The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Red_Hen on July 24, 2012, 11:02:34 AM
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Hi Gang,
I'm still coming down from the rally - a lot of heat and a lot of miles but well worth it.
I do want to say today that I ran into a vendor called Skene Design that sells very low wattage draw LED lights that can mount on front forks. Their website is www.PhotonBlaster.com
Didn't buy them at the show because wasn't sure how I'd mount them on my R65LS - they also come in clear and yellow - after thinking it through, I think yellow will be a better color. Also want some added lighting on the back - I may order the Kisan LED Licenese plate frame - have it on the K75s and really like it a lot - basically plug & play.
Skene Design has some extra features that can be programmed into the "brain" that comes with this and by squeezing the brake lever in certain increments causes an emergency flasher to activate and the brain can also coordinate the running lights with the turn signals. In thinking about it, I'm more interested in just being seen as I'm driving in congested areas.
Have any of you installed LED running lights? Interested to hear your story.
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... Have any of you installed LED running lights? Interested to hear your story.
OK, it's not a BMW but the ideas will work on most motorcycles. The victim is my Triumph Trophy 900.
Shortly after acquiring the sport tourer, I began to have a concern that the tail/brake light was visually shielded by the side cases. Bengt Phorqs confirmed this as he followed during a morning ride. There is a top case that, when fitted, makes the safety issue even worse.
First item added was some diagonal pieces of black Scotchlite tapes. This material was purchased in 8x10-inch sheets and cut to fit the Triumph-branded Givi side cases. At night, the tapes show up as bright white reflective when hit by headlights of following traffic. I'm still looking for my source link.
What really lit up the Trophy was the addition of an LED kit which provides daytime running lights, turn signals and brake lights all in one thin strip. The entire wiring harness and electronic controller fit under the bodywork aft of the seat.
Note the LED strips are mounted between the high edges of the door and case bodies and do not protrude above the moldings. Weather-proof, quarter-turn quick disconnects make case removal simple. IIRC, the entire kit was approx $124.00.
http://www.admorelighting.com/index.php?page=products/index.php
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa1%2Fmontmil%2FTriumph%2520Trophy%2FMillerTrophy01.jpg&hash=73438968e41efd6b26d33d4db432aeef5e167e98)
All power OFF. Note the barely visible Scotchlite reflective material.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa1%2Fmontmil%2FTriumph%2520Trophy%2FMillerTrophy02.jpg&hash=c1db142e2bdbafb81db966b4d9d9c3187a5bc3c4)
Tail light and LED running lights ON.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa1%2Fmontmil%2FTriumph%2520Trophy%2FMillerTrophy03.jpg&hash=940c64949ffb66ee653362babfe1a8c13a9046b5)
Tail light and LED brakes lights ON. When activated, LED and OE turn signals flash as bright as shown in this photo.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa1%2Fmontmil%2FTriumph%2520Trophy%2FGiviDay.jpg&hash=38ce293306de50dbec8a6fbe1fe324e6d56049ae)
Givi cases with Scotchlite tapes in ambient light.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa1%2Fmontmil%2FTriumph%2520Trophy%2FGiviNight-1.jpg&hash=e54ce1ddc8daf51e9c8883502ceb66cf07bd1d01)
Givi cases when brushed by headlights of following traffic.
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I took the scotchlite tape one step further. It comes in all colors. There was a sign shop where I used to work and they let me collect their scraps (anything smaller than 2"x 6" was scrapped) so I had a pretty good collection at one time. I cut the black in thin strips and ran them down the frame tubes. Took white tape and a hole punch and made a pile of dots and put them around the perimeter of my rims. Persistence of vision makes the entire rim edge appear lit. Red pieces facing the rear. There is no way I will not be seen when driving at night. With careful placement it is hardly even noticeable during the day
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Pretty Hi Viz Monte!
Any LED's on the front of the bike?
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... Any LED's on the front of the bike?
Nope. Unless you want to count the LED turn sigs on the '81.