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Third Brake Light

add extra safety

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Introduction What to buy Third Brake Light

Introduction

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If you've left the bike stock, then the regulation lights on the back should be very bright and safe. But if you've installed an undertail, the tail lights are usually very dim and UNsafe.

I decided to install a third brake light to increase my visibility.



What to buy

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You can buy this 6" LED bar from Signal Dynamics. Click on the image above for a direct link to the product. It's a bit expensive at $40, but an excellent quality product and plenty bright. This is what I used, and I'm very happy with it. By the way, I've had mine now for 8 years and no problems at all. It will function as a running light and as a brake light as well.

Be sure to get the RED light - not the amber light by mistake. Also be careful to order a chrome housing if that's what you want. A black light housing is also available.



Installation of 3rd brake light

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You can get a piece of anodized aluminum at the local hardware store for $. Then just cut it to these specifications. The metal is very soft, and can be cut with any hacksaw or jigsaw blade. If you don't have a saw, you can even just put it in a vice and bend it back and forth until it breaks!

Cut to 13.25 inch length, and bend as shown. 9.25 inch wide is a perfect fit between your Gixxer foot peg mounting bolts underneath the tail.


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Here is my self-made bracket in the vise. Drill one hole in the center for the wire to go through, and one mounting hole on each side for mounting the LED bar. Make sure you have drill bits specifically made for drilling stainless steel and other hard metals -- it makes this job much easier.


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Once you've got your bracket, just mount the LED light on it, and make the connections as shown. The Signal Dynamics LED is already wired with the appropriate resistors, so you do not have to do anything except hook it up to your ground, running light, and brake light wires on the Suzuki.


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Tapping the brake/running light wires for the accessory LED bar. If you're lazy, like I was, then you can use the scotchlock tapping gadgets to do the work for you. If you want a nicer appearance, then of course take the extra time and do some soldering.


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Final Appearance - better visibility!
It makes a big improvement at night, but in the bright daytime sun, not as noticeable as I might like. But every little bit helps. Click to enlarge.


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