New Beginnings: www.LightingMyCycle.com

We’re changing our blog format and all new blog posts can now be found at: www.LightingMyCycle.com. Our new blog format will make it even easier to add comments and access posts. The content of our blog will essentially be the same, offering you solutions for installing motorcycle LED lighting, motorcycle sound systems, and tons of other motorcycle accessories. We’ll also be featuring our newest products with tips for best uses, installation, and more. In addition, on occasion, we’ll weigh in on some news in the motorcycle industry.

We’re going to be keeping this address as well: www.motorcyclesolutions.blogspot.com in case anyone wants to access older posts that have tons of tips for installing motorcycle LED lights and our recommendations on the best motorcycle accessory products.

You can also check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest Chrome Glow updates and news including new motorcycle accessories, hot products, and more. We offer promotions through these sites on a regular basis.

Flexible Array with Turn Signals

I am getting asked constantly this question. I have answered it in the past but its been awhile so I think its time to tackle it again. "I want to put a Flexible Array with Turn Signals on my rear fender. What else do I need?". Before I begin I have to say that if ever there was a load question this is it.
These are the most commonly asked and answered questions when it comes to add a Flexible Array with Turn Signals.

Is this going to be your only source of a motorcycle brake light and turn signals? If so, then you need to add a Dual Element Circuit to the brake light portion for it to function as a running light. All states require that you have a rear running light and in 99.9% of cases your motorcycle brake light illuminates as a running light also.
In the simplest terms, a Dual Element Circuit is a "Y" shaped wire that attaches to the brake light power wire coming out of the Flexible Array Light Bar giving you 2 power wires. One will be for running light and the other brake light. This will allow the brake light portion of the lightbar to illuminate at 1/2 intensity as a running light and then full intensity as a brake light. If you also want the 2 turn signal sections to be running lights you will need a Dual Element Circuit for each side.

Now the most important question. Do I need a Load Equalizer?
Yes, Yes, Yes. In case you were wondering, the answer is yes!! When ever switch to LEDs you always need to add a Load Equalizer. I know that they sound technical but do not worry, they are easy to install as long as you have a test light ( available at any auto parts store for checking wires). If you are adding LEDs turn signals to just the rear (or front) only a Dual Load Equalizer will do the trick. However, if you are planning on installing LEDs for both the rear and front turn signals of your motorcycle you will need one that handles both. Yes, you can put in 2 of the Dual Load Equalizers but there is even an easier way. If you have a Harley Davidson model there is a product called a Smart Equalizer that plugs into the stock wiring harness located under the seat. It doesnt get any easier than Plug-N-Play and the Smart Equalizer just screams EASY!
Now if you have a metric model, there is a product called Metric Signal Stabilizer that does the same this as the Harley version but it's not Plug-N-Play. It still handles the entire bike but it needs to be spliced into the turn signal wires with the included Posi-Tap connectors.

Question #3 is asked quite often as well. I want my Turn Signals to function as brake lights also. How do I wire them in? In a word, you can't...without adding a separate Run- Brake-Turn module. The Flexible Array light bar has only 1 power wire coming out of it for each section. One for the brake, one for the left turn, one for the right turn, and one for the ground. Even if you add Dual Element Circuits to each of the power wires that still isn't enough to get Run, Brake, and Turn functions out of each section. Starting to make sense?? This is where we learn about the Run/Brake/Turn module. A Run/Brake/Turn module is a controller that attaches to your stock running light, brake light, and turn signal wires located under the seat of your motorcycle. This module is specially designed to make your turn signals handle all 3 modes. Once a one of these modules are installed you would then only need to wire the single power wire from each turn signal of the light bar to the stock turn signal wires of your motorcycle. All 3 functions would then work. There are Plug-N-Play modules for many bikes and wire-in styles for just about any application.

Find them all at www.ChromeGlow.com. Visit our website and email us any questions you may have.

LED Accessory Wiring Harness

You asked for it and now it's here! The Power-Tap wiring harness for H-D models gives you Plug-N-Play capabilities when adding LED or incandescent motorcycle lighting accessories. Unlike other similiar harnesses out there, the Power-Tap gives you the ability to tap into the Ground, Running, and Brake Light wires as well as both Turn Signals.
With OEM color coded wires it makes adding motorcycle lighting accessories such as LED Lighted Floor Board Kits, Flexible Array Light Bars with Turn Signals, or any other lighting accessory you can think of.

Installation couldn't be easier too. Just locate the stock wiring harness located under the seat of your motorcycle. Unplug it. Plug one end into male end of the Power-Tap and the other into the female end. Then connect your motorcycle lighting accessories to the red Posi-Lock connectors for running lights, brake lights, both turn signals, and ground.
The OEM connectors on this harness fit '96-'10 Softails, '97-'11 Dyna's. '97-'11 Touring models, '99-'03 XL's, '10-'11 H-D Trikes, and '11 Road Glide Ultra. It also comes with the 5 Posi-Locks shown in the picture above.
You can find this wiring accessory and many others at www.ChromeGlow.com

Sport Bike Fender Eliminator lights are weak

"I put a fender eliminator kit on my sport bike but the LEDs are weak and I cant get them to blink slower. It is the the kit with 2 tail light under the fender".

We have had a few of these in the shop and our Tech guys keep getting asked about them on the road so I thought I had better let people know what we know. Without being too blunt, many of the Run/Brake/Turn controllers and Load Equalizers that come with some kits are just plain junk. The fender kits are awesome but the electronics just don't last. The componets just cant handle the aggressive riding done by today's Sport Bike enthusiasts.

The solution couldn't be easier. We have a module called the Tri-Star that will fix the problem. It is a solid state module that will replace the Run/Brake/Turn components that came with your fender kit. The Tri-Star is a 2 piece component. One is the Run/Brake/Turn module and the other is the Load Equalizer. When ever switching to LED turns signals the Load Equalizer is require to slow the flash rate back down to a normal speed.
Both components are no bigger than a pager and will easily fit under the seat. Average install time is about 2 hours and you will need a test light or wiring diagram of your bike so you can figure out what color wires are for the brake, running, left, and right turn signals. The Tri-Star comes with very detailed instructions and can be found on the web at www.ChromeGlow.com

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.