New auxiliary lights on the Norge

[ITSec]

While there were some old threads on this, they're pretty old - so I thought I'd just start a new one.

For all my long-distance riding on the Norge, I've never added driving lights till now. However, I found a pair of lights on eBay that were too good a deal to pass up - 30-degree spread, quality CREE LED sources, a two-year warranty, good reviews and only $25 (red suspender content). I probably spent that much again in creating a mount for them, but the result was worth it. They are much brighter than the stock lights (which are among the best factory lights in the business); the spread is similar to the low beams, the reach is about 25% further than the high beams. Using a count test in a remote rural area, I was seeing things roughly 35-40 seconds before I reached them at 70 mph - that's roughly 5/8 of a mile, or a full kilometer.

I used an aluminum L-channel, about 20 inches long, and mounted it to the bottom of the fairing using 8mm machine screws, large washers and nylock nuts. I considered using a backing plate inside the fairing, but it was just too difficult to place it under the fairing rail.

Here's some photos:

One of the lights with its mounting parts (included):



The aluminum bracket, drilled on my drill press, prior to paint:



Lights and mount (post Ironbutt ride with freshly installed bug guts):



Lit up with high beams:

[PJPR01]

Fantastic!  Any night time pics as well to share?

[steven c]

 Those look nice. Have a link to the EBAY site?

[JeffOlson]

Very nice!

[ITSec]

Fantastic!  Any night time pics as well to share?

Night pics to come - couldn't stop for them while on the IBA ride.

[ITSec]

Those look nice. Have a link to the EBAY site?

Actually, it was Amazon I ended up buying through, since they have a better return policy. See http://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Driving-Mounting-Bracket-Warranty/dp/B00G620ZVU?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

[twowings]

That looks mighty good!   

[pressureangle]

Sweet! You can never have too much headlight.

[ITSec]

Just to refresh this topic, the price for these lights has now dropped to less than $15 a pair. The listing no longer mentions CREE LEDs, but at that price they may still be a good buy.

[bettythebear]

Any interest in fabbing up the bars?

[ITSec]

Any interest in fabbing up the bars?

It's really pretty simple - your local Lowe's or Home Depot can sell you a 24" piece of 1" aluminum L channel extrusion. Cut it to 20" and use this template to guide your work. http://people.delphiforums.com/ITSecurity/Norge/LightBarNorgev0-1.pdf

Use a rotary tool with a couple of metal cutting disks (you'll go through a couple), if you want holes just tape the template sections onto the metal and drill as indicated using a wood block behind the channel. A drill press is much better than a hand drill for this as you can be much more consistent and get a professional looking result. After cutting and any drilling, use a grinding stone on the rotary tool to do a quick dress-up of the edges and ensure no sharp scrap or corners exist. Then spray paint using a combined primer/paint - I used Krylon's low gloss black designed for metal including aluminum.

[wymple]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18W-CREE-LED-Driving-Fog-Spot-Light-Roof-Off-Road-4X4-A

Free shipping ebay.

[wymple]

So, I ordered a pair of these from fleabay, 16.99 shipped, and they arrived today. Tonight I went out and hooked one up to my truck battery and I must say they are brighter than any other low priced driving lights I've spent money on, and by far. I'm pretty impressed.