Ever had the cages ride up on your tail at night?

[WintrSol]

Maybe it's because you only have one lamp back there, and they can't tell how close they are, until they light you with their headlights. I got this 'fix' from the IntruderSAlert forum:
Replace your rear signal lenses with red ones, or use clear with red bulbs, then add a 3-to-2 converter, but use a running light source as the brake input: http://www.wiringproducts.com/3-wire-to-2-wire-tail-light-converter.html
That way, you have three bright lamps back there, and the signals still flash. Of course, you could add lights to your saddle bags, if you have them, to get the same result.

[Jess from VA]

I have that setup on my supervalk (with red lenses, run/turn/brake signals with 1156 bulbs).... Plus the big LED array to replace the 1157 light bub in the tail light, plus a run/brake single row LED license plate frame (single row on the bottom to not interfere with the plate light).

Still, I don't much like night riding.  Too many drunks and deer and (invisible) cops out at night where I am.  Few times a year, I take a nice full moon ride up the George Washington Pkwy along the Potomac at night, and sometimes I get home after dark.  If a long freeway trip is going to be 90-100 degrees in daylight, I ride all night instead.  I dislike high heat more than dark. 

[WintrSol]

I don't much care for night riding either. I just like to be prepared for when I have to, and the extra light should help, a little, at least.

[Gryphon Rider]

That's why I put running/brake lights on my saddle bags.  More conspicuous, and three lights still say "motorcycle" while giving the viewer an apparent distance between them that grows as they get closer.  Something reflective on the backrest helps too.

[sandy]

Go to Amazon and search for an LED Valkyrie tail light. The light is $90 but well worth it for rear visibility.

[..]

Go to Amazon and search for an LED Valkyrie tail light. The light is $90 but well worth it for rear visibility.

Radiantz.

[Jersey mike]

Where does one find red signal lenses for our stock turn signals?

[RDKLL]

I have since moved them down to the top bolt of the pass footrest mount but the arrangement is still the same. Kuryakyn R-T-B

[WintrSol]

Where does one find red signal lenses for our stock turn signals?

Good question - I haven't found any, but I did get clear ones on eBay, and will install red-tinted bulbs.

[Jersey mike]

Where does one find red signal lenses for our stock turn signals?

Good question - I haven't found any, but I did get clear ones on eBay, and will install red-tinted bulbs.

Somewhere in my memory I recall someone saying the amber (or clear) can be spray painted red, but I don't remember the manufacturer or paint code/color.

[Jess from VA]

They can be painted Testor's Candy Red and work.  I prefer red lenses.

I think lenses can be found to fit (besides Kuryakyn Deep Dish Bezels, or whatever they have now which come with both red and amber lenses), from Parts Unlimited or other big dealer/supplier.  Mine are pretty generic cones (to be seen from the side), but they came with the bike.  Measure the outside diameter and look for that size.  It will need to mount to either the one or two screw attachment Valks have.

https://www.google.com/search?q=motorcycle+turn+signal+lenses&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6yaPwjOrLAhVH2yYKHe_9A5oQ_AUICCgC&biw=1426&bih=636

http://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Glow-TSL-HR-Replacement-Cruisers/dp/B00LD73NJ4

I have something like these in front, and red ones like it in back.
http://4into1.com/honda-turn-signal-lens-33402-268-671-amber/

[Bagger John - #3785]

On my first I/S I had all of its trunk lights converted to brake lights. The outer two were also converted to turn signal function. The turn signals themselves got the red (Kuryakyn) lens treatment and a set of dual-filament sockets, which added running lights. Lastly, a Tourer taillight was installed in the empty fender hole.

People STILL ran up on my arse. It's hard to see a motorcycle when you're busy staring at your phone, plotting your next Tinder hookup or Facebook status update.

My current Tourer has an I/S trunk w/ full light functionality. It also puts out about two foot-lamberts less light than the sun up front, and lusers still try their luck with me. "I didn't SEE you!"

And my current I/S (w/ Radiantz taillight, etc.) is painful to look at during the nighttime hours - both front and rear - but the results are the same.

The one (two) motorcycle(s) I own which don't get challenged much are my GTR1400s. They have dual HIDs in 4300K color up front, a set of Clearwater Systems "Glenda" lights on the forks and enough radio gear in the cockpit and tail rack area that they scream "cop bike". My '08 has a Givi V46L with an LED running/brake light setup in the top trunk lid but is otherwise stock at the aft end in the lighting department. The '12 has no extra lights, trunk, etc....just the OEM taillight under its tail rack. Oddly, people (including the severely myopic and/or phone-entranced) seem to steer well clear of either.

YMMV, and IMNSHO if the so-called distracted driving laws were enforced you'd see a lot less close encounters of the worst kind between two and four wheelers.

[WintrSol]

YMMV, and IMNSHO if the so-called distracted driving laws were enforced you'd see a lot less close encounters of the worst kind between two and four wheelers.

No argument there; I see plenty of 'drivers' with there eyes on their laps, and, unless they are just impressed by what they see, are probably texting. You just can't fix stupid - by non-lethal means, that is.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Where does one find red signal lenses for our stock turn signals?

I bought some a year or so ago. I'm on my phone at lunch now. I'll post a link tonight. 

[Jess from VA]

You know, regardless of your tail lights, or day and night, or driver inattentiveness, a few drivers do decide to (finally) stop 12-18" off my rear end. You watch them slow and come in on you in the mirror, and they roll up so close you cannot see the plate anymore.  It happens in my car too and I don't like it much.  Common courtesy is that you give the vehicle ahead at least 4-5 feet.  Especially on uphill stops where some people, including bikes, can roll back a bit before takeoff (poor technique but it still happens).

If we are in light-to-light traffic, I endeavor to not have them behind me at the next stop.  Even better, I try to ride in light-to-light traffic as little as possible.

[WintrSol]

I don't mind that at a stop light, but out on a country road, I've had them come way too close at the posted+ mph. It seems to happen to old PU trucks with only one tail lamp, too.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Where does one find red signal lenses for our stock turn signals?

I bought some a year or so ago. I'm on my phone at lunch now. I'll post a link tonight. 

I don't think this is the brand that I bought. I think mine were K&S or something like that.
http://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Glow-TSL-HR-Replacement-Cruisers/dp/B00LD73NJ4/ref=pd_sbs_263_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41k5-PTZJwL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0CC5DJJKEJ0AHYVCPJ8V
Also make sure you get the right kind. Older models have the 2 screws, newer models the 1 screw like this.

[Jersey mike]

While searching around I came across this I for from Rattlebars;

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/signals.html

I thought it would be worth posting since its on topic for this thread and has some interesting stuff in it.

[Blackduck]

Added a LED light to the sissy bar, gets it up high and in their face.
Very bright tail and even better brake
About 3" square.





Cheers Steve

[dconstruct55]

Gryphon,
Love that set up, where did you get those add on lights?

[Gryphon Rider]

Gryphon,
Love that set up, where did you get those add on lights?

[BobB]

I seldom ride at night but the Valk is prepared to do so.  Over the years I have continued to improve my visibility.  The original tail light has a lamp from SuperBrightLEDs that flashes three times as the brakes are applied.  The turn signal housings have the circular array of LEDs that operate at full brightness for running lights.  A mud flap has another LED array for running lights.  In addition, the reflectors on the saddle bags have been replaced by LED arrays (not pictured).  When brakes are applied, two more LED arrays above the license plate are activated.  All the lights are red, however the brightness in the pictures below have overpowered the camera on this iPad.  

Running lights only.



Brakes applied.



Right turn signal.

[72cutlassdude]

Raidiantz led tail light and 1.8" led 1156 Raidiantz turn signals. They are almost blinding in just running light mode, with the brakes applied it is crazy how bright all three are! Now I need to mod the trunk lights next.