Adding brake lights with 4-wire turn signals - Part 2

[detours]

At last, I got the connectors I ordered and was able to finish installation of my 4-wire LED signals. This part was really simple and they work great!

If you wanted, you could do the whole thing with quick splices. But I hate to cut stock wiring unless I have to. This way, everything is easily disconnected if something fails or I need to remove it.

Here's the parts list:

• Triple 3.5mm bullet terminal kit ... click here for ebay link. Or search for 'Triple 3.5mm Bullet Terminal with insulators' if the listing expires.
• 2-4 inches of 16 gauge automotive wire (auto parts store)
• 1 x 16 gauge (blue) quick splice connector (auto parts store)
• Electrical crimping pliers
• Small knife

Here's a link to my turn signal installation guide. It's time-consuming because you have to take the tail end apart to access the bolts.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=16749

[detours]

Turn the key off to do electrical work like this. 12 volts isn't enough to hurt you (you can't even feel it), but you could still short out something by mistake. Many recommend disconnecting the battery.

For the tail lights, you need a constant power source. The license plate light is a good choice for this. In this step, I turn the clamp on the 3.5mm triple connector into a bullet so it can plug into the license plate power wire.

1. Use your pliers to close the open prongs until they are small enough to plug into the 3.5 mm open end. Make it as round as you can for a good connection.
2. Test the fit with your other triple connector.

[detours]

The goal here is to plug the white tail light bullets and the brown license plate bullet into the triple connector, and the triple connector into the license plate power wire. We only need the power wire. We already connected the turn signal's ground wire in Part 1.

1. Remove the seats and open the electrical panel if you haven't yet.
2. Find the brown wire from the license plate and unplug it.
3. Peel back the rubber boot from the brown tail light bullet.
4. Slide the clear boot over the brown bullet. Push it through the molded hole and slide it all the way back onto the wire.
5. Plug in the white tail light bullets and the brown bullet into the triple connector (in any order).
6. Plug the end of the triple connector (that you modified) into the open end of the brown wire. Make sure it seats well and is not loose.
7. Slide the clear boot over the triple connector.

[detours]

Before you move on, test your connections.

1. Turn the key to light up the tail section.
2. The red part of the new turn signals should light up.
3. The license plate light should light up.
4. If anything doesn't work, check your connections.

[detours]

Prep the second triple connector for the brake lights.

1. Cut 2-4 inches of 16 gauge wire.
2. Strip 1/4 inch off one end and twist the wires.
3. Lay the stripped end into clamp of the triple connector.
4. Use your electrical pliers to clamp around the wire. The large clamp goes around the plastic insulation. The small clamp goes around the bare wire.
5. Be sure the connection is tight.

[detours]

Use a quick-connect to splice onto the brake light. The brake light is the large 3-wire harness inside the big rubber boot. The quick-connect punches a pin through both wires and creates a secure splice.

Don't worry about the ground wire. The 4-wire turn signal uses its own ground wire and we hooked it up in Part 1.

1. Disconnect the brake connector by using a small screwdriver to release the locking pin.
2. Using a small sharp knife, carefully cut open the plastic sheath. We just want to get inside the sheath. DO NOT cut any wires.
3. Identify the green wire with a yellow stripe. This is the brake light power.
4. Slide a blue quick-connect over the green wire with yellow stripe.
5. Slide the closed end of your prepped blue wire into the other side.
6. Make sure both wires are fully inserted. Then fold the cover over the top.
7. Use a pair of pliers to snap it closed. It may take a lot of effort.

[detours]

Last step!

1. Plug the brake light connector back together.
2. Plug the red bullet connectors from the four-wire turn signal into the triple connector (in any order).
3. Make sure all connections are secure.

[detours]

Now test your connections.

1. Turn the key to light up the tail section.
2. The turn signals should work.
3. The red part of the tail light should light up.
4. The license plate light should light up.
5. Apply the brakes. All three red running lights should get brighter.
6. If anything doesn't work, re-check your connections.
7. Carefully push the wiring inside the boot as flat as possible.
8. Replace the electrical panel.
9. Retest the lights one more time to make sure nothing came loose.

[detours]

... Or go for a ride.

[dpl096]

Absolutely fantastic Detours !

[detours]

Thanks! I think this will really help visibility from behind.

[rideabout]

Thanks Detours!

[dpl096]

Ordered my Detours Lighting Kit this morning

[woodlandsprite]

Detours, thank you for the most excellent tutorial.
Now that it's hot here in the desert (record breaking 117 yesterday!) my riding is curtailed - working in the garage won't be fun in this kind of heat, but at least it will keep me touching the bike and what luck, I have some spare quick splice connectors from when I had to fix my pinched wire problem affecting my cooling fans

[Jay In Milpitas]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

- working in the garage won't be fun in this kind of heat, but at least it will keep me touching the bike

Dining room, Sprite. I keep saying it.