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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Well, just like my dashbag, this has rolled around in my head since I got the bike. I've never seen the real point in all of the louvers and stuff sticking out on the Vision, to include the shark fin uppers. I took them off about two winter seasons ago and have been comtemplating putting lights there since day one, five years ago. Well, I finally went on the cheap and got some driving lights from the P-Boys and decided to mount them. I've not got them wired yet, my new work schedule doesn't allow me much time, but there on. I leave work at 9pm so it is dark and I want to light up the on/off ramps and the fields as I go by at night, plenty of deer on the prowl. Being more of a functional guy, I don't care how they really look, as long as they do the job. I'll do the wiring tomorrow and get them adjusted. Very simple adaptation too....
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | A little tough to see but I can sort of make them out. I'll keep the shark fin things on mine but if you don't want them, that's a good place to mount lights. Hellova lot cheaper than the Glenda LED lights although those are probably what I'll get one of these days (like NEXT winter). |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | my intent is to see how they work, then I'll look for something more sporty, and make mods, if necessary. It would surprise me none if someone doesn't take off with this idea and run with it. The only issue I see is that the swivel base for the fin is sealed, so there's no place to run the wires, but I'll be looking... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| Interesting idea.
Not to rain on your parade, but are you concerned about the running lights obliterating your turn signals from oncoming cars? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | No rainy on my paradee, I'm going to use that at will. My bigger concern his the on/off ramps and fields that I have to pass. It's not likely I will be using my turn signals where it will matter any ways. Also, the rear signals will remain unobstructed, that is what most people see of me anyways....  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | I like it. Hope they luminate as you expect them to. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm hoping to find out tomorrow night. I need to get up at O'dark thirty to start wiring. I may just do a simple wiring effort, and get it more professional on Saturday. |
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| Chris,why not drill a hole in the swivel ,seal it with clear silacone,tap into your amber running lights? Just a thought,hope that may help.
Edited by repeateruser 2012-10-23 9:21 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | There's a gap big enough for the wires behind the body work, but I like your idea. I'm going to switch it so I don't run them all the time. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA |
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | I like it a lot but I have a something for you to think about. These lights are probably light weight. I'm a little worried that they are going to be getting a lot of wind. Did you mount them in such a way to provide backing so they do not break, crack or some other way break the plastic that they are mounted to? They are basically going to be getting knocked around from areodynamics of the bike even at low speeds. I'm thinking that some sort of metal backing between the inside of the plastic and the nut would help protect the fairings plastic. Maybe like a big oversized washer??? Better to be safe about it than having to replace that fairing if it cracks. I do like the idea though. Did it improve you lighting very much? They look like they are a little further back than they should be. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | thanks taz - they are very stable, they are mounted to the turnstile for the upper wind deflectors, I have thick, plastic spacers and they are very strong. Having them mounted though, I find these are not adequate for what I want, though I will give them a shot tonight. I park in an lower deck garage and it is dark in there. I had them on when I pulled in, I turned off the bike, thus turning off the headlights, and these new running lights on. They were as bright as a dollar flashlight. I will admit, they are cheap, but I thought they'd have more light throw. I guess I'll have to step up to get a set with more brightness. If any one knows of an ultra small, yet has mega powerful light, feel free to share. Just so you know what I'm looking for, I'm not trying to be seen any more than I am, so I don't want blinding lights. I'm looking for lights that will throw lights ahead in a turn toward the direction I'm going, as well as lighting up the side of the road more, about the same as the standard low beam light throws. That's it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Hmmmm, let's see, most bikes just have one little ole headlamp. You have 2 headlights, an HID cyclops and you still need light? Maybe you could get one of these mounted on your ride.
Edited by MaddMAx2u 2012-10-24 12:30 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Sorry Varyder, I just couldn't resist temptation! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | ha -- I could use those!!!! While I slow down some at night, I'm still charging thorugh the on/off ramps, and there is opposing traffic so I can blind them, or outrun my headlight since it is pointing to the outside of the turn and not the inside where I need it. Otherwise, I really wouldn't be putting them on.... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | varyder --- NOT cheap but from what I've read either the Glenda or the (more expensive) Krista are the lights to have. The Glenda comes with brackets to bolt on the forks (like the Vic accessory/PIAA lights). The Kristas don't fit there but would fit great (I think) where you have the cheapies now.
http://clearwaterlights.com/products2_pp.html |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Wow! I want to see deer, not spotlight them....clearwaters have some nice products, no doubt they are worth the price, in comparison of what I bought. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Monkeyman - 2012-10-24 2:04 PM
varyder --- NOT cheap but from what I've read either the Glenda or the (more expensive) Krista are the lights to have. The Glenda comes with brackets to bolt on the forks (like the Vic accessory/PIAA lights). The Kristas don't fit there but would fit great (I think) where you have the cheapies now.
http://clearwaterlights.com/products2_pp.html
I almost chit a brick when I saw how much they wanted those Clearwater lights for...
These LED lights below are getting some really good reviews at DRriders.com, and I plan to pick up a few sets for my motorcycles. And they are 1/5th the cost:
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-QualiRegResou/-strse-8/Mod...
Edited by willtill 2012-10-24 2:04 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | Try www.ADVmonster.com I needed a lot of light for riding to work in the dark without spending a ton of money. I wasn't worried about being seen, just wanted to put light on the road, a lot of light. I've had them on since March with no problems and have avoided enough critters to warrant the cost.
Edited by roundtwig 2012-10-24 2:22 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | nice |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Do it. Ditch that Pep Boys crap and get the ADVMonsters.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Double post
Edited by willtill 2012-10-24 8:03 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Stockton, California | Varyder. Just check the laws in your state about light placement. Here in California any extra lights have to be below the headlight. The CHP here WILL ticket you for light placement like that. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | roundtwig - do you remember which model you have from that site? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | taz456 - 2012-10-24 7:31 PM
roundtwig - do you remember which model you have from that site?
Model 60. With the remote dimmer |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'll check. I see a lot of Harley's with aux lighting in line with the headlight. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Illinois | How did you mount them? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Illinois | roundtwig - 2012-10-24 2:16 PM
Try www.ADVmonster.com I needed a lot of light for riding to work in the dark without spending a ton of money. I wasn't worried about being seen, just wanted to put light on the road, a lot of light. I've had them on since March with no problems and have avoided enough critters to warrant the cost.
How did you mount them? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I put my lights to the test last night, and though weak, they did give me a little more light in the turns, very little. That makes me want to persue this further, same mounting position. The VA law states that "In addition, each motorcycle may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary headlights of a type approved by the Superintendent." 46.2-1012. Now I got to go find the Superintendent to see if these are approved. I couldn't find a position or height restriction, but I know many harley's in this have auxiliary headlights level with the standard headlight. The other thing is, when I lean into the curve, the lights naturally move with the bike, making more sense to put them closer to the pivot point of the bike on the forks. Once I found the suitable light, I'll still go with what I've got and see what I can come up with. If they were a tad brighter they would be perfect, and hopefully not an annoyance to others when on. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | willtill - 2012-10-24 3:00 PM
I almost chit a brick when I saw how much they wanted those Clearwater lights for...
These LED lights below are getting some really good reviews at DRriders.com, and I plan to pick up a few sets for my motorcycles. And they are 1/5th the cost:
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-QualiRegResou/-strse-8/Mod...
They're not 1/5 the price. The Clearwater Glendas are about $500 for the PAIR. The ADV (model 60s) are $100 EACH). One of the nice things about the Clearwaters (from what I've read) is that they have a Vision specific mounting bracket. Beats the crap out of trying to fabricate your own then getting it chromed or powdercoated.
Still, either one is better than neither one.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | bakfixr - 2012-10-25 3:15 AM
roundtwig - 2012-10-24 2:16 PM
Try www.ADVmonster.com I needed a lot of light for riding to work in the dark without spending a ton of money. I wasn't worried about being seen, just wanted to put light on the road, a lot of light. I've had them on since March with no problems and have avoided enough critters to warrant the cost.
How did you mount them?
They come with mounting brackets, so I got some flat washers with rubber backing and simply used the fender mounting bolt. They actually follow the road because they turn with the wheel
Edited by roundtwig 2012-10-25 8:51 AM
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Central Wisconsin | Back in April of 2011 when I did my turn signal/badge mod. I drilled a hole in the swivel like repeateruser suggested in an earlier post. I ran wires from the turn signals and mounted a small led bulb, it luminated the plastic shark fin just a little bit at night, not enough to make a big difference so I never posted that part of the mod. Anyway drilling a hole in the swivel for your wires is doable. 
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| roundtwig - 2012-10-24 2:16 PM
Try www.ADVmonster.com I needed a lot of light for riding to work in the dark without spending a ton of money. I wasn't worried about being seen, just wanted to put light on the road, a lot of light. I've had them on since March with no problems and have avoided enough critters to warrant the cost.
Which model light is that? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | Turk - 2012-10-25 10:01 AM
roundtwig - 2012-10-24 2:16 PM
Try www.ADVmonster.com I needed a lot of light for riding to work in the dark without spending a ton of money. I wasn't worried about being seen, just wanted to put light on the road, a lot of light. I've had them on since March with no problems and have avoided enough critters to warrant the cost.
Which model light is that?
Model 60 |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | Thomas - 2012-10-25 11:36 AM
Back in April of 2011 when I did my?turn signal/badge mod.?I drilled a hole in the swivel?like?repeateruser?suggested in an earlier post. I ran wires from the turn signals and mounted a small led bulb, it luminated the plastic shark fin just a little bit at night, not enough to make a big difference so I never posted that part of the mod. Anyway drilling a hole in the swivel for your wires is doable.?
More info on the lighted shark fin, please! A night shot (or vid) would be good. That would be a neat mod. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | They would make good turret mount machine guns, too! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Camas Washington | I called PIAA a couple of months back since I did not want to spend the cost for the clearwaters plus not a big fan of the looks. I was told they are slowly changing over to LEDs in their lights including the set for the Vision. The guy said to check back late winter or early spring. |
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Central Wisconsin | Monkeyman - 2012-10-25 11:43 AM Thomas - 2012-10-25 11:36 AMMore info on the lighted shark fin, please! A night shot (or vid) would be good. That would be a neat mod.
The plastic lowers cracked out from the drilled holes after four seasons of use so I went with the black powered aluminum and replaced the shark fins too. I'm sure you could improvise off the mod and make the plastic shark fins really light up. 
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | http://www.visionxusa.com/LED-Optimus_Series/c1_247/index.html
http://visionxsuperstore.com/search.aspx?find=XIL-OP110
I got two of these for my sons small 90cc fourwheeler. They put out quite a bit of light and are BRIGHT. It is a small cube. But there are probably other options for you.
http://www.visionxusa.com/LED-Solstice_Solo/c1_239/index.html |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | XIL-PDIMMER part # is a dial dimmer. That is probably the setup I would get for around $300 and adjustable and tiny. |
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