Ground Effects

[sermn8ter]

Does anybody have ground effects, (lights, etc.) on your bike? What is the general consensus/opinion of ground effects? Just wondering. I don't have any on mine at this point in time, but I was just imagining some ways to dress mine up today and thought about ground effects. If you don't know what I mean, it is the light kits that you see on a lot of cars. Usually they are around the edge of the bottom of the car and light up the road underneath and around the car. I have seen a few bikes with ground effects around the engine case, etc, but none with just ground effects at the bottom of them. At least it would make the idjits in cars see you better at night if nothing else. Of course that might not always be a good thing. I feel like I have a target painted on me at times already, that might make it easier to hit me.

[Pat Kelly]

I have some LED's "highlighting" various places on my E. To keep hassle from police to a minimum.
I have some amber LED lights shining on various engine components. Makes a nice glow from behind the fairing lowers (and makes it easy to find the choke at night).
I have some red LEDs under the rear fender that create a glow from that area.
None of the lights are directed on the ground like the cars do.
I considered something similar for my MN Special but decided it is the Prince of Darkness and illumination is head and tail light only (and turnsignals when needed).

[sermn8ter]

Cool

Do you have any pictures of it? How close is Modesto to San Francisco?

[Pat Kelly]

I have yet to get decent pics of the 'accent' lights.
Modesto is about 70-80 miles east of San Francisco.

[sermn8ter]

Thanks

Ok, thanks. If you happen to get your hands on a digital camera and get a good picture send me one. I am actually going to be in Benicia, CA from 7-26 to 7-29 doing some work for our company branch there. Depending on where you are at, that could be closer or farther. I thought I might get a look at your effects. How did you attach them, and where? I found a site that has them in strings of eight, and I think it was actually some type of double sided tape that held them onto the frame. I didn't see any kind of electrical connection on the ends of the though. I suppose you could just run wires under you battery post for them, and you could get a toggle switch to put in between so that they were not always on. A remote switch would be cool, so at night you could hit them while coming across the parking lot or something. Might totally freak somebody out if they were standing close by.

[Pat Kelly]

One of the best cycling roads in the world connect Modesto and Benicia (if you like XStreme twisty).
From Benicia side it would be Alum Rock Rd to Mt Hamilton (Lick observatory) to Mines Rd to Del Puerto Canyon Rd.
So twisty you'll see your own taillight on the curves.

I do have a digital camera. I'll have to mess with it to get a low ambiant light pic.

The LEDs came fron JC Whitney. The rear red lights are in 1/4" holes in the fender. The amber front lights are simply wrapped around the frame and 2 are aimed at the sparkplug valley of the head and 2 more shine down on the carbs. You can't see the lights, just the glow.

[Czekus21]

I used to ride my bicycle down Mine Canyon rd. What a rush.( trying not to get hit )

[sermn8ter]

Ride

I am getting in about noon on the 26th, but I don't have to be at the branch until the next morning. I may have to follow your directions and check out this road, although I will be in a rented cage, not the XS. Georgia is a bit far to ride the bike on a business trip, although I am thinking about the 4 corners ride in the next year or so. That will get me out to CA on the bike. Maybe I'll have time to hit that road then. Who knows.

[DiverRay]

I would NOT try the road in a rented car!
Alum rock is in San Jose, CA, about two hours South of Benicia, in traffic. The fast way out from Benicia would be Highway 4 East to 99 South. You may want to mapquest a route if you are landing in SFO.
Leave the airport, and go north 101 to the Bay Bridge, then East to 580 and go towards Livermore. You will keep going East, and follow the signs to Modesdo.

[sermn8ter]

Bad road?

Is the road that bad....? NOT in a rented car you said. I will get into SFO about 11:30 on the 26th, and that is the only day I will have any sight seeing, goof off time. What are the best sights to see in that time frame? I will be staying in Benicia at the Best Western, so I don't want to get too awfully far from there.

[Pat Kelly]

The road is XSellent for 2 wheels. In a cage not so fun tho it is very scenic. It would take a lot longer in a car this route (2-3 hours) vs. 1-2 hours on the super-slab, depending on traffic. Traffic heads into bay area in the morning and back to central valley in the afternoon. 70+ miles of stop and go, mostly stop.