How to make a backlight on a bicycle? Read it!

With the onset of warm weather, the bike season comes. Everyone who likes cycling is preparing his vehicle for operation. After all, during the winter storage, his condition and performance could change.

Check the serviceability of all components, if necessary, lubricate the parts and replace tires if they have worn out in the past operational season. Also, you can often find various types of upgrades, such as painting discs or frames with fluorescent paint or bright LED lighting on a bicycle.

At present, so-called custom bicycles, or bicycles, are widely used. Construct them completely manually, so the masters do not have problems how to set the backlight on the bike. Their distinctive feature is an elongated and understated frame. The total length of such a bicycle can reach more than 2 meters. Due to the fact that the distance between the rear wheel and the pedals is increased, the dimensions of the chain are very impressive. Its length can be several times greater than on an ordinary bicycle. Such self-made vehicles are often supplied with various types of highlights or improvements, which allows them to attract even more attention.

How to make a backlight on a bicycle?

Presence of illumination of elements of a bicycle allows it to look most effectively in a night-time. In order to install light elements, you will need simple installation and soldering skills. Having gained patience and desire and having the necessary tools in stock, you should not have any difficulty in deciding how to make the backlight on the bike.

Materials and equipment

But first you need to acquire some materials and tools. For the work you will need:

- LED strip, preferably waterproof. It can be purchased in an online store or in any shopping center specializing in electrical goods.

- 12 volt power supply. You can use several weaker batteries placed in a special box.

- Light controller. It will allow you to set different modes of lighting and the ability to switch between them.

- Handbag in which the battery will be located. You can use a bag for keys.

- A cable for connecting the batteries and LED tape.

- Double - sided adhesive tape to fix the LED elements on the parts of the bike.

- Pistol with hot melt. Will help to cope with the task, how to put the backlight on the bike firmly in those places where double-sided tape is powerless.

We measure the materials

Having all these tools available, you can proceed directly to the decorative work. Initially, it is necessary to determine the place on which it is necessary to fix the LED tape, and pre-measure the necessary piece. Also worth thinking about is how to make the backlight on the bike so that it turns out as bright and noticeable as possible. If in haste the cut piece of the LED tape is small, then it can be discarded. Also, it should be decided where the wires will be located so that they can not be accidentally damaged during operation.

It will be most practical to use several pieces of LED tape for individual elements. For example, two for the wheels and one for the frame. It is recommended to place the batteries in a 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.

Preparation of wires

In order to connect the LED strip to the wire, you need to solder them. To do this, cut off pieces of the necessary length and clean the place of the intended soldering from insulating materials. If the insulation is firmly adhered to the wires of the tape, then it can be slightly heated with an industrial hair dryer. After softening, remove. Avoid getting hot air on the LEDs. This can render them unusable. The presence of non-luminous elements on the tape will significantly worsen the quality of the backlight.

Soldering wires

Next, it is necessary to degrease the contact places of the wires and solder them to each other. The location of the spike is perfectly insulated with a thermo gun. The glue layer will protect the metal from external influences and moisture and will give flexibility and elasticity in this place, which will help to avoid fracture.

Adhesive LED strip

Before gluing the tape onto the bike, they must be degreased with alcohol or other solvent beforehand. Glue it from one end, gradually removing the substrate. It is necessary to tightly press the tape to the part to avoid its peeling off. On the bend of the bicycle frame, it is recommended to use a double-sided adhesive tape, since the adhesive base of the light elements is not able to firmly anchor in these places. Light controllers usually have two-way fasteners for connecting to a battery and wires that are connected to the LEDs.

After connecting all the wires of the chain, homemade lighting, mounted on a bicycle, is able to hit passers-by with its appearance and originality. As you can see, everything is not difficult at all. If you do all the manipulations yourself, from start to finish, then the question of how to make the backlight on the bike, you will no longer arise.

In addition, there are other versions of the vehicle modifications, which can easily be carried out with their own hands, possessing the initial skills of handling professional tools.