A Brief " How To" on V-Star Wiring.

I've finally made the time to finish the latest transformation of my VStar. For this entry, instead of outlining what has been purchased because my previous post has already done so, I will outline a quick wiring “how to”. For starters, my VStars current signal and brake light wiring was moved from the previous location under the fender, to it’s new home along the frame/swing arm. With the stock fender, you can find the bulk of the wiring located behind the tail light. Yamaha uses bullet terminals that can easily be unhooked. For better access, after removing the seat, you can simply loosen the 4 bolts found at the front of the struts located on either side of the bike holding the fender in place. Remove the two rear most bolts that were previously loosened on either side of the bike, and lift the fender up. A quick hint at this point, you may want to find something to aid in holding the fender up while you work. Otherwise, a headache may be in your eminent future. I’m currently running single filament bulb bullet signals that were discussed in one of my earlier postings. Thus, each rear signal requires only two wires, a hot, and ground. The OEM wiring harness colors for the 07 model VStar Custom signals are green/black and brown/black. The tail light uses the same styled bullet terminal connectors as the signals. The wiring for this consists of a black ground, and 2 hot wires. One is for a running light, and the other for when the brake is applied. For my current project however, all of the wiring was removed from underneath the OEM fender as that too was also removed. Again, using Yamaha’s bullet terminals for a quick disconnect, this task was made easy. If you plan on replacing the signals, brake light, or both as I have, you can find the bullet wiring terminals at most auto parts stores. Then it’s just a matter of crimping a new end on the newly acquired light’s wires to match the current Yamaha set up. The after market brake light I purchased has red, yellow, and a black ground. Due to the new placement of the tail light on the swing arm, some of the OEM wiring was removed completely, alleviating unnecessary extra wiring strapped to the frame. My current signal wires are hidden inside the struts, and follow them down to the base of the swing arm. I’ve joined them with the rest of the OEM wiring harness located on the left side of the bike. I have the union held in place on the swing arm with zip ties. The tail light wiring simply follows the curve of the swing arm around the side of the bike where the new license plate and brake light are located. The removal of wiring required that I install new wiring terminals for both the harness end (female) and tail light end (male). This enables me to quickly remove the lights without having a need for completely re-splicing into the wiring harness. All exposed wiring, such as that leading to the side mount license plate can be covered with corrugated plastic wire loom. I’ve posted pictures above of the side mount plate, and newly acquired fender. This is my personal blog, and I'm apt to make mistakes. If you feel I've left anything out, or If you have any questions about this most recent modification to my VStar, please feel free to ask. As always…ride safe.

As I expected now that school has started, I have far less time for my VStar. Though I haven't been able to do much to complete the current project, I will go ahead and post a picture of what it looks like with everything drilled and bolted down. I intended to powdercoat the license plate I made, along with the fender struts. Unfortunately, the powdercoat business I've been using is up for sale. I guess I will have to find an alternative place, or simply paint them. All in good time though. For now, I still have to mod a small section of the fender. The OEM Yamaha fender has a slight divit for the seat to rest in, so looks like I'll have to do a little trimming on the new fender to get the seat to rest flat on the frame. All that is left after that is just a tad bit of wiring, and painting, but I plan to give better details later so I will stop for now. Ride safe....

New Fender for the VStar

Though I haven't completed the task at hand, I'll go ahead while I have time and update my status. I decided after finishing up with the side mount plate that I would go another direction. The previous design did not look well with the tail light I'm currently using, so I decided simplicity would be best. Relying on my past, I dredged up skills I haven't used since first grade. Though tracing a license plate and light are somewhat different than making hand shaped turkeys at Thanksgiving, the general concept is the same. Yes, making the side mount plate was truly that simple. After a couple of minutes with the jigsaw and a little sanding, it was done. I've also re-routed and zip tied the wires to the swing arm. I will detail more on that later. Now, the fender, as I mentioned before, was going to be cut short. However, after a better look, and a brief mock up, I've decided to leave the fender long. I did modify the struts for a better fit. The small extensions that the bolts pass through were cut, and ground down evenly with the rest of the strut. Now the struts fit firmly against the side of the fender, without the need for drilling oversized holes. I may still shave just a little, no more than an inch or so, off the bottom of the fender for a bit of individual style. I've always been one to strive for that unique look, and refuse to have a straight out of the box bike. For paint, I've looked into ordering the 2007 Yamaha Vstar OEM black from the ColorRite website for just the fender, but have also considered having the tank, along with the fender repainted with a black other than the stock color. I guess time, and the availability of extra money will tell. I will try to finish the install, and get a few more pictures up by this weekend. Unfortunately, I can't have it painted that fast, but at least the pics will give you an idea of the new look. Again, I will certainly try to share more details of this project as time permits. Until then...ride safe.

Out with the old...

And in with the new! Now that it's the start of a new year, what better time to change a few things out on my VStar. As I've mentioned, I've been debating on changing the fender, and adding a side mount plate. Well, progress has finally starting moving in that direction. I purchased a new steel Roller fender from a seller on Ebay. It was very reasonably priced when compared to buying a used Classic fender, but even more so when considering the other new fender options that were available. I paid less than $120 shipped. You can see from the pics, though it's not mounted, and merely resting on the tire, that it is a full fender which allows for many different design options. I currently have a few that I'm thinking about, but really don't have an aversion with leaving it as it is. I will have to decide soon, as my winter break is over, and school is starting next week. This is my Senior year, and college classes have become really intense, so I'm sure my time will be limited. However, the time I've had this weekend I spent cutting out my side mount plate design. I sketched it out on paper, cut it out, transferred that design to sheet metal, and used a jigsaw to cut it out. I had to make a trip to Home Depot this evening for a couple of cut off wheels for my Dremel tool so I could clean it up a bit. The jigsaw left a few places that were a bit hard to get to, so the Dremel will come in handy for those. I've resolved to use the previous tail light due to the issues I've had with the one that was recently purchased. It's not that there is anything wrong with the light, but adding a different light that performs the same function as the old one, entirely defeats the purpose of swapping them. Besides, the older light was much brighter. As the wife pointed out, it's also much safer. The seller admitted that there was a mix-up, and the wrong light was sent. Though I will lose some of what was spent for shipping, I will receive a refund for the light. So for now, I will use the same lights that I've had. I do have another idea in mind, but I'll save that for later. My plate is full enough as it is, don't think I'll attempt to add any more until I manage to finish with some of what I've started. I do plan to make time to post a few more pics with the current progression. Until then...ride safe!

The Last Disappointment of the Year

As the title suggests, I have disappointing news to report. I finally made time today for the installation of my new tail light. Unfortunately, when preparing to wire in the new light, I discovered what was shipped to me was not what I ordered. First off, the metal support on the back of the light was bent. I wasn't worried much though because I was already planning on making a side mount license plate, and would mount the light there. No big deal. However, I soon realized that the light appeared to be missing a couple of wires. What do we have? Run...yes, stop...yes, ground...yes, signals...NO! I was going to give the Ebay seller a chance to rectify the situation. I've sent him a message explaining my dilemma, but have had no respose yet. I went back to check the listing, and it has been deleted. I did however look through my purchase history, and the title for the listing cleary states it is an integrated run/turn/stop light. I will give the seller the benefit of the doubt, and blame his inattentiveness to my situation on the Holiday.I plan on giving him a few more days, and then will be forced to file a claim with Ebay. Despite this unwelcome set back, I have managed to pick up a piece of sheet metal, and draw out a template for my license plate/light combo. I'm also currently scouring Ebay for a fender, or fender blank that can be cut, and shaped to follow along with the direction of my build. I may simply pick up a used Vstar Classic fender and modify it, or pick up an after market fender. So long as it contours around the tire, and leaves enough length on the end to shape,I'll be happy. I will post more on this later. Well it's almost time to go ring in the new year, so I will sign off one last time for 2011. I hope the new year brings all of you happiness, good health, prosperity, and plenty of good riding weather. See you in 2012....ride safe.

Tail Light and Signals Revisited

If you've been following along with this blog from the beginning, you already know I've previously replaced the OEM tail light, and rear turn signals. However, my recent thoughts are to replace both with an integrated run/turn/stop light. I'm thinking, while I'm at it, I may pick up a small piece of sheet metal and make a side mount license plate. If so, I plan on mounting the new tail light to it instead of back in the stock position. I've purchased what is referred to as a cat's eye styled tail light due to the uncanny resemblance it's shape bears to that of an actual cat's eye. My decision to purchase the integrated light is driven by my thoughts of replacing, or customizing the current rear fender. Removing the tail light, and current license plate mount will significantly increase the range of rear fender options. If I do remove the current signals completely from the rear fender, I may try to incorporate them in with the front signals giving either side of the headlight a dual setup. One pair of the signals will remain as running lights, while the other will be strictly signals. The idea is to wire them both to flash when signaling left or right, then have the dual filament lights simply remain on after the turn is complete. With the Holiday season upon us, my time for the bike will be limited as much of this time is spent with the family. I'm sure I'll manage to squeeze a little extra time out eventually though, and will repost later with pics of the light, and perhaps the install. I will certainly give more details then including my design ideas for all that I have planned. Until then...enjoy the Holidays, and ride safe.

My VStar is now much more visible at night. I’m happy to announce that the addition of the extra strip of lights, achieved exactly what I’d hoped for. The purple, or more appropriately called UV lights, have had somewhat of an entrancing effect though, and I feel now that I might want to add even more elsewhere on the bike. I am still mulling over fender options, and different ideas for the back of the bike, so I don’t think I’ll attempt to add anything there yet. I have thought about adding some temporarily behind the Kury axle covers, and perhaps find a way to add some near or under the triple trees. I still have the 4 individual lights that were purchased originally from a delusional seller on eBay, listing them as a complete bike lighting kit. Unbeknownst to me, the only thing complete about the listing was the fact it completely misrepresented the product. So now I’m stuck with the 4 small individual lights, and have the perplexing task of planning a way to incorporate them on my bike, or feel that I totally wasted money on them. My current thought leads me in the direction of the triple trees, or perhaps a little higher into the riser/bar area. I considered somewhere along the lower fork tubes, and perhaps even down around the fork bullets, but don’t really like the idea of wire running the length of the front end. For now though, I’ll enjoy what I have, and the gained attention derived from the curious onlookers wondering if they are being invaded by little green biker men from Mars. The pictures I’ve included show where the lights were placed along the top double back bone of the VStar , and again on both sides of the lower frame. Their placement is a bit closer to the heated areas of the bike than I would like, but after a couple of rides allowing the engine to fully warm up, everything appears to be ok. Thus far, I haven’t had to clean melted LED strip lights off of the lower side of the engine, or exhaust. So for now, I’ll assume they have found their permanent home, and I’ll continue my quest to find more unique ways to make my VStar stand out from the crowd. Until my next post….ride safe!