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Thread: Extra lights on handlebars

  1. #1
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    1st June 2017 - 07:34
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    Extra lights on handlebars

    I'm planning to add some LED lights to my bike to supplement the pitiful headlight.

    I've found I can easily mount them to the handlebars, which seems like a good idea because hopefully the light will follow where I'm facing.

    My question is, is it legal to mount lights on the handlebars instead of the bike frame ?
    Specifically, any issue with the direction the lights are pointing ?

  2. #2
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    20th June 2011 - 20:27
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euro2018 View Post
    Specifically, any issue with the direction the lights are pointing ?
    Well have them facing you would be counter productive.
    Quote Originally Posted by Katman View Post
    but once again you proved me wrong.
    Quote Originally Posted by cassina View Post
    I was hit by one such driver while remaining in the view of their mirror.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by nzspokes View Post
    Well have them facing you would be counter productive.
    Yes, but think how much better your selfies would be.

  4. #4
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    Make sure your extension lead is long enough though.....
    Opinions are like arseholes: Everybody has got one, but that doesn't mean you got to air it in public all the time....

  5. #5
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    mount is fine, just makesure it's on a separate circuit / can be switched off with their own switch to class as either DRLs or foglamps/auxiliaries

  6. #6
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    17th June 2010 - 16:44
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euro2018 View Post
    I'm planning to add some LED lights to my bike to supplement the pitiful headlight.

    I've found I can easily mount them to the handlebars, which seems like a good idea because hopefully the light will follow where I'm facing.

    My question is, is it legal to mount lights on the handlebars instead of the bike frame ?
    Specifically, any issue with the direction the lights are pointing ?
    Two things -

    On the bars will not mean they are facing were you are going - no rider turns the bars to turn the bike (unless At low speed or want to fall off)

    And if you mount them on the underside of the bar will that leave room to clear the tank on a full lock? Or above the bars are they in the way?
    "So if you meet me, have some sympathy, have some courtesy, have some taste ..."

  7. #7
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    3rd March 2008 - 11:55
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    Depends on if you call them headlamps

    http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.n...ting/headlamps

    or daytime running lamps.....

    http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.n...-running-lamps
    Riding cheap crappy old bikes badly since 1987

    Tagorama maps: Transalpers map first 100 tags..................Map of tags 101-200......................Latest map, tag # 201-->

  8. #8
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    Maybe if you just get a truck to follow you around. They have some great coverage. If you plan your journey sensibly and with a light (see what I did there?) to main distribution routes this should be achievable.
    Don't you look at my accountant.
    He's the only one I've got.

  9. #9
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    do it! Click image for larger version. 

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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Paulo View Post
    do it! Click image for larger version. 

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    New upgraded batteries and alternators needed to power those candles ..
    "So if you meet me, have some sympathy, have some courtesy, have some taste ..."

  11. #11
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    Banditbandit is right, on a bike above 15 km/hr or so you use countersteering, you turn your bars out of the turn to lean the bike into the turn, push on the left grip to turn left. So at road speed you'd be turning your lights into the paddocks outside the curve or into the windscreens of oncoming traffic.

    Mount them on the frame!
    There are two songs, "Stairway to Heaven" and "Highway to Hell" which I think give an indication of expected traffic flow

  12. #12
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    Living in Hamilton ... you'll be more in need of fog lights ...

    An upgrade of your existing headlight with a brighter bulb would be a better idea.
    When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by rastuscat View Post
    Yes, but think how much better your selfies would be.
    My old boss was concerned about her teenage boys talking about 'taking a selfie'. She thought is was a euphamism for having a wank.
    Grow older but never grow up

  14. #14
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    Wot, it isn't?

    And as for a selfie stick, well ...

  15. #15
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    24th December 2012 - 21:49
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    there is a limit to the number of lights on a mbike

    I mounted some widish beam LEDs with adjustable output

    They go high on Hi beam and Low on low beam

    I have adjusted them so they don't blind people when on low.

    They fill in the gaps created by the main headlight, which is a std triangular pattern.

    Esp helpful on slow/tight corners

    I fitted a supply direct to the battery and used a relay to power them once the bike has started.
    (yes starting a bike with a dead battery on flat ground or the bottom of a gully can be draining)

    READ AND UDESTAND

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