Member Contributer ECHO Posted April 24, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 24, 2011 Not sure this is the proper forum for this topic? Another VFR owner gave me this idea so I decided to give it a go. I picked up this LED lightbar/ lighthead from www.drebel.com (D.R. Ebel) for $49.99 as well as the L Mounting Bracket for $6.99. The picture on that site is silver but it came in black. Model is Code3 XT4 LED . I got mine with the RED/AMBER combination. This model has 22 flash patterns and I've chosen one I think is least annoying but most effective. I've already removed the stock fender section but kept the stock bracket and plate light. Installing the new L bracket required drilling two holes to mount to the stock metal license plate hanger. I didn't think to take any pictures while installing but here are the post install pics: You can see the back of the LED bracket mounts to the top two bolt holes that are furthest back on the tail section. The LED light wiring was simple but I had to add some extension to splice in the quick connects and quick splice connectors you cannot see; done so when the license bracket could be removed as one unit after disconnecting the wiring under the seat. I need to got back with my shrink tubing on those connectors, but it's pretty tight right now. Quick video with the brake fully on - in closed garage: I've already noticed during the day folks stop a further back and wont tailgate (as much) when I blip the brakes or at a complete stop at a light. I know the cool factor is zero but the safety factor is an 11 IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 holy crap, it looks like my scoutcar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer landlover Posted April 25, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 25, 2011 Thanks, want bright LED lights, in the sunlight they still show, why the least annoying though? Personally would want it to be as annoying as possible don't want to be a statistic!! If possible can you show what they look like in the sunlight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer DougFromIndy Posted April 25, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 25, 2011 I did this similar mod on my v-strom using a Whelen LED unit. Its off a firetruck so its amazingly bright, very effective but maybe can get a ticket with it? I will take my chances, A ticket is better than getting rammed at a stoplight by a sleeping cager. I am running a Whelen LIN3 , the light on left in this vid : http://youtu.be/paRc6WQKd1Q The one in your link is very similar, a good price and easy install with bracket. This mod is a smart idea imo. Theres also some great LED lightbar set ups sold on TwistedThrottle website by AdMore lighting and others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer ECHO Posted April 25, 2011 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 25, 2011 Thanks, want bright LED lights, in the sunlight they still show, why the least annoying though? Personally would want it to be as annoying as possible don't want to be a statistic!! If possible can you show what they look like in the sunlight? You're probably right - but this might actually be the most "visible" Here's a daytime video - about 7pm and a bit overcast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 00Yeller Posted April 25, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 25, 2011 I like it, makes for a great mod and adds to your visibility!!! What more could you want!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmv Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Nice. And bright! What wires did you tap into to have it function with the brake light? Is it also on as a secondary driving light or just when you apply the brakes? (I could not play the video>)\ Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Anything that we can do to be more visible is helpful, of course. A couple of points: If this makes you complacent with regards to your visibility, I think it's a bad thing, as we all know we're invisible no matter what we do, and In the mode you're using it, I'm pretty sure it's illegal in California. The CA Vehicle code says that it can flash for four seconds at most upon application of the brakes (VC 25251.5). And red is the only permitted color, provided that the bike was made after 1979 (VC 24603). Does this have a mode where it flashes red for four seconds after the application of the brake? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer PhatPat33 Posted April 26, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 26, 2011 One thing that always gets my attention are flashing lights. I'm like the kid that enjoys watching the fire trucks go by because of the lights. I like it! Puts the FUN in FUNctional. Maybe it's my inner nerd, but I think It is cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer ECHO Posted April 26, 2011 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 26, 2011 Nice. And bright! What wires did you tap into to have it function with the brake light? Is it also on as a secondary driving light or just when you apply the brakes? (I could not play the video>)\ Thanks, Mike I used the top brake light harness. It's not on as a secondary light but i'm sure it could be if connected to the constant power wire and set flash pattern set to solid/no flash. Anything that we can do to be more visible is helpful, of course. A couple of points: If this makes you complacent with regards to your visibility, I think it's a bad thing, as we all know we're invisible no matter what we do, and In the mode you're using it, I'm pretty sure it's illegal in California. The CA Vehicle code says that it can flash for four seconds at most upon application of the brakes (VC 25251.5). And red is the only permitted color, provided that the bike was made after 1979 (VC 24603). Does this have a mode where it flashes red for four seconds after the application of the brake? Actually - I've become much more aware of traffic to the rear and use the new light more as a warning by tapping the brakes. I sorta have a rule when riding to never be complacent :) I'm in NM and suppose when I travel could be ticketed - but honestly, I'd rather have a conversation or pay a fine for this light than get mowed over at a stop light. I must have cycled through all the options 6 times to find the one I thought best. This particular brand doesn't have a pattern that's turns off after a certain time after applied. I think other models/brands might though? The cool thing is I can easliy replace this one with another brand if the red/amber becomes an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFR4Lee Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Looks cool. The first video makes it look like firetruck lights, or cop car lights, it's so close up. In the more distant view it doesn't look like much of an issue to me. Enhanced visibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afpierce489 Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Don't get me wrong, it's a cool mod and anything to increase your visibility with the cagers is a good thing. But, I'm a volunteer EMT in CT and the only thing I'm allowed to run is a flashing blue light and that's with a permit. The paid firefighters can get a permit for flashing white/red, but again, it's with a permit. I would suggest checking the DMV where you are to see what the rules are and also what the fines are for breaking those rules. Some cops are lenient once maybe twice, but the fines usually get steeper the more violations you get. But hey, I like it. If it was blue I could actually run it on my bike with a permit from my Chief. I don't think he'd go for it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I'm in NM and suppose when I travel could be ticketed - but honestly, I'd rather have a conversation or pay a fine for this light than get mowed over at a stop light. You'd change your tune if you got tagged in CA. And you would, I think, in a heartbeat. The first time a cop saw that light bar you'd get pulled over for certain. Doubt it'd be for just a "conversation", either. The local law enforcement types and the CHP are on a tear, and doing everything they can to help get the state out of it's financial hole in the ground. The typical speeding ticket now costs a total of over $400, plus additional costs if you are eligible/opt for traffic school. Case in point. Last year I got a ticket for doing 70 on I5 near Bakersfield with an empty motorcycle trailer (limit with a trailer in CA is 55 in all cases). Cost me $425, plus $75 for traffic school. On I5 (it's 200 miles of the straightest, flattest road you've seen this side of Kansas, and NOBODY goes 70, even though that's the limit), in the middle of nowhere, on a Sunday morning. It's getting way too expensive to be cavalier about things like lights, exhausts, etc. Sucks for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer ECHO Posted April 28, 2011 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 28, 2011 I'm in NM and suppose when I travel could be ticketed - but honestly, I'd rather have a conversation or pay a fine for this light than get mowed over at a stop light. You'd change your tune if you got tagged in CA. And you would, I think, in a heartbeat. The first time a cop saw that light bar you'd get pulled over for certain. Doubt it'd be for just a "conversation", either. The local law enforcement types and the CHP are on a tear, and doing everything they can to help get the state out of it's financial hole in the ground. The typical speeding ticket now costs a total of over $400, plus additional costs if you are eligible/opt for traffic school. Case in point. Last year I got a ticket for doing 70 on I5 near Bakersfield with an empty motorcycle trailer (limit with a trailer in CA is 55 in all cases). Cost me $425, plus $75 for traffic school. On I5 (it's 200 miles of the straightest, flattest road you've seen this side of Kansas, and NOBODY goes 70, even though that's the limit), in the middle of nowhere, on a Sunday morning. It's getting way too expensive to be cavalier about things like lights, exhausts, etc. Sucks for us. Sorry to hear the fuzz is coming down on motorists in CA and I'm not intentionally taking a cavalier approach considering it's currently legal in my location - and I wouldn't have done this modification if it wasn't. Next time I travel through CA or any other state that restricts use of this style light, I simply unplug it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer DougFromIndy Posted April 28, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 28, 2011 Why not make bright lighting on a motorcycle LEGAL and texting/talking/eating/sleeping/cellphones, not paying attention ILLEGAL ??? ticket the freaking brain dead, self-centered cagers first and leave me and my little flashing red light alone. Hows that sound? Vote, have a revolution, send some letters out, change the laws and system. I will gladly explain to LEO why I need some extra protection and visibility after getting run over by an old man in a Lincoln Town Car. After you slide 50 feet, get knocked out cold, wake up in a pile of broken plastic and bleeding...then you may decide to risk a bogus ticket, or change the system/laws to make way for motorcycle safety issues. " I am so sorry....I didn't see you...I don't really have anything against motorcycles " that rhetoric only goes so far. Lets get legal protection for riders and make a motorcycle a legitimate form of transportation in this country. Ticket me for my brakelight, fine, I am going to court to explain my position. rant over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tightwad Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I have a round one I installed in my top box, where the silly reflector used to be. It is bright as heck, and sure gets attention. It's only on with the brakes, so not a huge deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Why not make bright lighting on a motorcycle LEGAL and texting/talking/eating/sleeping/cellphones, not paying attention ILLEGAL ??? ticket the freaking brain dead, self-centered cagers first and leave me and my little flashing red light alone. Hows that sound? Vote, have a revolution, send some letters out, change the laws and system. I will gladly explain to LEO why I need some extra protection and visibility after getting run over by an old man in a Lincoln Town Car. I'm not arguing what's right or wrong, I was simply asking about the capabilities of the product and comparing that to what's legal in CA. Brake lights are one thing, and I have a CooCase that incorporates an extra one, which I consider helpful. Non-standard lighting is another thing entirely, though. If you push the point, you can 'splain alll you want (Lucy), but the cop/judge ain't gonna buy it. If it's not legal, you're fubar; CA needs money. With regards to your suggestion about making it less attractive for people to break the (existing) laws against distracted driving, that just came up the other day, in fact. It's in the works here. Link: CA bill would hike drivers' cell phone use fines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 when you check the laws (and it will be difficult) remember to defferentiate betwee forward facing and rearward facing lights. But really, who are you going to improperly pull over by riding your bike backwards with the brakes on? silly rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer DougFromIndy Posted April 28, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 28, 2011 I am going to pass some dude on a high-powered flat black BBQ grill and then make a citizens arrest because that same dude on the weber grill with marchesini wheels has an improperly secured two stroke blender device on his seat. So I will pass and then jamb on the brakes, the phanthom rider will be subdued by mesmerizing led strobe light and faced with a high dollar improperly secured blender violation. The perpetrator on black motorcycle will then have two options the first being paying off high dollar traffic citation on the spot or go directly to lock up facility, the next option being to make several roadside margaritas to be tested by several area riders, this 2nd option means a waiver of jail term only if led flashing light is acknowledged as a progressive modification of the arresting motorcycle in question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vanion2 Posted April 28, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 28, 2011 I did almost the exact same thing. I've been meaning to take some pics but got busy doing other things and forgot. I got mine from an online site that sells police lights. Mine is 3 LED's and looks almost identical to yours ECHO. I wired it to the brake wires so it is only active when I hit the brakes and it strobes 2 flashes a second in red. I did the same for the wife's bike as well. Very effective in day light and clear skies and the best part is it looks like brake lights. I've had no problems with the local LEO's around Albuquerque either. YMMV according to location and local regulations but I can assure you that even with the setup I still make no assumptions that people are paying attention. As for you poor bastages that live in the great Socialist Country of California I can sympathize as the last time I was there they got pissy because I had fog lights on my car and they said it confused older drivers. They didn't like my response being then these drivers shouldn't be driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon28 Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Very nice mod my friend. Very clean looking and surely bright. Does yours have a "dim" pattern? If not, your friends will hate, hate, hate riding behind you. I have to set my LED"s to "dim" prior to TMAC so as not to piss everyone off...LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted April 29, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted April 29, 2011 I like and I would risk a ticket for those LED's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 I am going to pass some dude on a high-powered flat black BBQ grill and then make a citizens arrest because that same dude on the weber grill with marchesini wheels has an improperly secured two stroke blender device on his seat. So I will pass and then jamb on the brakes, the phanthom rider will be subdued by mesmerizing led strobe light and faced with a high dollar improperly secured blender violation. The perpetrator on black motorcycle will then have two options the first being paying off high dollar traffic citation on the spot or go directly to lock up facility, the next option being to make several roadside margaritas to be tested by several area riders, this 2nd option means a waiver of jail term only if led flashing light is acknowledged as a progressive modification of the arresting motorcycle in question. That guy will have been adjudicated with a great deal of adjudication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer ECHO Posted April 29, 2011 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 29, 2011 when you check the laws (and it will be difficult) remember to defferentiate betwee forward facing and rearward facing lights. But really, who are you going to improperly pull over by riding your bike backwards with the brakes on? silly rule. :laughing6-hehe: I just realized the video and pic may be misleading - this light only activates with use of the brake. It does not have a dimmer setting that I've seen but I may have overlooked it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Very nice, I like it. I could use one of those around here, as the cages like to tailgate and then stop 3 feet behind me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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