Lights, Laws, Safety, etc

[puskrat]

I've seen some discussions about running lights and done some shopping. I'm thinking white square (of course, it's a standard) housing LEDs sold as "show or offroad lights only" that I've found locally, but I wonder....are they so marked because they provide inadequate illumination, or excessive brightness, or just 'cuz? I like the style of the older US-made cruisers with white lights above yellow signals, and am considering that look for my Dora. I just don't want to blind anyone.

[DiverRay]

Most of the lights that are "off road only" have not been tested, and therefor cannot be used on the US roads. If you want the look, go ahead and buy the "spot" version of the light, not the "flood". You can aim them slightly down and not blind anyone, but still have a little extra light on the road. Done this way, 99% of the LEO's won't care as you don't blind people. Put on the floods, and everything in front is lit up. They WILL cause you problems with the LEO's.

[puskrat]

Thanks Ray

[XJkid]

Autozone lights

Twice this winter I have been forced out of my lane at night by someone who wanted to have my lane and either didn't care or didn't see me. I decided it was time to make myself more visible. I went to Autozone and picked up a set of small spots and mounted them on my homemade wind screen above the turn signals. I was concerned about blinding people because LED light is very intense, so I angled them down, slightly below where my headlamp beam falls. I also got a set of 4"LED strips and mounted them under my turn signals to illuminate the front half of the bike. I may also mount another set of 4"strips under the side covers to illuminate the tranny. All of this is run off of an aftermarket power port. I also mounted a set of car horns to make myself heard as well.

[puskrat]

Thanks Kid. I am rethinking my previously abandoned "Operation Christmas Tree" ideas including LEDs in series with my OE bulbs, but don't want to make things too weird, as I also have to wire in the mirrors with signals. Ive made so much sport of Wingers and their flags and bumper stickers it almost seemed hypocritical to light everything up, but the more experience I get the more I realize everyone thinking I'm weird means everyone is seeing me.

[DiverRay]

but the more experience I get the more I realize everyone thinking I'm weird means everyone is seeing me.

That thought is wrong! You need to understand the thinking of an old biker and our rules of the road.
1. Nobody can see you so they try to kill you
2. Cars that DO see you will try to kill you anyway
For me, these are the rules I ride by, and yet I've STILL been hit a few times!
That said, lights help a LOT. Put on some BRIGHT red led lights in back for your brake lights, so all you see in the mirror is red when you hit the brakes. Loud horns are also a good idea, as that will get the idiot to look up from the phone.

[puskrat]

.

I recognize these things, hence my wish to be seen . If they try to kill me without seeing me, they can live with themselves. If they see me, I think there is the outside chance of an attack of conscience, causing them to relent in their attack.

I don't remember if I detailed my mad tinkerer thoughts on lighting or not. I'm sure they will come up eventually. As of now I'm trying to confine the insanity to private.

[madmax-im]

All this is assuming that the brain dead cagers actually look your way...they dont always do that...DAMHIK.....