Has anyone installed a Backoff XP brakelight module?

[OldSuperSport]

I bought a Signal Dynamics BackOff XP brake light module and before I cut into any wires (yikes) has anyone done this before, are there any pictures of where the wires are under the passenger seat etc. How do you like the unit?

This module will pulse the brakes lights in a couple different patterns, although its not the Wig Wag unit which is designed for bikes like STs which have 2 brake light bulbs.

Thanks

[OldSuperSport]

Apparently no one has ever installed a brake light modulator on a ST1300 so I risked all and cut into my wiring harness. The finished job is neat and the module itself is tied right to the harness so dealer service will have no reason to tack on extra labor to work around my accessories

The BackOff module needs a ground, it needs to get the switched brake signal, and it puts out a modified brake signal to the bulbs. You have to cut the switched brake signal to insert the BackOff module.

Since I wanted to do all the wiring in the harness, with no wires going to ground bolts, or the battery, etc, I removed all the plastic body panels at the back. First the grab rail has to some off. Its easy with 4 10mm bolts holding it to the frame tube. Dont loose the spacer tubes on these bolts. The passenger seat latch had to be unhooked too. Then the plastic parts came off. This included the side access panels and the tail piece with the tail light lens. The 4 bulb holders twist out from the lens.

Now the harness is easily accessible for working on. The computer is in a slot at the back with 2 large connectors, one smaller white connector, the red CPU test plug, and the 4 taillight bulb cables. The brake light bulbs have a Green wire ground, black/brown stripe 12v running lights, and green/yellow stripe switched 12v to brake light. Of course there are 2 brake light bulb holder bundles disappearing into the harness.

According to the schematic all these wires are jumpered (meaning each wire does not originate at the brake pedal or front brake lever). I started cutting the tape on the harness back to find where the wires split into 2. It turns out you have to cut up to near where the red CPU test plug is to find the green/yellow tie point. These are crimps which are coverd with blue tape. And one of the wires is looped forward in the harness then comes backward.

I discovered there ARE 2 green/yellow wires coming back in the harness from the front (I suspect one is the rear pedal and one is the front lever). These 2 wires come to a crimp where 2 more wires continue on to the bulb holders although one of them goes back forward in the harness for a few inches.

The brake lever green/yellow needs to be tied to the BackOff red.
I cut the bulb holder green/yellow wires from the crimp. I put on a heatshrink before moving ahead, I soldered the BackOff red wire to the crimped green/yellow from the front, then used the heatshink to complete that connection.

Next I decided to use the 5 rapid blink then solid scheme so I first added heat shink over the wires, then soldered the BackOff red/white wire to the 2 green/yellow wires going to the bulb holders, moved and shrunk the heatshrink to complete.

Lastly there are 2 green gound wires coming out of the harness going to the 2 bulb holders. I could not locate a crimp for the green grounds. I decided to carefully removed a 1/2 inch of the plastic insulation from both green wires and soldered the black BackOff wire to them (a joint with 5 wires emerging). I could not slip heatshrink over the uncut wires so good electrical tape will have to suffice.

All the harness coverings were kept and reapplied, then new 3M electrical tape was wrapped over as before. The BackOff module is tied right on the outside of the harness, so if a mechanic ever has to work on this he doesnt have to remove anything except the harness, no grounds or external fuses etc. The finished job looks like factory pretty much.

I think it works pretty well, certainly at night its an attention getter.

[Stash247]

Installed a 'Wig wag' unit on my ST1100, some time back. Love it!
All wiring changes were done to the tail light sub harness, no cutting at all on the chassis harness, and everything is in the tailpiece.
Seems to buy me about 5-6 feet more respect, at a traffic light, and a LOT more, on the road!
The old adage, "See and be seen" is a rule to live by, on a motorcycle, and the 'back off' brake light system is another aid in doing just that!
Headlight modulator, brake light modulator, and PIAA 910's; don't leave home, without them! Ride long, and safe, Terry

[jeff4912]

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2813&highlight=hyperlites

This thread has some aux. brakelights that work well.

[OldSuperSport]

I may add the LED lights to my setup, but I think I'll find some reflective tape for the bags first.

Does anyone run with their high beam on all the time? as opposed to a headlight modulator. When I feel a situation is brewing ahead that might turn dangerous to me I hit the high beam. I suppose this should get some attention. The current draw of the high beam isnt too much for the alternator is it?

[OldSuperSport]

In total agreement that the low beams are too low. I cant adjust them up high enough for my liking, even riding 2up and the rear spring on the soft position.

Do replacment bulbs like the 55w or 80w ones I see throw a different pattern of light beam or does the reflector control the pattern. Also is there a reason to stay away from replacment bulbs like excessive heat?