900 Custom Lighting Finished!

[insolentminx]

On Wednesday night I received the final LED units for my ‘light show’. I installed a set of StreetFX brake pods, which flash red when you brake to further alert anyone behind you that you’re braking. I also affixed 2 more Flexi-Strips to the underside of the frame, and a LED strand under the rear fender to give a little more light over the back wheel.

The brake pods were an interesting installation. I first had to find out which wire running to the taillight was the brakelight wire, so off came the taillight and fortunately there’s a connector plug so you can just remove the whole rear light assembly. This left me room to work with so I could feed the wires from the brake pods up from under the fender



I’m no electrician and didn’t have a wiring diagram, so I earthed the earth wire onto the frame and touched the live pod wire into the taillight connector plug and quickly ascertained that it was the blue wire which powered the brake light. So I carefully removed the blue insulation and soldered the live wire from the pods into it (my soldering is horribly messy). I then wrapped it up nice and snugly with insulating tape





The wire that came with the pods was immensely long, so I first attached the pods to the licence plate bracket with the 3M doublesided tape. They fitted and looked best positioned at a slight angle either side of the stock licence plate light, and it also meant that the wires could neatly be routed under the lip of the tip of the fender and guided around to be cable tied securely to the rest of the taillight wires. So it was just a case of cutting a length of the wire out and re-soldering it back together at a shorter length so there was less wire to hide under the fender.



And then everything neatly fitted back into place, I reattached the taillight, and voila!! I now have flashing lights which will surely mean that anyone behind me on the road won’t be able to miss me when I brake!




After that I moved on to installing the 2 Flexi-strips and Strand. This wasn’t too hard as I already had a good wiring set-up, so it was just a simple case of positioning the lights and routing the wires out of sight.

The 2 strips that I already had under the frame were awkwardly positioned and left a void in the glow on the floor as they were both facing away from each other. With the prospect of having 4 strips under the bike now I moved the 2 solid strips further forward and cable tied them parallel opposite each other… I was then able to use the Flexi-Strips a little further to the rear of the bike against the awkward parts of the frame where I was previously unable to secure the original big, bulky strips.




I struggled to find a place to put the long strand of lights, so in the end just decided to enhance the glow under the rear fender. It easily attached to my current wiring under the fender, and really brightens it up under there. It also gives a nice long pattern of LEDs reflected on the top of the exhaust pipe too, whereas before there was just the 2 reflections from the original pods.



And so that completes the lighting! I’ll be taking some scenic shots when I get the chance, so at the moment it’s just inside my (messy) garage.

[insolentminx]

Here’s a few shots of how it all looks and there’s even a little video with a commentary of how it all looks in the dark.

[jeffs99vulcan]

This I like... very nice. Great work Steve!

[insolentminx]

cheers Jeff!

[Dajur]

It definitely looks cool.

How come you don't sound English?

[DevilDogge]

Looks great Steve.... great job on hiding the led's...

[buckles]

looks great, those brake flashers are a good idea

[insolentminx]

It definitely looks cool.

How come you don't sound English?

Thanks.

And a very good question.
I lived in the US a few years ago and picked up the accent really quickly and it's kinda stuck.
I have hints of Australian and South African sometimes too (although i've never been)... but my American accent comes back when i start talking to Americans... so maybe i subconciously did it because I knew Americans would be listening to it? i dunno

I tried to speak normally as i know Cheri likes the English accent!

I haven't actually listened to the vid though as i hate the sound of my own voice recorded

[Dajur]

One more thing, you do know that a minx refers to a woman, right?

EDIT: HAHA, just realized that "Insolent Minx" is the name of your bike. I think of my bike as a dude though.

[TIMMEH]

man that's cool. Great job. Now I got an even bigger wishlist...thanks. *wanders off to find more cash*

[wild_deuce03]

One more thing, you do know that a minx refers to a woman, right?

EDIT: HAHA, just realized that "Insolent Minx" is the name of your bike. I think of my bike as a dude though.

Hey, if riding dudes is your thing I've got nothing against you. To each his own.

[wild_deuce03]

Oh, and by the way. Lights look great, Steve! I need to get off my arse and get mine done!

[Utah Motorcyclist]

That looks awesome. Great write up!

[insolentminx]

One more thing, you do know that a minx refers to a woman, right?

EDIT: HAHA, just realized that "Insolent Minx" is the name of your bike. I think of my bike as a dude though.

hehe, yeah, she's a feisty one!!

man that's cool. Great job. Now I got an even bigger wishlist...thanks. *wanders off to find more cash*

I blame the forum... if i'd have not found this place i'd still have a stock bike!

Lights look great, Steve! I need to get off my arse and get mine done!

why the delay? .... hurry up!!! they days are getting darker so there's more time to ride with the lights on.... hurry! (and post pics too...)

That looks awesome. Great write up!

thanks

I do it for my enjoyment, but i really welcome all your comments too

[johnathon amos]

Brake lights are really cool. Great job.

[insolentminx]

cheers John.
Are you related to Tori?

[deionychus]

Looks like a rolling rock concert! Where are you going to mount the fog machines (is that what the saddle bags are for?) haha!

But seriously, looks great. It looked a bit like you chewed the blue insulation off that wire, but as long as it's wrapped up and can't short out then it should be fine. That is a lot of detail work!

[insolentminx]

i skimmed it away with a stanley-knife until i got to the wire, and then cut the rest off. I didn't have much to work with so didn't want to cut it and strip it back for fear of messing up. It's all soldered and securely wrapped up

But thank you

i think i'll put a fog machine in the left bag, and the amp+subwoofer in the right

[c_law23]

Thanks.

And a very good question.
I lived in the US a few years ago and picked up the accent really quickly and it's kinda stuck.
I have hints of Australian and South African sometimes too (although i've never been)... but my American accent comes back when i start talking to Americans... so maybe i subconciously did it because I knew Americans would be listening to it? i dunno

I tried to speak normally as i know Cheri likes the English accent!

wait, i think you are speaking normally....

American...normal since 1776

looks great Steve.

[Dougsboy]

OMG STEVE!!!!!!!!!

I am in love!!!!!!

Videos of your GORGEOUS bike, hearing your sexy voice and then SEEING your body move to the bike and back.....HEART BE STILL!

You have done an OUTSTANDING job on your baby!!!!! I am SO JEALOUS!
If I lived close enough, I would park my bike next to yours with a bag full of LEDs!!!!

Next, others may not have heard it, but I caught some of that English accent...mostly at the end of your sentences!!! I heard enough to fall in love!!!!

Now...if your new girlfriend doesn't treat you right, PLEASE let me know!!!!

Whoa! Hope your hubby doesn't read this forum.