Custom LED turn signal mirrors

[The Golden Monkey]

I've been working on this project off and on for a couple months, and finally finished it up. Behold, my new ultra-visible turn signal mirrors! Since I installed the flushmounts, I'd been thinking about how to set up some turn signals that can actually be seen from the front. At first I was going to put some LEDs in the handguards, until I remembered that they're the first thing to hit the ground. Also I like to remove them in the summer, so I decided on the mirrors instead.

Being the detail-oriented (some call it obsessive) guy I am, I didn't want to just glue some LEDs on the outside of the mirror housings -- I wanted them to look as "factory" as possible. Installing them in the handguards certainly would have been easier than putting them in the mirror housings -- removing the glass is not a simple task. All I can say is, I'm glad I used the cheap (~$13) Emgo napoleon-style mirrors, instead of actual napoleons...

video of rad blinky action at night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4veqrngrROk)

video of somewhat less rad daytime blinky action (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVX-HI_HhW4)

photos of the mod process (http://www.flickr.com/photos/idearrhea/sets/72157604251610904/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2362691317_ba2f2a426f.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2179/2365420236_4e88dd5377.jpg?v=0

[ManiacSucks]

Slick.:cool: I like them and they're a lot cheaper than the ones I've been contemplating for a year.

[Bright Side]

How did you wire the leads to power?

[LarryB]

I like the hell out of that, although they're really not that much wider than the flush mounts. Does get the blinkers away from the headlights, which is nice.

How much did you say you were charging for this mod? :D

[The Golden Monkey]

How did you wire the leads to power?

I cut the bullet connectors off the stock turn signal harness and used posi-locks to connect both the mirror and the flushmount leads to it.

[Irwin Fletcher]

I love these things. I have been looking at doing this for a long time but now that I see it I really am going to have to follow through. Where and what model of LED are you using.
Nice job on putting them in the mirror. The extra time taken makes the thing look really sharp.

[The Golden Monkey]

I love these things. I have been looking at doing this for a long time but now that I see it I really am going to have to follow through. Where and what model of LED are you using.
Nice job on putting them in the mirror. The extra time taken makes the thing look really sharp.

Thanks! I used the 3" light bars from Custom Dynamics (http://www.customdynamics.com/Light_bars.htm) (item #02241). I wanted the clear lens, but they only offer it with chrome housing, though that didn't matter since I was putting them inside the housing. I had originally planned to use individual LEDs in the handguards until I saw Drone's setup in this post on the other v-strom forum: http://11109.rapidforum.com/topic=110472265710

Getting the glass out of the mirror without breaking it was really tough. I used one of the heavier style x-acto knives to shave away the lip that retains the glass, around 3 of the corners and along the inside edge. I didn't want to take too much off though, or the glass wouldn't be secure when replaced. After soaking the housing in hot water for a few minutes I was able to ease the glass out with the help of the knife. Like I said, it's a good thing the mirrors are cheap, because I broke a couple of them. That had the plus of allowing me to refine the design somewhat. Patience will be rewarded. If I did it again, I might try cutting a slot along one of the sides to slide the glass out.

[water warrior]

Very nicely done. You have more patience than I do.

[honest bob]

Very nice:thumbup:. Can the LED's be seen from right and left? Makes the signal stand out from the running lights. This looks like an improvement Suzuki should be contemplating.

[The Golden Monkey]

Very nice:thumbup:. Can the LED's be seen from right and left? Makes the signal stand out from the running lights. This looks like an improvement Suzuki should be contemplating.

Thanks. Those LEDs were kind of a disappointment, not being very bright unless viewed straight on. My current setup is considerably better.