LED Headlight with built in turn signals

Status
Not open for further replies.
swooshdave

swooshdave

Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Messages
11,525
Country flag
I picked up this headlight off eBay for under $30.

Ebay Link

For that little money I thought "what the heck". I thought I wouldn't get it for a couple months and by that time I would have converted my Interstate to negative ground and use the light on it. But when I got it in just a few days I decided to use it on the Proddy Replica (it's already negative ground), which worked out fine as I haven't been happy with my turn signal situation on that bike. I had a couple tiny (pretty much useless) turn signals on the front.

LED Headlight with built in turn signals

First test. At least it lights up.

LED Headlight with built in turn signals


You're not a real Commando owner until you can figure these clips. Yes, it took me a while. It's been a good 10 yrs since I had to deal with them.

LED Headlight with built in turn signals
LED Headlight with built in turn signals


For $30 my expectations were low. Let's see who can figure out why my low expectation were justified with the excellent instructions. :p:rolleyes:

LED Headlight with built in turn signals


All buttoned up. I tested at each step just to make sure. Not that I don't trust myself... but I don't trust myself. The nice thing is that it's so hidden behind the fairing that most people won't even notice it. Except you, you are looking right at it, aren't you? :oops:

 
swooshdave said:
I picked up this headlight off eBay for under $30.

Ebay Link

For that little money I thought "what the heck". I thought I wouldn't get it for a couple months and by that time I would have converted my Interstate to negative ground and use the light on it. But when I got it in just a few days I decided to use it on the Proddy Replica (it's already negative ground), which worked out fine as I haven't been happy with my turn signal situation on that bike. I had a couple tiny (pretty much useless) turn signals on the front.

LED Headlight with built in turn signals

First test. At least it lights up.

LED Headlight with built in turn signals


You're not a real Commando owner until you can figure these clips. Yes, it took me a while. It's been a good 10 yrs since I had to deal with them.

LED Headlight with built in turn signals
LED Headlight with built in turn signals


For $30 my expectations were low. Let's see who can figure out why my low expectation were justified with the excellent instructions. :p:rolleyes:

LED Headlight with built in turn signals


All buttoned up. I tested at each step just to make sure. Not that I don't trust myself... but I don't trust myself. The nice thing is that it's so hidden behind the fairing that most people won't even notice it. Except you, you are looking right at it, aren't you? :oops:

Click to expand...

Looks good - the only risk I see is that the way your headlight is recessed behind the proddy fairing could obscure the indicator from those that you would like to see it.
Try it - turn your left indicator on - then take 15 paces in front of your bike - then 15 paces to the bike's left. Can you see the flashing indicator?
Would not like this flash technology result in grief!
Cheers
Rob
 
There is a minimum gap between the indicator lights in the UK regs and doubt this would meet them, you would still need lights on stalks but it would supplement them.

Here is a 2018 version

The inspection manual currently says that mandatory direction indicators must have minimum separation distances of: solo motorcycles over 50cc: 300mm at the front and 240mm at the rear. solo up to 50 cc: 240mm at the front and 180mm at the rear. motorcycle combinations: 400mm at both front and rear.
 
Last edited:
I had to turn those metrical units into real units and when I did I was surprised how far they need be. Yes understand why and it makes practical sense but then bikes and sense aren't always connected. Mine on the 850 are slightly close and I doubt that The
Law would notice. Standard Lucas indicators are less than attractive, super bright tiny LEDs would be better if less pricey.
 
The problem with aftermarket and other mods to reducing turn-signal placement is that they compromise the entire purpose of turn signals. If they are not "noticed" by other drivers as turn signals then they are useless, giving you a false sense of safety. By that I mean that YOU are comfortable that you have your turn signal on for a turn so you figure the 'other guy' sees you are going to turn. But the other guy does not "see" the signal due to its lack of separation from the centerline of the motorcycle. Motos are essentially invisible to most car drivers anyway, unless they are also moto riders, so deliberately reducing 'visibility' is not a good thing. ;)
 
There is a US Federal requirement on separation too.

At or near the front—1 amber on each side of the vertical centerline at the same height, and having a minimum horizontal separation distance (centerline of lamps) of 16 inches. Minimum edge to edge separation distance between lamp and headlamp is 4 inches
FMVSS Section 108 Table IV very near bottom

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi...E=49&PART=571&SECTION=108&YEAR=2007&TYPE=TEXT

So it fails on 2 counts

1. Too close to headlamp ie less than 4"

2. Not far enough apart ie 16"
 
Turn signals in the plane and close to the headlight get washed out and hard to see. Hence, the spec for the distance spacing.
Notice most new motorcycles do not have the signals in the same plane as the headlight.

Edit: Compound the above with some people with night vision issues.......
 
I'm completely aware that this meet no regulations, and I don't really care. This bike is highly impractical and isn't going to be ridden in traffic much. And most likely I'll have other riders with me.

Besides, I always ride like I'm invisible. I never assume the drivers are looking up from their phones let alone paying attention to turn signals.

With the fairing there are very few options and for $30 it was worth trying out. It's actually an improvement on the signals I had been using, which isn't saying much. :p
 
I see it as another thing to catch the attention of other drivers, can't be a bad thing. Hand signals that I use on the older pre-indicator bikes are legal but often ineffective. So legality is only important to be legal, it won't keep you alive.
Maybe these flashers in conjunction with hand signals might be enough.
Better still would be to add bar end flashers, I think they are about the best you can do on a bike. They are at the widest point and generally visible fore and aft.
I have some Oberon bar end flashers on the Special. They are excellent. Bit pricey though.

Dave, have you tried the headlight at night? It looks very bright but the pattern or focus seems to be the big problem with LEDs.
They are getting better. The BPF base LED sold by The Bonneville Shop is quite good.


Glen
 
Last edited:
Bar ends by Oberon.
The rear light is at centre, a wrap around split in two . Even though it's at the centre of the bike, with about 40 bright LEDs flashing on each side it catches motorists attention. If they can't figure out which way the bike is turning from the rear light, which is as dazzling as some emergency vehicle flashers, the handlebar flasher gives clear direction indication.
I might add one of Dave's headlights to the mix, provided he thinks the focus is adequate for night use.

 
Last edited:
worntorn said:
Better still would be to add bar end flashers, I think they are about the best you can do on a bike. They are at the widest point and generally visible fore and aft.
I have some Oberon bar end flashers on the Special. They are excellent. Bit pricey though.
Click to expand...

Standard on the Norton Electra.
 

Attachments

  • LED Headlight with built in turn signals
    20201003_174525.webp
    22.4 KB · Views: 259
worntorn said:
snipped
Maybe these flashers in conjunction with hand signals might be enough.
Better still would be to add bar end flashers, I think they are about the best you can do on a bike. They are at the widest point and generally visible fore and aft.
snipped
Glen
Click to expand...

Glen, I was thinking bar end T/S lamps, as well. However, it the photo, you can see that he has bar end mirrors. With clip on bars, not many other options for mirror location. Clip ons also make hand signals problematic. Perhaps a pair of small LED signal lamps could be mounted to the mirror stalks? I'm thinking using Adel clamps or perhaps some custom fabricated clamps?? They would be far enough apart. As you mentioned, properly placed, they could be seen front and rear, so would negate the need for rear turn signal lamps.

Charlie K
 
Motogadget do some very nice bar end turn signals and a range of mirror to suit. Not exactly low end pricing though.

motogadget - parts for perfection

Entdecke die Welt von motogadget und bringe dein Motorrad auf das nächste Level. Qualität, Funktionalität und Stil - Made in Germany. Wir bieten alles, was Sie für ein einzigartiges Fahrerlebnis benötigen.
motogadget.com motogadget.com
 
You just would t believe how bright these are, and almost invisible when not switched on! when you stand a few feet back from the centre of the bike you can see both front and rear, the spread of light is amazing.

LED Headlight with built in turn signals
LED Headlight with built in turn signals
 
Fast Eddie said:
Motogadget do some very nice bar end turn signals and a range of mirror to suit. Not exactly low end pricing though.

motogadget - parts for perfection

Entdecke die Welt von motogadget und bringe dein Motorrad auf das nächste Level. Qualität, Funktionalität und Stil - Made in Germany. Wir bieten alles, was Sie für ein einzigartiges Fahrerlebnis benötigen.
motogadget.com motogadget.com
Click to expand...
At those prices, I hope that quote is for a pair! :eek: Installing high dollar parts on the end of the handlebars, the first part to hit the ground. What could possibly go wrong?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
led headlight bulb
2
Replies
38
Views
2,342
worntorn
W
jseng1
  • Locked
LED headlight with shell and mounts
Replies
17
Views
1,711
kerinorton
K
Schwany
LED Headlight on a P11
Replies
6
Views
1,933
Schwany
Schwany
speirmoor
MC Batteries with built in Digital display
Replies
0
Views
893
speirmoor
speirmoor
joe czech
  • Locked
electrical issues - headlight and tail light flash with turn signals - ????
2
Replies
38
Views
5,837
Tornado
Tornado
Back
Top