Thought I'd post a few pictures of my auxiliary brake light set up that I just completed and mocked up on the bike.
The idea is to now add the Back-Off XP brake light flasher (4 quick flashes then steady on) to the auxiliary brake light.
Xbimmer was kind enough to get me the info on this brake light which he is using as well, IIRC. This is an LED brake light designed for a big rig that I purchased from these guys... (Item 5050 R): http://www.led-r-us.com/sttlights.shtml
In person, the auxiliary brake light is actually much brighter than the stock brake light ... especially from a distance.
EDIT: You'll notice I didn't even cover up my license plate ... yeah, I like to live dangerously! .
Brake Light & Auxiliary Brake Light - OFF (natural light)
where might a guy find that Back-Off flasher deal for the brake light? I'm not interested in the extra light (nice job though) but I'd like to hook up one of those flashing brake light deals....would it work on the stock LED brake light on a Uly? Thanks.
BTW, My Back Off XP failed to work properly so I returned it to Signal Dynamics ... we'll see how it works when I get the new one back. FWIW, in the past, I've heard nothing but good things about the Back Off on ADVrider.
Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 01:21 pm:
Hey Werewulf,
I think the Whelen lights, like you have, are about the best available LED's out there... my concern was that they might be too bright stopped in traffic at night with a steady burn.
Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 05:30 pm:
""jonboy. does the light mount directly, or did you have to fab a bracket? Thanks.""
The bracket was fabricated using a small piece of 20gauge stainless steel sheet - I still need to trim it up. The light itself ($20.00) is "Item number 5050 R - Stop, Turn, Tail, Surface Mounted Water Proof LED".... from these guys: http://www.led-r-us.com/sttlights.shtml
Here's the bracket with the light installed
And from behind
Then mounted to the three holes where the rear reflector was mounted
.
(Message edited by johnboy777 on February 11, 2009)
I ordered one of the lights but can't seem to find any stainless sheet in any of the usual retail stores. Where did you get yours?
I like your setup!""
Hey Glenn,
As luck would have it, I decided to go another direction with my auxiliary brake light (I plan to build a new bracket and mount it higher up w/ a top case) ... if you want the bracket as pictured, PM me and I'll send it to you, N/C.
After talking to another Uly rider today I noticed that I cannot see the brake light standing about 3 to 4 feet behind the bike due to the large Outdoorsman top case.
Thanks for the thread Johnboy. I am going to mount to the bottom of the license plate bracket. The way people drive in Colorado there is always someone right on your tail. It will help in the city as well. If a 18 wheeler was behind me I wonder how far back he would have to be to see the brake light?
Unlike other mods to the Uly this should be easy. I bet I can make it hard.
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 09:43 am:
My Whelen TIR3 arrived yesterday and it's a well made looking device.
I was looking at mounting it dead center on the bag but really like the below the license plate option. I just need to come up with one of those plates. What gauge Aluminum did you use?
I also got the "tool tubes" and am going to try mounting them on both sides. One side will get an EMERGENCY KIT with thermal blanket, first aid, flares and so forth. The other side will be tools, spare batteries and crud that typically always stays on the bike somewhere. I am hoping to be able to orient them like the ones I've seen here and am planning to coat the lids (which will be rear facing) with 3M Super Reflective tape. I'm also going to cover all the exposed flat surfaces on the back of the bike and bags with reflective material. Call me a big chicken.
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 11:04 am:
Hey Court,
The TIR3 is smaller than the LED I was using ... maybe it will fit on the stock rear marker bracket, somehow - if you just loosen the 3 bolts, you can pull it all the way down and see.
Just a thought - that rear metal bracket is pretty heavy duty.
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 11:30 am:
Court - you could always order the XP response kit, it's chock-full of TIR3's If the CR mirrors hadn't worked out as well as they did, I would have ordered at least the handguard/light combos for my turn signals...but the mirrors are working awesome.
Just a word about the TIR3, though - they don't particularly like steady-on, so set them to flash if you can. They'll annoy the hell out of whoever is behind you at a light, but steady-on makes some serious heat.
I just finished disassembling a Federal Signal Cuda Tri-Optic response light, and turned 2 out of the 3 pieces (3 LEDs each, with a fresnel lens) into rear turn signals. Talk about annoying the person behind you! But, I'd rather that, than "I didn't know he was changing lanes". And they balance the bike well with the CR LED mirrors (and one of American Sport Bike's flasher units).
And Court - nothing chicken about reflective stuff. I have strips of DOT trailer tape (conspicuity tape?) on my top case support, the side bag supports where that flat spot is, inside the "taillight" on the topcase (it doesn't light up, it might as well reflect...), a red strip around the bottom / back of each of my helmets, and white reflective around the visor opening of each helmet. I haven't leapt into hi-vis gear...yet...
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 11:35 am:
I've got an Aerostich Hi-Viz jacket I use occasionally but I always keep some spare 3M tape on the bike. Even places where it does not adhere well and plastered some on if I am riding the highway at night.
>>>... maybe it will fit on the stock rear marker bracket
I'll bet you are right. We'll see. I have no intention of having them steady. I want them to get noticed on braking.
I've got most the response kit and may use the siren switch as the "change flash pattern" 12v feed. That work?
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 11:37 am:
Yep. The change-pattern signal is just a momentary short to ground. I think there's also a pattern programmed in there that will auto-rotate through all the patterns, then repeat. If there's six distinct patterns in the light, then number 7 will be the rotation setting.
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 11:47 am:
Here's the idea I was talking about. This is an LED side marker light for a tractor trailer that I purchased at a local truck stop, then mounted it to the rear marker bracket.
I think the Whelen TIR3 Super LED is about the same size, maybe smaller.
Mounted to the Bracket
Installed on the Bike
With the License Plate Mounted (it can even be moved up a little closer to the plate)
(Message edited by johnboy777 on February 25, 2009)
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 12:02 pm:
Thanks! . . . I think it will work perfectly. I also like the idea of being able to change patterns while in traffic. . the folks behind me will never know what to expect!
Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 09:22 pm:
Not a real good pic but this is how I mounted mine:
Aluminum sheet cut to fit, I wasn't real pleased with the final result since the license plate light is basically holding it on, but enough support is gained from the license plate mounted against the bottom to eliminate any vibration. Works great, like Johnboy said it's brighter than the stocker.
I originally had it wired to my BackOff, each brake light to one of two modes on the BackOff. Quite a light show with two brake lights flashing two different sequences! That might have fried the BackOff though, after a while it up and died...
More lights in back is always better, I've been rear ended on bikes twice at stop signs. Some people are idiots...
Digging up an old thread, but wondering how the solutions above have lasted over the past few years. I'm ready to do something for more illumination in the back, but not real sure what direction I want to go...