With the onset of warm weather, the bicycle season comes. Every cycling enthusiast prepares his vehicle for use. Indeed, during the winter storage, his condition and performance could change.
The serviceability of all nodes is checked, if necessary, parts are lubricated and tires replaced if they are worn out during the last operating season. You can also often find various types of upgrades, such as painting discs or frames with fluorescent paint or bright LED lights on a bicycle.
Currently, the so-called custom bikes, or cycle bikes, are widely used. They are designed completely by hand, so the masters have no problems how to install the backlight on a bicycle. Their distinctive feature is an elongated and lowered frame. The total length of such a bike can reach more than 2 meters. Due to the fact that the distance between the rear wheel and pedals increases, the dimensions of the chain are very impressive. Its length can be several times longer than on a regular bicycle. Such home-made vehicles are often equipped with various types of highlights or enhancements, which makes it possible to attract even more attention to them.
How to make a bike light?
The presence of highlighting elements of the bike allows it to look most spectacular in the dark. In order to install light elements, you will need the simplest installation and soldering skills. Having patience and desire and having the necessary tools in stock, you should not experience difficulties in deciding on how to make a highlight on a bicycle.
Materials and equipment
But first you need to get some materials and tools. For work you will need:
- LED strip, preferably waterproof. It can be purchased at an online store or at any mall specializing in electronic products.
- 12 volt battery. You can use several weaker batteries placed in a special box.
- The light controller. It will allow you to set various backlight modes and the ability to switch between them.
- A bag in which the battery will be located. You can use a bag for keys.
- Cable for connecting batteries and LED strip.
- Double - sided tape for fixing LED elements on bicycle parts.
- Gun with hot glue. It will help to cope with the task of how to put the backlight on the bike firmly in those places where double-sided tape is powerless.
We measure materials
Having in stock all these devices, you can proceed directly to the decorative work. Initially, it is worth deciding on the place where you need to fix the LED strip, and pre-measure the necessary piece. It is also worth considering how to make the backlight on the bike so that it turns out to be as bright and noticeable as possible. If in a hurry the cut piece of the LED strip turns out to be small, then it can be thrown away. You should also decide where the wires will be located so that they are not accidentally damaged during operation.
It will be most practical to use several pieces of LED strip for individual elements. For example, two for wheels and one for a frame. Batteries are recommended to be placed in the seat bag. This will protect them from moisture in the event of precipitation. The length of the wires should be enough to connect the tape to the battery. This should be taken into account when determining their required sizes.
Wire preparation
In order to connect the LED strip to the wire, you need to solder them. To do this, cut off pieces of tape of the required length and strip the place of the proposed soldering from insulating materials. If the insulation is firmly glued to the tape wires, then it can be slightly heated with an industrial hairdryer. After softening, remove. Avoid getting hot air on the LEDs. This may render them unusable. The presence of non-luminous elements on the tape will significantly degrade the quality of the backlight.
Soldering wires
Next, you need to degrease the contact points of the wires and solder them to each other. The place of adhesion is perfectly insulated with a thermal gun. A layer of glue will protect the metal from external influences and moisture and will give flexibility and elasticity in this place, which will help to avoid a break.
Glue the LED strip
Before sticking the tape on the bicycle elements, they must first be degreased with alcohol or another solvent. It is worth gluing it from one end, gradually removing the substrate. It is necessary to firmly press the tape to the part in order to avoid its peeling off. On the bends of the bicycle frame, it is recommended to use double-sided tape, since the adhesive base of the light elements is not able to firmly fix in these places. Light controllers usually have two-way fasteners for connecting to the battery and wires that are connected to the LEDs.
After connecting all the wires of the circuit, a home-made backlight mounted on a bicycle is able to hit passers-by with its appearance and originality. How vibe, everything is not at all complicated. If you do all the manipulations yourself, from start to finish, then the question of how to make a highlight on a bicycle will no longer arise.
In addition, there are other options for modifications to the vehicle, which can be done with ease with your own hands, owning the initial skills of handling professional tools.