Hyper lights install on a Strom

[anaconda]

I installed two sets of hyper lights on the strom a couple of months ago. One set as additional brake lights (which flashes real quick), and a non-flashing, amber set to put in addition to the rear stock turn signals.

I wanted to make the install as clean as possible, which unfortunately involved taking the rear fender apart. And I say unfortunately because to do so I first had to take the brackets for the Givi sidecases and the top case carrier...:giveup: ...but, I had plenty of help around.

Here's Mollie helping me out with the rear fender:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights1.jpg

Removing the rear fender gave me access to the stock wiring. Doing the tie-in in here is the best because that way the wires going to the new lights don't get in the way of removing the fender in the future, and I don't need to buy extra connectors.

Since I wanted a clean install, I followed the advice of people better versed in this matter than myself, and opted for soldering instead of using a tap-in connector. Which was fine by me, since some else did the soldering anyways...... (Thanks Bill!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights2.jpg

The best place we found to install the brake lights was right next to license plate, where the red reflectors are. I chose to drill a hole on each side of the fender so I could run the wires on the inside:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights3.jpg

For the amber LEDs, I drilled a hole underneath each turn signal. That way the wire would run through the signal stem:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights4.jpg

The results:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights5.jpg


A little clip here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/player.swf?refURL=/&file=http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%2520Strom/Hyperlights/IMGP0026.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1

(if anyone figures out how to embed a video from photobucket, let me know!!!)
On a side note, and expanding on txmedic's thread on visibility... I added reflective decals to the bike. As you could see on the photo above, I added chevron stripes to the top case, and round "radioactive" decals to the sidecases. They almos look like extra lights, but they just reflected the flash light.
The chevron decals, which I also have on the side of the sidecases, are actually black...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights6.jpg

...but reflect white when a light shines upon them:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights7.jpg

[Gilk51]

Good job, Ana. :thumb:

I also have a hyperlight brake set (slightly different from yours) that I have been putting off installing for the same reasons - taking off and then putting back on the Givi racks (they gave me fits when I first did them and the under bracket distorts my rear fender :-( )

I almost tore into it last weekend but opted to go riding instead... :mrgreen:

[anaconda]

I hear ya. I worked all moring on installing a SS brake line, and when I started to work on the lights and figured that there was no way to do it but taking the fender (and Givi bracktets) appart I almost threw the towel. Luckily there was plenty of people around to give me a hand if things got compicated...I guess that's one of the benefits of tech days, you get plenty of encouragment and really get things done.

[DFW_Warrior]

Good job, Ana. :thumb:

I also have a hyperlight brake set (slightly different from yours) that I have been putting off installing for the same reasons - taking off and then putting back on the Givi racks (they gave me fits when I first did them and the under bracket distorts my rear fender :-( )

I almost tore into it last weekend but opted to go riding instead... :mrgreen:

Sell them to me!!!! I'll install them on my rattle-trap of a bike!! LOL Or just come over and I'll help you install them. Either way works for me.

Great write up Ana. And to those that haven't seen them in person, let me say that the photos don't do them justice. They are wicked bright, and can be seen from a long way back.

[TexasShadow]

Excellent! Looks visible and nice clean job.

As an aside, one of the major issues with most bikes is visibility at night from the sides. I've had several close-encounters, in parking lots mostly, from drivers unable to really see me and the bike sideways. One was too close; afterwards I added LED lights to my wheels. They screw into the air valves on the tires and are motion activated. Mine are blue and they show up really nicely. Nevertheless, I'm still looking for increased visibility from both sides as well as the rear.

Others have told me the Hyperlights on my license plate (brake activated) are very noticeable and even mesmerizing in the dark, but I still haven't seen them for myself! They flash red and green in a circular pattern. I'd like to add something more, and higher, but nothing to attach anything to above the tail light (I don't have a top box). I like your idea of the reflective chevrons! Very nice and attention-grabbing.

[Squeaky]

Ana, if you keep adding cool stuff to your bike I'm going to go broke keeping up! :doh:

[DaveC]

Is this to let cagers know where to aim?
:lol2:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights7.jpg

[anaconda]

Is this to let cagers know where to aim?
:lol2:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Wee%20Strom/Hyperlights/lights7.jpg

:rofl: Good one!!

As of yesterday, I no longer have those sidecases on the bike. I mounted Touratech aluminum panniers. I ordered a roll of DOT conspicuity tape to put on the new panniers, but I may end up buying the chevron decals as well (the also come in white). I'll make sure I point them to the car behind me instead of my legs...

[anaconda]

Excellent! Looks visible and nice clean job.

As an aside, one of the major issues with most bikes is visibility at night from the sides. I've had several close-encounters, in parking lots mostly, from drivers unable to really see me and the bike sideways. One was too close; afterwards I added LED lights to my wheels. They screw into the air valves on the tires and are motion activated. Mine are blue and they show up really nicely. Nevertheless, I'm still looking for increased visibility from both sides as well as the rear.

Others have told me the Hyperlights on my license plate (brake activated) are very noticeable and even mesmerizing in the dark, but I still haven't seen them for myself! They flash red and green in a circular pattern. I'd like to add something more, and higher, but nothing to attach anything to above the tail light (I don't have a top box). I like your idea of the reflective chevrons! Very nice and attention-grabbing.

I think the most cost-effective solution for side conspicuity is to use reflective tape or reflective decals. You could add some amber LED lights shinning on the engine, but good reflective tape will probably shine brighter than LEDs....assuming of course that whatever car that it's approaching from the side has working headlights... They also sell reflective pinstripping that you can put on your wheels.

[anaconda]

Ana, if you keep adding cool stuff to your bike I'm going to go broke keeping up! :doh:

Well...I just added a set of touratech panniers....:trust: Although they lack the cool factor of your ammo cans.

[Squeaky]

Well...I just added a set of touratech panniers....:trust: Although they lack the cool factor of your ammo cans.

Yes, but the cool factor weighs in at about 18 lbs each! :eek2:

[jhansen]

Well...I just added a set of touratech panniers....:trust: Although they lack the cool factor of your ammo cans.
got pics?

[Eulogite]

Yeah, but most of those "European style" panniers make we want to order ice cream...or newspapers. :-P

[TexasShadow]

Yeah, but most of those "European style" panniers make we want to order ice cream...or newspapers. :-PWhat's wrong with ice cream?

[anaconda]

got pics?
Of the touratech's or Squeaky's ammo cans?
I'm working on a report of the touratech install using Givi racks on the Wee strom.

[jhansen]

your touratech's and I can wait for the report....:zen:

[kurt]

Invest in the lid leashes. You can thank me later.

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/show.lasso?SKU=055-0225&-session=touratech:A259003C1d71f31A96KSu436B5E4

My, but haven't the Touratech boxes gotten pricey? :eek2: I guess it's just the poor exchange rate.

[anaconda]

Invest in the lid leashes. You can thank me later.

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/show.lasso?SKU=055-0225&-session=touratech:A259003C1d71f31A96KSu436B5E4

My, but haven't the Touratech boxes gotten pricey? :eek2: I guess it's just the poor exchange rate.

Heh, I purchased the leashes when I bought the boxes. I sooo see myself forgetting to lock the lid down and loosing it.
And yep, they aren't cheap alright...

[anaconda]

your touratech's and I can wait for the report....:zen:


Here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/anaconda_aggie/Zega%20cases/zeg.jpg

[Squeaky]

I didn't even see your bike today in the sea of mo-sheens. If you're feeling better I'll check the cases out on Monday.

[jhansen]

looks good. you can haul some groceries now! :clap:

[kp600]

I like the hyperlights. I’ve been wanting to do more to increase conspicuity from the rear. One of the features that attracted me to the ReV’it Dakar pants is the big reflective strips on the utulity pockets on the outside of the thigh. The single numero uno absolute best investment I’ve made toward saving my skin has been converting to HID headlights. If it’s about seeing and being seen, HID is the ticket. Owning a bakery, I frequently have to commute to work in the wee hours of the morning through 13 miles of BambiLand and my ride home is almost always after dark. I can see sooo much farther down the road and the new lights have greatly improved illumination way out in the periphery. I can see deer out on the shoulder that I couldn’t see before. I’ve seen cagers about to pull out into my path do a double take and hit the brakes! I run the high beam all the time too unless I’m right behind another vehicle or until I get flashed. If people flash me I know they see me. Sure, they might be annoyed for a few seconds but they’ll get over it. It’s a small price to ask for me to get to live to ride another day. Everyone I ride with says the difference in the HID’s is incredible. Plug ‘n play HID conversion kits are getting pretty reasonable too. I got mine on ebay for $120. Don’t worry if your bike isn’t cranking out a ton of ampres either - HID’s use about ½ the juice as halogen. Here’s a random youtube clip comparing HID and halogen on identical 400’s. Enjoy!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BqFyX8LasRU

[anaconda]

Ken,

thanks for your input on HID lights. How long have you had yours? I know some people have not been lucky with some of this kits in terms of bulb life.

[kp600]

Ken,
Thanks for your input on HID lights. How long have you had yours? I know some people have not been lucky with some of this kits in terms of bulb life.


I installed them the first part of April this year. I've had to jiggle one of the plugs once or twice but other than that they have performed flawlessly. I noticed that replacement bulbs are pretty cheap on ebay too. So even if I had to replace them often, I feel so much safer (more visible) I couldn't imagine riding without 'em day or night. :rider: