I'm looking to install the Vololights Brakeless Deceleration Indicator on my 2009 silverwing. I haven't found the wiring diagrams yet, but I've opened both access covers in the underseat storage area see pics). It says you'll need to tap into the 12v DC power and that the license plate light is the easiest source.
Can't help you, but it seems an interesting idea to me. You might consider a headlight modulator as well. The most common fatal accident in bike/car collisions are when an oncoming car turns left in front of the bike. Headlight modulators get attention, There have been several times when I know a modulator on my bike made them to suddenly change their minds and not pull out from a driveway in front of me. Check out Kisan's Pathblazer modulator I put one on the last five bikes I've owned.
The Bern Silver Wing Expert
Number of posts : 897 Location : Telford, UK Points : 4626 Registration date : 2014-11-20
You might want to consider the Admore Lightbar version 2. It is an additional brake/turn light with accelerometer to detect slowing without use of brakes and also flashing brake lights. Optional license plate light and programmable/upgrade able.
for the license plate version of the Vololight I had I just removed the socket for the license plate light and tapped into the power here as it just needed power and had a license plate light included.
For the stand alone Vololight module I imagine you need to tap into the brake lights, etc. so I am not sure of the exact details, but for the Admore lightbar you needed to tap into the tail, brake and turn signal lights. As I recall it was on the left hand side rear behind the plastic tupperware. It was very easy with the inline plug that Cosmic Jumper made (previously DennisB made them I am told) as you could pre-wire based on color coded wires and just plug in without needed to tap directly into the wire harness.
There is probably a thread somewhere on here that I may have included some photos. I no longer have the Silverwing so I ma going from memory.
Yeah, I've seen those posts, but the vololights is going to be the best option for me at this time.
For the socket, I see some screws for it, but the rear panel seems to be overlapping them a bit. Assuming I get the socket off by unscrewing, do you just pull it out, see the wires, tap into them, push it back in and screw it back together? Or did you take the wires out of the socket and use them for the vololights?
--Russ
bicyclenut Maxi-Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 141 Age : 56 Location : Chicago Suburbs Points : 3561 Registration date : 2015-09-04
I am assuming you have the license plate version of the Vololight. In my case this is what i had and did not intent to remove so I just accessed the license plate light socket and cut it off and connected my power here routing it to the Vololight. If you wanted to retain the existing license plate light you could use a positap and just splice into the power and leave light present or remove bulb. I didn't see a need for 2 license plate bulbs.
russcarver wrote:
Yeah, I've seen those posts, but the vololights is going to be the best option for me at this time.
For the socket, I see some screws for it, but the rear panel seems to be overlapping them a bit. Assuming I get the socket off by unscrewing, do you just pull it out, see the wires, tap into them, push it back in and screw it back together? Or did you take the wires out of the socket and use them for the vololights?
--Russ
russcarver Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 51 Location : Erie, CO (Denver area) Points : 5394 Registration date : 2010-04-14
Got the Vololights license plate bracket installed today!
I did have to take off the tupperware that concealed the two screws of the license plate light holder (it has two screws as well and then slid right out). It turns out, you don't need to unscrew the license plate light, but it will still be much easier to install the Vololights with the tupperware removed. BTW, the license plate light holder is attached (permanently?) to a bracket and is not removable. Taking out the bulb doesn't expose the wires either.
I didn't want to remove the license plate light completely, so I needed to find the wires to tap into. In order to get enough slack to get them exposed, I had to access the right (starboard) light compartment under the seat and unplug the connector to the some of the lights (the ones closest to the center of the bike). After this, the license plate wires fell into view (just behind the light).
I pulled them out, tapped into them (black to the green and red to the black/brown) with the supplied positap connectors and reassembled.
Then it was just a matter of calibrating.
Took 1 hour and 15 minutes. Hopefully this writeup saves someone else some time
--Russ
gremlin Super Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 227 Age : 72 Location : Brisbane, Australia Points : 3777 Registration date : 2015-04-09
Subject: Re: Vololights Brakeless Deceleration Indicator Fri Oct 07, 2016 2:12 am
I like the idea of the vololights, but I would rather have the actual lights at the height of my Givi box since I believe the tail and number plate lights on the SW are a bit on the low side. Many car manufacturers also tend to put additional stop lights higher up on their vehicles.
hondos Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 37 Age : 62 Location : Rogue River Points : 2855 Registration date : 2017-03-11
I love to have a flash to Pass switch on my bike, Unfortuneatly the SilverWing doesn't have a Flash to pass switch.
I use the flash to pass switch when I come to where a car is and then start flashing between the high and low beam. This could also be done with the High/Low beam switch, But Not quite the same as the flash to pass switch does.
Creating any sense of Movement in front of the bike and behind the bike is a very good Idea.
Getting More attention to the front of the bike, and to that very sleepy cager that almost turned left in front of you, is very Important to me.
As I had a Very Large station wagon turn left in front of me when I was 21 years old, I went Flying (No wings, so short flight) Pain is Not good, still have pain everyday from that accident.
Meldrew Visiting Curmudgeon
Number of posts : 4218 Location : York, North Yorkshire, England UK Points : 9441 Registration date : 2010-11-16
I love to have a flash to Pass switch on my bike, Unfortuneatly the SilverWing doesn't have a Flash to pass switch.
Yes it does, unless it only applies to UK/European spec FJS variants and not the FCS. It's on the left handlebar switch cluster, behind the Headlight High Low switch. It's spring loaded and in the ideal position to press as necessary with your left index finger, it also has Passing in upside down letters stamped above the switch.
Cosmic_Jumper Site Admin
Number of posts : 4415 Age : 81 Location : damn near Philadelphia, PA Points : 10740 Registration date : 2009-06-12
Hitting the start switch momentarily will kill the headlight. A couple of taps on the switch usually alerts the nimrod up front that you're about to pass. Startlingly effective with an HID headlight.