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REAR LIGHTS

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Recumbent bicycles
Published
25 February 2003
Last activity
30 November 2003
Original author
Bill & Gerri
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  1. "Joshua Goldberg" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    Nice pics of the Ziptie harness, but still no plan to keep the Flasher in place and not
    facing down.

    Josh; I emailed you one possible solution already.

    Here's the one I actually used:

    I just got done mounting the light on my Pharobike. Secure (I can pick the back end of the bike up
    with the light). Faces aft. Can't flop up, down, left or right in any significant way. Removable in
    about 30 seconds. Mounts in about a minute.

    This is for a first-iteration rig. Once I get experience I'll probably improve it (I bet I can
    make it so the knots are easier to tie, and at the moment the light touches the rear fender so it
    will rattle). But this version works: the light points exactly where it's supposed to and it won't
    come loose.

    On my bike, the seat stays attach to the seat crossbar. They are about four inches apart.

    My ziptie harness has two big zipties that go completely around the case, oriented across the long
    axis of the light (i.e. vertical when the rows of LEDs are horizontal). These are prevented from
    slipping off the ends of the light case by two more zip ties on the back of the case, looped through
    the big zip ties and oriented parallel to the long axis of the case (90 degrees to the big ties).
    They are positioned at the top and bottom of the battery cover, and everything is cranked down as
    tight as it will go (yes, you need to cut the small ties to change the batteries. A new pair will
    cost maybe 3 cents).

    I now have a secure, light harness that is as strong as the case, to which I can easily attach some
    thin nylon cord. This cord is used to tie the light to the bike. Tools: Scissors and a lighter to
    seal the cord end.

    I loop one length of cord through the upper transverse tie, and tie it around the seat back
    crossbar. this holds the light up.

    I loop another length of cord through the lower transverse tie, and tie it around the seat stays.
    this keeps the light from pointing at the sky.

    I now have a nice, secure mount that lets me easily remove the light by undoing two square knots.

    I designed this mounting arrangement by sitting on the floor with the light in one hand and some
    cord in the other, and trying two or three different ideas until I got one that worked. The total
    amount of time I spent on the entire mount and harness (including writing all these emails and
    sending photos) was a little over an hour.

    My point here is that this ain't rocket science. I've found that a good way to approach things
    like this is to get creative, use your imagination and fool around with your own bike. My
    mounting solution might not work for your seat. But I guarantee that you can work one out that's
    just as simple.

  2. Bill What about "clear backup lights" on automobiles and trucks. I think the logic in banning the
    rear facing white light is that drivers associate a white light as something coming at them or
    parked in their lane. They slam on their brakes and set off chain reactions and then someone will
    end up going towards the (other) White Light at the end of the tunnel. Not nice to add too many
    visual distractions to further confuse automobile drivers who have enough trouble now managing their
    cellphone, coffee cup, copy of Playboy on their lap and changing music CDs.
    -------------------------------------------------------
    "Bill" <mcaninch(at)cecomet.net> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    LA

    Here in NY it would not be legal. V and T law states that you can not


    have

    Quoted message said:

    a white light facing rearward except for emergency vehicles. Something to that effect anyway.

    Bill Ryan Vanguard, Duplex

    "LA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I also use lots of reflectors and a white PFD strobe from West Marine.


    It

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    blasts in the fog. The big ?, is it legal??? Haven't been stopped yet.


    It's

    Quoted message said:

    really bright.

    Lon HepCat

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    Quoted message said:

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  3. "Joshua Goldberg" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Not nice to add too many visual distractions to further confuse automobile drivers who have
    enough trouble now managing their cellphone, coffee cup, copy of Playboy on their lap and
    changing music CDs.

    Great ad for recumbents "Driving this bike, you can have your favorite magazine (playboy)
    on your lap"

    Never thought of that before..

  4. "Bill" <mcaninch(at)cecomet.net> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    LA

    Here in NY it would not be legal. V and T law states that you can not have a white light facing
    rearward except for emergency vehicles. Something to that effect anyway.

    Bill Ryan Vanguard, Duplex

    So would a strobe mounted upright in the rear be "facing rearward"? I know you cannot answer that in
    the legal sense, probably an officer couldn't either.

    I have a strobe and it's in a mesh pocket of my backpack that I wear when riding my DF, and mounted
    (backpack) on the rear of my BikeE. I also carry it in my hand if I walk to work in the early am. I
    would (hopefully) assume a police officer would have more important things to do then stop me for
    trying to be visible and safe but I have heard many stories about just the opposite.

    BTW, the blue colored "Tirefly's" are a real attention getter at night.

    Quoted message said:

    "LA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I also use lots of reflectors and a white PFD strobe from West Marine. It blasts in the fog. The
    big ?, is it legal??? Haven't been stopped yet.


    It's

    Quoted message said:

    really bright.

    Lon HepCat

    -----------== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Uncensored Usenet News ==----------
    newsfeed.comnewsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
    -----= Over 100,000 Newsgroups - Unlimited Fast Downloads - 19 Servers =-----

  5. LA <[email hidden]> wrote:
    : I also use lots of reflectors and a white PFD strobe from West Marine. It blasts in the fog. The
    : big ?, is it legal??? Haven't been stopped yet. It's really bright.

    Apply some common sense, and there might be no incentive to sanction it. I wonder if a strong
    blinding light could blind drivers... especially if it's close range and not directed below the car
    cabin. Maybe you could set up a system that turns the light to much lower intensity if light from
    other sources hits it?
    :-)

    --
    Risto Varanka | helsinki.fi~rvaranka varis at no spam please iki fi

  6. [email hidden] wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    LA <[email hidden]> wrote:
    : I also use lots of reflectors and a white PFD strobe from West Marine. It blasts in the fog. The
    : big ?, is it legal??? Haven't been stopped yet. It's really bright.

    Apply some common sense, and there might be no incentive to sanction it. I wonder if a strong
    blinding light could blind drivers... especially if it's close range and not directed below the
    car cabin. Maybe you could set up a system that turns the light to much lower intensity if light
    from other sources hits it?
    :-)

    I can't speak for the OP, but my strobe, being in the mesh pocket, gets your attention, but is not
    blinding. In fact it's sitting by the computer as I type and it's not affectinggn mee at at alll. 🙂

  7. "Joshua Goldberg" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Bill What about "clear backup lights" on automobiles and trucks. I think the logic in banning the
    rear facing white light is that drivers associate a white light as something coming at them or
    parked in their


    lane.

    Quoted message said:

    They slam on their brakes and set off chain reactions and then someone


    will

    Quoted message said:

    end up going towards the (other) White Light at the end of the tunnel. Not nice to add too many
    visual distractions to further confuse automobile drivers who have enough trouble now managing
    their cellphone, coffee cup, copy of Playboy on their lap and changing music CDs.

    Josh, I think you are absolutely correct on the "clear backup lights", rear facing, that drivers
    associate them with on coming traffic. I'm sure that the law gets complicated, candle power, height,
    original equipment and the like all play a roll, I'm sure. I guess I'll have to drag in my
    brother-in-law into this conversation, he works at the sheriffs office and I'll have him look it up.
    I'll also ask him what the consensus is among the other officers in regard to just trying to be seen
    verses actual law.

    I still think (for me anyway) that the setup I use gives you great visibility. If you add up the
    LED's you have 19, and they are spaced out to give you a bigger field of light. It really is quite
    impressive. Previous post below.

    Bill Ryan Vanguard, Duplex

    Quoted message said:

    I ride a Ryan Vanguard and Duplex, I use a Vistalite Super Nebula 5 on the rear of my rack and two
    Vistalite Total Eclipse on the top of my seat


    frame.

    Quoted message said:

    I run all of these in flash mode and it is quite an eye catcher. Once in the fog (wide shoulder
    luckily) one of the guys from work said he thought


    is

    Quoted message said:

    was a cop car on the side of the rode, I could actually here the traffic slow down. Although this
    is not the cheapest way out (about $43 at Nashbar today), it is a small price to pay to be noticed.

    Quoted message said:

    All the lights mounted up reel nice also, only had to shim up the seat


    frame

    Quoted message said:

    with some heater hose for the clamp to fit tight. Rack had a place to


    mount

    Quoted message said:

    the Super Nebula so everything came out like a factory job.

    Quoted message said:

    So........ my $0.02 worth........ spend some money, get all or some of the lights above (or
    similar), I don't think you will be sorry. And it will help get the economy moving also....... well
    maybe not.

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  8. Posted by Bill & Gerri:

    Quoted message said:

    I ride most of the time on roads and am always looking for a better rear light.


    Bill

    I just love the VistaLite Total Eclipse too. It's compact, Very bright, and mounts to seat posts, seat stays, and even the small diameter seat supports on the Rans/Bacchettas. You can even unclip it and wear it on your belt, or clip it to one of the various "loops" meant for just that.

  9. I got a cateye tail light from Santa. I did not like the options available for mounting on my
    socked TE so I mounted it to the back of my helmet with velcro. I do not know if this is good or
    bad? Any advise?

  10. Better I have been watching people with Mtbs riding ahead of me in the dark and the flasher is quite
    visable to me...being much lower. Would think cars at a distance would see the flasher better if it
    is higher up. Car drivers tend to look ahead (trying to see what is off in the distance), so the
    flasher would register at a higher level. If the flasher is only a foot or two off the pavement, the
    car driver may not see it when they get too close.

    "Shortboat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I got a cateye tail light from Santa. I did not like the options


    available

    Quoted message said:

    for mounting on my socked TE so I mounted it to the back of my helmet with velcro. I do not know
    if this is good or bad? Any advise?

  11. Shortboat pondered:

    Quoted message said:

    I mounted it to the back of my helmet with velcro. I do not know if this is good or bad?

    Not necessarily bad, but there could be legal implications if the light is not attached *to the
    bike*. I went for the belt + braces approach. One on the back of my helmet - which I switch to
    flashing mode - and two, in non-flashing mode, on the rear of the tailbox. Or one on the seat post
    of the upright.

    Dave Larrington - legslarry.crosswinds.netlegslarry.crosswinds.net
    ===========================================================
    Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
    bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.uk
    ===========================================================

  12. I have an 18 LED on my backrest and a 5 LED on my tailbox, they flash out of sync and cars behind me
    slow down...thinking I am a Police car. I am getting lots of "cool flashers" comments from car
    passengers now. Adding a flasher to my helmet is the next step...hope I don't blink in sync with the
    flash cycle LOL
    --------------------------------------------------
    "Dave Larrington" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Shortboat pondered:

    Quoted message said:

    I mounted it to the back of my helmet with velcro. I do not know if this is good or bad?

    Not necessarily bad, but there could be legal implications if the light is not attached *to the
    bike*. I went for the belt + braces approach. One


    on

    Quoted message said:

    the back of my helmet - which I switch to flashing mode - and two, in non-flashing mode, on the
    rear of the tailbox. Or one on the seat post of the upright.

    Dave Larrington - legslarry.crosswinds.netlegslarry.crosswinds.net
    ===========================================================
    Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
    bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.uk
    ===========================================================

  13. Josh, what is the light with the 18 LED'S? cHAS

  14. HL-18 Highway Safety Made in China and costs around $6.00
    ---------------------------------------
    "Dj Blag" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Josh, what is the light with the 18 LED'S? cHAS

  15. Bill & Gerri said:


    ALL:

    I ride most of the time on roads and am always looking for a better rear light.

    I found what looks like a great light on the jc whitney auto web page. When I got it I found
    I could have ordered it direct from the maker as well. It's called the 'MEGA ROAD STROBE",
    made by CMI.

    The light measures 3" by 5". It has 15 small strobes and three lighting methods, slow flash, fast
    flash and steady. This guy runs on 4 AA battreies and is very bright.

    The web site is www.cmi-befirst.com and the cost is 13.99 plus shipping. Check it out.

    Bill

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    Found rectangular unit I wore on parka at Jackson Hole Airport ramp to wand aircraft in on cold,
    dark winter nights.

    Much favorable comment from United flight deck crews on visibility. Made it easier for them to lock
    on to the pink lighted wands over my head.

    5 inch long, 1.5 inch wide, 1 inch thick with five LEDs, fresnel red clear plastic snap-on lens with
    six settings: all flash fast or slow; upward strobing, downward strobing; outward from center;
    inward from ends. Used two AA batteries. I found some Ray-O-Vac NiMH AAs with 1700 mA capacity which
    worked a L-O-N-G time between charges.

  16. I bought two of these from American science & Surplus a while back. They are (were) not made with
    the new super bright LEDs. My 5 LED Vista was brighter at less than half the weight.

    Tom Balmer

  17. Howdy Tom and others:

    I'll vouch for the Vistalites. I use two of the 7 LED vertical blinkers on the rear of my Tour Easy
    SS XL, and I've been pleased. If anything the blinking and/or Christmas tree modes not only get the
    attention of motorists, but they slow down because the appearance of the lights (and the two of them
    blinking out of sequence) perhaps makes them think that law enforcement is nearby?

    I also use two Cateye EL-300s mounted side by side up front, with a Cateye EL-400 mounted underneath
    and set to blinking mode.

    --
    "Sea" ya! --Lars S. Mulford "You can find evil anywhere you look. The question is, why are
    you looking?"

    "Thomas Balmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I bought two of these from American science & Surplus a while back. They are (were) not made with
    the new super bright LEDs. My 5 LED Vista was brighter at less than half the weight.

    Tom Balmer

  18. Mikael Seierup said:


    "Tom Blum" skrev...

    Quoted message said:

    sciplus.comsciplus.com

    I can't find any red strobe or tail light anywhere logical. Could someone post a more complete
    description so I can find it.

    sciplus.comsingleItem.cfm

    M.

    Or ThomCat [Thomas Register] multi-search mode volumes at local library

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