With warmer weather comes cycling season. Every cyclist prepares his vehicle for operation. Indeed, during the winter storage, its condition and performance could change.
The serviceability of all components is checked, if necessary, parts are lubricated and tires are replaced if they are worn out in the last operational season. It is also common to see various types of upgrades, such as painting rims or frames with luminescent paint or bright LED lights on a bike.
Currently, the so-called custom bicycles, or velobikes, are widely used. They are designed completely by hand, so the craftsmen have no problems how to install the backlight on the bike. Their distinctive feature is an elongated and underestimated 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 the pedals increases,chains are very large. Its length can be several times longer than on a conventional bicycle. Such homemade vehicles are very often equipped with various types of highlights or enhancements to draw even more attention to them.
How to make a backlight on a bike?
The presence of backlighting elements of the bike allows it to look most impressive in the dark. In order to install light elements, you will need the simplest skills of installation and soldering. With patience and desire, and having the necessary tools in stock, you should not have difficulty deciding how to make a backlight on a bike.
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 online or at any mall that specializes in electrical goods.
- 12 volt battery. You can use several weaker batteries placed in a special box.
- Light controller. It will allow you to set different backlight modes and the ability to switch between them.
- A handbag in which the battery will be located. Key bag can be used.
- Cable for connecting batteries and LED strip.
- Double sided tape forattaching LED elements to bike parts.
- Hot glue gun. 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.
Measuring materials
With all these tools available, you can proceed directly to decorative work. Initially, it is worth deciding on the place where you need to fix the LED strip, and first measure the necessary piece. It is also worth thinking about how to make the backlight on the bike so that it is as bright and noticeable as possible. If in a hurry the cut off piece of 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.
The most practical way would be to use several pieces of LED strip for individual elements. For example, two for the wheels and one for the frame. Batteries are recommended to be placed in the saddle bag. This will protect them from moisture in case of precipitation. The wires should be long 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 clean the place of the intended soldering from insulating materials. If the insulation is firmly glued to the wires of the tape, then it can be slightly warmed up with an industrialhair dryer. Remove after softening. Hot air should be avoided on the LEDs. This can 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 soldering is perfectly isolated 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 breakage.
Glue the LED strip
Before gluing the tape to the bicycle elements, they must first be degreased with alcohol or another solvent. It is worth gluing it from one end, gradually removing the backing. It is necessary to press the tape tightly to the part to avoid it peeling off. It is recommended to use double-sided adhesive tape on the bends of the bicycle frame, since the adhesive base of the light elements is not able to firmly fix in these places. Light controllers usually have double-sided 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 installed on a bicycle is able to amaze passers-by with its appearance and originality. As you type, everything is not at all difficult. If you do all the manipulations yourself, from start to finish, then the question of how to make a backlight on a bicycle will no longer arise.
Besides this, there are other options for modificationsvehicle, which you can easily do with your own hands, having basic skills in handling professional tools.
