Pulsating light

[srq68]

With better riding days ahead and, unfortunately, greater hazard on the road (old timers in big cages) coming down for the winter, I am willing to try anything to be more visible on the road during daylight (old timers are not allowed out after dark...)

Any of you using a modulator that makes your headlight pulsate?
Can you share your sources/fabrication/experience with us?

[ratbyk]

Pulsating Lights

Here are some ideas for making yourself more visible. I cut and pasted from a ZX11 site that I'm now following for ideas for the Temptress.



Diamond Star Headlight Modulator
I have always wanted one of these! I have seen the Goldwings with these, headlights blinking away, and you can see the bikes a long way off. Expensive though, I never had a spare $100 laying around. Finally bought the Signal Dynamics Diamond Star Modulator from Sport Touring Accessories with all sorts of options to it. It has some sort of 'starburst' mode, hyper-mode where the light blinks really fast, an on/off function- where you can simply turn it off, and it's hooked into the horn- you hit the horn (as is anyone cares) and the headlight blinks really fast. I paid my mechanic $40 to put it in and he said it was very easy. I am colorblind and tend to shy away from anything detailed that involves electrical wiring ( is this green or red? Yes, I have some good stories). MT&C recently did an article on how to put one in too. Yes, it has a daylight sensor which as long as it's facing up, works fine. In hindsight, I should have bought a more basic model, like the one Kriss sells but oh well. Does it work?! Does it ever! I am so sold on these headlight modulators, they should be required (law) in every single motorcycle. Way too many idiots in cars out there (didn't see me?) I split lanes religiously in accordion stop-n-go rush hour freeway traffic and people can see me way off. Rider Magazine reviewed this in its February 2001 issue.
Kisan | Kriss | Signal Dynamics

Signal Dynamics Headlight Modulator



Signal Dynamics BackOFF Module
Originally- I bought a $40 module from Signal Dynamics that would blink the tail light several times each time I hit the brakes. This works but I wanted something even more conspicuous. My new BackOFF module allows the rear turn signals to be running lights and turn signals.. Both turn signals are on all the time. On the ZX-11, they are brighter than the brake light. Again all you doo-doo heads with that teeny tiny little red brake light, do you honestly think anyone can see you? My brother was hit from behind on his Goldwing- which totaled it (how can you not see a Goldwing?) and sent him to the Chiropractor with a nifty case of whiplash. AND... the wife said no more bike for you. And to this day he has no motorcycle.
Signal Dynamics




HyperLites (blinking brake lights)
I saw these at the motorcycle show and wanted them bad. Another 50 bucks to Sport Touring Accessories. Well worth the money. Another item that should be standard equipment on every bike. Again, I do not understand motorcyclists with that tiny red light in the rear and that's it. Do you honestly think anyone can see you, especially at night? Again, too many idiots on cell phones driving 3 ton cars. Very easy to install (even for a colorblind guy) Clip here, solder here, electrical tape there. It has the option to blink for 5 seconds and go solid, I opted to have it blink always when the brakes are on. This has to be one of the coolest inventions! Everyone should have one. If it were up to me, when I hit the brakes, the whole bike would light up in neon, flares would shoot off, and an overhead helicopter would have a searchlight over me in the midst of commuter traffic.
Highway Hawk | Hyperlites | Jameco

Hope some of these tips keeps you safe from us seniors.
Tee Hee
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"
92 ZX11 Temptress

[Pain]

Not a headlight modulator, but there are also things ca''ed "Fireflies." The go on your tire valve stems, and light up when the wheel spins. Some have batteries, and some are powered by the spinning of the wheels.

They are meant as a light effect for souped up import cars, and are not legal in all states, so chekc with your local LEO before you pick them up.

-Pain

[Dennyz]

The Reserve Lighting Unit my have a problem with a head light modulator being installed. It may interfere with the modulation, thinking something is wrong with the head light bulb.

Since I eliminated the RLU, it was very easy to hook up something that would strobe the head light. I have it setup so when low beam is selected, it strobes high and low beam and when high beam is selected it strobe low beam on and off.
I can also adjust the strobe rate. The halogen bulb is slow, so oscillation can only be as fast as the bulb will react.

All it takes are two automotive relays, $5 worth of parts from Radio Shack and some soldering equipment.

The most complicated part is figuring out how and where to mount something to turn it on and off.

[srq68]

Hey Dennyz, how about a quick schematic or instructions on your solution from Radio Shack part?
Thanks

[Dennyz]

Hey Dennyz, how about a quick schematic or instructions on your solution from Radio Shack part?

I built it as I designed it, so I don't have anything written down. I will see what I can do.

I have since come up with a solid state (no relays) version that I am about to test. It is complete with etched ciruit board and plastic enclosure for better reliability. I wil let you all know how it goes.