Tech Q: spacing of indicators

I've been looking at a bike rear light unit which has LED bulbs and
indicators buit in to the extreme corners. Fantastic on the face of it
- no more bulbs blown by vibes, but better yet, a way to get rid of the
sticky-out indicators that foul throwovers. However, in the back of my
mind is a minimum spacing - do indicators have to be 300mm apart or is
my dodgy memory playing tricks?

I've checked the online MoT tester's manual and there's no mention of
it there and I can't find C&U regs for bikes. There's Type Approval
Euro-documents and the most relevant section mentions a minimum gap of
180mm between the closest lighted areas. There isn't 180mm between
these, for sure:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/230498990877

But the thing is E-marked, although the seller cautions buyers it is
their responsibility to check compliance with their countries' regs. I
don't suppose a MoT tester would kick it out, neither would Plod tug me
for it ... probably. Might be one more thing to stick me for if
tugged, however.

What does the FOAK reckon?

 

I'd be more worried about half blind fuckers not noticing the flashing
indicator, as it's so close to the tail light - seems to be a big issue
with LEDs in particular.

Look at the tail lights on a recent Passat - when the tail lights are
on, it's incredibly hard to see the indicator.

I did read an explanation for it somewhere, but can't recall where.

 

what's behind you doesn't matter

 

This would be my concern too.

My lad fitted an led tail tight incorporating indicators on his VFR400.
I've never really liked it, although it does make the back end tidier.

 

C&U isn't online, but the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations are.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/7/made

 

Spotted some on a Gixxer at the weekend.

Gash.

 

Thanks for that, the question is answered.

 

Shame. I thought it was a neat solution, but it appears that apart
from the Style Police standpoint, a rethink is in order.

 

Champ used to say that - until he was taken roughly from behind at
Oulton Park.

 

Good points. Not legal anyway, and whilst not being overly concerned
about that, giving an excuse for a pull is never a good idea.

 

You're quite right, you know. We've discussed this at home, wrt
several makes of car which have gone over to LED rear lights.
Blindingly apparent in darkness, much less so in daylight and
particularly in strong sunlight.

Does the Passat have a circular indicator in the middle of a ring of
red LEDs for the tail light? If it is, I'm in agreement. The
explanation is something to do with perceived contrast, I think. A 21W
flasher bulb is always going to be visible next to a 5W tail bulb, but
with LEDs it doesn't seem to work that way.

 

Absobloodylutely. They seem to have a much narrower angle of
obviousness too. And it's not just the rears, I've noticed it with
front indicators too when there's bright sunlight reflecting off the
headlights.

 

<dwb>

" "

</dwb>

 

I rather like the front, daylight running LED's on the bigger Audis.
they dim right down when the indicator is in use. A very sensible idea
IMHO.

 

Could this be because (AIUI) they use PWM to modify the brightness of
the brake / tail lights with LED's? I can see the pulses being in sync
and creating the visibility issues that I can certainly relate to. Range
Rovers are similar IME.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
#www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Can't remember - might be the other way around.

But the problem still exists, either way.

 

Without reading it all, my B12 has this fitted
http://www.banditmania.co.uk/Lights Fairings/IN YOUR FACE CLUSTER.JPG
Which has passed MOT's and can be fitted with LED blubs. Very easy to fit.

 

<CT>

Gash

</ct>

 

<Loz>

" "

</loz>

 

Fucking hurt, that did - my daughter wasn't too impressed either.

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Inter-Continental Hyperbolistic Missile , CBR600F-W racebike
in the making, TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)