Replaced Rear reflectors with LED versions

I always worry that there are not enough people seeing me on my motorcycles and so I always love to add more lights to my bikes to make me better seen.

One of the things I have done to my Silverwing and Reflex is convert the red side reflectors into a run/turn light and reflector.

I have found some 2 1/8 round LED reflectors that work great for giving you an additional turn signal on the rear of the bike that points off to each side.

Nice thing that I did was to make it alternate with the rear amber signal so it turns off when the amber lights up.

You also can replace the rectangular reflector with a similar LED version so you can get an additional rear brake light using a similar process.

Using Dennis's connector, this project took about an hour and is completely reversible.

To make the red side LED reflector light up while running but off when the signal is activated, here is a rough outline of what to do...

(Best way to do this project is center stand the bike and engage parking brake.)

1. Buy Dennis's connector....(You can do other methods but best if you want to rewire, reroute or restore what you did.)
2. Remove existing reflectors and license plate from motorcycle.
3. Drill a hole through the middle of the license plate fender area about 1/2 inch wide.
4. Screw in LED reflector replacements and route cable behind metal bar and down through the middle of license frame holder and eventually through the drilled hole.
5. Install Dennis's connector per instructions.
6. Connect left LED reflector Positive to Running power.
7. Connect Left LED reflector Ground to Left Turn signal wire.

(Yep, that is what I said! When the Left Turn signal wire is not getting power, it is actually a good ground for your LED light. Many cars use the same principle to wire their front turn signals to alternate lights.)

8. Connect right reflector Positive to Running power.
9. Connect right LED reflector Ground to right Turn signal wire.
10. Test.. Make sure all lights work while not using the turn signal and when the turn signal is active.
11. Close access panel.
12. Close seat
13. Reattach License plate and zip tie wires as needed to hide as much as possible.(BTW, I paint the red wire from the LED reflector black so it is not so apparent.)
14. Test again.. (Who knows, something could have come loose.)


This mod should be legal in all 50 states, since the LED replacement reflector still has non-active reflective qualities and meets the lighting requirements as far as I can find out.

Bikerdaryl, You are the man!!

Sounds like you did a bit change-in things around. When you get a chance, take a video of what your new lights set up looks like. I sure would like to see it in action.

DennisB wrote:

Bikerdaryl, ...
When you get a chance, take a video of what your new lights set up looks like. I sure would like to see it in action.

Me too! (Nice name btw)

Daryl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drRKxq08JCU
Is the link to a video I made of the reflector modification.

The video does not show it, but when it is not blinking opposite the amber turn signal, it stays on constantly as a running light.

Bikerdaryl ... love the upgrade. Well done!!!

I even have the very same license plate holder set-up. Can you give us a parts breakdown and where you bought them?

Also, could the front amber reflectors be replaced with the same set-up?

Thanks.

sonuvabug wrote:

Bikerdaryl ... love the upgrade. Well done!!!

I even have the very same license plate holder set-up. Can you give us a parts breakdown and where you bought them?

Also, could the front amber reflectors be replaced with the same set-up?

Thanks.

Replacing the front reflectors will be one of the next things I do. The principle is the same as the rear but care must be given to allow enough wire to them to allow full movement of the forks. I would recommend doing the install with the front tire completely off the ground.

Also you must use amber lights. It is illegal to use red on the front of the bike per almost all state and federal lighting laws.

The biggest pain of doing the front is of course all the plastic to get to the right wires and splicing into it.


I will let Dennis chime in, but I do not think he has a similar plug n play for the front like his perfect connector. If he does I would recommend buying it.

Parts list:
Big Bike Parts 2 1/8 round led reflector kit $45
Posi-lock connectors(4) $4.00
Dennis's perfect connector $32
Total plus shipping $81
Parts list