Roundel sidemarker/turnsignal light mod

[bruce2000ltc]

I’ve always thought the sidemarker/turnsignal light on the Z4 roadster (that incorporates the BMW badge) is really cool. When the ’05 LT moved the BMW badge out of the vent to the side panel I knew something could be done to copy that effect. The photos show what I came up with.
The lens is made of plexiglass and is illuminated by amber LEDs. They are wired as running lights + turnsignals. When the turnsignal is activated they alternate back-in-forth with the stock turnsignal.

Bruce Hodges

[jackd]

Nice Job! :thumb:

[bruce2000ltc]

Nice Job! :thumb:
Thanks Jack, I've gotten so many great ideas and tips from this site I'm just trying to return the favor.

Bruce Hodges

[hschisler]

OK that is very, very nice. Adds a touch of class, is unique among bikes, and it's practical. Touche.

Will we find your vendor tent at CCR? :cool:

[tsBMWminer]

Those are very nice.
Look great...

[bowlesj]

I’ve always thought the sidemarker/turnsignal light on the Z4 roadster (that incorporates the BMW badge) is really cool. When the ’05 LT moved the BMW badge out of the vent to the side panel I knew something could be done to copy that effect. The photos show what I came up with.
The lens is made of plexiglass and is illuminated by amber LEDs. They are wired as running lights + turnsignals. When the turnsignal is activated they alternate back-in-forth with the stock turnsignal.

Bruce Hodges

Excellant work Bruce. Do you have any more details on this project, such as making the clear lense and led attachment? Any other photos would be great.

Thanks

[bruce2000ltc]

Excellant work Bruce. Do you have any more details on this project, such as making the clear lense and led attachment? Any other photos would be great.

Thanks
Hi John,
It’s been well over a year since I did this mod -- but here goes…

After you remove the fairing side panel you’ll see that the black plastic and chrome roundel holder is attached with nuts. Remove this piece and the roundel.
The lens is cutout of ½” Plexiglas using a hole saw about the same size as the roundel. A smaller hole saw is used to open the center making the lens look like a donut. The radius of the center hole saw is ¾” smaller. Finish the edge of the lens on a table belt sander leaving the edge slightly rough to help diffuse the light. Align the lens on the black plastic mount and mark the 2 holes where the roundel pins went through. Drill and tap the holes slightly larger than the size of the roundel pins. Attach the lens to the holder with screws that thread into the lens about halfway. Drill a ¼” hole into the black plastic holder in the center of lens opening.(this is for the LED wires)
The lens is illuminated by arranging 5 LEDs in a star pattern. Solder wire leads to the LEDs and insulate with heat shrink tubing. Use small wire 22 or 24 gage and note the polarity of the LEDs, they only work one way. I used red wire for + and black for - to make hook-up easier. Pass the wires through the center hole in the black plastic mount and bend the leads to make your star pattern. You may find you need to make this hole larger. Use black silicone to seal the hole and to hold the LEDs in place. Let the silicone setup overnight. Below the LEDs, near the lens, drill a 1/8” hole in the black plastic so any water can drain out. You can use individual resisters for each LED or you can wire all five in series and use only one. Drill a hole on the fairing panel, centered between the 2 mounting holes, to pass the wires through.
Pass the wires through the fairing panel and remount the black plastic and chrome roundel holder to the fairing panel. So you can remove the fairing panel in the future install a connector to the LED wires. It’s mating connector is wired to the fairing turn signal socket wires. The + lead from the LEDs goes to the + wire for the running light. The - lead goes to the + wire of the turn signal. Plug the connectors together and test.
The last thing to do is to attach the BMW roundel. Lay the fairing panel on the floor. Shorten the pins on the roundel so they will not bottom out on the screws that hold the lens. Test fit the roundel to be sure. Put a small bead of silicone on the lens and a small amount in the threaded holes of the lens. Press the roundel in place and let the silicone setup overnight.

Bruce Hodges

[bowlesj]

Thanks Bruce, that's plenty of good info.


Again, looks great.

[Swan]

Compliments Bruce, excellent job and very very elegant.
Your modifies has resulted very interesting beyond ocean and we are trying to realize it.
Thank you for the information.
Bye.

[messenger13]

All you have left to do now is get the wings involved in your little light show. When you hit the turn-signal button, the lights should flash in a clockwise fashion...turn-signal > roundel > wing > turn-signal > roundel > wing > etc...

How cool would that be?! :D

I really like this mod a LOT. I may do this on the topbox of my GT, but it will fuction as a brake light.

[pozo_izquierdo]

Now that is way cool, Bruce!

Too bad this idea did not come up earlier. I lost one of the roundels last summer as the double sided tape had gone bad. After that glued both of them on with silicone...

Oh well, I guess I can pry them loose since this idea will surely get copied.

Thanks for the idea and thorough explanation!

Best regards

[bmwhd]

Very cool. I thought about this too the first time I saw a Z4 back in the day but lacked the energy to do it. Great job!

[jhsonderb]

Bruce ... This is by far one of he coolest mods I've seen. Functional and indiscreet. Thanks for the detailed write up.