With the GS500 using a dual intensity brake light, I am worried it makes it harder for other road users to tell if the brake lights or just the running lights are on.

Is it possible to wire up an additional brake only light that is below the number plate holder for example that only comes on when the brakes are applied?

That wat the main tail light and this additional light will come on when the brakes are applied.

Has anyone done or know how to do this?
Can the electrical system cope with brake additional lights?

The only worry with mounting a light below the plate, is that it might be to low for anyone to notice.

There is a site where a third bulb was mounted between the two bulbs.

As for wiring it in it wouldn't be that difficult & the electrical system should be able to cope with a third brake light.

it would be extremely easy to wire up a 3rd brake light or a 4th or 5th even.  Just get the wiring schematic and follow the wires that go to the brake.

Your tail light is plenty noticeable...trust me.

If you're concerned with it don't add a third brake light, add an auxiliary running light and disconnect the runners in the stock tail.  Lighting that bastard up is far more likely to get someone's attention.

So without a manual (IO really should be getting one) I guess I'll just have to test the wires using a multimeter to find out which one is for the running lights and what is the brake lights.

well regardless of a manual that's what you should do, anyway.

I dont know whether they changed the wiring colours from different models, I have the wire colours written down at home. I'll post them tonight if you want.

When I put the new tail lights on my bike, I wired up a new plug so that it is a simple job to go to back to the standard light.

Quote from: makenzie71 on January 16, 2006, 08:46:35 AM
well regardless of a manual that's what you should do, anyway.

+1

Always test a wire.

This is something I want to do one day too. And to actually try to add something worth while to this thread.. I once thought about using a headlight as the brake light. That would be nice and bright I thought.. but it wouldn't like the on/off/on/off all the time, and probably burn out quickly. (or would it?)

I'm of the opinion that to be more noticeable you need to present a different visual stimulus than any other Joe on the street.

What I'd do is wire up something like the Kisan tailBlazer. I kinda instinctively do this myself by squeezing the brake lever a couple of times when slowing down for a light, or other situations where I know I'm coming to a stop.  But if in a panic, better that some automation does this for you.

You can also get LED's that flash, packaged in an 1156 bulb or as a strip to put above or below the license plate.

Don't go more of the same -- go different.  Being conspicuous is the way I'd go. 

^yeah those are nice.  I like the flashing.  I've considered wiring up a flasher to my brake light so that it'll flash instead of stay solid.  Much mroe noticeable.

Quote from: RedShift on January 16, 2006, 06:01:58 PM
I'm of the opinion that to be more noticeable you need to present a different visual stimulus than any other Joe on the street.

What I'd do is wire up something like the Kisan tailBlazer. I kinda instinctively do this myself by squeezing the brake lever a couple of times when slowing down for a light, or other situations where I know I'm coming to a stop.  But if in a panic, better that some automation does this for you.

You can also get LED's that flash, packaged in an 1156 bulb or as a strip to put above or below the license plate.

Don't go more of the same -- go different.  Being conspicuous is the way I'd go. 

Pertaining to the brakelight flasher...  You definitely wanna check local laws to see it those are legal.  Here in Mass, legality depends on the rate of flash (can't strobe).

I installed a pulsator on my brakelight.  It doesn't turn off/on/off/on...  It slightly fluctuates the voltage into the bulb.  This way, it looks like it is "flickering".  This is the best way I can explain it.  www.jcw.com

Redshift is right...  defferent is more noticable

NightRyder - becareful of using a headlight bulb in the rear.  VERY ILLEGAL!  I've tried.     Plus, you have to have more room around the bulb to compensate for the increase in heat from the bulb.

Quote from: annguyen1981 on January 16, 2006, 06:15:23 PM
Pertaining to the brakelight flasher...  You definitely wanna check local laws to see it those are legal.  Here in Mass, legality depends on the rate of flash (can't strobe).

Rate of flash is a variable in all states, but using your typical flasher relay will keep you in the clear.  Lots of cars come from teh factory with a flashing 3rd light using the same relay as their signal system.

http://www.houston-imports.com/users/that_guy/newbike/Haynes_WiringDiagram_US_90-96.jpg

heres a wiring diagram if it helps..

I'm thought about this myself. I've been looking on eBay and have found some pretty cool third brake light flashers for a car or truck and was told it would work for a cycle because the unit is so small. I've been looking at different ways to connect up a super bright LED bar or two (small ones) to my tail section that when I hit the brake I would flash the LED's but leave the tail light alone. Of course the tail would light up like it should if you hit the brakes but the LED's would flash. The LED's of course would be off once I take my hand or foot off the brake.
This is something I've been thinking about living in the Seattle area and hitting the traffic we get. I'm still looking into this but have not found something that really jumps out at me LED wise......

Alot of the LED strips you can buy would be perfect for this.  All you would have to do is wire the LED's in parallel with the brake light and install a flasher relay.  Therefore the LED's would would light up flashing whenever you hit the brakes.  Actually a pretty good idea.  I may just have to do this.  Also if you could find a set of fluch mount blinkers that light up red you could use them the same way.

http://www.customdynamics.com/motorcycle_lights.htm

great LED site


http://www.customdynamics.com/illuminatorz_licence_plates.htm

this one has a plate holder that lights up your plate with LED's but it also has red LED's that light up as a third brake light..  pretty damn sweet.

Quote from: Jeppy on January 16, 2006, 06:23:32 PM
I'm thought about this myself. I've been looking on eBay and have found some pretty cool third brake light flashers for a car or truck and was told it would work for a cycle because the unit is so small. I've been looking at different ways to connect up a super bright LED bar or two (small ones) to my tail section that when I hit the brake I would flash the LED's but leave the tail light alone. Of course the tail would light up like it should if you hit the brakes but the LED's would flash. The LED's of course would be off once I take my hand or foot off the brake.
This is something I've been thinking about living in the Seattle area and hitting the traffic we get. I'm still looking into this but have not found something that really jumps out at me LED wise......

I actually purchased some LED from my local autoparts store.  They are designed to be put inside a car's headlight and illuminate the housing with a specific color.  I bought red, thinking I'd put them in my backup lights on my car.  Never got around to it.

The same day I put the brakelight flasher on my GS, I installed the two LED's on the inside of the grab bar.  I hooked it up to the flasher as well.  Came out AWESOME!  The brakelight "flickers" and the 2 LED's flash (pretty rapidly).

I'll try to get some video in the next week.

werd to the video.  I'd like to see that..

Thanks for the wiring guide! 

Now I just have to find some down under suppliers 

I'm having trouble uploading the second movie file.  It's 4mb.  Any ideas?

Anyway, here's two pictures and ONE video.  The second will be uploaded SOMEWHERE...
http://web-designs.tripod.com