Modified trunk light - 4710 and 2 LED strips

[Wadcutter]

Here's a short video of my taillight modification.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMbL...ature=youtu.be
It looks like in taillight mode that it's slightly flashing. It's not. That's just due to the camera I was using.
My mod uses a Kuryakyn 4710 module which connects the trunk lights to the bike's run, turn, and brake lights. I then found on Amazon 2 (two) 19" red LED strips. They're run one to each side so they work independently.

Amazon

Amazon

[BBob]

That is slick and the price is right. I immediately started thinking of places to put them on my XC. Like maybe on the floorboards and connect them into the turn signal and/or running lights system. Or maybe on the backside of the forged crash bars for more visibility at night.

Order 4 and you get free shipping.

[Tims_04V92TC]

looks good!!!! Im chomping at the bit to install my LED upgrades... Just waiting on ONE more stinking part to do it all at once.. sigh... I was torn between the split leds for the trunk or the single... I went single and will be wiring the truns into running/turns...

Well done and thanks for posting!

[ridenfun]

Wadcutter thank for posting, this is exactly what I've been considering doing to improve rear visibility.
In add'n to the 4710 and LED strips (I'd already decided to do 2 split ones like yours) is there a list of other parts (ie other bulbs for the trunk lights to burn low/high etc) that you can advise on .
Also, do you remember the brank of the LED strips adn did they fit well. I'd looked at some at Walmart but they seem a bit too "wide" or thick to really fit very well.
Thanks again for the post, nice to see what it looks like in operation.

[Tims_04V92TC]

Doing something similar to Wadcutter's mod without the 4710. I purchased my LED's here, very good price and delivery.
http://www.oznium.com/flexible-led-strips

For my front end lighting, here is the link for the swtichbacks as well as some other replacement bulbs that may help.
http://autolumination.com/switchback.html

I just received the clear lens for the front and will be starting my mod within the next few days. Will post results as well. We all need a more visible brake/turn I think. Even my Goldwing buddies were ragging me for that much plastic having such low visibility.

Good luck!

Tim

[Gunslinger]

Is there an advantage to using the 4710 over the built in trailer pigtail in that configuration? I have the same year (and color) Vision, and accomplished what you did, without the 4710. I'm not sure about prior years, but my '11 came prewired (taped off) for trailer wiring... left / right / brake override / running (tail) lights. Isn't that all you're doing with the 4710?

Just asking, because it seems redundant ...

[Wadcutter]

These are the LED strips I used. Click this Amazon link.
http://www.amazon.com/DEDC-Waterproo...=5336105930-20
They come from China but took 9 days to arrive. Better shipping time than ordering a lot of stuff from here in the states. Price was $6.49 per strip. They're only 1/4" wide so they easily fit in the lip under the trunk lid and the lid still closes fine without hitting them. These LED strips are very flexible and easily form to the shape of the trunk. When the bike is sitting and the lights aren't on you barely notice them because they're in the trunk lid gap. These LED strips are each 19" long so they each go from the center of the rear of the trunk to about 3" in front of the trunk lights also giving good side light addition. If you don't want your lights going along the side as far, or if you want you lights to extend farther around the trunk the company has other links. I wanted the side lights but didn't want to go too far where red would be showing to the front so I went with 19". I think they have them as short as 4" if that's all a person wanted.
Where the wires are run are at the front end of each strip. Where the 19" strip ends there's a slight gap in the trunk lid and inner lining. I used a 4" piece of shrink wrap over the wires at the base of the LED strip wires to give it a bit of insulation where it would run in the trunk lid gap. The wires are pretty fine gauge. Then I just connected the LEDs in to the existing trunk light wiring. When doing this make sure you connect the wires correctly or the LEDs won't work. If you connect them backwards they won't work. Just reverse the connection. The red striped LED wire goes to the hot side of the trunk light.
I went to OReilley's and got a package of 3M double sided tape. It's 1/2" wide so I cut it in 1/2 making 2 1/4" strips. I mounted 1 1/4" strip on the top of the lip and the other strip on the back of the lip. That way when I mounted the LEDs they are attached on 2 sides. Before installing the 3M tape give the trunk lip a good washing with soap and water and then a good wipe down with alcohol to make sure it's clean. When the 3M tape is applied it's stuck for sure.
No other bulbs are needed. The factory trunk bulbs are stock. It appears the way the 4710 module works is it cuts voltage to the lights in the running mode so the lights are just slightly dimmer than factory. Not much and can't notice it really. Then when you use the brakes or turn signal it uses the normal 12V which brightens the lights. Only way I can figure out it brightens them.

Here are what the LEDs look like mounted.

[Wadcutter]

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Is there an advantage to using the 4710 over the built in trailer pigtail in that configuration? I have the same year (and color) Vision, and accomplished what you did, without the 4710. I'm not sure about prior years, but my '11 came prewired (taped off) for trailer wiring... left / right / brake override / running (tail) lights. Isn't that all you're doing with the 4710?
Just asking, because it seems redundant ...

Nope, different. The 4710 converts the existing trunk lights to running/turn/brake. Connecting to the trailer wiring won't do that. Have to run one additional wire to separate the 2 trunk light circuits with the 4710.
Where did you find your trailer wiring? I am mounting my hitch when it warms a bit and haven't looked for the wiring yet. I was told it was tucked in behind the right saddle bag but haven't looked.

[Tims_04V92TC]

Edited after Wadcutters clarification.. Thanks WC!!

[Gunslinger]

I found the trailer wiring coming off the main rear harness, under the seat, along the right side of the frame, kinda tucked up under the plastic panel above the saddle bag. It's a little pigtail, with the four wires bent back and taped over individually.