Motorcycle Daytime Running Lights

I've had the pleasure of attending quite a few motorcycle rallies this past summer and speaking to a ton of people (riders and non-riders). one thing I can tell you is nothing beats the stories and conversations I hear "on the road" from motorcycle enthusiasts. I always make a point in those conversations to find out the concerns of today's riders and the majority of the time the answer is always the same. "I want to be seen". "I need a product to make me more visible during the daytime". I couldn't agree more!

How's this for a segue? The hottest new LED products this year have definitely been the Motorcycle LED Daytime Running Lights! That's right, I said MOTORCYCLE Daytime Running Lights. All I could do was say to myself " why didn't I think of this earlier".
These things are hitting the market by storm too and not only in one style. They are available in LED clusters, LED light Bars, Flexible Strips, or replacement LED bulbs all with white LED's. They even have them for your H-D fender tips.

LED Light Bars
The most popular seem to be the Knight Riderz LED Light Bars because they can be mounted just about anywhere you have a flat surface. Being only 4.7" long they can be mounted easily on a small surface.

The White Flexible Day Riderz from Radiantz strips are pretty cool too because they can be flexed to take the shape of a curved surface like a front fender or bat wing fairing. The Day Riderz are a bit longer at 7" long but are only 3/8" wide by 3/8" tall making them virtually unnoticeable once mounted.

Passing/Driving Lamps.
Another product that is quickly gaining popularity is the the Sun Spots from Street Magic. These are a 162 white LED cluster designed to replace the bulbs in the 4-1/2" passing lamps found on Harley Davidson and many Yamaha & Kawasaki cruisers.
The White LEDs are molded into scratch resistant clear lens that use 1/10th the power of stock motorcycle passing/driving lamps.

Last but not least is the LED Turn Signal Cluster replacements made for most motorcycles.
These basically have a dual purpose; They will function as a Daytime Running light as well as a turn signal. These 48 LED white clusters are designed to replace your stock turn signal bulb while still using your same housing and clear lens. As you know from previous blogs, you will need a Load Equalizer anytime you switch your motorcycle turn signals over to LED. You can read about what exactly a Load Equalizer is in our March 2008 Blog.
Keep telling me about what is important to you and I will promise to do my best to bring you the latest in motorcycle lighting solutions.
Thanks
Chris

All of these motorcycle LED daytime running lights and many other LED motorcycle products and be found at www.ChromeGlow.com.

Fork Wrap-Around Turn Signals

Just when you think it can't get better it does. One of the hot products this summer has been the LED Flexible Arrays from Radiantz. People have been using them for motorcycle brake lights, turn signals, marker lights, and even wrapping them around their front forks to be used as 360 degree motorcycle turn signals. Now MBW Motorcycle Products has teamed up with Radiantz to produce and all-in-one Fork Wrap-Around LED motorcycle turn signal. This awesome products combines the functionality of the Flexible Array with the unprecedented craftsmanship of a billet housing that will "wow" all your friends.

This is the best way to a cool, custom look for the front of your motorcycle. By removing your stock turn signals and adding the Wrap-Arounds most people won't even notice them when the bike is not running.

Each fork wrap-around contains 30 high quality super bright amber LEDs that are integrated into a super sleek billet CNC aluminum fork wrap, that provides excellent visibility with its wrap-around coverage.
Fork Wrap-Arounds come in many sizes and colors too! I like the Chrome with smoked lenses but the also come in black rings with either smoked or clear lenses. Plus you will be hard pressed to find a fork size they don't fit. They come in 39mm, 41mm, 43mm, 49mm, & 56mm. They fit all the Victory cruiser models as well as H-D V-Rods, Wide-Glide's, and many more.

These LEDs have a 120 degree viewing angle for maximum visibility and come with a lifetime warranty against LED failure. Some dis-assembly of the front forks are required since these Wrap-Around turn signals slide down over your forks. You can read all about them at www.ChromeGlow.com. Click here to read the installation instructions

Motorcycle Tour Pak Portable Light

This little gadget is just plain cool. Ok, ok, I know what your thinking. How can a motorcycle LED trunk light be cool?
Many reasons!

First, it's brighter than hell. It has 3 super bright white LEDs that illuminate even the largest compartments. And I'm not talking cheap LEDs either. These are 100,000 hour LEDs. That's over 11 years of "on" time. This Motorcycle LED Compartment Light will easily light up any motorcycle trunk, Tour Pak, Saddlebags, or any other area that needs extra light.

2nd, it wireless. Yup, wireless! This makes it so easy to install. You don't have to worry about running any wires, splicing into the bikes wiring, or drilling any holes. It takes 3AAA batteries (not included) that easily snap into the back of the unit. Being wireless also makes it portable which comes in very handy for digging through saddlebags, looking for those dropped set of keys in the dark, or finding your way to the door at midnight. It has a simple sliding built-in On/Off switch on one end making it easy to turn on in the dark.

3rd, each kit comes with a cool mounting bracket with fast clip for easy removal. The bracket comes with a unique angled mounting block so the light will shine down into the motorcycle trunk when the lid is open. Because its wireless you can mount it any place within your trunk or lid that best illuminates the area you need lit.
The picture on the left is of my Tour Pak. I mounted it right in the center of the lid and the angled bracket points the light directly into the center of my trunk.

The last thing I like about about this Motorcycle Portable LED Trunk Light is it comes with everything you need to install. They already put the 3M mounting tape on the bracket for you. They include the 3M Promoter Pad for preparing the mounting surface. It also comes with mounting instructions. The 5 year warranty isn't bad either. You can get them at www.ChromeGlow.com or leave a comment if you have any questions.

How to bend a Radiantz LED Flexible Array

"Chris, I bought some of your LED Flexible Arrays to wrap around my front forks as turn signals but I need to know the best way to bend them without breaking them. Please help". JB in New York.
Ok, there it is. The most asked question I get concerning Motorcycle LED Flexible Arrays. "How do I bend these damn things without breaking them"? I'm going to break it down for you step by step and make it as easy as possible to get it right the first time. As many of you already know the Flexible Arrays are anything but flexible right out of the package. Actually they are quite rigid. This is a good thing because you are going to mount it to your motorcycle. They only become flexible once you have warmed them up. As they cool they will maintain the shape you have bent them into.
Remember, Flexible Arrays can only bend in one direction(pictured above). They can not bend in a 'Smiley or Frown" face direction which make them perfect for forks or rear fenders.

So here we go. This is how we do it.
The manufacturer recommends that you evenly warm them up using a Heat Gun or hot Hairdryer.
We found that the best way to evenly warm them up is to set them on a portable room heater for about 20 minutes. This works very well because it heats the Flexible Array all the way through to the LED strip inside the tubing. Plus it frees up both hands to start forming the array in a "U" shape. Using a heat gun can get awkward and makes it hard to evenly warm up the array.

Once the LED Flexible Array is completely warmed it becomes very pliable and easy to work with. Using your forefingers and thumbs SLOWLY start to bend the array working from end to end to get an even "bend".
You may need to re-warm the array as you go along to keep it soft and bendable. As the array cools it will harden and maintain the shape you have bent it into.

Now comes the best trick of all. We use a plumbing PVC end cap to maintain the shape and allow the LED Flexible Array to cool without having to hold in your hands. Choose a PVC end cap with the inside diameter size that is close to your fork size. We like to use 1", 1-1/8", or 1-1/4" end caps.
Place the formed array into the PVC end cap and using your thumbs work the array into the the "U" shape desired. You may need to use a little extra effort near the ends of the array since this area tends to be more rigid than the rest of the strip.

Allow the LED Flexible Array to cool in the PVC end cap for at least an hour to ensure that it completely cools and will hold that shape. We like to leave the LED light strip in the PVC end cap until we are ready to mount it to the forks. This way you don't have to worry about it spreading back open. If you're pressed for time you can always throw it into the refrigerator to speed the cooling process.
As you can see from the pictures this method works very well and you should be a pro at it after doing just one set.

Don't forget about our mounting accessories too. We carry the 3M promoter prep pads that will make the array stick to just about any surface. We also have Chrome Cable Ties, extra tape, or whatever you need to complete your install. All the LED Flexible Arrays can be found at www.ChromeGlow.com.
Please let me know if you found this article helpful. Thanks

Wing Tips LED Turn Signals

"I never saw the motorcycle". " It came out of nowhere". You will never change the excuses but you can always help improve your odds of being seen. Thats why I just love a product that comes out that is not only functional but adds safety to your motorcycle.
Biketronics knew what they were doing when they came out with their new Wing Tips fairing mount LED turn signals for Harley Davidson Electra Glide and Street Glide models.

Wing Tips are a flexible LED array that mounts at the outer most edge of your fairing that function as a 1/2 intensity running light as well as a full intensity LED turn signal. At 5.7" long with 40 super bright LEDs in each strip there will be no excuses why you won't be seen.
Not only will these Wing Tips help you be more visible from the front and the rear, but because of their 120 degree angle of light you will be seen from the side as well. Bikes or automobiles in your blind spot will easily see that your turn signal is flashing even if they can't see the front or rear of your motorcycle.

Then comes what I consider the best part. They are a Plug-N-Play installation meaning there is no splicing or cutting of any wires to install them. They just plug into your stock wiring harness located inside your fairing. The light itself clips easily between your inner and outer fairing right at the outer most edge of hand grip wind guard. No screws, drilling, or altering the fairing to install them.
They will fit all '99 to present stock HD fairings and are available from www.ChromeGlow.com