Modulating Rear Brake Light

[Frenz 08GZ250]

I went to my friends shop today and asked about the Hyperlites Led's. He showed be a sealed modulator that will just splice into the exiting brake harness and provide five short blinks then steady. I went with this rather than mount two sets of 16 Led's. I will have it installed Friday and let you all know.
Also looking at the headlight modulation and found that it is a law in USA & Canada that you must have a sensor so as dusk approaches modulation stops. This way you will have steady light at night and not drive people crazy. I looked at Comagination.com at their VisiPath which gives the option of using the high beam or low beam. I just need to see my headlight in the daylight to conclude which to use.

Rod

[grego]

sounds interesting. i hate drilling holes so this sounds like a better way.,,, let us know the results

thanks

grego

[mrlmd1]

Use high beam, that's recommended most.
All the modulators come with a photocell sensor so there is no flashing from dusk to dusk in the dark.
Most of these are small enough to plug into the wiring and bulb in the headlight bucket.

[Water Warrior 2]

Had the Comagination on Lynda's GZ and it did not last much past a year. It may be a bit cheaper but I can not recommend it as a good buy. Try a different brand. Have the HyperLights on Lynda's M-50. Oh boy, will you like them.

[dvsDave]

While Headlight Modulators are now legal in all 50 states, how about modulating auxiliary taillights (i.e. the Hyperlites) I'm in Virginia, anybody have any modulated rear lights in VA?

[Water Warrior 2]

Check with the local DOT regs for Modulating brake lights. I think you will find HyperLights are legal. Also check the HyperLights website or E-mail them for confirmation in your state.

[grego]

when i was looking into the modulating brake lights the flashing red was legal in all states but california. in california they are only allowed to flash 4 times and then be on solid after that....

safe riding

grego

[mrlmd1]

Most of these flash rapidly 4 or 5 times then go steady as long as the brakelight is energized, then reset again when you release the brakes to do it again next time. The flashing is meant as an attention-getter for someone behind you, like if you were pumping the brakes to manually flash the light.

[dvsDave]

Yes, modulating rear headlights are legal in Virginia. Found definitive answer here: http://www.motorcyclevirginia.com/statutes.aspx#Anchor12

Placed my order for hyperlights rear brake lights today!

[Water Warrior 2]

Yes, modulating rear headlights are legal in Virginia. Found definitive answer here: http://www.motorcyclevirginia.com/statutes.aspx#Anchor12

Placed my order for hyperlights rear brake lights today!
Excellant choice. The HyperLights will modulate and the stock brake light will act as normal. Easy install too.

[dvsDave]

Ummm... so I got my rear lights today, except I'm not sure how to access the wiring to hook up the hyperlights. What do I need to do to gain access to the back of the tail light assembly?

Update: I feel stupid, I found the two screws that hold the tail assembly on and I found the strap that holds the wiring to the frame. Ran out of daylight, will have to install tomorrow. I'll take pictures this time.

[dvsDave]

Ran out of daylight... again. Got the lights mounted and the wires run, but I want some sleeving for the wires to help protect them before I hook the wires up. Will take pictures as soon as I have a non-rainy day to finish this.

[5th_bike]

Will take pictures as soon as I have a non-rainy day to finish this.
Good luck, it looks like it will rain every day for the two weeks to come, in this corner of the USA.

[dvsDave]

any recommendations on the type of heat shrink tubing to use? This is what I'm looking at currently: http://www.amazon.com/Pico-Waterproof-Shrink-Tubing-Package/dp/B0002ZGCQE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1305554475&sr=8-2

[alantf]

Seems expensive. Haven't your local electrician's outlets got any? It's just everyday electrician's heat shrink. I Use an electric paint stripper (carefully!) to shrink it. (retired electrician) :2tup:

[blaine]

Seems expensive. Haven't your local electrician's outlets got any? It's just everyday electrician's heat shrink. I Use an electric paint stripper (carefully!) to shrink it. (retired electrician) :2tup:
:plus1: Most auto parts stores also carry it.Wal-Mart even carries it.
:2tup: :)

[mole2]

And, if all else fails, Radio Shack or West Marine.


:)

[mrlmd1]

Cheapest at Harbor Freight, comes in all different sizes/diameters and a box of assorted sizes is only a few dollars.

[dvsDave]

Gonna head over to my local independent auto parts store and pick some up after work. Weather permitting *snort* I'll finish this up tonight.

[mrlmd1]

Don't forget to put it over one end of the wires before you solder or connect them together. :) :roll: :neener:

[alantf]

solder

And make sure the hot soldering iron doesn't go anywhere near the sleeve, otherwise it'll shrink before you slide it into position.

[dvsDave]

The Hyperlites kit actually comes with posi-taps (http://www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html), so no soldering needed.

[Water Warrior 2]

Dang, that's what I forgot. Yes they do come with enough posi-taps and odds and ends to do a complete install. All I needed to do was tap into the wiring under the seat and whoopee......we got flashing HyperLights. If it would have been a hard job or grief filled I would have remembered.

[mrlmd1]

Then you don't need and can't use anyway the heat shrink tubing.

[HumbleNewRider]

I know this is an old topic, but I want to share info for anyone searching on this topic. I just recently bought the Comagination's head and brake light modulators. I bought them before checking the forum, and before seeing see that they might have a short life. However, they are relatively cheap. Buy, as the saying goes --- you get what you pay for (both in quality and customer service).

I'll add that I've been disappointed with the customer service and installation instructions. The instructions posted on the vendor's website had incorrect wiring directions, which contradicted the instructions that came with the modulators. And, the instructions repeatedly warn you that if the modulators are wired incorrectly, the warranty is void. (I contacted the vendor to clarify the wiring. They said they have now corrected the instructions.)

BUT, the instructions also specify that the "only recommended install method" is use 2 brake lights --- an LED brake light that is wired to flash and the factory brake light which should be left to work normally (solid lighting). HOWEVER, the wiring instructions only address two different methods. One is for wiring only the factory brake light to flash. (There is a diagram for that.) The second instruction is for wiring an LED light in parallel with the factory brake light so they both flash.

I wanted to follow their "only recommended install method," which they state is safer. I agree. So, wrote the vendor twice, trying to get instructions for their "only recommended install method." They would not provide any. :??:

I found that unbelievable! On top of that, the website boast the modulator is easy to install. But the vendor told me they are easy for an experienced technician to install. The vendor said I should take the modulator to a technician to install --- or return them within 30 days for a refund. They really didn't care if I bought them or not. :poke2:

I will add that the headlight modulator was pretty easy to install. (The modulator is bigger than it appears in the photos -- as you don't see a side view. It was a very tight fit in the GZ250's headlight.) Actually, the brake light modulator is relatively easy to install also, once you understand what to do to install it in the recommended method. Ultimately I called the vendor to ask for help. (I got the impression the vendor is just one guy w/ a part time business in his garage.) He was somewhat cold and indifferent, but he did help me understand how to install the brake light modulator. I suspect he's just socially challenged -- and/or he's got a lot of stress going on right now.

Ultimately, I got the help I needed and he was willing to issue a refund. But, I would not recommend the Comagination modulators either.

[Water Warrior 2]

The Comagination brakelight modulator is a challenge to install first time round. Have one on the Vstrom since 2006. Works fine with the OEM brakelights and and extra brighter LED brakelight tied in together. That said, I would go with Hyperlights next time as I was just thrilled with the ease of installation and stress free instructions when doing up Lynda's M-50 after she gave me a list of "I want on my bike soonest". They are easily the best bang for your buck in my opinion.
Another option is the Whelan product line of lights. They are the folks who make the pretty flashing lights for LEO cruisers. There are a number of lights that will work well on a bike and those who use them are happy with them. Just be sure not to install them incorrectly or they will modulate or flash to imitate a patrol car. You might make new friends with a badge and handcuffs.