Hey all,
I'm, new here and yes I tried searching but the search is kinda blah... and the Wiki is great but didn't quite tell me what I needed.
I have an 06 GS500F
I want to put bright WHITE LED ground lights on it. I can mount it and wire it to a switch on the dash...... question about this is....
1. Are there any stores in ONTARIO that selll LED's in a mountable tube or strip...... I can only find places in other countries.
2. Can I splice into the head light for power or is it better to mount a seperate gel sealed battery somewher eand recharge it every season
Other thigns I wanna do... is add a higher windshield and a backrest.
can you buy these already done or any guides or suggestions on how to make them.... I donno where to get materials....
thx
Back rest ... for rider or passenger ??
I am sure I can make a beauty for ~50-100 depending on what you want. I already made one that will carry a milk crate on it or a long tote style bag with part of it on the passenger seat and part on the thing I made and not look stupid. That cost me $50 and 1 sissy bar was ruined by my poor planning skills. Anyway ... it can be done, just that aluminum welding is $$$ and the thing has tro be jigged right else it will turn out stupid.
Cool.
Buddha.
Welcome!
Have you checked eBay for lights? they have LED bike lights all over there... You dont need another battery, just dont go crazy w/ lots of lights. You dont want to go cooking the GS electrical system :icon_mrgreen:
As far as the back rest they do not make one for the GS500 but I have seen some aftermarket seats that have them.. they are $$$$$$ but very cool. I think making your own would be the best route..
And for the wind screen, they make universals and there are a few people on here who will chime in w/ what they have used.
I have a zero gravity double bubble. Nice its a little taller than the standard but not nearly as tall as the touring model(others on here have it). if you tuck down it definitely throws the air up over your helmet.
Hey Thanks for the suggestions so far.
I found this site in Mississauga. PCBOARD.ca
I swung by his base of operation (his house)
Got 5 ultra bright white LED tubes for $50.
They are perfect...... he can customize sizes and tubings etc as well. just call him and ask.. I wired two to the bottom last night.... works good. I took them off though. am gonna do it properly with solder tongiht. Basically two under the centre of the bike. One in the back under the frame above the rear wheel and one at the front wheel.. Then my buddy is gonna help me mount one mid front to light up the engine..... thats i may leave off the tire ones if the bottom two are bright enough.... these lights pull 1.5a each... they shouldn't hurt the electrical. I'm wiring it through a fuse direct to the battery.. gonna leave the wires alone that are there already. I'll post pics when done.
I'm still a little lost on how to begin consturction of a back rest :S
Can someone break down what materials were used? ETc..... and possibly where to get the materials.
Where can I buy windshield that will fit it ?? Links? Ebay?
Also any sites that have performance exhausts for reasonable prices?
Thanks again. The LED problem is solved.... FYI.. I originally wired it backwards and blew the main fuse.....thankfulyl there was a spare sittin there... gotta remember to replace that.
Quote from: WillR on August 28, 2008, 06:20:02 AM
I'm still a little lost on how to begin consturction of a back rest
Can someone break down what materials were used? ETc..... and possibly where to get the materials.
Don't know that you'll be able to if you can't figure where to start - might need to find someone who can figure where to start to do it for you - sort-of basic mechanics and fabrication.
You still have not specified rider or passenger back rest. A passenger back rest is also referred to as a sissy bar.
Basically, you have a few points you can bolt to (where the grab handle bolts on, the threads on the underside of the "luggage rails", the places where the luggage rails mount, the bolts that hold the rear plastics on). You need to make a frame of some sort that connects to some of these points - aluminum, steel, carbon-fiber, fiberglass - your choice. On the side facing the back that is to be rested, you put a pad - typically foam with vinyl or urethane upholstery "leather-like" material covering, often with a thin plywood back, but there are other ways to make it work.
passenger.....
so basically... get some metal poles... get some clamps.... a hard foam pillow... leather case.. sew it inside... make a frame... wooden backing.. connect the dots......
I have a friend who can probably do this in his sleep... ill talk to him about it.. is gonna help me do the lights tonight........anyone got any links to some pictures to give me an idea tho?
Also... windshields? where to buy?
Is ebay the best place.. or are there actual shops that selll this stuff .. that ship to Canada...... or even locally I can pick up?
ebay works for the screens... if you want a touring screen (highest available for the gs that I know of) you'll be set on ebay. sometimes the double bubble and stardards are hit and miss puig and zero gravity are the 2 you will find
hmm..
am not finding anythign specifically for 500f...... not sure what else will fit..... maybe i'll check around about gettting something custom cut....
thanks,