[Torquser]

For Conspicuosity. I have searched the threads, want to have more triangular light print than putting them on the light bar under the headlights, looked at the reflector boss - 5 mm bolt, the fender mount - 6 mm bolt, plus the possibility of crushing the fender mount tab when tightening. Then I saw the axle is hollow. What would be wrong with running a 5/16th or 3/8th bolt all the way through and mounting the LED's on the ends? What am i missing, besides adding to unsprung weight?

 

[Iride]

Something like this?? I used the reflector brackets,
I bought some cheap 55 watt lights at Walmart and took them apart and installed 3 watt LED MR16 bulbs in them, Total cost was about 40 dollars

 

[OydnaR]

I don't like frame mounted headlights, I perfer fork mounted lights that turn, especially for trail/offroad riding at night

been looking for a way to mount fork mounted auxillary lights, but I'm kinda leary of mounting them unsuspended in fear that the bulbs and mounting hardware wouldn't hold up to the vibration

wish I had the resources to fabricate, I'd design and built a bracket that attaches to the triple tree acts as a fork guard and positons the lights as if they were bolted to the reflector boss

 

[The Golden Monkey]

Here's my setup: http://www.stromtrooper.com/v-strom...led-cop-lights-=-ultimate-running-lights.html
I used the fender mounts. I got some nylon bushing of the appropriate diameter and cut it to the right length to fill the gap, serving the function of the shoulder on the original fender bolt.

 

[Improperly Torqued]

Then I saw the axle is hollow. What would be wrong with running a 5/16th or 3/8th bolt all the way through and mounting the LED's on the ends? What am i missing, besides adding to unsprung weight?

It would be very helpful to put your bike model in your sig. You had me confused with the hollow axle.

I considered fork-mounted lights for the same reasons you cite, but decided against them because I never found a satisfactory way to mount them. By "satisfactory", I mean that they would have to be mounted strongly enough to not break off in a minor tipover, or fracture due to metal fatigue and end up wound around my wheel on the highway.

Instead, I built a two-piece aluminum bracket which attaches to my (old style) SW Motech crash bar at about the height of the brake calipers. The two pieces are joined with nylon bolts which can break off without damaging anything in a tipover. I have spare bolts in my bag.

I needed nothing more than aluminum stock from the hardware store, a hacksaw, and a drill. A Dremel tool is nice for cleaning it up, but not necessary.

http://www.flyingjoke.org/motorcycles/dl650/whelen LIN3/DSCN5901.JPG

http://www.flyingjoke.org/motorcycles/dl650/whelen LIN3/DSCN5904.JPG

 

[Godfather]

Here is the write up I did on my fork mounted lights.

http://www.stromtrooper.com/general-v-strom-discussion/46958-driving-lights-again.html

I did these just to be seen...so far so good.

 

[kick]

I mounted mine like Iride did. I ended up having to drill out the fender bolt hole on the forks a little though because my lights took a 5/16 bolt.

 

[RoadRdr]

I'm very pleased with the build quality of the MotoLights. They mount on the lower forks and definitely give me the triangle of light that was my goal. They aren't inexpensive, but what can a crash cost? Some things you can feel the quality of the product, this is one of them.

My other bike that I took them off of is a Honda ST1100 with an ample alternator so the power draw wasn't an issue. I did some research and found that MotoLights now offers an LED conversion kit. I have a conversion kit ordered and in the mail to me. I'm going to try to measure the power savings between the halogen and LED versions of the lights.

Tom

 

[Torquser]

Thanks for your responses - I may go with the add on to the engine guards, as it keeps the extra weight off the forks.

 

[swingset]

Thanks for your responses - I may go with the add on to the engine guards, as it keeps the extra weight off the forks.

Lights are, well, light...weight should not be a concern. Mine weigh mere ounces.

 

[ghostrider66]

For Conspicuosity. I have searched the threads, want to have more triangular light print than putting them on the light bar under the headlights, looked at the reflector boss - 5 mm bolt, the fender mount - 6 mm bolt, plus the possibility of crushing the fender mount tab when tightening. Then I saw the axle is hollow. What would be wrong with running a 5/16th or 3/8th bolt all the way through and mounting the LED's on the ends? What am i missing, besides adding to unsprung weight?

It is far better to mount auxilary lights as high as possible on the bike rather than low down.

Check out the link below from iron butt website.

IBA - World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders

 

[swingset]

It is far better to mount auxilary lights as high as possible on the bike rather than low down.

Check out the link below from iron butt website.

IBA - World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders

He's mounting them for conspicuous lighting, higher (and thus closer to the headlights) is the wrong direction.

The "triangle of light" works better the farther the points are away from each other.

 

[RoadRdr]

The lower mounted lights are installed to assist drivers in better judging the speed of the oncoming vehicle. It started with studies on why drivers misjudged the speed of approaching trains. Train wins every time.
There were also studies in Japan by Honda engineers on the triangle of light.

Here's a link to the federal study for trains and the triangle of light.
http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/Research/rr0717.pdf

I was convinced the first time I rode with two friends who had Motolights installed. Their bikes stood out on interstates and secondary roads. I don't count on them alone to protect me, but its one more weapon in the arsenal.
Here's a shot taken at Deals Gap on my ST. I also have a yellow stone guard headlight cover. A bit unusual in color but I stand out. If they see me, they see me. Mission accomplished.

 

[ghostrider66]

The lower mounted lights are installed to assist drivers in better judging the speed of the oncoming vehicle. It started with studies on why drivers misjudged the speed of approaching trains. Train wins every time.
There were also studies in Japan by Honda engineers on the triangle of light.

Here's a link to the federal study for trains and the triangle of light.
http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/Research/rr0717.pdf

I was convinced the first time I rode with two friends who had Motolights installed. Their bikes stood out on interstates and secondary roads. I don't count on them alone to protect me, but its one more weapon in the arsenal.
Here's a shot taken at Deals Gap on my ST. I also have a yellow stone guard headlight cover. A bit unusual in color but I stand out. If they see me, they see me. Mission accomplished.

Unfortunately studies for the triangular lighting effect on motorcycles makes either very minimal or no difference.

Check out this study from Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/b-Binder-EffectsofMotorVehicleDRLonMotorcycleConspicuity.pdf

 

[ghostrider66]

He's mounting them for conspicuous lighting, higher (and thus closer to the headlights) is the wrong direction.

The "triangle of light" works better the farther the points are away from each other.

Trangle of light maybe effective for trains no proof it is effective for bikes.

http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/b-Binder-EffectsofMotorVehicleDRLonMotorcycleConspicuity.pdf

 

[swingset]

Trangle of light maybe effective for trains no proof it is effective for bikes.

http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/b-Binder-EffectsofMotorVehicleDRLonMotorcycleConspicuity.pdf

I'm not going to bicker about the study, it's obviously important to you since you're invested in debunking it.

I've seen enough bikes from the cage, and led enough both with and without running lights to know that they are vastly more visible and noticeable than bikes without, and if I can see it than there's a good chance that everyone else can.

And, frankly, that can only be a good thing and there's not a single downside to being more visible.

Well, hell, maybe you'll tell us there is one.

 

[ghostrider66]

Sorry, didn't mean to upset anyone. I spend a lot of time reading and studying motorcycle safety reports, nothing more than for personal interest. I sometimes get concerned that riders often get a false sense of security because they have gone and made a mod to their bike (i.e. in this case aux. lighting) and as a result maybe take risks that they may not have done before they made the mod to their bike.

I still think the best way to be more visable during daylight hours is to wear as much HiViz gear as possible and there have been tons of studies on the benefits of HiViz gear. On study from Australia actually determined that a motorcyclist is 37% less likely to involved in a collision with another vehicle when wearing HiViz gear.

 

[tytek]

Here is what my lights look like. They are Hella driving lights mounted on/via the fender bolts...

Many of the riders that group rode with me since I put these on can't stop talking about how much more noticeable my bike is now.

One can argue with the study and/or think differently than myself on the this subject, but anything that may help me minimize the risk of riding a bike is worth pursuing. And I really dig that look on my wee!

 

[Improperly Torqued]

Whoops, I'll remove my comments since I see that this ground was already thoroughly covered.

I will emphasize, though, that whatever you make of the studies, the goals of better nighttime lighting and daytime conspicuity are not the same, and must be treated differently.

 

[Improperly Torqued]

http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/b-Binder-EffectsofMotorVehicleDRLonMotorcycleConspicuity.pdf

I'll also thank you for that link. I very much appreciate discussing empirical data rather than speculation.