Tell me what you think please.

[YamaDuck]

I am cheap so I tried to find a cheap way to add lights to the rear of my Venture. I found this 2001 Venture with 4,550 mikes on it and bought it for $5,300. It was completely stock. I added a rear luggage rack for $50 and saddlebag rails for $81 and the Harley pipes for $30. Now for the lights. They are LED's and the pictures where taken in bright daylight. I know they are a little dim but I chose to add a circuit that cut the brightness in half so that I could use them as running/brake instead of just running or just brake lights. The two lights on each side of the tail light really show up good at night and the two LED light strips coat me $5.18 and that included shipping and handling. The circuit to make them running/brake cost me $4.99 and shipping another $3.99. The light under the trunk is not wired running/brake but just a brake light (my choice). It cost me $1 plus $1.59 shipping. Through in another couple bucks or the two sided tape (exterior grade) and wire. So all the LED's cost me around $15 bucks. Here are the pictures (I know how you like pictures).

Edited February 14, 2010 by YamaDuck

[Monty]

Looks pretty good...but take a picture tonight, and show us tomorrow.

[mini-muffin]

Looks good. You can get lights at truck stops too. They usually have a nice selection too. If you're going the cheapest way. Most of us like that route.

 

Margaret

[YamaDuck]

Looks pretty good...but take a picture tonight, and show us tomorrow.

I'll do it!

[eusa1]

harry, i like the lights!! you now have 2 ventures?? that will keep ya bz and broke! i tried that for about six months. i like the green better than the mm colors, but they are both very nice.

it's really ez to make the lights dual functional for running and brakes.

 

mike

[YamaDuck]

harry, i like the lights!! you now have 2 ventures?? that will keep ya bz and broke! i tried that for about six months. i like the green better than the mm colors, but they are both very nice.

it's really ez to make the lights dual functional for running and brakes.

 

mike

Thanks Mike,

I have two Venture and a Road Star. After putting 18,000 miles on my MM I decided I wanted another Venture but I wanted a green one. To find one with 4,550 miles on it was pure luck. All I need now is some passing lights. This one is faster than my MM but doesn't get as good gas mileage. Man how bout all this snow this year. I know you are use to it. It has snowed down here twice this year and it is suppose to snow again tonight.

[LilBeaver]

Well, I had to look really hard at first to find them - but I bet they REALLY jump out when you hit the brakes and also I'm sure they really stand out at night. I do like them next to the brake light like that though. Now I'm going to have to stop in at a truck stop next time I am out to find something similar

 

By the way the green combo IS the fastest and best looking out there (but maybe I am a little biased...)

 

By the way, where did you find the saddlebag rails for $81 ?!

 

 

Thanks for sharing your idea

[YamaDuck]

Well, I had to look really hard at first to find them - but I bet they REALLY jump out when you hit the brakes and also I'm sure they really stand out at night. I do like them next to the brake light like that though. Now I'm going to have to stop in at a truck stop next time I am out to find something similar

 

By the way the green combo IS the fastest and best looking out there (but maybe I am a little biased...)

 

By the way, where did you find the saddlebag rails for $81 ?!

 

 

Thanks for sharing your idea

I was looking for a clean look that when the bike was just sitting there you could not notice the lights. The saddlebag rails were off ebay. The guy starts them at $49. He says they are used but I don't believe it because he has to many of them and it seems that the saddlebag rails are the only item he sells for the Venture. I think the are seconds because of the quality of the chrome around the welds and the grind marks. He is willing to work with you if you are unhappy and if your looking for perfection I would not get these from him. But if you don't mind less quality for less money then this might be what you are looking for.

[Cougar]

Lights Looks Great!

[YamaDuck]

I had a request from Monty to show some pictures at night. Although not at night these two were taken at dusk and I think give you a good idea of how it looks at night. The darker it gets the better you can see them. The first picture is running lights and the second is with brakes.

[Cougar]

Wow, now that's an attention getter! Great job!

[LilBeaver]

VERY NICE. I think I might just have to do the same. I like the extra light. You may want to consider going with an LED board for your tail light as well. They are a little spendy, but VERY VERY visible in the day time (as well as at night). I think I got mine for ~50 (after shipping). And the company guarantees them for life (so long as you still own it).

 

I'll keep an eye out for those bag rails... I've been looking for a pair (for the extra protection... and the looks of course) but just haven't been able to justify the ~150-200 for OEM stuff.

 

 

I was looking for a clean look that when the bike was just sitting there you could not notice the lights. The saddlebag rails were off ebay. The guy starts them at $49. He says they are used but I don't believe it because he has to many of them and it seems that the saddlebag rails are the only item he sells for the Venture. I think the are seconds because of the quality of the chrome around the welds and the grind marks. He is willing to work with you if you are unhappy and if your looking for perfection I would not get these from him. But if you don't mind less quality for less money then this might be what you are looking for.

 

I had a request from Monty to show some pictures at night. Although not at night these two were taken at dusk and I think give you a good idea of how it looks at night. The darker it gets the better you can see them. The first picture is running lights and the second is with brakes.

[Blue Angel]

Talk about the pure luck Harry, I found a 01 green with 3000 miles and I bought it for $6000 that's including two new tires new battery and complete tune up. came with three helmets a per of glove and head sets.

Helmets are OK, but I am not using the used helmet. Head set were OK too but I just spend a lot of money for lots of parts which I am waiting to arrive. I bought the trunk rack from www.amoto.us , Two set of light bars for under the rack and under the trunk, Harley's tail light two antena's, set of steel braided cables, Buddyrich cable and hole lot of thing. They all worth spending the money. I will post some picture when I am done.

[YamaDuck]

Talk about the pure luck Harry, I found a 01 green with 3000 miles and I bought it for $6000 that's including two new tires new battery and complete tune up. came with three helmets a per of glove and head sets.

Helmets are OK, but I am not using the used helmet. Head set were OK too but I just spend a lot of money for lots of parts which I am waiting to arrive. I bought the trunk rack from www.amoto.us , Two set of light bars for under the rack and under the trunk, Harley's tail light two antena's, set of steel braided cables, Buddyrich cable and hole lot of thing. They all worth spending the money. I will post some picture when I am done.

WOOHOO sounds great. Yea mine came with two helmets with headsets and a heavy weight cover. I don't even know if the headsets work or not. I don't know why people buy these things and just let them sit but lucky for us they do. Sounds like you have a labor of love project ahead when all the parts arrive. I will be looking for the pictures. I got the trunk lid and saddlebag organizers from them. That is one nice looking luggage rack. I've never seen on on a motorcycle I'll be glad to see yours.

Harry

[raceman62race]

I like the lights! Where did you get them and where did you get the controller?

[YamaDuck]

I like the lights! Where did you get them and where did you get the controller?

I got them off ebay. http://stores.ebay.com/Supermarket-online365 There are several suppliers. These are the 24 count length which is close to 9 1/2" long. They are usually $1 and around $1.59 shipping. They ship from Hong Kong. I have seen similar items sold from US companies for much higher price and from the ones I've seen that my friends bought and spent a lot of money on I'm not convinced they were made in the US. So if I'm going to by foreign merchandise anyway I might as well save some money. You have to add two sided tape and maybe some wire if the wire that the LED's come with are not long enough. I use the exterior two sided tape. Chrome Glow sells the converters so you can make them running and brake lights. http://www.chromeglow.com/catalog.asp?prodid=520657 They come in different sizes depending on how many LED's you you have for $4.99 each. I have some green ones ordered to accent the bike. I will use them full strenght. That's about it.

[Monty]

Nice! Really brightens it up back there.