LED modification questions

[Makaveli]

ok so i am wanting to get some kind of LED kit to put on my bike and i had a few questions before i buy them. ive seen all these kits for sale and the majority of them are pretty expensive for a little LED, some wire, maby a fuse and a switch. im good with electronics, and i can solder wires and all that good stuff. so i was wondering what bulbs (blue specificly) do you guys know of that are the brightest. and what wires, fuses, switches, battery connectors would you reccomend. also, i have a sportbike (CBR1000RR), for those of you who have done this to your bike before, where did you put your lights and how many did u guys use? if you have any info please let me know. thanks alot

[pinger05]

Do a search on Google for the LED's. When I did I came up with this:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/leds.htm

Make sure you follow the MFG recommended voltage and amperage level when you forward bias the LED otherwise you blow it. LED's are not like light bulbs that shine when they get juice. A LED is a Light Emitting Diode, therefore it is more of a silicon device that happens to emit light (or at least that is what your electronics instructor might say)

If you overbias the diode you will blow it, if you dont give it enough juice to forward bias it it wont shine. Follow the MFG recommended voltage and amp level or they are toast.

[spinner]

I use http://www.swintledlights.com/

For my bike, I mounted 2 under the front cowling, 2 behind each side fairing, 2 more on the lower part of the side fairings (near exhaust pipes), 2 under the rear fender, and 1 near the rear chain guard to make the rim glow. That left me with 1 more to do whatever with (I put it in the right fairing to light up the rad). No soldering (zip ties and double stick tape included)… comes with a switch so it’s completely independent of the ignition. Looks gorgeous at night and helps cars notice you better on the road.

[Makaveli]

well rigth now my best option is to just order the brightest LEDs i can find and talk to my electronics teacher at school and ask him what kind of resistors i would need, and it would probibly all be free but the LEDs. what viewing angle would u guys suggest, a wide viewing angle (~45%)resulting in less MCD (intensity), or a tighter viewing angle (~15%) resulting in a very high MCD?

[Bubble Gum Jr.]

Might wanna check the legality of such a mod with your state. I know in California neon light mods are illegal for any vehicle while on the road.

[snwbrdr]

They are definitely illegal in Ohio and i have been pulled over, but i just told the cop i wanted to be noticed and that i didnt think that they were distracting. i showed how you couldnt see the bulbs (so you arent blinded) and told him that i didnt think it was nearly as bad as trucks that have 20 marker lights down the top and bottom of each side of their trailers. he then told me he was sorry to waste my time, what i said makes sense, and he couldnt give me a ticket for being safe.

worked out pretty well.

[OoJRod06oO]

spinner, you got any pics of the bike all lit up?

[IcyHound]

Blue and red lights are very illegal in most states. Normally they are restricted for use in public for emergency services. So be careful before you grab those colors. Call the local department or MVA and find out.

[ZooTech]

Blue and red lights are very illegal in most states.

As a combo, sure, but red is one of only two legal colors to have, provided you mount them on the rear half of the vehicle.