Easy saddlebag light mod

[pozo_izquierdo]

This is a mod I did already a year ago but I thought in case other Europeans have not seen these I'll throw some ideas.

I happened to bump into these amber led strips at Biltema shop and I found out that they are exactly the right length to fit in the cavity of the saddlebag reflector. They are originally intended to be added to rearview mirrors to give the "Mercedes look" for the turn signals.

The set costs about 20 euros and they fasten with the 3M adhesive tape. I added similar to front fenders as well :p.

Regards

[®win]

Hi Ari,

A few Dutch LT riders already have done a modification to the original reflector strips in the side bags. We have added LED strips inside the reflectors. With the lights off you only see the reflector like nothing changed. When you turn the lights on, you can see nine LEDs burning.

I have connected them so that they light up when the lights are on, and they are flashing oposite to the turn signal lights. I will post some pictures tomorrow.

[beemerlt]

I installed Bob Rasters' side case LED kit. Similar to Erwin's: they blink with the indicators (but on the opposite side), but they also act as running lights and so stay lit when headlights are on. He doesn't make them any more though. Ari's kit should be easier to install, since Bob's LED's required dremelling out the side case plastic behind the factory reflector strips.

Useful safety feature IMO.

[pozo_izquierdo]

Yeah, I went that way too at first.

I bought me 16 leds, resistors and a piece of copper coated connecting board. Dremelled out the back of the original reflector, realized that my leds were too large to fit right in. So I had to add another 4 mm piece of plastic, dremel that again and finally got my 8 leds to fit in. The thickness of this package was a bit too much to fit into the cavity (even with the base chrome part removed).
These worked allright but when I found the readymade strips and found a nice mounting place for them on the front fenders I decided to change the rear lights as well, just for them to be the same looks.

I hooked both front and rear to act as running light / turn signals.

If somebody is interested in these but you don't find them in your local auto parts strore, I can send them from here. Should be around 30 euros shipped.


Regards

[Raffe]

This is a mod I did already a year ago but I thought in case other Europeans have not seen these I'll throw some ideas.

I happened to bump into these amber led strips at Biltema shop and I found out that they are exactly the right length to fit in the cavity of the saddlebag reflector. They are originally intended to be added to rearview mirrors to give the "Mercedes look" for the turn signals.

The set costs about 20 euros and they fasten with the 3M adhesive tape. I added similar to front fenders as well :p.

Regards

Hello !

I see that they are slightly curved, isn´t it hard to get theme straight and to keep theme that way ? What colour is it when they glow ?

Regards from Sweden

Ralf

[Dezrae]

Hello !

I see that they are slightly curved, isn´t it hard to get theme straight and to keep theme that way ? What colour is it when they glow ?

Regards from Sweden

Ralf

Ralf,
Dont let the curve bother you.
i removed the reflectors from my saddlebags and installed Luxeon Star 1 watt leds behind the reflectors and both of my reflectors were curved, not straight.

[pozo_izquierdo]

Hej Raffe,

as Dezrae already stated no worries with the curvature. The led strip is soft enough to stick to a straight surface, too. The double sided tape behind it is really tough. Make sure your positioning is right the first time since this does not peel off...

As you could see in the pictures of my first post the ends of the led strip are slightly rounded. Therefore I applied a "frame" of black silicone around it and that also makes sure the led strip won't fly off.

BTW, at one end of the led strip there is one led aimed "around the corner" in a way. This is because the strip is originally intended to be mounted around a mirror. It makes sense to point that end of the strip rearwards. The light is amber in color so it should be fully "street legal" in Europe.

For the mirror turn signals Biltema has better alternatives with more leds...
See the pics.

I also attach some pictures of my original reflector-grinding-led-installing -job. Way too troublesome IMHO...

MVH

[Raffe]

Thanks Ari !

For clearing that out for me. Seams like i have to visit Biltema tomorow.

Regrds from Sweden

Ralf

[®win]

Attached a picture of the LED strip I used. Flat, fits well in the reflectors; only needs a little dremeling. The reflector is put back with silicone kit. Advantage is that I didn't loose the reflector function. I didn't have a picture of the LED strip myself, so I took it from the German LT forum.

I also wanted to upload a short movie, but it's the wrong format (.mov will not upload :( )

[beemerlt]

I also wanted to upload a short movie, but it's the wrong format (.mov will not upload :( )
Email it to me if you want Erwin and I'll convert it to .avi for you. The Eur 29,99 QT Pro (http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/nlstore.woa/9201603/wo/SY7I2ZNPC9fE2EYtfe91RHpJnxk/0.SLID?mco=7BEF1D02&nplm=D3381) upgrade gives some format conversion options.

[Daza]

For the mirror turn signals Biltema has better alternatives with more leds...
See the pics.


Hey Ari, I like the mirror indicators; how much are they?.... and I assume they come with self adhesive backing and the power feed comes from one end. Haven't seen anything like that here. Where they much trouble to fit?

[Raffe]

Hej Raffe,

as Dezrae already stated no worries with the curvature. The led strip is soft enough to stick to a straight surface, too. The double sided tape behind it is really tough. Make sure your positioning is right the first time since this does not peel off...

As you could see in the pictures of my first post the ends of the led strip are slightly rounded. Therefore I applied a "frame" of black silicone around it and that also makes sure the led strip won't fly off.

BTW, at one end of the led strip there is one led aimed "around the corner" in a way. This is because the strip is originally intended to be mounted around a mirror. It makes sense to point that end of the strip rearwards. The light is amber in color so it should be fully "street legal" in Europe.

For the mirror turn signals Biltema has better alternatives with more leds...
See the pics.

I also attach some pictures of my original reflector-grinding-led-installing -job. Way too troublesome IMHO...

MVH

Hello Ari !

Well as i said i went to Biltema and bought the Bag lights. And as you said there should not be any problem to mount theme. Thanks for the tip !

Regards from Sweden

Ralf

[pozo_izquierdo]

Hey Ari, I like the mirror indicators; how much are they?.... and I assume they come with self adhesive backing and the power feed comes from one end. Haven't seen anything like that here. Where they much trouble to fit?

Hi Daz,

these turn signal leds cost around 40 euros over here. And they stick with the very tough double sided tape. I installed mine together with the Muth Signal mirrors so I had the OEM mirror housing apart anyway. One hole is needed for the wire to go inside the mirror housing where I joined the wires with Muth wires.
I would say that the riskiest task is to remove the OEM mirror glass as it needs to be removed in order to have a proper electrical installation. Of course the power feed for leds is very thin so it might be possible to somehow hide the wire on the outside or something but I'm afraid that choosing that route the end result will be more or less a "DIY-look".

The little bit tricky part is also to choose the positionig angle of the leds. I installed mine with the mirror housings separated from the bike. The leds fitted nicely with the end parallel with the mirror edge and the "wedge" part of the led matching the mirror housing curvature etc.
However, when the mirror was installed in the bike I noticed that the leds are a little bit too much in an angle, kinda like "chinese eyes" (no racial offend ;-). But too late to regret, they won't come off in one piece...

Anyway, I think I sent a set to Hilton Joy about a year ago. (He lived in HKG at that time. Nowadays he should have moved to Australia.) You can also ask if he ever got to install his set and how he likes it.

I can easily send a set for you if you want. The total cost with shipping would be around 50 eur.

Regards

[pozo_izquierdo]

Hello Ari !

Well as i said i went to Biltema and bought the Bag lights. And as you said there should not be any problem to mount theme. Thanks for the tip !

Regards from Sweden

Ralf

Hej Raffe,

glad you found them. Now after you have removed the OEM reflectors (and the remainings of the double sided tape...) and you have drilled the hole for the wire, wipe the base clean with alcohol before putting the leds in place. It will stay forever. And finish up your installation with black or clear silicone...

Lycka till med installationen!

MVH

[®win]

Finally, I was able to make a proper format movie. Here's the link (http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=860&c=19)
http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/misc.php?do=downloadfile&i=860


Can you tell what CD is in the changer? ;)

[Hilton]

Hi Ari, Daz. Thanks Ari, I do have the stick on mirror led's you sent to me. Thought at the time a good idea for extra visibility. The tip about installing them in position is good advice too, I'll keep that in mind for later when doing that work. Our container is now in Sydney awaiting customs clearance etc, and we arrive end of this month, pick up "Jenna" Mar 8th. After settling down unpacking etc, hoping to have "the best ever farkle install session" maybe around May/June, when we feel comfortable. I'll be sure to take loads of pics. Still here in Hong Kong, but now officially retired (as of today) and ready to ride! Cheers Hilton

[pozo_izquierdo]

Congrats Hilton for your "big day". I envy you!

I bet it felt funny being the first day retired. Just watch it, after while you start feeling so busy that it makes you wonder where in the world you found time to go to work in the first place.:p

Looking forward to meeting you in CCR. My route plan has changed a bit. We will land to Calgary as the m/c shipping company has quit transporting bikes to US. Too much hassle in the customs and immigration people. Riding the bike across the border is supposed to be easier, let's see...

Regards

[Raffe]

Hi Ari !

Better late then never. I mounted the lights and it works fine, and it was easy to. Looks great !

Regards from Sweden

Ralf