DIY Cheap Mods
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 518
From: Southern Arizona
i know i've said on occasion some things i don't like, but that's just my opinion. Never told someone i hated their bike. not everyone is gonna like the same stuff, you either take inspiration from it or it wards you off from doing something like it, but hate is a strong word.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Salmon arm bc
Down and dirty bright stealth front turn signals. cheap and effective.
I decided to mess around with creating "stealth" mini front turn signals using the newest type of ultra bright T10 LED bulbs found on amazon. I had an extra pair since I bought 4 of them for my Nissan Frontier.
Anyway, this took me a whole whopping 20 minutes to install (I had already removed the stock turn signals and tucked the wires back into the handlebars).
Parts needed: solder, 26 gauge wire scrap (about 16"), heat shrink, 3M automotive trim double stick tape, acrylic conformal coating. If you are removing your stock turn signals you'll need new bolts to hold the mirrors.
LED Bulbs used (comes as a pair for $11): www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RYT02WQ
Acrylic Conformal Coating (use this to waterproof any electronics- seriously excellent stuff with many uses, $11): MG Chemicals 419C Acrylic Lacquer Conformal Coating, 55 ml Bottle, Clear: Epoxy Adhesives: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
The process is pretty easy. I first dipped the bulbs into the conformal coating and let them dry (using an alligator clip on a wire). I dip all of my led auto bulbs into that stuff and they never fail from moisture. this stuff makes them completely water proof. You dip the entire bulb, LEDs and all- the coating is clear and does not affect light output. hang the dipped bulbs and let them dry for a few hours.
Next, solder some thin wire scrap onto the left and right pads of the LED bulbs - make sure to scrape off any of the coating first if its on the pin pads- each piece of wire should be about 4" long. thin flexible 24/26 ga silicon wire is best like the kind used on RC quadcopters. You can use all black wires because these bulbs can be hooked up any direction, there is no set + and - direction. You'll connect the wires from the bulbs to the black and purple stock wires, solder, use heat shrink to cover the connection, then tuck the wires back into the wire channels under the handlebar controls. It is very self explanatory once you look at it. Use 3M body trim tape to stick the bulbs up under the handlebar controls. done.
Summary: $22 in parts if you also buy the coating dip, and 30 mins to 1hr to complete.
These LEDs are extremely bright and highly visible even in full sun- they will shine forward and directly downward once mounted.
From normal distance the led turn signal bulbs are pretty invisible:
Closer shot of the mounting locations- they just stick underneath on the flat areas of the handlebar controls and these locations are adjacent to the wiring outlet channels
Brightness of turn signal in daytime- sorry my headlight is washing out the photo- I have an 80w LED bulb retrofitted into the stock housing and it is stupid bright.
I decided to mess around with creating "stealth" mini front turn signals using the newest type of ultra bright T10 LED bulbs found on amazon. I had an extra pair since I bought 4 of them for my Nissan Frontier.
Anyway, this took me a whole whopping 20 minutes to install (I had already removed the stock turn signals and tucked the wires back into the handlebars).
Parts needed: solder, 26 gauge wire scrap (about 16"), heat shrink, 3M automotive trim double stick tape, acrylic conformal coating. If you are removing your stock turn signals you'll need new bolts to hold the mirrors.
LED Bulbs used (comes as a pair for $11): www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RYT02WQ
Acrylic Conformal Coating (use this to waterproof any electronics- seriously excellent stuff with many uses, $11): MG Chemicals 419C Acrylic Lacquer Conformal Coating, 55 ml Bottle, Clear: Epoxy Adhesives: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
The process is pretty easy. I first dipped the bulbs into the conformal coating and let them dry (using an alligator clip on a wire). I dip all of my led auto bulbs into that stuff and they never fail from moisture. this stuff makes them completely water proof. You dip the entire bulb, LEDs and all- the coating is clear and does not affect light output. hang the dipped bulbs and let them dry for a few hours.
Next, solder some thin wire scrap onto the left and right pads of the LED bulbs - make sure to scrape off any of the coating first if its on the pin pads- each piece of wire should be about 4" long. thin flexible 24/26 ga silicon wire is best like the kind used on RC quadcopters. You can use all black wires because these bulbs can be hooked up any direction, there is no set + and - direction. You'll connect the wires from the bulbs to the black and purple stock wires, solder, use heat shrink to cover the connection, then tuck the wires back into the wire channels under the handlebar controls. It is very self explanatory once you look at it. Use 3M body trim tape to stick the bulbs up under the handlebar controls. done.
Summary: $22 in parts if you also buy the coating dip, and 30 mins to 1hr to complete.
These LEDs are extremely bright and highly visible even in full sun- they will shine forward and directly downward once mounted.
From normal distance the led turn signal bulbs are pretty invisible:
Closer shot of the mounting locations- they just stick underneath on the flat areas of the handlebar controls and these locations are adjacent to the wiring outlet channels
Brightness of turn signal in daytime- sorry my headlight is washing out the photo- I have an 80w LED bulb retrofitted into the stock housing and it is stupid bright.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 189
From: 90210
Thanks guys. And I like that it was cheap too (the carbon fiber vinyl and led bulbs).. Offsets the ridiculous $ I've spent on other stuff. Sometimes you get a break. ;p
FreakShow- are there really laws in DE governing type of motorbike turn signals, and do cops actually hassle for that? Just curious.
FreakShow- are there really laws in DE governing type of motorbike turn signals, and do cops actually hassle for that? Just curious.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 518
From: Southern Arizona
In Delaware you must have 3 1/2 inches of combined light for turn signals to pass inspection, which is every two years.. also no red or blue flashing LED's,, they are emergency lights
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,492
Likes: 103
From: Stuttgart, Germany
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 189
From: 90210
Got it- yeh the red / blue lights are probably pretty standard in any state- but maybe Delaware does not yet know about LED bulbs?. ;p
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 189
From: 90210
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,492
Likes: 103
From: Stuttgart, Germany
But wait....what speed limits ......
But to be honest, it's an urban legend that we don't have any freeway speed limits!
Last edited by EagleRay; Jan 27, 2016 at 06:41 AM.
Who wants to play never have I ever?
Me: I do!
Me: Never have I ever told another man what he did with HIS bike was stupid. That's grounds for [insert action here]
There have definitely been bikes I don't like, and even entire trends but I keep that **** to myself and appreciate their individuality.
Those lights are siq. I went to the link and added them to my wish list. Maybe mama will buy them for me "just because"
Hawaii seems to detest any and all modifications. Period. Even on cars. If you do modifications you have to do a "recon" every time you get inspected witch is EVERY YEAR. Many people want to get here, the ones here can't wait to leave.
One man's trash is another man's treasure.
Me: I do!
Me: Never have I ever told another man what he did with HIS bike was stupid. That's grounds for [insert action here]
There have definitely been bikes I don't like, and even entire trends but I keep that **** to myself and appreciate their individuality.
Those lights are siq. I went to the link and added them to my wish list. Maybe mama will buy them for me "just because"
Hawaii seems to detest any and all modifications. Period. Even on cars. If you do modifications you have to do a "recon" every time you get inspected witch is EVERY YEAR. Many people want to get here, the ones here can't wait to leave.
One man's trash is another man's treasure.