How to Install Dirt Cheap Driving lights

[LeaderDuece]

I saw a version of this on another forum and decided to try it for myself.

Lately I've noticed a lot of threads of members/friends in accidents. That got me to thinking about how to make myself more visible. This lead to me installing my HID headlight. Love it. One thing that other's have commented on is that if you have additional lights, then perhaps it isn't so mesmerizing to oncoming traffic -just one headlight coming towards them can be hard to judge distance, they can't tell how fast you are coming etc.

Anyway, a guy posted that he used some cheap driving lights he picked up at Walmart. Of course he installed them in conjunction with his turn signals (on a light bar) as most stock cruisers do. Signals on the top of the bar, lights on the bottom.

We don't have a light bar, and I don't like them anyway. But I DO like the idea of extra lights on the front. A member recently did a project where he mounted some on the forks down near the axle. I seriously thought about that -I have a way in mind that would have worked excellently, but I didn't want to run wiring up my forks.

So instead I dug out some Kuryakyn accessory mounts I had laying around (like this: Kuryakyn Universal Accessory Mount Clamp | ZZ38683 | J&P Cycles ) and went to it.

I have included pictures of the driving lights I used. they cost $18.95 at Walmart. I also had an old illuminated button switch I never used for a project. I put a picture of that in as well -but it does come with a huge fugly switch if you didn't want to buy one.

I have also included a couple of pictures showing that I had to grind out a bit on the mount to get the lights to mount up level. I used a cutting wheel and it only took a few seconds.

I tied the grounds from the lights together and grounded them to a bolt on the starter.

I ran the hot wire to the power switch that I mounted on my left side cover (I used a 3/4 inch stepped taper bit to drill out the plastic for the switch, then ground it a hair with a small round drum sander bit (like you use on a dremel) to get the switch mounted). I then ran the hotwire with the inline fuse they provide to the battery. This way I am not putting any additional strain on the stock wiring. When the bike was running (with the lights on -at idle) I was showing 13.4 volts at the battery, so these bulbs won't put too much strain on the charging system (this also includes the HID headlight and my Cobra FI2000).

I heat shrink wrapped all connections, and actually the wiring coming out of the lights as well. It's white wiring, and of course I needed to cover that.

I don't have any pictures of it at night, sorry. But I did take a test ride in 35 degree weather. I was surprised to see it actually does add light close in (I was surprised because I have the HID, and that thing is like daylight). It also provided more light to the sides (like more of a 45 degree illumination pattern, whereas the HID might be a 30 degree spread). Finally, even though I had them as low as possible to get them separated as far as possible, they still reflected a bit off the back of the forks. Which actually turned out to be a cool effect, and I didn't find it distracting at all.

I did this because I wanted to be seen more -during both day and night. I think I will achieve that goal, and extra light is actually a nice benefit (ironic since I was installing more lights, right? )

[LeaderDuece]

Final Install pictures.

BTW, I was worried they'd stick out or look gaudy. I think they're pretty good. They match my stock blinkers (which I actually like -I guess I'm like those guys who like the stock can) and after a few minutes I don't notice them anymore.

I noticed the last few pictures aren't very good. I promise to take some better ones in a few days...

[whajac]

Great job LD. Excellent write up to a (cheap) light bar solution. Could run your set up on multiple applications. Do the lights come in black? My Walmarts offer abbreviated auto accessories, I'm looking on line. Thanks!

[LeaderDuece]

I didn't see any in black at Walmart, but I did see them (and similar ones) in black at Advance Auto and Auto Zone. I was trying to match chrome with my signals, but I can see where black would work perfectly for Midnights (for example).

Also, you can also get "P-Clamps" and they're much cheaper. I just happened to have my clamps laying around.

Also, you gotta be careful with those clamps, or they'll scratch the paint on your frame. God bless Sharpie though...

[idontknow]

Nice DIY and excellent write up as usual!

[LeaderDuece]

Thanks

[Mike7202]

they would be more desirable if they were on a midnight

[gchalifo]

Ya Mike!, sweet job!

I have to admit, I ..... like you......am ALL about the looks. And for me, the LESS on the warrior the better.
Now when it comes to lights, man the more light on the road the better I feel at night. But adding additional lights, driving or otherwise are just not for me, but I have to say.....I like what you did here,.....

thanks for posting this up for everyone's bennifit!....

If I could find a set of lights that were as small as possible, like the bullett style directional lights, that are BRITE INTENSE DRIVING LIGHTS, I would deffinately consider it....otherwise, I'll stick with the brightest headlight bulb possible.....

[yellowbee]

Good job LD, I've been trying to figure out how to mount some lights to my calipers. I'd be very interested in your idea to do that. I figured I could just run the wiring up with the brake lines.

[yellowbee]

Motorcycle CREE lights LED fog dual sport dirtbike atv supermoto headlight 6000K | eBay

These are the lights I want to use.