What kind of lights are you using?

rgvkid · #1 10-14-2008, 10:46 PM

Im looking into some lights front and rear. I've seen a few at Wal-Mart for about $20 bucks and the ones at the cycle shop are at about $30+. Any suggestions on what you guys are using? I saw a post on some 9 led flash lights from Harbor freight, which i saw for $3.99, but are they putting enough light out?

Thanks

old motorbike · #2 10-14-2008, 10:55 PM

I bought some fog lights $12. and led tail light $3. from Harbor Freight. With a little motor scooter battery $29. (batteries plus) they work great.

corduroylion · #3 10-15-2008, 11:54 AM

hey im with kid...
whats the skippy on generator lights vs lights that hook up to the wire?
right now i have a cheap-o mounting bell light that works for now but as winter comes its going to get darker and darker. i work for UPS so i am going to be putting long hours in during peak-season so ill be riding late. looking into a more stable light.

as for the back light i have one of those 8 buck blinky lights... works great on my snail bikes

rgvkid · #4 10-15-2008, 12:04 PM

I had those fog lights on my Motorcycle and they work great but i Think im looking for something a bit more compact.

I too am going to be driving late so Im hopeing to work something out on a budget with not too much weight or wireing. Im going to pick up some of the Harbor Freight ones to try out.

Im going to be running a friction drive Chain saw motor so im going to look into somthing i might be able to run off of the motors power.

Nomad · #5 10-15-2008, 01:48 PM

I found an old Schwinn bike with headlight and rear light that hooked up to the little tire driven generator. I just installed both lights on my bike and hooked them up to the "white" wire and they work great....

Jemma Hawtrey · #6 10-15-2008, 04:57 PM

I have a battery LED taillight that could blind you if you look right at it..

Headlights are dealt with using a 6vt fitted battery headlight on the front fender of the bike and a 3vt dynamo light (actually brighter) which runs off the rear wheel of the bike..

I have set the cycle computer on the bike up so its within the edge of the beam so I can see it at night. This is actually a legal requirement in the UK.

Jemma xx

rgvkid · #7 10-16-2008, 12:20 PM

whenn you say 6vt are you talking about just a counter bought light like by schwinn or Bell? The only Dynamos i have seen are online, I haven't seen any generator driven ones at the local stores like Wal-mart or Target. All they have there are battery operated ones but im not sure if they are bright enough. The ones at the cycle shops are $50+, Im trying to keep it within budget.

Motormac · #8 10-16-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old motorbike

I bought some fog lights $12. and led tail light $3. from Harbor Freight. With a little motor scooter battery $29. (batteries plus) they work great.

I like this setup , I need to find a battery too do you remember the part# for the battery you got? You just charge it up whenever it gets low with a regular 12volt battery charger?

Jemma Hawtrey · #9 10-16-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvkid

whenn you say 6vt are you talking about just a counter bought light like by schwinn or Bell? The only Dynamos i have seen are online, I haven't seen any generator driven ones at the local stores like Wal-mart or Target. All they have there are battery operated ones but im not sure if they are bright enough. The ones at the cycle shops are $50+, Im trying to keep it within budget.

The 6V light came as part of the bike - A schwinn deluxe 7 cruiser and is integrated into the front fender with two x head captive nuts.

To be honest both together are bearable - and it means people dont miss you - but to be honest they are marginal at best for road work as if there is anything in the way you wont see it in time to avoid unless you go fairly slow and in the UK thats fairly suicidal at the times that i do ride in the dark..

What you *could* do if you have a cruiser bike is look on ebay for some of the second hand lights of that type that come up occasionally - they may or may not come with the appropriate fender. These would also work if you fitted up a metal front fender to a mtb and then mounted the light appropriately..

hope that helped

Jemma xx

**Norman** · #10 10-16-2008, 06:24 PM

my own design and very happy with it.