LED Fairing Lighting? How do I do it...

sugarbear · June 27th, 2010, 09:01 PM

Well, since we are on subject and I'm also a girl Noob doing my own mods....
BIG Electrical question:

I would like to put some of those led lites on my bike inside the fairings. How would I attach these and wire up to the battery?
As I understand, some of the led's have a remote control.
Info please!!!!
thanks.

Alex · June 27th, 2010, 09:03 PM

Hi Carol -

Would you mind if I split that off into a different thread? An LED light install will be very different from this 12V source that Debbi's working on. I'll move it over to the "farkles" section, but leave a forwarding link here for awhile as well.

Seattle_Chris · June 27th, 2010, 11:47 PM

Under the seat is the fuse box. I would personally tap into the Horn fuse. That's where I put my accessory socket.

My thinking is that it won't drain your battery if you forget to turn off the lights as it's only open with the ignition on, and also, if it causes the fuse to blow, you'll only lose your Horn, which in my mind, is the least important of the fuses. Also, theirs lots of spare amperage their to draw on most of the time.

I would just use Zip Ties and maybe some double stick foam tape for the first month of having them. Then you can tweak and move them without too much issue. Once you're sure you want them and maybe want them on more secure, they make all sorts of multi-surface epoxies. But once their on, they'll be really on.

3M makes some really good double sided adhesives. I've seen a few things (Hero HD Camera for one) that uses it, and it REALLY sticks good.

Kitdog · June 28th, 2010, 07:20 AM

I have 2 24 light strips inside each fairing, and 1 short in my under tail, one short under the front cowling. they were flexible and came with 3m tape already attached. The way that I did it was I got a wiring kit for like auxiliary lights from auto zone, came with its own fuse. I wired it up straight to the battery so when I park out like on bike night I can leave it on without the key in (you can leave them on for about 2-3 hours with no real drain), since I cant drive with them on I wont forget to turn them off. added a hidden little switch under the front cowling zip tied to one of the metal support struts, the thing I can also tell you is to get fully insulated connectors so you can take your cowlings off as you need to. I also don't like to cut into any of my wiring if it can be helped so I can undo anything I have done easily same goes for my cars

sugarbear · June 28th, 2010, 10:44 AM

Thanks for the info, guys! Yeah, I think the sticky tape is a great idea as a temporary set up. Can always change the configuration later.
I really want to do this

Nice looking blue bike there, Kit!

Kitdog · June 28th, 2010, 11:11 AM

The LED sets I got from auto zone already had the 3m tape on them, they were the flexible ones. I also cannot recommend enough the auxiliary light kit, I had it left over from a set of off road lights I had installed on a dune buggy, the wiring kit made all the difference, other wise there was not enough wire to do the install. sadly I didn't think to do a DIY for it until it was all finished.

kkim · June 28th, 2010, 11:20 AM

Kit,

Adding blue lights to a vehicle is illegal in Hawaii. Hope they're not where you are.

Snake · June 28th, 2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

Kit,

Adding blue lights to a vehicle is illegal in Hawaii. Hope they're not where you are.

In his post Kit said he only uses the blue lights while the bike is parked such as at bike nights and turns them off while riding.

Very cool set-up Kit. They realy draw your attention to the bike.

kkim · June 28th, 2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

In his post Kit said he only uses the blue lights while the bike is parked such as at bike nights and turns them off while riding.

I'm not sure they are even legal here when the vehicle is parked. Police are very touchy about this here.

Perhaps he should check about legality in his location.

Kitdog · June 28th, 2010, 11:53 AM

Kim,
Where I live blue lights (or red) are perfectly legal as long as they DO NOT flash. But not to drive with on.

Sugarbear,

the light kit I used was this
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=60073_0_0_

But In blue

the wiring harness I used was like this but NOT $60

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=196607_0_0_

But I used a different switch, the switch it came with was for a dashboard I simply got a toggle switch.

GeneJunkie · June 28th, 2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

I'm not sure they are even legal here when the vehicle is parked. Police are very touchy about this here.

Perhaps he should check about legality in his location.

Blue LEDs are illegal in California too. I had a nice chat with a CHP officer about this... he hangs out at the bike night I go to. He said that blue, red and yellow are all illegal in CA because it's "impersonating law enforcement." Even tinted windscreens in those colors are illegal too (like my fiance's Buell which came stock with a red windscreen) because the sun can shine through it and cause a "red" light. He also said that the LED accent lights of other colors are only legal if he cannot see the bulb.

Just make sure you check your local laws before you start installation.

kkim · June 28th, 2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitdog

Kim,
Where I live blue lights (or red) are perfectly legal as long as they DO NOT flash. But not to drive with on.

Cool, Kit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneJunkie

Just make sure you check your local laws before you start installation.

excellent advise as laws differ on this from location to location.

Kitdog · June 28th, 2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneJunkie

Blue LEDs are illegal in California too. I had a nice chat with a CHP officer about this... he hangs out at the bike night I go to. He said that blue, red and yellow are all illegal in CA because it's "impersonating law enforcement." Even tinted windscreens in those colors are illegal too (like my fiance's Buell which came stock with a red windscreen) because the sun can shine through it and cause a "red" light. He also said that the LED accent lights of other colors are only legal if he cannot see the bulb.

Just make sure you check your local laws before you start installation.

I was in Albuquerque watching people cruse downtown recently and a fella from San Diego was talking to me about the things that are legal here in New Mexico that are not in Cali... it was pretty funny he was saying our laws are like the wild west with things like cars/bikes driving by doing Nitros purges right in front of cops and how our low riders were no where near legal there they were too low or were hopping or scrapping the street. and how it's crazy that "gang banger" types can drive around with AK-47's in a gun rack in their rear window right past cops

legally here. It did make it feel kinda wild west-ish.

but I agree Check your local laws.

Goosey · July 1st, 2010, 03:04 PM

This thread got me all excited about adding some blue LEDs to my fairings, but apparently (after some googling) it is completely illegal here in Texas. Trying to determine if a more subdued color (white) is cool..

kkim · July 1st, 2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goosey

This thread got me all excited about adding some blue LEDs to my fairings, but apparently (after some googling) it is completely illegal here in Texas. Trying to determine if a more subdued color (white) is cool..

just move to new mexico.

kamikaze · July 2nd, 2010, 07:36 AM

there's these too:

http://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-BP-HH...=pd_sim_auto_3

I've used them in my car for adding remote circuits for turning on amps, and powering other accessories. if you want something to go on and off with the key, then use it with an existing circuit that already does that. Not too sure if there's anything in the fuse box that is always on regardless of the ignition, but if there is you could use that with an external switch as an alternative to wiring direct to the battery.

sugarbear · July 2nd, 2010, 08:30 AM

Just an update on my auxillary lighting project!
I found a company that sells motorcycle led kits with a remote for under $50.00! Ordered them on Tuesday. Should get them today!
I ordered blue ones to match the bike. Apparently they are illegal here in Michigan, but I'm thinking about only using them at Bike Nights, not while riding... If there is a problem, I can easily remove the blue ones and get purple party lights

Check out the LEDGlow lighting website. (FYI: I am not affiliated in any way.) They have a 10 min video showing the installation. Looks easy enough.... (yeah, I say that NOW.

)
Hopefully I can figure it out and get them installed over the weekend!

BIGT94z · July 12th, 2010, 12:00 AM

you should make a dyi thread when u intall yours

i have been thinking of getting some green ones to use on night hwy rides to make me more noticeable

June 27th, 2010, 09:01 PM	#1
sugarbear ninjette.org member Name: Carol Location: Roseville, MI Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2004 BMW 1150RT Posts: 144	LED Fairing Lighting? How do I do it... Well, since we are on subject and I'm also a girl Noob doing my own mods.... BIG Electrical question: I would like to put some of those led lites on my bike inside the fairings. How would I attach these and wire up to the battery? As I understand, some of the led's have a remote control. Info please!!!! thanks.

June 27th, 2010, 09:03 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Hi Carol - Would you mind if I split that off into a different thread? An LED light install will be very different from this 12V source that Debbi's working on. I'll move it over to the "farkles" section, but leave a forwarding link here for awhile as well. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

June 28th, 2010, 07:20 AM	#4
Kitdog ninjette.org guru Name: Kit Location: New Mexico Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r, 1996 Yahmaha YZ 125... Both in Blue the coolest color Posts: 285	I have 2 24 light strips inside each fairing, and 1 short in my under tail, one short under the front cowling. they were flexible and came with 3m tape already attached. The way that I did it was I got a wiring kit for like auxiliary lights from auto zone, came with its own fuse. I wired it up straight to the battery so when I park out like on bike night I can leave it on without the key in (you can leave them on for about 2-3 hours with no real drain), since I cant drive with them on I wont forget to turn them off. added a hidden little switch under the front cowling zip tied to one of the metal support struts, the thing I can also tell you is to get fully insulated connectors so you can take your cowlings off as you need to. I also don't like to cut into any of my wiring if it can be helped so I can undo anything I have done easily same goes for my cars __________________________________________________ "Well you know, for me, the action IS the juice"

June 28th, 2010, 11:11 AM	#6
Kitdog ninjette.org guru Name: Kit Location: New Mexico Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r, 1996 Yahmaha YZ 125... Both in Blue the coolest color Posts: 285	The LED sets I got from auto zone already had the 3m tape on them, they were the flexible ones. I also cannot recommend enough the auxiliary light kit, I had it left over from a set of off road lights I had installed on a dune buggy, the wiring kit made all the difference, other wise there was not enough wire to do the install. sadly I didn't think to do a DIY for it until it was all finished. __________________________________________________ "Well you know, for me, the action IS the juice"

June 28th, 2010, 11:53 AM	#10
Kitdog ninjette.org guru Name: Kit Location: New Mexico Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r, 1996 Yahmaha YZ 125... Both in Blue the coolest color Posts: 285	Kim, Where I live blue lights (or red) are perfectly legal as long as they DO NOT flash. But not to drive with on. Sugarbear, the light kit I used was this http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=60073_0_0_ But In blue the wiring harness I used was like this but NOT $60 http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=196607_0_0_ But I used a different switch, the switch it came with was for a dashboard I simply got a toggle switch. __________________________________________________ "Well you know, for me, the action IS the juice"

June 27th, 2010, 11:47 PM	#3
Seattle_Chris Newb since 10/2009 Name: Chris Location: Seattle Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE. Slowly morphing to ADV bike. :D Posts: 182	Under the seat is the fuse box. I would personally tap into the Horn fuse. That's where I put my accessory socket. My thinking is that it won't drain your battery if you forget to turn off the lights as it's only open with the ignition on, and also, if it causes the fuse to blow, you'll only lose your Horn, which in my mind, is the least important of the fuses. Also, theirs lots of spare amperage their to draw on most of the time. I would just use Zip Ties and maybe some double stick foam tape for the first month of having them. Then you can tweak and move them without too much issue. Once you're sure you want them and maybe want them on more secure, they make all sorts of multi-surface epoxies. But once their on, they'll be really on. 3M makes some really good double sided adhesives. I've seen a few things (Hero HD Camera for one) that uses it, and it REALLY sticks good.

June 28th, 2010, 10:44 AM	#5
sugarbear ninjette.org member Name: Carol Location: Roseville, MI Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2004 BMW 1150RT Posts: 144	Thanks for the info, guys! Yeah, I think the sticky tape is a great idea as a temporary set up. Can always change the configuration later. I really want to do this Nice looking blue bike there, Kit!

June 28th, 2010, 11:20 AM	#7
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Kit, Adding blue lights to a vehicle is illegal in Hawaii. Hope they're not where you are.

July 1st, 2010, 03:04 PM	#14
Goosey ninjette.org member Name: Josh Location: Austin, TX, USA Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 22	This thread got me all excited about adding some blue LEDs to my fairings, but apparently (after some googling) it is completely illegal here in Texas. Trying to determine if a more subdued color (white) is cool.. __________________________________________________ 2009 Blue NINJA250r WEEEE

July 2nd, 2010, 07:36 AM	#16
kamikaze ex-ninjette.org guru :o Name: Trevor Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2003 SV1000 S Posts: 475	there's these too: http://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-BP-HH...=pd_sim_auto_3 I've used them in my car for adding remote circuits for turning on amps, and powering other accessories. if you want something to go on and off with the key, then use it with an existing circuit that already does that. Not too sure if there's anything in the fuse box that is always on regardless of the ignition, but if there is you could use that with an external switch as an alternative to wiring direct to the battery.

July 2nd, 2010, 08:30 AM	#17
sugarbear ninjette.org member Name: Carol Location: Roseville, MI Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2004 BMW 1150RT Posts: 144	Just an update on my auxillary lighting project! I found a company that sells motorcycle led kits with a remote for under $50.00! Ordered them on Tuesday. Should get them today! I ordered blue ones to match the bike. Apparently they are illegal here in Michigan, but I'm thinking about only using them at Bike Nights, not while riding... If there is a problem, I can easily remove the blue ones and get purple party lights Check out the LEDGlow lighting website. (FYI: I am not affiliated in any way.) They have a 10 min video showing the installation. Looks easy enough.... (yeah, I say that NOW. ) Hopefully I can figure it out and get them installed over the weekend!

July 12th, 2010, 12:00 AM	#18
BIGT94z ninjette.org member Name: b Location: midwest Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250r Posts: 119	you should make a dyi thread when u intall yours i have been thinking of getting some green ones to use on night hwy rides to make me more noticeable