Pathfinder LED Installation Question
- Bentrider
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 2:34 pm
- Location: Clio, Michigan
- Motorcycle: 1989 GL1500 Commodore Blue
Pathfinder LED Installation Question
I read the DIY guide on installing the 1st generation SoCal LED lights. It appears that the drivers and connectors go into the square hole on the right side of the bike. Do the 2nd generation drivers go into the same square hole? Do you secure them some way or just push them through and let them hang? It seems like there are moving parts back there (like forks) that could damage the drivers.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21606
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Pathfinder LED Installation Question
I push them through, then zip-tie them in place so they aren't dangling around where they might interfere with anything.Bentrider wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2019 6:29 pmI read the DIY guide on installing the 1st generation SoCal LED lights. It appears that the drivers and connectors go into the square hole on the right side of the bike. Do the 2nd generation drivers go into the same square hole? Do you secure them some way or just push them through and let them hang? It seems like there are moving parts back there (like forks) that could damage the drivers.
- MikeB
- Posts: 3174
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: Pathfinder LED Installation Question
I wrestled with the same issue as to where to place the driver modules. I had wanted to put them through the rectangular holes in the fairing but securing them is a bit of a problem, unless you have the hands of an 8 year old.
I ended up attaching them to the fairing behind the headlight assembly. I used 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double sided adhesive tape. It worked quite well.
I ended up attaching them to the fairing behind the headlight assembly. I used 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double sided adhesive tape. It worked quite well.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Bentrider
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 2:34 pm
- Location: Clio, Michigan
- Motorcycle: 1989 GL1500 Commodore Blue
Re: Pathfinder LED Installation Question
Thanks Mike, great idea. I especially appreciate the pictures. It shows exactly where to put the drivers for clearance.MikeB wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:10 amI wrestled with the same issue as to where to place the driver modules. I had wanted to put them through the rectangular holes in the fairing but securing them is a bit of a problem, unless you have the hands of an 8 year old.
I ended up attaching them to the fairing behind the headlight assembly. I used 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double sided adhesive tape. It worked quite well.
IMG_20190724_142930401.jpgIMG_20190724_142443960.jpgIMG_20190724_142436999.jpg
- Bentrider
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 2:34 pm
- Location: Clio, Michigan
- Motorcycle: 1989 GL1500 Commodore Blue
Re: Pathfinder LED Installation Question
Thanks again Mike. I mounted the drivers like you did and it worked great. AND the 3M VHB tape is awesome! 90 lbs holding force per square inch. Wow!Bentrider wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2019 7:25 amThanks Mike, great idea. I especially appreciate the pictures. It shows exactly where to put the drivers for clearance.MikeB wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:10 amI wrestled with the same issue as to where to place the driver modules. I had wanted to put them through the rectangular holes in the fairing but securing them is a bit of a problem, unless you have the hands of an 8 year old.
I ended up attaching them to the fairing behind the headlight assembly. I used 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double sided adhesive tape. It worked quite well.
IMG_20190724_142930401.jpgIMG_20190724_142443960.jpgIMG_20190724_142436999.jpg
- MikeB
- Posts: 3174
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: Pathfinder LED Installation Question
You are most welcome. Yes, the 3M VHB tape is great stuff.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21606
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Pathfinder LED Installation Question
I use the VHB tape for EVERYTHING. Prep is important - I clean the surfaces being bonded together with rubbing alcohol first.Bentrider wrote: ↑Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:40 pmThanks again Mike. I mounted the drivers like you did and it worked great. AND the 3M VHB tape is awesome! 90 lbs holding force per square inch. Wow!Bentrider wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2019 7:25 amThanks Mike, great idea. I especially appreciate the pictures. It shows exactly where to put the drivers for clearance.MikeB wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:10 amI wrestled with the same issue as to where to place the driver modules. I had wanted to put them through the rectangular holes in the fairing but securing them is a bit of a problem, unless you have the hands of an 8 year old.
I ended up attaching them to the fairing behind the headlight assembly. I used 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double sided adhesive tape. It worked quite well.
IMG_20190724_142930401.jpgIMG_20190724_142443960.jpgIMG_20190724_142436999.jpg
You can also get small wipes of "adhesion promoter" that make the VHB stick much stronger:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Adhesion-Prom ... ref=sr_1_1
You open the packet, wipe it on the surfaces, let dry, and then apply the VHB tape.