Added rear (and side) marker and brake lights...

[ksawatsky]

Due to a mishap I had to replace my right saddlebag. The new one came (via ebay) with three unwanted holes -- two on the side in the "painted" area and one on the rear -- drilled in it (some kind of trim added by the PO, no doubt). In trying to figure out how to cover those without looking odd, I decided to tackle a project that I've wated to do for a while. I really like the "un-missable" lighting on the GW's and have always wanted more light on the Voyager, particularly the rear.

I bought six of these LED strips (mine glow RED although when not lit they are clear) from TMI (http://usaled.com/page/nizq/LED_Products.html. Relatively inexpensive and very quick shipping! The LEDs have two brightness levels:



I installed them as you see below using the existing holes and drilling an additional two for the bolts for each strip. The lower brightness level is connected to the side marker lights on the saddlebags and the higher brightness level is connected to my brakelights (in the trunk). FYI, I have a Back-Off device which flashes by brake lights in a pattern, so the higher brightness level flashes as well:



Here's a (bad -- sorry!) picture of the result:



So far so good! Holes disguised, lighting improved. Should be good! It does look a bit like a Christmas tree when I hit the brakes, but cages should have a HARD time missing that I'm in front or beside them!

[Nathan (South Carolina)]

Nice!!! Real good idea!

[DaveC]

I connected the power to have the LED on all the time and connected the ground or negative to the flasher circuit so when it flashes it make the potential equal on both legs and causes the lights to go out.

http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=UD2 ... h4l5k2TGxc

[David (N. Alabama)]

The interesting part of this story is that you could have been mad about the holes, but you saw an opportunity to improve your bike. Very nice job. I bet you don't get any tailgators when you are on the road.

[ksawatsky]

I bet you don't get any tailgators when you are on the road.

Ha! Nope... And my daughter says I already have my Christmas lights up... :-)