View Full Version : lighting up your bike
richbeales
18-10-07, 12:11 PM
Hi All,
We're getting closer to the clocks changing, and it getting *really* dark outside for the commute home. Now bearing in mind i already have a high-vis jacket, has anyone else done anything lighting or reflective-wise to bike or rider that would improve visibility to other drivers?
I've been looking at LEDs but I have no interest in looking live a chav... I've always thought that helmet mounted white/red LEDs would look good and effective, but haven't seen anything on t'internet?
I'm considering buying some better H4 bulbs also.
I'm doing 100 miles /day largely motorway based...
Cheers,
Rich.
the_lone_wolf
18-10-07, 12:34 PM
I've always thought that helmet mounted white/red LEDs would look good and effective, but haven't seen anything on t'internet?
http://feanor.sssup.it/~giorgio/movies/pr-laser.jpg
?
Google is your friend ;)
http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/motorcycle/riderlight.htm
http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/motorcycle/images/thumbnails/riderlightj_small.jpg
you can get a wind activated LED for your lid about £15
you can get a wind activated LED for your lid about £15
Is yours on order?
I still stand by the fact that if your bike was dayglo yellow, with 1000w headlight bulbs with flashing lights and klaxons going off with you wering hi vis brightly light jackets, some numpty would still nock you off and say 'sorry mate, i didnt see you'
Its all about your road positioning than how well you are lit up. Hi vis jacket, clean working lights, is all you need.
Is yours on order?
.
no, they dont fit the arai rx7 due to the air vent on the lid
HTH
I want a 3d holographic projection of a big American articulated lorry, which is only visible from the front, mounted to the nose of the bike. And a deep low pitched fog horn, which sounds every 3 seconds for a period of 2.5 seconds. Whilst at the back, a projection of the back of the artic, with scaffolding poles at head height looking rather carelessly loaded.
I think I agree with Viney, so for me it's Hi Viz - it helps a lot of the time, but don't rely on it. Philips X-Treme bulbs (the best before you get HID).
Just don't get LED tyre valve caps!! :reaper:
Try http://www.streetglo.net/streetglo_files/helmet.flame.decal.htm (http://www.streetglo.net/streetglo_files/helmet.flame.decal.htm)
for black rim tape invisible by day (on black wheels) reflect by night
Blue_SV650S
18-10-07, 01:30 PM
You need to watch the usage of flashing LEDs, flashing LEDs are associated with pushbikes, and we go at very diffeent speeds!! Don't confuse drivers!!
If your boots don’t already have reflective rear bits, then get some reflective anklets.
Some reflective stripes on the side of the bike wouldn’t go a miss either! :)
metalmonkey
18-10-07, 01:35 PM
I really think my bike should be armed with mini guns that will:smt066 keep people out the way:smt068
On a serious note I will get a high viz jacketc, some of gear is relective as well. My Lid is really bright as well, which should help!
ClemsonSV
18-10-07, 06:37 PM
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/glowingstuff_1907_11524752
Or maybe not...You might get made fun of or knocked off on purpose...
richbeales
19-10-07, 12:31 PM
I've just ordered some black reflective tape from a site in the states (roughly £7), should be here in a few weeks. Planning to stick it on the black subframe. Will let you all know how it looks / works...
I wear hi-viz, leave my super-bright lights on, eat more pies so I stay nice and large then still assume I am totally invisible.
Oh and a loudish can and super-loud hooters just in case I have time to toot before being splattered
A note on Lighting up your bike
I got pulled over on Thursday morning 0700 by a Met Traffic Biker (Black Rat) and told "those fancy blue lights youve got just earnt you 3 points".
I played the game with him for a while then told him I understood they were legal as they projected downwards (they are a pair of 6 Blue Leds in an egg shape attachment located on my underside air inlets), he then backtracked, saying he wasnt sure if it were points or a fine or both, his problem was they were blue, like his.
After the normal legality checks he pulled out his book of offences looked up lights and said yes look it says you cant have blue or red lights other than std rear red brake, fog, etc. I said all I wanted was to be seen having been knocked off twice in a year (wearing a hi-vis) he agreed saying how bad the car drivers were told me what a good course Bikesafe was for £30 and that he wasnt going to punish me but I wasnt to use them, I was off on my way having made a new friend.
Needless to say I had them on again the next morning.
Anyone tell me where to put up some pics of them?
haha that picture is quality! (sorry i have no real useful input here, just voicing opinion on the neon warrier)
look it says you cant have blue or red lights other than std rear red brake, fog, etc.
were these more or less is his words? ie does that mean say you could mix blue and red giving a purple light and this would be ok? ie not blue and not red?
or say yellow?
phil24_7
21-10-07, 02:43 AM
Blue lights are NOT illegal at the front unless they are flashing, end of.
They will try to say they are but unless they're flashng you are not impersonating a police officer, which is what they try to have you for!
Blue lights are NOT illegal at the front unless they are flashing, end of.
Are you able to point me towards a matter of law which describes this in anyway?
the_lone_wolf
21-10-07, 12:59 PM
Are you able to point me towards a matter of law which describes this in anyway?
see www.opsi.gov.uk
k so i found this:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_3.htm#(Tii)iicolourlightshownlamp reflector (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_3.htm#%28Tii%29iicolourlightshown lampreflector)
which states:
2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except-
q) reflected light of any colour from retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of-
(i) a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;
(ii) a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination; or
(iii) an invalid carriage;Does that mean its fine to light up as long as 1) its reflected light and 2) its on the wheel or tyre rather then the bike???
northwind
21-10-07, 03:17 PM
I suppose they might try and get you under
"Restrictions on fitting blue warning beacons, special warning lamps and similar devices
16. No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with-
a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or
b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.
That's as close as I can find though, and it'd be quite a push.
**I think** the difference here is direct VS indirect light which counts or does not count as a warning beacon...
but from other places ive read... blue is a touchy but grey area when it comes to legality.
phil24_7
21-10-07, 04:35 PM
Friend of mine got a tug cuz he's got a blue headlight cover, when he was stopped they asked him what he would think if he saw a blue light in his mirrors. He said rather cheekily, I would think it was a bike with a headlight cover, if it was flashing I would probably think it was police.
I'm guessing they did this so that if you say "I'd think it was the police" then they'd have grounds for charging you with impersonation a police officer or something!
I've always thought that helmet mounted white/red LEDs would look good and effective,
You do realise that this sort of attachment to your helmet will effect its integrity?
Jools'SV Now
24-10-07, 12:15 PM
As most 'smidsy' incidents are from cars pulling out of t junctions, none of the reflective gear helps as their lights are not aimed at you.
What would make you more visible whilst not in other peoples lights is a white LED light (possibly bike light) pointing AT your hi viz jacket / bib.
This could be mounted near the dials/on yoke/on bars for frontal or on grab rail for rear and would light up the hi viz stuff all the time, making you much more visible.
A similar product was on an invention programme a couple of years back for cyclists use.
As I'm a copmlete saddo I've superglued yellow flurescent tape over the back of my gortex jacket. Strip at the top, bottom and sides of the back panel. Plus a couple of bits on my lid.
From the rear it gives off a reflective outline of a large shape as opposed to just a red light.
independentphoto
24-10-07, 04:09 PM
Hi All,
I've always thought that helmet mounted white/red LEDs would look good and effective, but haven't seen anything on t'internet?
Cheers,
Rich.
Here you go mate. I thought these sounded quite interesting too.....
http://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/files/details/d_5332.jpg
http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=OXOFWL
Garry ;)
Alpinestarhero
24-10-07, 04:14 PM
As most 'smidsy' incidents are from cars pulling out of t junctions, none of the reflective gear helps as their lights are not aimed at you.
What would make you more visible whilst not in other peoples lights is a white LED light (possibly bike light) pointing AT your hi viz jacket / bib.
This could be mounted near the dials/on yoke/on bars for frontal or on grab rail for rear and would light up the hi viz stuff all the time, making you much more visible.
.
Fantastic idea
Although, when you look down, the light may be shining in your eyes.
I gues it would be easy to mount a small bicycle light to the top yoke and have that aimed at you. Be cool aswell, riding around surrounded by an errie glow
Matt
metalmonkey
24-10-07, 04:26 PM
From my understanding of what light you can use blue light is okay at the front long as it doesn't flash. The offence come under contruction and use under the lighting part. I can't remeber that exact offence or wheter it is points but I can look it up if someone really wants to know.
The reason why the blue is okay is becasue some headlights project a blue or blue tinted light.
I saw a reflective sash a while ago the web that lights up, battery powered, I want something like that.
independentphoto
24-10-07, 04:45 PM
I saw a reflective sash a while ago the web that lights up, battery powered, I want something like that.
http://www.beseenonabike.com/shopuk/images/lumistrip_preview.jpg
http://www.beseenonabike.com/shopuk/product_info.php?cPath=1_15&products_id=306
HTH
Garry;)
Jools'SV Now
25-10-07, 03:12 PM
Reminds me of Tron - now that would get you seen!
SoulKiss
25-10-07, 03:35 PM
From my understanding of what light you can use blue light is okay at the front long as it doesn't flash. The offence come under contruction and use under the lighting part. I can't remeber that exact offence or wheter it is points but I can look it up if someone really wants to know.
The reason why the blue is okay is becasue some headlights project a blue or blue tinted light.
I saw a reflective sash a while ago the web that lights up, battery powered, I want something like that.
Lights on Bikes.
Ok folks, read up on this, have even posted the relevent bits of the law on here in the past.
It is illegal to show any light that is not white or orange as a signal to the front of the vehicle and any light which is not red or orange as a signal to the rear of the vehicle.
You may only have one orange signal lamp per side at the front or the rear, but there is no limit to the number on the sides.
End of
GAZER - expect to get pulled again.
As for refelcted/indirect light - would still count as being shown to.
I looked at these laws when I was looking at adding more lights to my bike, ended up using the 2 light-strips from the Electo-podz kit, both attached to the undertray and wired through relays/resistors to mimic the half-bright/full bright behaviour of the rear light. These were positioned carefully to prevent sideways light spill.
Was going to post pics, but as hands are out of commision at the moment - this will have to wait
David
northwind
25-10-07, 05:18 PM
Was going to post pics, but as hands are out of commision at the moment - this will have to wait
You type well with your feet :smt045
Soulkiss
According to http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_3.htm#(Tii)iicolourlightshownlamp reflector (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_3.htm#%28Tii%29iicolourlightshown lampreflector) (above by harvy) the law is "Not to show a red light to the front" and "Only to show a red light to the rear" "Lights should not move" (So all adaptive headlights from the Citroen DS to the luxury cars that are starting to have them now are illegal) "Lights should not flash" "Not to show a blue warning beacon".
So you can show any colour light to the front except red or -if it could be arguably shown to be a beacon or similar- blue.
There are some 4X4's that have 2 sets of lights at the rear (Discovery's & Shogun's?) so 2 indicators each side. They sold in pretty large numbers for being illegal - SK where did you see that as I can't?
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