so I'm on I-79 heading towards pittsburgh and a state trooper pulls me over because of my tail light.  it was on the bike when I got it, it has two lights (I guess they're leds) that go around in circles, then when you hit the brakes they both flash.  I don't really like it but I never changed it because it's really bright at night.  the cop was pretty cool about it, he said he wasn't sure if that light specifically was illegal, but that you're not supposed to change the stock tail light for something different.  he mentioned stuff like neon tubes being illegal, but I don't see how that falls into the same category.  does anyone know the legality of lights like mine?

I think those lights are supposed to be used in conjuction with a standard tail light. The troopers point I think is to say that the typical driver isn't going to know you are braking because the universal signal for "I'm braking" isn't a blinking set of LEDs. Get my drift?

It's just a guess, but I would say he is right. If they allowed any tail light, think of what all those ricers would be doing? We would NEVER know if they wanted to slow down or just had lights 'dancing' to music.  :lol:

surely you can re-wire it so it doesn't flash.

anything (pretty much) that isnt original equipment isnt legal. even clear lenses.

Oh yea I have heard that distracts other drivers crap... But your flashing etc is what probably clued the cop in that it was a modified one... If it just lights up when running and extra ones light up when braking... no one can tell.... cos cars come with LED's stock...   By pass the flashy... you be fine. Heck Led's are better than bulbs... mine are so damn lifeless you cant even tell. I guess I better find JeffD... cos I am a fanatic about lights in winter... I swap out all my bulbs for higher power, clean glasses off bugs and clean the insides with a shop rag soaked in windex...
Cool.
Srinath.

this reminds me...

are both tail lights supposed to be lit when the bike is running? or just one, BUT both light when hitting the brakes.

might have a bulb blown, but not sure

chris<pixelmonkey>

Both on, and brigheter on both when brakes... front or rear.. should brighten it... On a side note... This morning... I was behind this Honda Accord driven by a lady... OK se passed me and the lane merges right in a mile, and we were both next to a truck... ok so I am thinking she'll pass the truck... when due to traffic every one... us, truck every one brakes... and so does she... then every one starts comming back up to the speed of their lane... and so does she... however he brake light stays on... ... she's accelerating but her brake light is on... eventually she passes the truck and there is no more cross traffic and her brake lights go out, and later every time she touched the brakes the lights came on and went off... It just confused me like nothing ... till a few mins ago I realized why...
Left foot braking... BTW she was Indian, and I have heard my wife's friend complain like 10 years ago  that her (hubby's) car (stick shift) has 3 pedals... and my wife who was used to driving our stick truck said yea its fine... you'll never need to use brake and accelerator at the same time... and she goes... oooo that is so un safe....
Here is to being confused about whether to accelerate or brake...       :x
Cool.
Srinath.

left foot braking is soo dangerous.  there are many topics in a different forum im a memeber at regarding this subject.   btw on my tail (2000) the left light is always on and the when the brakes are applied the right one comes on..  so this is wrong srinath?

i don't know the laws, but i think it depends on the state. Probably isn't legal to have anything that changes when it's just being a taillight.

Quote from: weaselnozeon my tail (2000) the left light is always on and the when the brakes are applied the right one comes on..  so this is wrong srinath?

It's like Srinath said:

Quote from: seshadri_srinathBoth on, and brigheter on both when brakes... front or rear.. should brighten it...

Oh, you need a better translation?  :lol:

Quote from: seshadri_srinath (translated)Both tail light bulbs (right and left)should be on all the time.  When you apply either brake (front or rear) both bulbs should shine more brightly.

It sounds like the lower wattage filament in your right bulb has burned out.  Replace the bulb.

is there a website with Srinath-to-English translation?


LOL...

She was making sure the brakes were up to temp, wouldnt want them to get too cold.

Sprint_9... she was driving a Accord not a damn Formula 1 race car with kevlar on kevlar brakes... Let me just come out and say it... Indian women = lousy drivers ... BTW Indians love accords, civics, and odesseys, followed by the 3 toyota versions - Camry, corolla and siena... Talk about boring... OK OK some Indian dude's going to kill me over this... but hey they probably think I'll get killed because of my biking anyway...
Cool.
Srinath.

ok so i understood ur reply, i was just asking because it seems i have the same problem that the other guy had and thought maybe there is a difference in bikes.  also when the brake is applied the left one doesnt get brighter even if the right one was disfunctional.

Quote from: weaselnozealso when the brake is applied the left one doesnt get brighter even if the right one was disfunctional.

It would be a pretty wild coincidence, but it sounds like the HIGH-wattage filament may be burned out on the left side.

Before buying 2 new bulbs, I would swap the 2 you have and see what happens.  If you get the same behavior (but reversed from side to side) then it's the bulbs.  If you see no change at all then you must have a wiring problem of some kind.

The law basicly states what colors are spose to be wear. how bright they are spose to be for a given distance, and that other then being turn signal,hazard lights, or  autherized vehicle, they are NOT spose to flash.

your not spose to USE anyother lights while the Vehicle is in operation on the roadways. spinners and neons and strobes and even those valve stem caps are illeagle if the vehicle is in operation on a street or highway.  ANY lights can be used on any vehicle if parked and used as display only. this includes the reds and blues of law enforcement ( yeah, i got in a leagle battle on that one once, i won as i was not OPERATING the car) just can NOT be displayed when driving.  

now, you can change stock equipment aslong as the rules are followed.
you have to check to see if your state lists the lights as OEM SAFETY equipment, then they might have you.

Quote from: pantablois there a website with Srinath-to-English translation?

LOL...

I've wondered the same thing at times  :lol:  But he's a great guy

Quote from: johnBut he's a great guy

I'll second that -- I only kid the best.  

Srinath, did I ever publicly thank you for trying to help Manjul and me with his forks?  Thanks, man!  

Quote from: john

Quote from: pantablois there a website with Srinath-to-English translation?

LOL...

I've wondered the same thing at times  :lol:  But he's a great guy

john, you never met Srinath....have you....

Wha ... wha ... whaaaaaaaa
Tamil to english... Ohhhh forget it.
Cool.
Srinath.