Post your light bar photos?

[timsatx]

MR. SNARF, man don't go giving him a big head 

[snarf]

MR. SNARF, man don't go giving him a big head 

You have to admit; it does have a nice ring to it 
I'm kinda leaning towards "all hail king Snarf"  I think that title is reserved for SISF
Tony, that is a great idea to keep from mucking up the paint, I have had my brackets off many times and have not seen any noticeable damage; an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure

[Stasch]

Here's mine:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2248100280089716678qsvFJT?vhost=rides

use the 'Prev' and 'Next' buttons to see additional views as well as details on the homemade bracket.

[RFH87_Connie]

Here's mine:
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2248100280089716678qsvFJT?vhost=rides

What are they and where did the pre-made brackets come from?
What is it biting onto on the bike (would it matter if it was an '87 vs. an '03)?
Whats the center to center distance between the threaded rod.?
What size and length threaded rod?
What size and length square tube

[Stasch]

Here's the recipe:

Obtain the following parts, available at HD or Lowes or any Hardware

 - 1 aluminum 36" square tube from Home Depot.
   (I made 2 lightbars for 2 bikes out of it - a C10 and a Voyager XII)

 - 2 beam clamps (electrical section I believe) Less than $2 ea.

 - threaded rod to match the beam clamp holes - enough length to reach the bottom bar of fairing stay (see text below).

 - 4 regular nuts and 6 washers to fit threaded rod.

 - 2 nyloc nuts to fit the threaded rod.

Holes in square tube for threaded rod mounting are 3 3/4" apart measured O.C.

The threaded rods are 4 3/16" to 4 1/4" long.  There is some adjustment available in them depending how far up you thread them into the beam clamp and how thick your washers are on the bottom.  Measure twice cut once!  Run a nut onto the rod BEFORE you cut it with a hacksaw or dremel tool.  Then you can lightly dress up the jags of the cut on a grinder, backing the nut back off to straighten any thread boogering.

The bar itself is 19" long.  This could vary for you depending on the size of the lights you select.

To get the holes right for the rod, cut the tube to length, measure and marked the exact middle of the tube.  (9.5" for mine).

Then I measured half of the 3 3/4" to the left and right of the center mark at 1 7/8" each way. 

Use a point punch to make the holes exactly where you want them, centered on the tube.

I used stainless hardware whenever possible due to weather exposure.

Assemble as shown in pic:  http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2324963860089716678OgEjAi?vhost=rides

The beam clamps fasten the assembly to the bottom front bar of the fairing stay.  I believe that part of the fairing stay is the same for all C10's.  Measure first so you are sure to get the right length threaded rod.  I don't remember if I had to remove the fairing access panel on the bottom for this to fit, its been a while.  With ratchet drive extenstions, I was able to get a socket wrench on the beam clamp screws without removing any inner or outer fairing pieces.  Just had to turn the handlebars just right to provide a straight shot.

I also went to the trouble of drilling holes and running the wire to the lights inside the square tube to keep it neat.  That was the biggest job of the entire project.

Its worked out for over 5 years for me, and it cost about $30 - $35 for each of the 2 bikes including the lights.

[elvin315]

Just a reminder that only driving lights should be mounted that high. Fog lights will throw a scattered pattern than blinds traffic and does little to improve your vision. Read more in the FAQs:

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=570.0

[RFH87_Connie]

Excellent write up - Thanks Stan!  Off to Lowes this weekend.  And, thanks for the fog light reminder too Elvin.

[Stasch]

Yes Elvin is right - those are briving lights I used.

[timsatx]

Here is a link I had for a light bar. This one does not clamp to the crossbar.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/271748812GdeoCQ

[2fast]

Here is a link I had for a light bar. This one does not clamp to the crossbar.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/271748812GdeoCQ

Nice link......looks familiar   Oh yeah, those are my photos of the bar I built

[timsatx]

Great, thanks for fessing up. I couldn't remember who did it. I would like to do it too but the problem is finding a light I would want to use that wouldn't cost a ton (for me).

[kzz1king]

I am with you on that. I don't do enough night driving to spend 300plus on lights.
Wayne

Great, thanks for fessing up. I couldn't remember who did it. I would like to do it too but the problem is finding a light I would want to use that wouldn't cost a ton (for me).

[Rhino]

I am with you on that. I don't do enough night driving to spend 300plus on lights.
Wayne

I don't ride at night a lot either but they make you more noticeable from the front during the day.

[Tele130]

Great, thanks for fessing up. I couldn't remember who did it. I would like to do it too but the problem is finding a light I would want to use that wouldn't cost a ton (for me).

The most expensive part of my set-up was the light bar. Sorry I can't remember who here made it but that was $75.00 shipped. The Hella driving lights I'm using we're under $40.00. I picked up a waterproof marine switch for $7.00. If your just wanting to be more visible, try a set of LED driving lights. Their all over eBay for under $30.00. I work the second shift so 50% of my riding is at night. The Hellas work very well. Clearwater and Piaa's will rock your wallet pretty hard. I couldn't do those either but the cheaper route has worked very well so far.

[timsatx]

So what model lights are those?

[Tele130]

So what model lights are those?

I'm at work right now but I'll get the info when I get home tonight.

[Tele130]

These are the driving lights I'm using.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/330561823227

LED Driving lights.  (Be seen effect)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Euro-6-LED-Daytime-Running-Light-DRL-Kit-Fog-Lamp-Day-Driving-Daylight-Toyota-/150754751552?hash=item2319aef440&item=150754751552&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

[timsatx]

How well do those lights work? Are you running HID? I have HID and I know when I go out into the country at night it does a great job of lighting the road. I just wonder what else these might bring to the table besides being seen better? It would have probably helped when I was coming back from my SS1K ride when I was riding thru the Texas Hill Country at night on an old 2 lane road with grass about 4 feet tall on the side of the road. It scared the hell outta me waiting for some deer to run out in front of me.

[Tele130]

How well do those lights work? Are you running HID? I have HID and I know when I go out into the country at night it does a great job of lighting the road. I just wonder what else these might bring to the table besides being seen better? It would have probably helped when I was coming back from my SS1K ride when I was riding thru the Texas Hill Country at night on an old 2 lane road with grass about 4 feet tall on the side of the road. It scared the hell outta me waiting for some deer to run out in front of me.

Yes, I'm also running a VVME 35W H.I.D. system.  The driving lights I posted will widen your field of vision greatly.  They will light up the side of the road by about 20 feet or so.  Mine are mounted down low which I like.  The driving lights light up the whole front (up close) and sides of the road.   They however DO NOT throw a laser beam of light down range........That's what the H.I.D. does   I don't worry about creatures at night any more.  I'll (hopefully) will see their eyes glowing long before I reach them . 

[kzz1king]

Did you wire them separate with a switch or do they come on with the high beam? Do you run the HID on high to see way down the road and use the aux lights for up closer and ditches? Sounds like I may have to get some more lights!
Wayne