Headlamp Modulators?

[madmax-im]

Just curious if anyone has a HM on their XS or XJ?I have seen these on various other makes and years of m/c's.I have yet to see one on our older machines.
There is some controversy over the good and the evil of using a HM...so how do you all feel abt them?
Personally I would like to add one to all of my bikes.Having bright lights on your bike only does so much.These days almost evryone has daytime running lamps...so whats to distinguish a car from a m/c? A headlamp modulator would give a m/c that distinction.I have seen bikes approach me from 1/2 mile away with a HM flashing...its eyecatching... almost immediately you see it and you see it early...something abt pulsating light just grabs your attention

[DiverRay]

The big reason I've NOT put one on is the cost. Around here, they want $120 for the little bit of silicon that modulates the light. I KNOW it's only about $10.00 worth of parts, and I don't think I want to make someone that much money that fast. I will probably build my own on down the road, but only if I DON'T convert to a HID lamp. I know the modulators will not work with HID technology.
JMHO

[psycoreefer]

I want one, but price has kept me from getting one. I like the idea. Go for it.

[mason79]

i bought one from jc whitney for not that much, however i had to return it after it malfunctioned in 3 or 4 months, i now have hid which more that compensates....

[SiP]

Try flicking up and down with your thumb, it'll do the same thing, you'll get a work out and have spent no $'s

[madmax-im]

Originally posted by SiP
Try flicking up and down with your thumb, it'll do the same thing, you'll get a work out and have spent no $'s

Si...I have done this but there are times when your attention is focused on the situation in front of you.It isnt always that easy to just flick the hi beams up and down...a modulator will do this for you ...it is also a wise idea to have a sw. that can turn it off too.
I would not shy away from the expense of purchasing a HM...its money well spent and could really make the difference in being seen.

[egsols]

You can make one for next to nothing....just need a special headlight and two bolts, two nuts and two lock washers....locate the headlight adjusting bracket and install one bolt, washer and nut throught the slot above the headlight adjusting bolt...install other bolt just below the adjusting bolt....then loosen the adjusting bolt slighty.....voila....now when you ride the headlight will bounce up and down attracting all sorts of attention (just like they used to on some of the older bikes, you know which ones I mean)

[strippedFJ]

Originally posted by egsols
You can make one for next to nothing....just need a special headlight and two bolts, two nuts and two lock washers....locate the headlight adjusting bracket and install one bolt, washer and nut throught the slot above the headlight adjusting bolt...install other bolt just below the adjusting bolt....then loosen the adjusting bolt slighty.....voila....now when you ride the headlight will bounce up and down attracting all sorts of attention (just like they used to on some of the older bikes, you know which ones I mean)

Are they metric compliant for us Aussies?

[madmax-im]

Originally posted by egsols
You can make one for next to nothing....just need a special headlight and two bolts, two nuts and two lock washers....locate the headlight adjusting bracket and install one bolt, washer and nut throught the slot above the headlight adjusting bolt...install other bolt just below the adjusting bolt....then loosen the adjusting bolt slighty.....voila....now when you ride the headlight will bounce up and down attracting all sorts of attention (just like they used to on some of the older bikes, you know which ones I mean)

Ernie...while I am never one to refuse a method to save money...I have to say that this isnt even close to what I had in mind...actually I think its kinda ridiculous...no offense and I appreciate all suggestions...but I dont want to drive around with a loose headlamp bouncing around.Granted in the daytime it wouldnt matter but after dark...you want the proper focus of light ahead of you and not bouncing all over the place.
I'm interested in saving money but I'm not a cheap bastard when it comes to my safety..so this idea is getting tossed.
I understand that alot of us ride these bikes because we cant afford to buy new...but it seems to me that some of us are just plain cheap/frugal with our money.

[egsols]

madmax-im,

You're right...my suggestion is ridiculous....I wasn't serious.....I just remembered years ago when a certain make of bike had bouncing headlights which weren't originally designed as a safety feature

[egsols]

Found this...looks pretty inexpensive....http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...1#BVQAWidgetID

[strippedFJ]

Here's a schematic for a simple and cheap headlight modulator for those interested in building their own.

http://www.mindspring.com/~wayne.orw...ls.html#smlmod

Parts should be no more than $10 retail.

[fredintoon]

Knowhow

Ray sez:-
"Around here, they want $120 for the little bit of silicon that modulates the light. I KNOW it's only about $10.00 worth of parts,"
Hi Ray,
there's the story of someone querying the $120 the Irishman billed him for removing the dent from a boiler:-
"To whacking your boiler one time with a sledgehammer to pop the dent out, $10.
To knowing exactly where & how hard to hit the bastard, $110."
It's not only the parts that you are paying for, it's also paying for them knowing how to make those $10worth of parts modulate your headlight.

[olebiker]

Ernie I hope you know that they are NOT legal in ON. I asked the cops last time I was chatting with them. They think it is stupid as well but you can be charged.

[psycoreefer]

StrippedFJ - thats a cool page. Who knew you could build one that easily.

As for the price I think your mostly paying for all the hoops that a manufacturer has to jump through to get DOT approved to sell these things as street legal. Ya know testing and such.