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Cruiser
Posts: 69
Citrus Heights, CA United States | Tarpits99 Was as Clearwater Lights today so Glen could ride the Vision as I promised and they were boxing your stuff while I was there. Glen seemed to enjoy the ride Hell he wss gone about 1/2 hour or so. Again Thank you for your post and hope u enjoy lights as much as I. Tell ya cagers really notice me now especially when I hit high beam. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 273
| May the results of your lighting system and the $100 patient fee to the hospital bring you rewards in the future. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | "Must be because I had the flu for Christmas...........", anyway I have been staring at my trick little Clearwater LED driving lamps for what seems like a month but apparently was only a couple of weeks. Yesterday I finally got around to installing them. As I may have mentioned vehicle electronics and I have NEVER gotten along and it was not without a little trepidation that I began this project since after reviewing the instructions I realized that I was going to have to splice wires. The parts come segregated in neat little plastic bags with detailed well-written instructions. And for those of us who cant read a wiring diagram to save their souls the instruction sheets have pictures! But before you begin, it’s wise to put your windshield in the all the way up position and disconnect the battery before you start. These simple precautions will prevent any damage to your electrical system if you screw up and make it possible to reach the fuse panel if you blow a fuse. The Clearwater LED lighting kit comes complete with everything that you need to install the lights in about an hour IF you are smarter than I am, and if you read the directions!!!!!! I cannot stress this enough, so let me repeat, READ THE DIRECTIONS! There are a couple of little things that will make you shake your head, and start again if you don't; there are others that will cause you to invoke ancient gods and decry the fates. For example the bracket mount spacers come in two sizes and the longer ones go on the top! I would have recognized that if I had read the directions. Also for those of us who are persnickety about the little things but become less observant than we should be when caught up in the excitement of new toys; the washers have a finished/polished side and a rough side. Believe me you will notice it after you have installed them the wrong way. While we are talking about being persnickety, I could not stand the idea of drilling a hole in the Vision body panel for the dimmer control. The thought of screwing up an SSG body panel when virtually all bodywork for Visions is classified as “unobtanium” was just too much for me to stomach so I worked out an alternative mounting location behind the radio controls on the left handlebar. First thing I did was drill a small pilot hole in the aluminum cover of the dimmer pot opposite the hole that is already there. I expanded this new hole until I could get a Philips screwdriver through both sides. Note: When doing this you must be very careful not to drill into the Volume control mechanism itself. I removed the right side mounting screw (when viewed from the front), added a dab of blue loctite and attached the dimmer control to the back of the mounting bracket. The supplied cable length is perfect for this mounting point. I then attached the cable with the supplied ties to the existing cable bundles. A little flat black barbeque paint on the raw aluminum and the hole will blend back in to the housing. Also I could not for the life of me figure out how to tighten the bolts that mount the lamps to the brackets. Using the supplied 1/4-20 allen head screws, none of my allen keys were short enough to fit between the bracket and the fender. So after determining that I was too stupid to figure it out I ran down to the local Ace Hardware and bought 4 stainless hex head bolts. Problem solved, I could now easily tighten the lamp mounting bolts and adjust the angle at will. My buddy Milton who had ambled over for a beer and to watch me curse my own stupidity, suggested that I just cut down a wrench to fit. Had I done so, it would have saved me a 20 minute bout of frustration at the Home Depot looking for a bolt size that they didn't carry. The rest of the install went pretty easy, just be sure to check all your poi-lock connections well and move them around before you button everything up so that you don’t end up like I did having to pull it all apart to find where the bad connection was. I think that the lights look great (I love the chrome accent ring) and they work very well.
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
| Wow! Thanks for the write up and pictures. Two questions, did you consider putting the light adjuster know in the blank next to your driving light switch? Do you think there's enough wire to reach there?
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
| SongFan - 2009-12-11 12:38 PM
The PIAA driving lights would cost me $520 installed with upgraded 55W bulbs. PIAA's - $350, install/1 hour labor - $60, tax - $40, 55W bulbs - $70/pr. (My own personal quirk: If I buy it from the dealer, I'll pay the extra and let them install it. If I buy from somewhere else, I'll install it myself.) The Clearwaters are not such an outrageous alternative.
For what it's worth, I purchased the PIAA lights at my dealer for under $300, and since it's a Victory accessory, all of the wiring is direct plug in.
On the other side, the $400 group purchase is pretty cool of them. I don't know how much is Victory propriatary, but it would be even more cool if Clearwater could make a direct plug-in to the Victory harness.
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
Citrus Heights, CA United States | Tarpit99 The install looks great Glad you like the lights. Thanks again for info |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Chief Waldo - 2010-01-03 1:38 PM Wow! Thanks for the write up and pictures. Two questions, did you consider putting the light adjuster knob in the blank next to your driving light switch? Do you think there's enough wire to reach there? ... Chief Waldo : I did consider doing that and there is more than enough wire to reach anywhere on the dash, however the dimmer pot housing requires about 1 1/2" of depth so that limits your choices somewhat. Also if you intend to install power outlets for heated clothing or other cool stuff then there are areas of the dash that would necesarily be off limits. The blank switch cover that fills the hole in the dash on my '08 is the same depth as a the real switches (less the terminals) so I dont think that the shaft is long enough to pass through the switch cover without some creative alterations of the blank. The total shaft and knob combined height is only 5/8". As to the issue with the standard wiring harness you mentioned, my take is as follows: 1) The Victory PIAA lamps are indeed plug and play. They attach to a two wire connector under the front panel and and cycle off when the high beam is engaged. My guess is that this is a DOT rule. 2) The Clearwater setup requires 3 wires and an additional relay to achieve its full fuctionality. I could have connected to the standard Vision location with taps but would have lost the dimmer adjustability function and the ability to keep the lights on when Hi-beam is engaged. Other more electronically savy users may dispute this and I'm happy to take correction; but I bought these over the PIAA lamps because of 3 factors. 1) the low curent draw 2) the dimmer set-up 3) the abiltiy to run these full blast on high beam when I'm out in the middle of nowhere. It seems that the connector should be easily sourced to draw power from this location rather than tapping in under the dash and that could eliminate the need for the supplied inline fuse but before one tried that I think they would need to be sure that the yellow/red wire stays hot.
Edited by Tarpits99 2010-01-03 8:24 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Chief Waldo - 2010-01-03 3:53 PM [ I don't know how much is Victory propriatary, but it would be even more cool if Clearwater could make a direct plug-in to the Victory harness. ... I thought the same thing initially but I really like the way the Clearwaters go to full blast with the high beams. With the Victory harness, the driving lights cut out when the high beams go on. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I was wondering if they could be fitted with colored lens (Amber in my case) and set to flash for Parade and escort work? Would that degrade them to be flashing? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Tarpits99, Thanks for the write-up, lessons learned and photos. I'm looking at doing the Radioteacher mod and put the radio controls on the top of the handlebar. Would the bottom of the handlebar (where the radio controls were originally mounted) be a good spot for the dimmer? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | SongFan - 2010-01-04 11:01 AM Tarpits99, Thanks for the write-up, lessons learned and photos. I'm looking at doing the Radioteacher mod and put the radio controls on the top of the handlebar. Would the bottom of the handlebar (where the radio controls were originally mounted) be a good spot for the dimmer? SongFan: I love the location just below the handlebar, behind the audio switch. I can operate the dimmer with my thumb (even with gloves) without removing my hand from the bars. It seems to me to be a perfect location.
Edited by Tarpits99 2010-01-04 1:12 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
Citrus Heights, CA United States | Tarpits where were you a month ago? If you don't mind I would like to take you instructions for mount to Glen and have them incorporated into their instructions. I like that install better but a little too late. But what the heck still learning alot about the Vision and different mods. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | SongFan - 2010-01-03 7:04 PM
I thought the same thing initially but I really like the way the Clearwaters go to full blast with the high beams.? With the Victory harness, the driving lights cut out when the high beams go on.
Yep, there's a "Fog Lamp Control Relay" tapping into the brights for actuation. Same place I'm gonna wire up my HID ballast (so the relay kills the HID lamp when the headlight is dimmed). Then I can leave my HID switch on and not worry about both switches when I dim the lights at night for courtesy. The relays are in the right side fuse block. You could easily bypass this function if you really wanted to. Not that everyone wants to but the option is there if you're so inclined. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | rldr12 - 2010-01-04 4:36 PM
Tarpits where were you a month ago? If you don't mind I would like to take you instructions for mount to Glen and have them incorporated into their instructions. I like that install better but a little too late. But what the heck still learning alot about the Vision and different mods.
Vern: Sorry I couldn't have been there, but I doubt that I would have been any smarter about it then. You were the "mule" and I learned from your install and had a couple of weeks to ruminate about the placement thanks to Christmas and the H1N1 (or its kissin' cousin).
By all means let Glen know that I have been messing with his instructions. He can email me or call if he has questions. I can send him whatever pics he wants to explain what I did.
BTW - Did I mention I love these lights? They really light up a wide area around the bike, and make you much more visible to cars changing lanes in front of you. Had a couple of them change their minds in mid lane change on the 57 freeway at dusk today. Its almost like having a force field!
Edited by Tarpits99 2010-01-04 7:28 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
Citrus Heights, CA United States | Tarpits pulling your chain. That's what being the mule is all about. Still like the lights and wouldn't trade the experience with Glen for nothing. Learned alot about him and his company. Installing the knob where we did does not bother me as it blends in with the black. However we did not consider the other colors so very glad you came up with a better install. Glen I'm sure will be pleased as he is very open to suggestions and improvements. Without you a lot of us would not even have the chance to buy these lights. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
| Tarpits99 - 2010-01-03 9:03 PM
Chief Waldo - 2010-01-03 1:38 PM Wow! Thanks for the write up and pictures. Two questions, did you consider putting the light adjuster knob in the blank next to your driving light switch? Do you think there's enough wire to reach there? ... Chief Waldo : I did consider doing that and there is more than enough wire to reach anywhere on the dash, however the dimmer pot housing requires about 1 1/2" of depth so that limits your choices somewhat. Also if you intend to install power outlets for heated clothing or other cool stuff then there are areas of the dash that would necesarily be off limits. The blank switch cover that fills the hole in the dash on my '08 is the same depth as a the real switches (less the terminals) so?I dont think that the shaft is long enough to pass through the switch cover?without some creative alterations of the blank. The total shaft and knob combined height is only 5/8". As to the issue with the standard wiring harness you mentioned, my take is as follows: 1) The Victory PIAA lamps are indeed plug and play. They attach to a two wire connector under the front panel and and cycle off when the high beam is engaged. My guess is that this is a DOT rule.
Thanks, I was wondering if room was an issue in the aux switch area.
You are correct about the Victory lamps cycling off with high beams. They are considered "fog lights" which are required by the DOT to shut off when high beams are turned on.
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
| bigwill5150 - 2010-01-04 8:08 PM
SongFan - 2010-01-03 7:04 PM
I thought the same thing initially but I really like the way the Clearwaters go to full blast with the high beams.? With the Victory harness, the driving lights cut out when the high beams go on.
Yep, there's a "Fog Lamp Control Relay" tapping into the brights for actuation. Same place I'm gonna wire up my HID ballast (so the relay kills the HID lamp when the headlight is dimmed). Then I can leave my HID switch on and not worry about both switches when I dim the lights at night for courtesy. The relays are in the right side fuse block. You could easily bypass this function if you really wanted to. Not that everyone wants to but the option is there if you're so inclined.
You may want to reconsider wiring the HID to dim with the hi/low switch. One of the quickest ways to kill a HID bulb is to cycle it. An HID should be left on until it's full warmed - about 5 minutes. Same thing with shutting it off. It should stay off for several minutes as well. You should always be careful if you're doing something that has you switching the ignition on & off, to make sure you have the HID switched off at the time... an example is switching the ignition from off to accessory and the opposite (I find myself often doing that while explaining/demonstrating/showing off my Vision to the curious at night... they seem to really like the lit Victory sign on the sides). Either switch it quickly, or make sure the HID is switched off.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | radioteacher - 2010-01-03 7:03 PM
I was wondering if they could be fitted with colored lens (Amber in my case) and set to flash for Parade and escort work? Would that degrade them to be flashing?
Amber is available two ways. As a Lexan Lens and as a 3M film that applies to the front of a clear lens. Prices can be obtained by calling Clearwater Lights directly.
Also Glen tells me that flashers will NOT hurt the array. Attach the flasher to the red leads. Now all you need is to source a switch that fits the blank plate to engage the flasher at will.
Hope this helps.
Edited by Tarpits99 2010-01-05 10:18 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Tarpits99 - 2010-01-05 10:16 AM
radioteacher - 2010-01-03 7:03 PM
I was wondering if they could be fitted with colored lens (Amber in my case) and set to flash for Parade and escort work? Would that degrade them to be flashing?
Amber is available two ways. As a Lexan Lens and as a 3M film that applies to the front of a clear lens. Prices can be obtained by calling Clearwater Lights directly.
Also Glen tells me that flashers will NOT hurt the array. Attach the flasher to the red leads. Now all you need is to source a switch that fits the blank plate to engage the flasher at will.
Hope this helps.
That gives me some ideas to be sure. I was thinking of three 33 LED strips under the trunk lid. A Red for a Center brake light and two Amber strips for turn indicators that show on from the back or the side of the vision.
I could then install a switch to connect the Amber strips to the flasher and have the Clearwater Lights flash on the front.
When not in parade mode I could than switch the rear ambers to turn indicators and the Clearwater Lights to white for driving lights.
It would be very stealthy install.
Ride Safe |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | LED Glenn - 2009-12-14 9:22 AM
Hello Vision riders.
.......
I would like to offer the Vision riders group a discounted price of $400 (including shipping in the 48) for a set of lights complete with custom machined installation brackets, fairing mounted digital microprocessor volume control, complete wiring harness and detailed installation instructions. Chrome rings are available too for an additional $30. This price offer is good through Jan 30. We are taking orders now. We will not bill your CC or invoice you with Paypal until we are ready to ship. I expect to have the kits ready for shipment the second week of January. Clearwater will be closed over the holidays from Dec 18-Jan 4.
Thanks again for your support.
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday!
And I can't wait to ride Vern's Vision!
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Ride like they don't see you.
Glenn
Just a reminder to you guys who are thinking about participating.
The Group Buy Pricing (as seen above) for the Clearwater Driving Lights Ends Jan. 30th.
I have to say that every night when I ride home from work I find more reasons to be impressed with these lights.
Freeway driving during rush hour is always a challenge on a bike; particularly when traveling west at dusk. The sun is in your eyes the traffic is bumper to bumper no matter what speed its traveling. Drivers are constantly changing lanes without signals. They pull into your lane next to you and in general trying to flatten you like a pancake. These lights make me so much more visible now that I wonder how I have survived with out them.
When I hit the "residential" streets/roads I find that cars seem to have a much more accurate idea of how fast I am traveling. I do not get people pulling out of side streets and then stopping with their nose in the street, now they seem to know exactly where I am, and they pull into the road with confidence (sometimes closer than I would like but never dangerously close).
After dark the street signs are more readable. I see the lights reflected in the eyes of the coyotes hiding in the brush on the side of the road. The world just looks a whole lot different now that I can see more of it.
Cant really say enough about these lights! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I got scheduled for overtime yesterday and I'll see that on my Jan 25th paycheck. Clearwaters will be paid for with five days to spare without touching my regular budget. WooHoo! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Thanks TP for the reminder and the review. Things got tight all of the sudden but if I talk to the wife unit and tell the necessity of this buggers these might be on my Vision for February.... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 38
Galt California | I got my Clearwater Driving Lights last week. The Quality of this product is second to none. They really illuminate the road and Glen and his team was a pleasure to do business with. I highly recommend his lights. Also, check out the re-chargable LED flashlight Glen makes. I saw it and "had to have one" |
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
Citrus Heights, CA United States | For those who would like the clearwater lights but find things a litte tight this month You may want to call Glen and his staff and see if he will extend the timeframe for the group buy. I believe he might. He is very easy to work with. Can't hurt to ask. Again I ride 24/7 365 and I can tell you these lights are worth every penny. Came home in pouring down rain and cagers give me space. I believe as tarpits99 that we are so much more visible. Also put 40 led light srips in place of reflecter both run and turn signals so cagers can see me from side as well. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Ordered mine today with the silver bezels. Will take them off and get them color-matched when I do the helmets this spring. Thanks again to tarpits99 and rldl12 for running point on this. Great job from you guys and Clearwater seems to be a great company to support. |
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Driving lamp test bike needed - Sacramento
