making side lights into indicators.

[younggunns]

ok now i've got your attention, i'm looking at replacing my sidelights with orange LED's and wiring them to my turn signals, the reason for this is i have fitted flush mount LED's and am feeling a little underseen (if thats even a word) basically i want my side lights to still stay on all the time but flash when i activate the indicator, can this actually be done, i'm hoping a few electrical guys read this as i am so electrical dumb. sorry for the double post just trying to reach more folk.....cheers guys..
lee...

[xbox650]

I bought some flush mounts from america that had three wires so you could run the indicators as side lights also . I imagine that the same can be done with the side lights running as indicators . I have turned my side lights into indicators for the same reason only I used amber filament bulbs and was not bothered about them running as side lights aswell . They are now solely just front facing indicators and work a bloody treat . Its reasonably easy and cheap to do . Do you realise that if you use front facing LEDs you will also have to put another resistor in for each one of them .
My advice would be to stick with amber filament bulbs . They are bright enough and a hell of a lot less hassle and cheaper to do .
If you want any more advice on doing it just PM me and I'll be happy to help where I can .

[younggunns]

I bought some flush mounts from america that had three wires so you could run the indicators as side lights also . I imagine that the same can be done with the side lights running as indicators . I have turned my side lights into indicators for the same reason only I used amber filament bulbs and was not bothered about them running as side lights aswell . They are now solely just front facing indicators and work a bloody treat . Its reasonably easy and cheap to do . Do you realise that if you use front facing LEDs you will also have to put another resistor in for each one of them .
My advice would be to stick with amber filament bulbs . They are bright enough and a hell of a lot less hassle and cheaper to do .
If you want any more advice on doing it just PM me and I'll be happy to help where I can .
i swapped all my indicators to led's already. so i bought a new relay from motrax for 19.99 (gbp) pulled one out popped one in simple. now they flash fine....
also did you say that your lights stay on constant. then flash when you indicate coz i like the fact that theres four lights on the front. or do you know what i would have to do to achieve this.

[SoulKiss]

ok now i've got your attention, i'm looking at replacing my sidelights with orange LED's and wiring them to my turn signals, the reason for this is i have fitted flush mount LED's and am feeling a little underseen (if thats even a word) basically i want my side lights to still stay on all the time but flash when i activate the indicator, can this actually be done, i'm hoping a few electrical guys read this as i am so electrical dumb. sorry for the double post just trying to reach more folk.....cheers guys..
lee...

That would be illegal as you are not allowed to have any flashing lights unless they are orange indicators

You would get done for imitating an emergency services vehicle.

Not to say it hasnt been done - your call if you want to go there.

You would probably need to run it through something that is the reverse of a relay so which would then mean that when your indicator was off the sidelight would be on.

Dont know enough about electronics to name parts.

To be honest I wouldnt bother as its too much hassle.

I would just learn to ride so that I dont depend on others seeing my indicators.

[younggunns]

That would be illegal as you are not allowed to have any flashing lights unless they are orange indicators

You would get done for imitating an emergency services vehicle.

Not to say it hasnt been done - your call if you want to go there.

You would probably need to run it through something that is the reverse of a relay so which would then mean that when your indicator was off the sidelight would be on.

Dont know enough about electronics to name parts.

To be honest I wouldnt bother as its too much hassle.

I would just learn to ride so that I dont depend on others seeing my indicators.
i did say above that i wanted to fit orange LED's in the side lights.
so i wouldn't be imitating coz they would just be normal turn signals.
im deffo gonna do it just need the know how..

[SoulKiss]

i did say above that i wanted to fit orange LED's in the side lights.
so i wouldn't be imitating coz they would just be normal turn signals.
im deffo gonna do it just need the know how..

2 Sets of forwards facing indicators are illegal

And if the sidelights are orange - also illegal to have them on all the time.

Unless when you say London as your location you mean the one in Canada, where I dont know about but I do know that in the US they DO have orange running light.

[younggunns]

2 Sets of forwards facing indicators are illegal

And if the sidelights are orange - also illegal to have them on all the time.

Unless when you say London as your location you mean the one in Canada, where I dont know about but I do know that in the US they DO have orange running light.
firstly in a car you have front, side, and rear indicators....
on my bike i would have front (new LED's) side flush mounts that don't face forwards, and rear. so what is illegal with that.... your comments aren't making sense to me.also in london (england)lots of vehicles have orange sidelights on all the time..

[SoulKiss]

Go google the construction and use laws.....

I looked at all the mods you are looking at about a year or so ago.

All seemed to be VERY sensible to me (and still do) but Mr Plod the Policeman and Mr Crown Prosecution service see it differently

A bike is not a car and there are different rules for each.

But as I also said - do what you want - I know I do, just done bitch and moan if Mr Plod has a word and issues a recitification notice/fine/points.

Still waiting for him to have a go about my shrunken plate :)

[younggunns]

Go google the construction and use laws.....

I looked at all the mods you are looking at about a year or so ago.

All seemed to be VERY sensible to me (and still do) but Mr Plod the Policeman and Mr Crown Prosecution service see it differently

A bike is not a car and there are different rules for each.

But as I also said - do what you want - I know I do, just done bitch and moan if Mr Plod has a word and issues a recitification notice/fine/points.

Still waiting for him to have a go about my shrunken plate :)
well i have shrunk my plate also and i ride without a baffle all day long.
but i think i will take my chances.....
thanx for the advice though....
i think i'll just connect the lights together and just have them flash rather than stay on......
it sounds like it's gonna be too much aggro.

[yorkie_chris]

Right to do it like you want you could use a normally closed relay but put the open side of the relay to the indicators, so when powers fed to the indicator timer the sidelights are acting as indicators.

It may be complcated, though there is a circuit diagram in my head. ish.

[Baph]

That would be illegal as you are not allowed to have any flashing lights unless they are orange indicators

You would get done for imitating an emergency services vehicle.

Not to say it hasnt been done - your call if you want to go there.

You would probably need to run it through something that is the reverse of a relay so which would then mean that when your indicator was off the sidelight would be on.

Dont know enough about electronics to name parts.

To be honest I wouldnt bother as its too much hassle.

I would just learn to ride so that I dont depend on others seeing my indicators.

+1 on the last sentence. As stated, the mod is illegal, due to colour of lights being on constantly (the OP stated orange LEDs that are on constantly, but flash with the indicators).

Note, you'll also fail an MOT for this mod IIRC. So if you are going to do it, make sure it's easy to disable, and note that for the MOT, sidelights, if fitted, must be operable.

Soulkiss, you know more about it than I, but on both curvy & pointy, isn't the sidelight indicator mod also illegal due to spacing between bulbs?

That's asking for a lot of trouble IMO. Imagine they stop you for the sidelight mod, that's ?30 right there. Then they notice the missing baffle & small numberplate, both are another ?30 each. I see no point giving them reasons to stop you.

That said, you're now properly informed of the risks, so...

If you want to do it, you'll need to use a Bosch style SPDT relay (as per Yorkie Chris' post). You'll need two relay's, one for each side, and you'll need an arbitary number of orange 12v LEDs (you don't have to use 12v LEDs, but it makes life easier).

Note, this way is an ugly hack, that will turn the sidelight OFF when the indicator is ON.

Take the indicator positive wire & cut it, the battery side wired to terminal 85 on the relay. From terminal 86 on the relay to the indicator positive wire again.

Wire from the battery to terminal 30 on the relay, and from 87a to the sidelight LEDs. Then from the LEDs back to an earth point (bike frame ideally, but battery negative will do just as well).

Repeat for the other side of the bike. If you want them both to be on at the same time, then you're getting far more complicated (I imagine a DType FlipFlop would be more than capable in that circumstance, but it's more hassle than it's worth - honestly).

As for fitting the LEDs where the sidelights are, you're on your own there. :)

[Dangerous Dave]

Easiest way to do it is junk the idea of having the two side lights. Just change the bulbs for Amber ones and run the indicator wires up to them! A few people have done this mod in the past, most have reverted back to standard layout as the indicators are not always that visible! For MOT purposes you'll need a side light, when I converted a mates bike with the intergrated indicator front, I ran his left hand front headlight as a sidelight by hooking up the side light wires to it. 100% legal.

The spacing is ok for the front, however the intergrated tail light mod is illegal as the spacing is incorrect.

[younggunns]

Easiest way to do it is junk the idea of having the two side lights. Just change the bulbs for Amber ones and run the indicator wires up to them! A few people have done this mod in the past, most have reverted back to standard layout as the indicators are not always that visible! For MOT purposes you'll need a side light, when I converted a mates bike with the intergrated indicator front, I ran his left hand front headlight as a sidelight by hooking up the side light wires to it. 100% legal.

The spacing is ok for the front, however the intergrated tail light mod is illegal as the spacing is incorrect.
i think i will just do what you said above,
i can't see why you have to have side lights though as what about the standard sv they only have one head lamp.
i will have 2 front head lamps and 2 forward facing indicators as well as the side facing flush mount LED's on the side.
tbh i thought the side lights were just a styling accessory.

[Dangerous Dave]

tbh i thought the side lights were just a styling accessory.
Side Lights or Running Lights are a legal requirement, they don't have to be turned on (if they have the option to be turned off by switch) but they are a legal requirement. As with all lights, if fitted it must work for it to pass an MOT.

[younggunns]

Side Lights or Running Lights are a legal requirement, they don't have to be turned on (if they have the option to be turned off by switch) but they are a legal requirement. As with all lights, if fitted it must work for it to pass an MOT.
i'm gonna do it anyway,
i have found a site that sells exactly what i need.
here it is for all who have flush mounts and want to do the same thing or just wanna do it anyways...
http://www.customdynamics.com/magic_blinkers.htm

[Dangerous Dave]

People on here shouldn't moan to much, how many bikes on here are 100% standard? I know both my Curvy's are legal when it comes to lights, but the 750 has a straight though system (i.e. it has a silencer on the end but it has no packing or perforated core in it) and the 650 has a slip on can with the baffles removed.

[Baph]

People on here shouldn't moan to much

Who was moaning? :lol: I pointed out the legislation as I understand it, then provided a method of wiring the requested design. :)

FWIW, side marker lamps (including side lights) have to offer constant light according to Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, and any/all bulbs (filament and/or LEDs) have to obey to countless EU regulations.

[younggunns]

hi there you seem to know your stuff guys so i'm gonna just spur off the stock indicators and change the bulbs. i am not going to try and keep them on all the time.
also could someone tell me if running two light off one wire would be ok. as i'll have this times two. (left and right)

[Richie]

you mean like mine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNalrXQtY0s&eurl=http://www1.webng.com/richiesv/)...

and has passed the MOT.

[younggunns]

you mean like mine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNalrXQtY0s&eurl=http://www1.webng.com/richiesv/)...

and has passed the MOT.
exactly as that only i have flush mounts also. i couldn't see yours.
tell me do you have bulbs or LED's in your sidelights.
see guys they look great from head on.
p.s. dig the thumbs up.......you look so happy hehehehe

[Richie]

exactly as that only i have flush mounts also. i couldn't see yours.
tell me do you have bulbs or LED's in your sidelights.
see guys they look great from head on.
p.s. dig the thumbs up.......you look so happy hehehehe

the thumbs up was because that was the first time we had the engine running since I bolloxed the Gearbox completely, So complete engine strip and rebuild with a g.box from a curvy.
and Yes indicators are in the Side light, and side light LED are under the headlamp.

[younggunns]

the thumbs up was because that was the first time we had the engine running since I bolloxed the Gearbox completely, So complete engine strip and rebuild with a g.box from a curvy.
and Yes indicators are in the Side light, and side light LED are under the headlamp.
oh yea.
i didn't see your sidelights under the headlamps in the air takes.
sorry but i'm gonna copy that idea for myself, think it looks cool.
just waiting for the weather to warm up a little bit as i don't have a garage.
cheers buddy.
lee...

[younggunns]

the thumbs up was because that was the first time we had the engine running since I bolloxed the Gearbox completely, So complete engine strip and rebuild with a g.box from a curvy.
and Yes indicators are in the Side light, and side light LED are under the headlamp.
done it today,
rewired the side lights (now indicators) and drilled two small holes in the air intake and fitted two new lights in there which are now my side lights.
thanks for the great idea buddy.
it looks good from head on now and the indicators are very very visible just as i wanted.....
cheers richie....

[Figment]

Younggunns, I'd be interested to see some pictures of your new setup. Any chance of uploading some?

Cheers
Scott.

[younggunns]

Younggunns, I'd be interested to see some pictures of your new setup. Any chance of uploading some?

Cheers
Scott.
i'll take some pics right now. back in 1/2 hour.

[younggunns]

Younggunns, I'd be interested to see some pictures of your new setup. Any chance of uploading some?

Cheers
Scott.
here ya go,
obviously they light up alot more in the night.
first pic indicators are off.
second pic with the hazards on.
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh143/younggunn1/08_04_08021.jpg
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh143/younggunn1/08_04_08024.jpg
p.s. very easy to do, the whole job took about 1 hr

[Figment]

It's looking pretty sweet. :cool:

Have you done the conversion with LED's or just straight swapped with bulbs and what did you end up using for your side lights?

I hope Richie doesn't get too upset, but I think I might have to attempt this conversion too! :p

[younggunns]

It's looking pretty sweet. :cool:

Have you done the conversion with LED's or just straight swapped with bulbs and what did you end up using for your side lights?

I hope Richie doesn't get too upset, but I think I might have to attempt this conversion too! :p
firstly i fitted orange bulbs into the side lights then rewired them into the indicators which i have fitted flush mounts.
the reason i went for bulbs rather than LED's was the bulbs also shine backwards which lights up silver surround so you end up with a 2 1/2 light facing out, yet LED's only face forward so you don't get any reflection behind them so from the front you will only have a 8mm light facing forwards.
then what i done was drill 2 14mm holes next to the screw in the air intake and fitted 2 new bulb holders and philips blue/white bulbs, then i siliconed the bulb mounts into place so they were weather proof, i then extended the original sidelight wires and tidied up the wiring under the fairing.
the whole project inc bulb mounts and bulbs came to around £10.
as i already had wire/heat shrinks and the philips bulbs.

[xbox650]

That looks stunning . As I mentioned before I have already done the side lights to indicator swap over but am still currently running without any side lights and if you dont mind I would like to copy you technique . Can you please give more details of the bulbs and bulb holders and where I can purchase them . I have all the other bits n bobs aswell and the capabilty to do it . So if I have time after building my new shed this weekend I think I will do it .

All the best

[younggunns]

That looks stunning . As I mentioned before I have already done the side lights to indicator swap over but am still currently running without any side lights and if you dont mind I would like to copy you technique . Can you please give more details of the bulbs and bulb holders and where I can purchase them . I have all the other bits n bobs aswell and the capabilty to do it . So if I have time after building my new shed this weekend I think I will do it .

All the best
well i got it all from my local car accessories shop.(you know the type where you would find your local hoodie with his RS turbo).
i asked for the bulbs which are standard side light fixtures and the small holders were about 99p each,
just make sure you silicone your bulbs into the holders as they aren't waterproof.
other than that pretty straight forward really.