LED spotlights ??

[The Bigfella]

Well I've been busy... work wise and a quick belt around Tassie (including a day at Symmons Plains) in the M5.

I finally got around to chasing up some in-play projects.... and these lights are one of those. I just pulled one apart, because - based on the US link I'd posted - I wanted to glue the circuit board to the heat sink. Guess what - its already done. Even the screws that hold it all together are O-ringed. Its a nicely made piece of kit.

I was going to use some left-over Selleys Knead-it. A metal-filled epoxy. I had some left over from my Tassie trip, after an "oops" at Symmons Plains. The double left-hander at the end of the main straight has a very deep ditch on the other side of the ripple strip.... and I now know that if two wheels are in that, two are on the track.... well, the main point of contact is the sump.... and yep, Selleys Knead-it will stem the flow and hold up long enough to get home.

Speaking of good Chinese kit.... I scored a hydraulic bike lifter from Repco for Christmas. I think they are about $160 on sale. Not sure if the sale is still on. Bloody good lifter. I've got the KTM up on it now and it is so much easier to work on.

[Airbear]

Too many excuses Biggie. That poor sweet R90s has been mouldering away under your house for decades, jugs sagging under the dust as hope fades. How do you think she feels as you fondle that fekkin' orange strumpet up on its shiny fekkin' pedestal?

Er ... grin. I'm sure the R90S is on The List.

I re-made the mounts for my spotlights - a bit of the elegance added. They are easy to adjust on the fly and brighten up my life.

[The Bigfella]

Very nice.

I wired up the KTM lights.... and despite the KTM not running (I've got the carbies off... got to do the valve clearances when I get a bit more time)... they work a treat. They are set to run whenever the ignition is on... at minimal brightness - which is enough to make you squint (0.02 amps current draw) and they flick to max power when high beam is selected.

I just love the internet.... and whoever it was that drew up that wiring diagram.

Now.... as for my R90S... yeah, OK, I was thinking about it in bed this morning. Soon.... gotta few jobs on that are hectic until mid Feb. Then....

I had three registered vehicles off the road last week.... the M5, the KTM and the F650 Funduro. At least I worked on one of the BM's... got the Funduro carbies sorted. I'd been chasing around looking for 1.5 x 5 O-rings to re-con the carbies... and found the damn things in an M5 oil filter kit.

..... and for the ultimate in thread drift.... here's where I was Monday last week

[Ross]

Too many excuses Biggie. That poor sweet R90s has been mouldering away under your house for decades, jugs sagging under the dust as hope fades. How do you think she feels as you fondle that fekkin' orange strumpet up on its shiny fekkin' pedestal?

Er ... grin. I'm sure the R90S is on The List.

I re-made the mounts for my spotlights - a bit of the elegance added. They are easy to adjust on the fly and brighten up my life.

Keep this up mate and you will have us lining up for sets to made by you for us too.

[The Bigfella]

OK... no more excuses.

I've got the KTM running again and just took it for a night ride - including a bit of off-road - with the new lights.

I had to adjust the dimmer down lower for daylight running... right down to the minimum, as they are so bright. At night, undimmed (ie on high beam) they give two massive orbs of bright white light.. a damn good spread. They haven't got the sort of 1km penetration I used to get from a 100w Cibie Super Oscar but the close-medium long light is much better. They are pretty good. The original high beam light is still discernible as this miserable yellow light in the middle distance.

I'm happy with them.

I'm happy with the KTM too.... damn hard to keep that front wheel on the ground in second gear.

[Airbear]

Glad to hear it, Biggie. Yep, those pools of white light each side of the road are really useful in the twisties. The roos will all need shades. The heat given out by the miserable yellow beam in the middle is such a waste. I'd really like a more efficient, whiter beam there.

Also, warning! (sound of klaxon here). Hans of Melburg Alert. He's making his way down the coast. Expect a possible invasion any day now.

[Ross]

Did you upgrade your charging system Charlie?

[Airbear]

Did you upgrade your charging system Charlie?

No, mate. The LED spots are only 27W each, and since I added extra earth cables (tranny to frame and frame to diode board) my charging system is a lot healthier.

[Ross]

Did you upgrade your charging system Charlie?

No, mate. The LED spots are only 27W each, and since I added extra earth cables (tranny to frame and frame to diode board) my charging system is a lot healthier.

What guage wire did you use for the extra earths? Why did you have to add these?

[Airbear]

What guage wire did you use for the extra earths? Why did you have to add these?

I used 20 Amp wire. Reason - the electron path relies on going through gritty oily joins and bolts from the tranny to engine to timing chest and frame. Poor little electrons don't stand a chance. This fix has been recommended by Rob Frankham, GSPD and others. It really makes a difference. You just need 4 ring terminals with 6mm holes, some wire and crimpers. Blue terminals suit the 20 Amp wire. At the diode board end put the terminal on one of the metal support legs to the diode board. Frame earth is near the coils.