Mark_H
Husqvarna
AA Class
Be Seen and Be Heard
This is a Re Post as the Mods seem to have somehow deleted it first time around, so here goes again.
To be seen…….
Some years ago I was sideswiped at a junction in the night by a driver who claimed he didn’t see me side on cos of my bike lights only showing forward and back.
Most cars are fitted with Daylight Running lights which Volvo has used in Europe since forever. Nearly all Manufacturers fit bright LED lights so that cars to be seen – Why do Bikes not have them too?
My Husky runs with its lights on automatically, but they only have a forward and back perspective and almost nothing from the side – pretty useless in daytime anyway.
Here in Philippines customising bikes with LED running lights of various colours is very common and unless they are White (front) and Red (rear) they are considered illegal by the traffic enforcement authority, if they ever care to look.
The LEDs are cheap and readily available so I set about adding some to my Strada to increase its daylight visibility, plus also its sideways visibility at night.
For the front I obtained and fitted four white strips of 9 led lights each, 2 running down each fork leg. They are wired directly to the silly little white ‘parking’ lamp that sits above the headlight and serves no purpose as there is no Parking Light option in the switching. The strips are self-adhesive but I backed them up each with 3 zip ties for extra security.
Power consumption is minimal and I have made no changes to any original wiring, switches or fuses.
For the rear I obtained 2 small strips each with 2 very bright red LED lights and similarly wired them into the Number Plate light. They are also self-adhesive and fit very nicely up the side of the light support itself.
Once again no changes to original wiring, switches or fuses have been made.
The effect is exactly what I hoped to achieve, excellent daylight visibility and also a very bright side-on aspect at night too. The total cost was less than $20 and IMHO money well spent.
To be heard……..
Driving in Philippines traffic a good loud horn is a real asset to safety and often necessary for clearing dogs and idiots off the road.
Fed up with the original stupid little Husky peeper horn, fitted where it can best not be heard, I set about getting something a bit louder, but easy to fit.
I found a nice pair of Bosch Windtones in my local hardware store, perfect for the job and the right colour too. (Cheap at just under $15)
Fitting was a breeze as they came with small straight 2 hole brackets which I found fitted directly onto 2 of the 4 bolts under the headlamp shroud. Wiring involved chopping off the existing horn connection socket and basically extending the wire back up to the headlight. I could have been even more discreet and picked up the horn wires from inside the headlight and done it that way, but I was feeling lazy and went for the easy option which can be returned to original any time I might want to. (I might find the time to tidy things up later)
The horns kind of fit in with the strange shaped shroud and the colour matches very well. Suspension travel is not a problem as the forks would have to compress over 90% for the front fender to even get near to touching the horns where they sit tucked up under there. Even though they are fitted facing backwards to avoid dirt and water getting in, they work very well.
So for a total outlay of less than $35 and less than 2 hours work, I am pleased with my safety enhancement as I can now be seen very well, and you bet I can be heard too.
Cheers, MH
This is a Re Post as the Mods seem to have somehow deleted it first time around, so here goes again.
To be seen…….
Some years ago I was sideswiped at a junction in the night by a driver who claimed he didn’t see me side on cos of my bike lights only showing forward and back.
Most cars are fitted with Daylight Running lights which Volvo has used in Europe since forever. Nearly all Manufacturers fit bright LED lights so that cars to be seen – Why do Bikes not have them too?
My Husky runs with its lights on automatically, but they only have a forward and back perspective and almost nothing from the side – pretty useless in daytime anyway.
Here in Philippines customising bikes with LED running lights of various colours is very common and unless they are White (front) and Red (rear) they are considered illegal by the traffic enforcement authority, if they ever care to look.
The LEDs are cheap and readily available so I set about adding some to my Strada to increase its daylight visibility, plus also its sideways visibility at night.
For the front I obtained and fitted four white strips of 9 led lights each, 2 running down each fork leg. They are wired directly to the silly little white ‘parking’ lamp that sits above the headlight and serves no purpose as there is no Parking Light option in the switching. The strips are self-adhesive but I backed them up each with 3 zip ties for extra security.
Power consumption is minimal and I have made no changes to any original wiring, switches or fuses.
For the rear I obtained 2 small strips each with 2 very bright red LED lights and similarly wired them into the Number Plate light. They are also self-adhesive and fit very nicely up the side of the light support itself.
Once again no changes to original wiring, switches or fuses have been made.
The effect is exactly what I hoped to achieve, excellent daylight visibility and also a very bright side-on aspect at night too. The total cost was less than $20 and IMHO money well spent.
To be heard……..
Driving in Philippines traffic a good loud horn is a real asset to safety and often necessary for clearing dogs and idiots off the road.
Fed up with the original stupid little Husky peeper horn, fitted where it can best not be heard, I set about getting something a bit louder, but easy to fit.
I found a nice pair of Bosch Windtones in my local hardware store, perfect for the job and the right colour too. (Cheap at just under $15)
Fitting was a breeze as they came with small straight 2 hole brackets which I found fitted directly onto 2 of the 4 bolts under the headlamp shroud. Wiring involved chopping off the existing horn connection socket and basically extending the wire back up to the headlight. I could have been even more discreet and picked up the horn wires from inside the headlight and done it that way, but I was feeling lazy and went for the easy option which can be returned to original any time I might want to. (I might find the time to tidy things up later)
The horns kind of fit in with the strange shaped shroud and the colour matches very well. Suspension travel is not a problem as the forks would have to compress over 90% for the front fender to even get near to touching the horns where they sit tucked up under there. Even though they are fitted facing backwards to avoid dirt and water getting in, they work very well.
So for a total outlay of less than $35 and less than 2 hours work, I am pleased with my safety enhancement as I can now be seen very well, and you bet I can be heard too.
Cheers, MH
