them in amber/yellow too? Get a wide enough plate frame and you could put them alonside the red ones and wire them in as turn signals like you did.
Damn. now I gotta visit them tomorrow and see what else they might have. This could be a great little winter project.
Thanks for the idea.
Now that's clever!!!
Hmmmm, I wonder if I could use them as extra brake lights if I drilled holes for them to fit through in a plastic license plate frame?
In a black plastic frame they would be virtually invisible until you hit the brakes.
Also a hell of a lot cheaper than the $100+ they want for the fancy chrome ones and give me a little extra brake light insurance in the bargain.
Do you know if you can get them in amber/yellow too? Get a wide enough plate frame and you could put them alonside the red ones and wire them in as turn signals like you did.
Damn. now I gotta visit them tomorrow and see what else they might have. This could be a great little winter project.
Thanks for the idea.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
Dagerazod,
Now that's clever!!!
Hmmmm, I wonder if I could use them as extra brake lights if I drilled holes for them to fit through in a plastic license plate frame?
In a black plastic frame they would be virtually invisible until you hit the brakes.
Also a hell of a lot cheaper than the $100+ they want for the fancy chrome ones and give me a little extra brake light insurance in the bargain.
Do you know if you can get them in amber/yellow too? Get a wide enough plate frame and you could put them alonside the red ones and wire them in as turn signals like you did.
Damn. now I gotta visit them tomorrow and see what else they might have. This could be a great little winter project.
Thanks for the idea.
Now that's clever!!!
Hmmmm, I wonder if I could use them as extra brake lights if I drilled holes for them to fit through in a plastic license plate frame?
In a black plastic frame they would be virtually invisible until you hit the brakes.
Also a hell of a lot cheaper than the $100+ they want for the fancy chrome ones and give me a little extra brake light insurance in the bargain.
Do you know if you can get them in amber/yellow too? Get a wide enough plate frame and you could put them alonside the red ones and wire them in as turn signals like you did.
Damn. now I gotta visit them tomorrow and see what else they might have. This could be a great little winter project.
Thanks for the idea.
Mine are run/turn/brake
If memory serves.... they had them in red, yellow, green, blue and white. They yellow might be close enough?
I dunno if you have looked at these, but they look STRANGELY similar....
http://www.ledbikelights.net/products.htm
Thread Starter
|
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
I dunno if you have looked at these, but they look STRANGELY similar....
http://www.ledbikelights.net/products.htm
http://www.ledbikelights.net/products.htm
Now that I have the idea, I'm going to have to look around to see just what's available. Redoing a license plate frame should work as a nice add-on to the Tri-Bar LED taillight I already have.
One thing it his ad peaked my interest. He noted that in some applications the LED's might flash faster than normal. This is not unusual and happens quite frequently on Harley's if you don't add an equalizer or load resistor to the circuit.
The part that interested me most was his mentioning that you can use a common automotive electronic flasher relay available in auto parts stores to fix it. The equalizers for bikes can run as high as $70, but a simple relay from a parts store is a lot cheaper and easier to get.
I may have to do a little research on one to see if it really will function as an effective alternative to the pricier Harley setups.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
Im a cheap bastard I guess
My neighbor cracks me up!
$150.00 cost
$50.00 Shipping
$200.00 labor to pull off the old and put on the new
$400.00 total? Really? SERIOUSLY?!?!?!
I wonder if I can do this any cheaper?
cardboard, duct tape, painters tape, sandpaper
ZERO DOLLARS as it was all laying around
This Many Coats of Flat Black and Satin Clear Coat?
ZERO DOLLARS as I had the paint laying around
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Paint fumes are FUN!
The pics really dont do this handiwork justice! Im fairly impressed with myself... but moreover... my NEIGHBORS jaw hit the floor! LOL
Priceless.
$150.00 cost
$50.00 Shipping
$200.00 labor to pull off the old and put on the new
$400.00 total? Really? SERIOUSLY?!?!?!
I wonder if I can do this any cheaper?
cardboard, duct tape, painters tape, sandpaper
ZERO DOLLARS as it was all laying around
This Many Coats of Flat Black and Satin Clear Coat?
ZERO DOLLARS as I had the paint laying around
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Paint fumes are FUN!
The pics really dont do this handiwork justice! Im fairly impressed with myself... but moreover... my NEIGHBORS jaw hit the floor! LOL
Priceless.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
Hey are you ever gonna update this thread with table of contents and stuff?