Featured Let There Be (more) Light

Discussion in 'Clothing & Gadgets' started by Fork Lock, Oct 10, 2024.

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  1. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Crème de la Crème

    #1 Fork Lock, Oct 10, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2024
    I always play the "What If?" game in my head. What if I'm on some lonely, unlit, back road at night and the single headlight takes a crap? I had a temporary solution. I kept a small, high intensity, battery powered flashlight in my tool bag with a handlebar mount (a small red, led light for the rear too). they would get me home. I also wanted an aid in being seen in daylight.

    All my other bikes had auxiliary highway lights on either side of the headlight. I wanted a set for the Speedmaster and looked around. Mounting such a rig up in line with the headlight was an issue with the Madstad, quick detach windshield in place through the cold months (I take it off in the warm weather). So, I bought this setup. Show Crome halogens.

    Light Kit.PNG

    I had a kid who just opened a bike repair shop not far from me give me a hand with the wiring. I can do it. I put a set myself on my Victory Crossroads (I haven't burned anything down yet), but it's not my forte'. It's a direct hookup and independent of the headlight. I mounted the lights on the highway bars and we positioned the on/off switch on the plastic cowl behind the right faux carb in easy reach. I used stainless steel zip ties to secure the wires for aesthetics.

    Jeeze, they are bright!!! I took a ride after dark tonight and they are just brilliant! They are pointed down slightly and I didn't have any oncoming cars "flash" me as if my high beam was on, so I guess they are pointed low enough. If I start getting that I will adjust.

    Off closeup.PNG

    Daylight.PNG Switch.PNG

    Street view.PNG

    Off closeup.PNG
     
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  2. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
    Subscriber

    Oct 28, 2020
    3,503
    1,000
    AUSTRIA
    @Fork Lock: You had an interesting idea, did a very good job and the results looks extremely professional and does not "destroy" the look of you great bike! Well done! :party:
     
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  3. John Bentall

    John Bentall Member

    Nov 24, 2021
    12
    8
    Enfield, North London
    ...and crash-bar mounted Auxiliary lights make one so much more visible in the day-time as well.
    I find they really do help in traffic.
     
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  4. blacktiger

    blacktiger Member

    May 14, 2023
    26
    18
    St. Leonards on sea
    I'm puzzled why you didn't put the switch on the handlebars?
     
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  5. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Crème de la Crème

    I could have. It would be a little more convenient, but I'm running out of real estate on the bars. I have a chrome thermometer, and a clock mounted on either side as well as a helmet lock. From time to time, I need to attach my phone mount too. Also, I didn't want any more wires to try and hide.
     
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  6. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    3,271
    800
    Yorkshire
    You've done well to mount the lights without spoiling the look of the bike but actually enhance it.
    I've yet to own a bike with a single headlight that is adequate. The four on my ZZR (2 dip and 2 high beam) are in a different league to the single offering on the Scrambler, that's why I fitted some auxiliary lights which make a world of difference as well as answering the potential single headlamp failure problem.
     
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  7. Jez Doh

    Jez Doh New Member

    Oct 2, 2024
    0
    1
    Australia
    Those lights look pretty sweet on your speedmaster. I'm curious, how much power do they draw? Hope it doesn't put too much strain on the electrical system.
     
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  8. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Crème de la Crème

    So far so good. The only problem is that since they are wired independent of the headlight, I have to remember to turn them off! I already screwed that up once. I parked at my wife's craft show on Sunday afternoon, a fair distance from where she was set up, and walked over to help her break her booth down. I returned to the bike about an hour and fifteen minutes later and there they were, shining brightly. o_O Dumbass.

    I carry jumper cables, but I didn't need them. She kicked right over.

    Too many things to remember now.
    Helmet on, then put gloves on.
    Helmet off, lock helmet on bars.
    Aux lights off, ignition off!
     
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  9. Ian Champ

    Ian Champ Member

    Sep 28, 2023
    16
    8
    Hadleigh, Suffolk
    I wired my auxiliary lights (and Sat Nav, and F and R cameras etc.,) all through the ThunderBox connection system. Brilliant. It checks battery power/charging before allowing any ‘extras’ to switch on (one at a time as well!), and always powers everything down when ignition switched off. No more flat batteries...
     
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  10. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Crème de la Crème

    ThunderBox, eh?

    I will have to look in to that.
     
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  11. Boothman

    Boothman Noble Member

    Jul 26, 2023
    656
    443
    Wigan
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