BMW Rear Top Box Lights?
- Thread starter TwoPort
- Start date
justscootin
Member
One simple solution I saw someone do was to put reflective tape behind the red reflector
Colin J Monteith
New member
I think you could wire up a couple of LED units to the box fairly easily. I considered it for my GIVI V47 and sourced all the pieces before buying the unit designed for that box.
I don't know the specifics of your top case, but I added Admore lights to my Givi box with very good results. I move the top case between bikes, you I had to also get an adaptor kit for each bike - very simple to plug and "light".
http://admorelighting.com/index.php?route=common/home
http://admorelighting.com/index.php?route=common/home
TwoPort
Member
It's the BMW case. Seems odd they wouldn't find a way to make something even more expensive to sell. Looks like I'll need to add on lights and do custom work to get them wired. I've seen these before and they look like a variety of good options. I was just hoping to take off the useless red plastic and replace with lights.
TwoPort
Member
Excellent idea! I spent a little more time looking at the assembly and it looks like there is a fair amount of room behind the useless red plastic for the flat tape style LED lights. I think I'm gonna try it because I think more light is needed - especially with the box. A couple questions about how this might work:
1. I'm thinking some disconnect coupling would be necessary so the box could come off without the wire - is that how the "kits" do it?
2. Would you run the cable from the box under the seat and just close the seat on it or is there another cable route?
I was thinking about this one:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/admore-universal-led-topcase-kit
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Lcdrakallen
New member
I have installed the Admore kit on my 650 Topcase, I will send some pics. I am happy with Admore because everything is included and it is a simple install and a couple positaps into existing wiring and voila!
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TwoPort
Member
Yes - Pics please! I'm still trying to figure out how to do this.
You might find some of my write-up on installation of the lighting harness helpful here:
http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/t...ore-tail-lights-and-inside-led-s-for-top-case
I already had the lights installed in my top case, so I just had to wire the harness and connect it in my BMW.
Lcdrakallen
New member
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Lcdrakallen
New member
Those are the pics, the kit comes with all of the wiring and the posi taps, final product looks great. Flashing lights when braking and Amber directionals
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
TwoPort
Member
I'm working through the install process for the Admore lights in the top box. Thanks to Lcdrakallen for how he doubled the lights. Just finished the top case last night. I mounted the lights on some thin wood. Then I spliced the two light segments together. There were some fittment issues and I trimmed the wood a little to make it fit. I don't like the visual of the space between the segments but I'll wait to see what its like when lit up. I also used black Sugru to seal around the top as it is not really sealed against water intrusion.
TwoPort
Member
Next Pictures.
Now it's time to work on the bike side. Had a little trouble with the wiring and then found the scheme on web bike world. (thank you)
You'll see five wires; the colors are as follows:
brown = ground
white = running (12V when the bike is on, 0V otherwise)
red = brake (12V when either brake is applied)
green = right signal (alternates between 12V and 0V as the signal blinks)
yellow = left signal (likewise).
Now it works... It's pretty bright but won't irritate drivers behind mme.
Now it's time to work on the bike side. Had a little trouble with the wiring and then found the scheme on web bike world. (thank you)
You'll see five wires; the colors are as follows:
brown = ground
white = running (12V when the bike is on, 0V otherwise)
red = brake (12V when either brake is applied)
green = right signal (alternates between 12V and 0V as the signal blinks)
yellow = left signal (likewise).
Now it works... It's pretty bright but won't irritate drivers behind mme.
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Lcdrakallen
New member
Looks good. I didn't think to use a sealant, cleaver. I have not had any problems. The really cool thing about the lights is the "Flash" on initial braking to alert those behind you, and it will not repeat the triple flash unless there has been a minute or so, neat! I used a piece of opaque diffuse type "window" shade, to act as a "refractor", so it is sort of "reflector-ish". I hope that they make an actual red see through reflector vice that useless piece of plastic. Also as a backing, I used red reflective tape, to add more visibility. TwoPort, Job Well Done!
Bravo Zulu
Bravo Zulu
TwoPort
Member
Good question. The solder paste is for wiring. My custom audio connections setup got used for this. Mostly it is the high quality solder iron (meaning it gets very hot) that does the trick. I did notice that my eyes were not what they used to be; the little wires were not so easy to focus on! I'll need a bigger magnifying vice/clamp setup for Christmas.
As a side note my wife has followed me before in a car and always remarked that she wished there were more lights in the back because the stock light is "not enough." That issue is now resolved and particularly because of how high they are.
One more thing - the turn signals don't exactly sync with the bike's lights. In fact they are opposite so far as timing of when they are lit. My wife thought that actually created more visibility because it is "interesting."
Lcdrakallen
New member
I concur, their unique timing creates a cacophony of light, which acts to keep the rider highly visible.