April 3-6, 2008: April Fool's Ride in Arkansas!

[safiri]

I am actually up for a 25-30 mile night loop...I am running stock setup on the KTM, but I run a double bulb, so it is pretty darn bright. If we had a night with some decent moonlight, it may be worth a go.

Do you mean that on high you run both filaments of one bulb??? If so, I assume the stock KTM reflector and lens and bulb (H4?) handles the extra heat?

[electrician]

thats what I thought... dosen't it melt the plastic lens, or burn the bulb out quickly?
I think I have read everything I can find on adding a rectifier/battery/larger stator for bikes with out a battery or with crappy lighting. If any one has questions, I would happily send them all the links I have found useful.

[MoRidin]

I have the bug light on my KTM. Mike, you have the good light...the one that uses the actual H4. The bug light uses the BA20...some crazy euro looking thing.

Anyway, each side is 35 watts...running both does not seem to generate any extra heat at all. I ran it around on both beams for about 20 mins and it was not even warm...cool actually. The stator puts out 70 or so on the lighting side, so it is a great fit. I am running a n LED setup on the rear, so only about 2-3 watts goes there...the result is a REALLY bright light on the cheap. Cost me about .01 in solder. I have a clean regular bulb, so it only takes a few secs to swap out if need be.

[safiri]

I have the bug light on my KTM. Mike, you have the good light...the one that uses the actual H4. The bug light uses the BA20...some crazy euro looking thing.

Anyway, each side is 35 watts...running both does not seem to generate any extra heat at all. I ran it around on both beams for about 20 mins and it was not even warm...cool actually. The stator puts out 70 or so on the lighting side, so it is a great fit. I am running a n LED setup on the rear, so only about 2-3 watts goes there...the result is a REALLY bright light on the cheap. Cost me about .01 in solder. I have a clean regular bulb, so it only takes a few secs to swap out if need be.

Ok, that makes sense. The H4 is about 55W on low and 60W on high. So either is about equivalent to your 70W with both filaments. There are H4 bulbs with higher wattage high beams ... up to 100W or so. That might be pushing it on a stock reflector.

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswag ... ting/113/2

[electrician]

LED is awsome technology, though sad it has taken this long to get it out in the market for lighting that's not related to indicator lights, or other IC purposes. I was buying led's at radio shack in the 80's...
PIAA has some kick ass led stuff. I've even seen a 2 million candle power LED spot that I'm sure we could get hooked up to a bike, which probably really consumes about 150 watt.....if we all had 2 million candle power or better, it would probably look like daylight or brighter on the trails at night. Let's see....35 people approaching Oark out of the trails around 2am, producing 70 million candle power, or about 5350 watts LED.... curious.....

[safiri]

LED is awsome technology, though sad it has taken this long to get it out in the market for lighting that's not related to indicator lights, or other IC purposes. I was buying led's at radio shack in the 80's...
PIAA has some kick ass led stuff. I've even seen a 2 million candle power LED spot that I'm sure we could get hooked up to a bike, which probably really consumes about 150 watt.....if we all had 2 million candle power or better, it would probably look like daylight or brighter on the trails at night. Let's see....35 people approaching Oark out of the trails around 2am, producing 70 million candle power, or about 5350 watts LED.... curious.....

We would all need sunscreen!

And bulletproof vests to ward off all of the buckshot that would be headed our way from the locals.

[rxcrider]

Stu - While I appreciate the pain and suffering a foreign prison offers our potentially offensive "friend", I feel that the costs involved outweigh the potential joy of watching someone suffer. When all is said and done, the $500 would turn into an easy $2000. I feel a much better penalty would be a raffle; say $60 tickets @ $10 each. And what does the winner get? The offenders bike of course! Troy pockets the extra $100 for his trouble and the offender has the first option of buying all the tickets.

I understand $500. That is, you can swagger about smoking Cuban cigars, martini in hand, accept gifts from lesser riders, whatever, but to tear up the property will land you in Troy's personal hell which is deportation to a Chinese jail Got it.

Stu

[Stu]

May I suggest a possible alternative to extend the pain & suffering?

Dismember the offender's bike and raffle off the pieces. Everyone would be obliged to purchase at least one raffle ticket. The offender would be allowed to keep the case half with the engine number and the frame head race with the VIN. EVERYONE else gets booty to haul off, waving parts over their heads and screeching to the raucous tunes of a hurdy-gurdy on our way out. Troy can manage that instrument since his Husky has such brash colors. Goes right with it.

Stu

[rxcrider]

We need to make sure Randy & Sandy get one of the big beds with a room that offers some decent privacy.

Why? - Sandy can't seem to keep from taking pictures of me changing in the woods where about my privacy?

[rxcrider]

May I suggest a possible alternative to extend the pain & suffering?

Dismember the offender's bike and raffle off the pieces. Everyone would be obliged to purchase at least one raffle ticket. The offender would be allowed to keep the case half with the engine number and the frame head race with the VIN. EVERYONE else gets booty to haul off, waving parts over their heads and screeching to the raucous tunes of a hurdy-gurdy on our way out. Troy can manage that instrument since his Husky has such brash colors. Goes right with it.

Stu

Stu - knock it off - I'm trying to get a second bike here! Now All I have to do is dress like Randy and go tearing around on that 525!

[rxcrider]

I am actually up for a 25-30 mile night loop...I am running stock setup on the KTM, but I run a double bulb, so it is pretty darn bright. If we had a night with some decent moonlight, it may be worth a go.

I'm in, but we have to do it the first night while we still have headlights!

[MoRidin]

I'm in, but we have to do it the first night while we still have headlights!

Crap...is Mike's bike coming? That thing owes me TWO...count 'em TWO headlights.

Nevermind, I forgot, he is riding that girls bike now !

[troy]

I am actually up for a 25-30 mile night loop...

Sounds like fun, but....from my experience, I give the ride my all during the day. By the time I get back to the lodge, I'm ready to shower up, eat, and relax before getting to bed to rest up for the next great day of riding. I wrote a song about it. Goes a little something like this:

Writing Poetry Does Not Make Me Gay
by Troy Wolf
Stuck at work, daydreamin' of the ride
Look out the window, it's snowin' outside
While some brave the weather, despite the cold
Between my legs, my tail will hide

The forest is calling, the trail is rough
Bikes are being prepped, and all that stuff
Lodging reserved, caterers on call
April can't get here fast enough

Some talk with fondness of riding at night
The next rock exposed by glow of their headlight
While that sounds exciting, and I hope you have fun
I'll ride with the sun, and sleep in the moonlight!

[MoRidin]

Troy...that is a bit weird brother. You been around epoxy or other strong glues recently?

[Mike Wowk]

I am getting closer to making a decision about being able to go. Haven't talked to my Wife yet, But I was for sure working that weekend and now I should be free. It sucked that I missed the last one. And nobody can blame any broken headlights on me.... I have NEVER broken another riders light... Now perhaps
Re-Todd riding my SXC could have done it.... But t'wasn't me And like ya know Mo.... I'm riding a sissy mini bike with a trials tire and Rekluse... It don't spin.

[chadman]

I am actually up for a 25-30 mile night loop...I am running stock setup on the KTM, but I run a double bulb, so it is pretty darn bright. If we had a night with some decent moonlight, it may be worth a go.

I have aways wanted to try a night ride, but never done it! I might want to join you guys and give it a shot if I can get my headlight working. I put in one of those fancy stators, 60 watt light bulb, and helmet light, but I messed something up on my bike. Anytime I turn on the lights it seems to drain the battery as I ride. Even with a stock 30-35 watt bulb running for my headlight the battery will run out as I ride. I have tried to fix it, but have not had any luck yet. Chad

[Mike Wowk]

I'll do the night ride also. Even with a stock headlight it's pretty cool. We did our first night ride at Wayne NF this Summer.... Ended up with a broken finger and a cast from my finger tips to the middle of my forearm, But it was still fun.

[KC]

have aways wanted to try a night ride, but never done it! I might want to join you guys and give it a shot if I can get my headlight working. I put in one of those fancy stators, 60 watt light bulb, and helmet light, but I messed something up on my bike. Anytime I turn on the lights it seems to drain the battery as I ride. Even with a stock 30-35 watt bulb running for my headlight the battery will run out as I ride. I have tried to fix it, but have not had any luck yet. Chad

If the bike is properly fused then I doubt there are any wiring issues from the battery to the load(lights, etc.) Focus in on the Stator installation and associated wiring, it just isn't charging the battery.
Good luck!

[electrician]

Troy...that is a bit weird brother. You been around epoxy or other strong glues recently?

he's sniffing the epoxy from rewinding his stator to a 200 watt......

[electrician]

have aways wanted to try a night ride, but never done it! I might want to join you guys and give it a shot if I can get my headlight working. I put in one of those fancy stators, 60 watt light bulb, and helmet light, but I messed something up on my bike. Anytime I turn on the lights it seems to drain the battery as I ride. Even with a stock 30-35 watt bulb running for my headlight the battery will run out as I ride. I have tried to fix it, but have not had any luck yet. Chad

If the bike is properly fused then I doubt there are any wiring issues from the battery to the load(lights, etc.) Focus in on the Stator installation and associated wiring, it just isn't charging the battery.
Good luck!

Your battery might not have enough capacity. I have talked to Ricky Stator about this issue...they say that any stator/regulator/battery system with lighting or loads above 80 watts needs to have a battery that has at least 4 amp. hour capacity. Sealed lead acid batts are the most economical, and work well, and can be installed on their side (horizonally). They also say that ni-cads are trouble...don't know why.....
Your electrical load might exceed what the rectifier/regulator is trying to produce for charging, causing draining on the battery. Your stator output cannot be calculated to your charging amperage directly...there will be some loss... also, I agree that you probably don't have a wiring issue....maybe just batt capacity. A 4 amp/hr sealed lead acid will be about 3"x4"x6", and cost about $40. A lot of stock dualsport batts are about 850 mil amp/hr, up to 2 amp/hr, which don't work well with over sized stators, or systems that push over 80-100 watts.
If you think you do still have a wiring issue, make sure the new stator is wired "single output".