Show us your ........lights

GoldenMotor.com

Henshooter

New Member
Feb 10, 2014
275
0
0
Melbourne au
Hey guys ,being a stickler for safety I'm always very cautious about seeing and being seen on my bikes so thought I'd share the lighting I used and will be using for my night rides .
I'll start with my recently sold motorized bicycle build ( bluey )
The first thing I did was fitted some indicator/brake/tail lights ,relatively cheap from eBay ,I did try some expensive wireless ones but had major RF issues so had to change back to a wire through system and still had a small issue but it was somewhat good as whenever I kicked over the motor the tail light would turn on ,the indicators and brake lights still worked too so no dramas there.

The second issue I have is side vision ,ie being seen from the side ,so I purchased some tube valve lights ,99c each from eBay and they certainly lit up like a kid on Christmas Day
And tHe final unit. Was a Cree 5000 odd lumen headlight also from eBay at a measly cost of $30 ,fully rechargeable and lasted for 10,12 hours on a constant burn

On my cruizer I have yet to fit a retro style front light with a small led unit but will upgrade the internals for a brighter beam
But the score ,oh and what a score it was ,an old retro rear lamp ,full Crome ,runs on one d battery and does it look the goods ,can't wait to fit it ,here's a pic

So what do you run for lighting

Regards Henshooter
 

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bluegoatwoods

Active Member
Jul 29, 2012
1,581
6
38
Central Illinois
Yup, that's a nice one. And it'll look good on your bike.

I have not fitted turn signals or brake lights on mine. I think about it from time to time. But I haven't gotten around to it.

For running lights I use a 'light bar' type setup up front. It's a length of one inch wooden dowel material mounted across the front of my basket.

wind guards.jpg

I can fit as many as nine standard bike headlights onto this bar. With individual aiming I can widen or narrow my beam. When one light dies, the others will carry me through until I replace it. I had to sacrifice any notion of 'retro' style, of course, for low up-front and low maintenance costs.

I go with two rear tail lights. Mostly so that I'll still have something if one of them dies.

two tail lights.jpg

Wait a minute, this isn't one of my wooden dowel light bars. This is my older style. It's a straight mountain bike handlebar. Painted, drilled and mounted. But the idea is the same.
 
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Henshooter

New Member
Feb 10, 2014
275
0
0
Melbourne au
Hey guys ,being a stickler for safety I'm always very cautious about seeing and being seen on my bikes so thought I'd share the lighting I used and will be using for my night rides .
I'll start with my recently sold motorized bicycle build ( bluey )
The first thing I did was fitted some indicator/brake/tail lights ,relatively cheap from eBay ,I did try some expensive wireless ones but had major RF issues so had to change back to a wire through system and still had a small issue but it was somewhat good as whenever I kicked over the motor the tail light would turn on ,the indicators and brake lights still worked too so no dramas there.

The second issue I have is side vision ,ie being seen from the side ,so I purchased some tube valve lights ,99c each from eBay and they certainly lit up like a kid on Christmas Day
And tHe final unit. Was a Cree 5000 odd lumen headlight also from eBay at a measly cost of $30 ,fully rechargeable and lasted for 10,12 hours on a constant burn

On my cruizer I have yet to fit a retro style front light with a small led unit but will upgrade the internals for a brighter beam
But the score ,oh and what a score it was ,an old retro rear lamp ,full Crome ,runs on one d battery and does it look the goods ,can't wait to fit it ,here's a pic

So what do you run for lighting

Regards Henshooter

9800 lumens of pure Cree power its like my own mini sun on the front of my bike lights up everythinh
Gotta love the Cree lights !!! Cheap and as you said like a mini sun
 

rock out

New Member
Jul 5, 2013
131
0
0
canada
Yeah now all I need is brake and turn signals. I saw wireless ones on amazon but I'm not to sure about those
 

Henshooter

New Member
Feb 10, 2014
275
0
0
Melbourne au
Yeah now all I need is brake and turn signals. I saw wireless ones on amazon but I'm not to sure about those
Wireless are useless on a powered bike , the rf constantly shuts them down , I know because I spent 60 on a set and a further 40 trying to shield them from the interference ,it was a no go ,put rf filters ,high resistance wire the works but still no luck.
There are great wired alternatives on eBay and their as cheap as $7 and with free shipping as well , the switch control is a tad awkward but you soon get used to it , their is one problem if you don't run cable brakes though, the sensor used to operate the brake light is a micro switch that attaches to the brake cable and essentially pulls the switch on so you need cable brakes for it to operate
Their is even a little horn on some units that although not overly loud will get a pedestrians attention.
Great units for the price ,not waterproof though so some silica nor plumbers glue smeared around the unit is good practice to keep things clean and free of moisture
Here's an eBay pic of one model that even comes with a small front light

Regards Henshooter
 

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BarelyAWake

New Member
Jul 21, 2009
7,194
21
0
Maine
vid example: http://youtu.be/wXC3vDpBfuw

build thread: http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=24210

Headlights - 2 LED MR16 replacement bulbs, $3ea: http://www.amazon.com/LED-MR16-Spotlight-12V-Lumen/dp/B0051SRKVI

All-in-one LED blinker/brake & taillight (don't remember price, out of stock): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GMTOQ4/

LED Mini Turn Signals (front fenders, not pictured) $17 www.amazon.com/Small-Mini-Turn-Signals-Motorcycle/dp/B003UNPHMK/

LED Turn Signal Flash Controller, $15: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005A6128I/

Switched brake levers, $8 pair: http://www.amazon.com/Aluminium-Brake-Electric-Scooter-Chopper/dp/B00EE882FO

Instrumentation & indicators, $100 (shop around) http://www.trailtech.net/digital-gauges/vapor

12V 5AH SLA battery, $20: http://bluegrassbatteries.com/PowerStar-Replacement-Battery-Cartridge-for-RBC46/M/B00262N8TK.htm

DC to DC step down converter in 48V out 12V (ebikes), $5-20: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/dc-dc-converter-48v-12v

Assorted switches, buttons & horn: http://www.treatland.tv/



...and I forgot to mention, if you're using low wattage LED lighting & don't wish the snarl of excessive wiring, computer USB cords have four internal, color coded wires perfect for this application - you can ofc buy such in spools with w/e number of internal wires you'd like, I jus' found it handy to salvage some otherwise useless stuff from my junk drawer (any USB or similar computer cordage, keyboards & etc) :)
 
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