Thunderhoof

Ok, so I finally got around to adding the LED running lights to my saddle bags. I had changed my turn signal bulbs and brake light bulb to LED's some time ago and LOVE THEM! But I wanted to add more light to side of my ride - all the better to see me with. I started off with buying some LED strips off ebay for a few bucks each.



I bought some Scotch adhesive foam tape and went with the strongest one they had at Lowes - the 5lb rated one. I'm sure it's over-kill, these LED strips weigh only ounces, but with the wind shear tugging at them at freeway speeds I decided it was better safe than sorry. After cleaning the bags I cut and applied the scotch tape and then laid over the LED strips. I used binder clips like the ones used in offices (gee, I wonder how I got those - ha ha!) to keep them firmly attached and let them sit over night.

BEFORE:


AFTER:


I used some small gauge wire and ran them from the bags, under the seat and connected them to the brake light wire on the bike. I attached the negative wires to one of the existing screws under the seat, put a washer under it for good contact. I made sure to use pig-tail connectors so that I could easily disconnect/reconnect them if I need to take off the saddle bags (ex: like to put on a new final drive someday... don't get me started! LOL). Then I covered it with plastic wire loom.




I used to have a 'Wing and loved the fact that the top trunk had running lights on it. Plus I always admired the look of the Harley's top trunk with inset LED's so I decided to do what I could with what I have. I took a plastic 8.5 x 11 picture frame that I wasn't using anymore (because my 5 year old son broke the glass... another story there) and lined up the smaller LED strip - the strip was just under an inch too long. The good thing about these LED strips is that they are made so that you can cut them at every 3 LEDs, so I cut off the end at the designed break.





I then cut the plastic picture frame and sanded the ends. I then polished it some with Brasso to get it to match the semi-gloss look like rest of it. I drilled a small hole in the back to run the wire through and used a hot glue gun to attach the strip to the frame. I filled the rest of the hole with a dab of clear silicone. The hole was very small and a tight fit for the wire, again just doing it for good measure.







I then used the Scotch foam tape to attach the LEDs to my sissy bar bag, soldered some more wire to the the LED strip's wires, covered it with head shrink tubing and blasted it with a heat gun.




After connecting it to my other LED wires under the seat I buttoned up the seats and - WHALA - Let There Be Light!

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"Thunderhoof"
Vance & Hines jet kit, K&N, modified pipes, switchblade windshield, dual back rests, license plate relo, tank bib, MCE highway bars, Marlin's clock & thermometer, Kury ISO grips, smoked lenses, Saddleman bags, run/turn/brake controller, PIAA headlight, LED turn signals & running lights,Optronics spotlights, de-paired, "de-Huffied" and de-badged! Kruz Drive Club member.

peprice

Can you see me MEOW. Big laugh.


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Darth Tater

Nicely Done!

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'08 C50T Kuryakyn HyperCharger Intake w/ Stinger Trap Door, American Racing Light Bar, Dobeck Gen 2 FI controller, American Racing slip on mufflers(?), LED mod on Dash Panel, LED Kit, Baron Mini-Tach

the_snake1201

Great job, and nice bags, too.

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2011 BMW R1200RT

Independent Auditor for the WFNR Relief Fund

I'm not short...I'm size-manageable.

Hi-Vis

Thunderhoof, that is "HI-Vis".

I would like to see a few more pictures of the finished product while it's operating.

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Special Edition 2009 C50 Green/White . 13100 miles. Loaded up and then some!
2006 Honda Big-Ruckus 250 scooter. ~Rare~

If an old man is Laughing at you for no reason, you might want to take a mental inventory because you might have lost something.

ATGATT Sweat, not blood.

louis

That's pretty cool. I'd like to see them lit too.

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2006 C50

W7WX

+1 ! Dig the bags...and like what you did. I have a few plans myself to add some LED's down the road. Yours turned out great.

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2011 C50T & 2005 C90
ATGATT

Moto-Suzzi G50

Very nice job.

vhfaninsc

Nice job and nice bags.

Thunderhoof

Thanks everyone. I'll take some more pictures of them lit up this weekend. The way the saddle bags are made, the lids overlap the area where I put the lights on. I decided to go that route and have the light give that 'ground effects' glowing look as opposed to mounting the lights lower and in direct view. If I put them lower the'd be brighter but when they are off you would still see the strip and I didn't want that. BTW - the bags are Saddleman Cruzin' Deluxe bags and I love 'em.

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"Thunderhoof"
Vance & Hines jet kit, K&N, modified pipes, switchblade windshield, dual back rests, license plate relo, tank bib, MCE highway bars, Marlin's clock & thermometer, Kury ISO grips, smoked lenses, Saddleman bags, run/turn/brake controller, PIAA headlight, LED turn signals & running lights,Optronics spotlights, de-paired, "de-Huffied" and de-badged! Kruz Drive Club member.