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Anyone source/use blue daytime lights?

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map
Mr Calendar



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PostPosted: 01:06 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

I have been thinking of adding some LED daytime lights to the bike for more visibility (as in to be seen, not to see by). Something like this (click link) from eBay. Just intend to splice into the sidelight bulb wires.

However, I was also thinking that blue would be more visible. Contrary to popular belief it is not illegal to show a blue light at the front providing it is a steady light and doesn't resemble a special lamp or beacon.

However, can't find a source for these. Can find blue leds obviously but none packed for external weatherproof use suitable for motorcycle. Any help appreciated. Thanks.
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Paulington
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PostPosted: 04:35 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is it worth the effort?

I know the law says that no blue light that resembles a warning beacon or whatever may be fitted, but is it really worth the effort of having a copper drive past you, notice it and decide that it DOES look like a warning beacon and happens to want to do something about it?

If you are doing it for safety, you'd be MUCH better off getting a bright green light as the human eye is much more sensitive to light of the green variety, around ~550nm and it is much less sensitive to blue (~445nm) light. Admittedly in near total darkness it's different but driving on the road is not near total darkness.

As far as I know there is no law saying a green light isn't allowed, so for safety I'd say that's the best due to it being the colour the eye is most receptive to.

Other than that, just go with white I guess? On my bike I just have dipped beam on as that seems to be good enough although I do always have LED running lights on when in the car.

Cheers!
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Walloper
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PostPosted: 04:48 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maplin have sets of led all colours. Cheap as.
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iooi
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PostPosted: 05:02 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Re: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

map wrote:
Contrary to popular belief it is not illegal to show a blue light at the front providing it is a steady light and doesn't resemble a special lamp or beacon.
.


Source ?

As mine was picked up on having blue led sidelights in it's MOT.
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Paulington
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PostPosted: 05:34 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Re: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

iooi wrote:
map wrote:
Contrary to popular belief it is not illegal to show a blue light at the front providing it is a steady light and doesn't resemble a special lamp or beacon.
.


Source ?

As mine was picked up on having blue led sidelights in it's MOT.

"The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989", I think people interpret the whole thing rather than bits as saying blue lights are fine apart from as above, link:



Source, for lazy link-clickers:

Quote:
Colour of light shown by lamps and reflectors

11.—(1) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing a red light to the front, except–


(a)a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;
(b)a side marker lamp or a side retro reflector;
(c)retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of–
(i)a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;
(ii)a solo motor bicycle or a motor bicycle combination; or
(iii)an invalid carriage; or
(d)a traffic sign.


That is the only bit of legislation I can find in there about lights showing to the front.

Quote:
Restrictions on fitting blue warning beacons, special warning lamps and similar devices

16. No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with–


(a)a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or
(b)a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.


I can't find anywhere in there which states specifically that you cannot not but a blue light facing forward. That law says as long as it is steady/not like a warning beacon.

But as Rogerborg says, case law is king and to be honest, I just wouldn't want to faff about with it just in case a copper sees it and decides to annoy you about it.

May well be wrong, but that's what the "The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989" say, someone may be along to show a better source in a minute and if I am wrong, someone please correct me so I can edit it, this is only the info I garnered from a few minutes searching online.
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Dazbo666
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PostPosted: 07:35 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Walloper wrote:
Maplin have sets of led all colours. Cheap as.

+1 for Maplins LEDs...
and as for being weatherproof?? I have some red and yellow LEDs on the rear of the Bandit as extra brake and indicator lights, used in all weathers, and never had a problem.
The only issue I could see is if the legs of the LED eventually start to corrode, but afaik due to the location, that wouldn't be any worse than any other connection you could use...
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map
Mr Calendar



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PostPosted: 08:28 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Re: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

iooi wrote:
map wrote:
Contrary to popular belief it is not illegal to show a blue light at the front providing it is a steady light and doesn't resemble a special lamp or beacon.
.
Source ?

Paulington wrote:
"The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989"...
<plus other bits>

As above stated by Paulington, a Health and Saftery Officer who covers this sort of thing and serving and ex-police who both had LED blue light above headlight on their bikes. Apparently they found filtering through traffic quite easy Wink

Although I do admit certain police can be a pain. Often they don't know the law themselves. In the past I've been accused of doing a U-turn when I shouldn't even though I could.

Also FWIW I know adding yellow LEDs on the side is legal. Can add these for safety. Just not too far back or forward as could be mistook as indicators. The old Volvo S40/V40 had yellow side illuminated lights for safety. It's red only at the rear though (unless reversing then it's white, so not really an issue except for the likes of a Goldwing).

<edit>
Paulington wrote:
...you'd be MUCH better off getting a bright green light as the human eye is much more sensitive to light of the green variety...As far as I know there is no law saying a green light isn't allowed...
My understanding is green can only be used for doctor...found a link here
Norfolk Police wrote:
...Other lights - ...Green lights can only be fitted on Medical Practitioners vehicles...
</edit>

Thanks for the Maplin info. For some reason I keep forgetting about them even though they have a couple of shops quite local.

Thumbs Up
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Last edited by map on 08:41 - 01 Jun 2012; edited 2 times in total
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Kwaks
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PostPosted: 08:35 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

When being followed by cars that have those headlights that look blue from an angle the vibrations in the mirrors make them seem to flash like a police vehicle. I would prob have words with a biker doing the same.
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angryjonny
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PostPosted: 09:02 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Re: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

Paulington wrote:
Quote:
(b)a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

Vague, isn't it. Once upon a time emergency vehicles all had round blue lights on the top and made nee-naw noises. These days you have unmarked vehicles and their "warning beacons" are typically concealed in grilles and light clusters. So it could be argued that nowadays, blue lights in light clusters or vehicle recesses etc do resemble warning beacons.
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P.
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PostPosted: 09:06 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kwaks wrote:
When being followed by cars that have those headlights that look blue from an angle the vibrations in the mirrors make them seem to flash like a police vehicle. I would prob have words with a biker doing the same.


It happens in the car, I do shit myself when I see a quick flicker of light Laughing
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Walloper
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PostPosted: 09:06 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've been reminded that my headlight is on by police a couple of times. Smile
One even asked why only one light was working. Smile
I courteously explained.
I call it 'Helping police with their enquiries.'

HID Xenon lamps can shine blue if the lens is dirty. Something about refraction.
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map
Mr Calendar



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PostPosted: 09:19 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Re: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

angryjonny wrote:
...you have unmarked vehicles and their "warning beacons" are typically concealed in grilles and light clusters. So it could be argued that nowadays, blue lights in light clusters or vehicle recesses etc do resemble warning beacons.

Yet these things flash, not a constant light. Therefore it could also be logically argued a constant light does not resemble a warning beacon.

Although I take the point it only takes one plod jobsworth and IIRC that's part of the mandatory entry requirements for the traffic divisions Wink

It's not like I'll be fitting something like this...
https://www.emergencyequipmentshop.co.uk/images/fs_bmw_pole.jpg
Very Happy
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Alpha-9
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PostPosted: 09:21 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

HID Xenon lamps come in blue, i was looking at them then decided I generally hate cunts that have coloured lights, they piss my eyes off

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=HID+Xenon++blue&_sacat=See-All-Categories
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angryjonny
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PostPosted: 09:27 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Re: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

map wrote:
It's not like I'll be fitting something like this...
https://www.emergencyequipmentshop.co.uk/images/fs_bmw_pole.jpg
Very Happy

And you'd be done for fitting one of those to your bike whether it flashed or emitted a constant light. See... vague. A blue light in the mirrors is a blue light in the mirrors, flashing or not (as pointed out above, just an HID headlight is enough to get the pulse racing sometimes).

Got to love words like "resemble" in regulations.

Maybe most coppers would let you get away with it but statistically, one day you're going to meet one in a bad mood. Your risk to take really - but it's probably reasonable to say that until one or two people have been dragged through the courts and we have some legal precedent, it isn't clear whether it's legal or not.
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Walloper
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PostPosted: 09:48 - 01 Jun 2012    Post subject: Re: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

map wrote:
angryjonny wrote:
...you have unmarked vehicles and their "warning beacons" are typically concealed in grilles and light clusters. So it could be argued that nowadays, blue lights in light clusters or vehicle recesses etc do resemble warning beacons.

Yet these things flash, not a constant light. Therefore it could also be logically argued a constant light does not resemble a warning beacon.

Although I take the point it only takes one plod jobsworth and IIRC that's part of the mandatory entry requirements for the traffic divisions Wink

It's not like I'll be fitting something like this...
https://www.emergencyequipmentshop.co.uk/images/fs_bmw_pole.jpg
Very Happy
I think I watched a film where Suzie shoved one of those up her friend, Trixie's arse or it was something that resembled one of those.
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map
Mr Calendar



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PostPosted: 16:55 - 30 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Apology for posting in what might be considered an old thead (1 month) but I thought I'd share some email correspondence with Norfolk Police on the subject of blue lights...

map wrote:
Subject: Vehicle lighting
Enquiry message:
On your web page https://www.norfolk.police.uk/safetyadvice/roadsafety/advicetoroadusers/howlegalisyourvehicle.aspx you state "The law states that only emergency vehicles can display blue lights".

Please can you tell me what statute you are using/quoting?

My understanding is that only emergency vehicles can have blue 'flashing' lights. Thank you.


This message has been automatically sent from the Norfolk Constabulary website.
...and the reply...
NorfolkPolice wrote:
Thankyou for contacting the Norfolk Constabulary.

With regard to your question this would be covered under the ' ROAD VEHICLE LIGHTING REGULATIONS 1989' which for vehicles would be under the heading of ' Lighting and Marking'.

Reg.16 " Except for emergency vehicles it is an offence to fit a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp or device resembling such, whether working or not"

Hope this is of assistance to you,

Thankyou

Norfolk Constabulary
Contact & Control Room
OCC
Falconers Chase
Wymondham
Norfolk
NR18 0WW

Tel: 101
Fax: 0845 345 4567
SMS: 07786 200 777
Minicom: 0845 345 3458
Email: enquiries@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
...and my last email
map wrote:
Norfolk Police,

Thank you for your reply.

I see from the interpretation section of ROAD VEHICLE LIGHTING REGULATIONS 1989 that a special warning lamp is defined as:
"A lamp, fitted to the front or rear of a vehicle, capable of emitting a blue flashing light and not any other kind of light."

This is not the same as stating vehicles other than emergency vehicles cannot be fitted with a blue light. It would appear that if the light is constant and not flashing it complies with the regulations. This would certainly account for the blue lights in the cabs of many hgv lorries.

Thank you for the clarification. Perhaps you could also clarify your web page.

Best regards, Alex

Ref interpretation: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/made
...and I haven't had a reply to that.

So perhaps some sanity check from the likes of T.C.and others but to me it looks good to go Thumbs Up

A constant blue led I would not consider to be a blue warning beacon (as in picture in posts above) or is it a special warning lamp as special warning lamps must flash in order to be a special warning lamp. It can only emit blue flashing light not any other form of light, so if it emitted constant light, blue or not it's not a special warning lamp. Hope I'm not emphasising that point too much Wink

Ok Very Happy
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scorps
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PostPosted: 17:26 - 30 Jun 2012    Post subject: . Reply with quote

I once attached one of those blue flashing tyre flies to to top of the helmet on my toy mr Plod and had it sat on my pillion seat tie wrapped to the grab rail on the bandit and got stopped by a real police officer.

he informed me it was one of the funniest accessorys he'd seen and then buggered off. Someone ended up stealing mr plod Sad
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69.9mph
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PostPosted: 09:52 - 01 Jul 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

map wrote:
Apology for posting in what might be considered an old thead (1 month) but I thought I'd share some email correspondence with Norfolk Police on the subject of blue lights...

map wrote:
Subject: Vehicle lighting
Enquiry message:
On your web page https://www.norfolk.police.uk/safetyadvice/roadsafety/advicetoroadusers/howlegalisyourvehicle.aspx you state "The law states that only emergency vehicles can display blue lights".

Please can you tell me what statute you are using/quoting?

My understanding is that only emergency vehicles can have blue 'flashing' lights. Thank you.


This message has been automatically sent from the Norfolk Constabulary website.
...and the reply...
NorfolkPolice wrote:
Thankyou for contacting the Norfolk Constabulary.

With regard to your question this would be covered under the ' ROAD VEHICLE LIGHTING REGULATIONS 1989' which for vehicles would be under the heading of ' Lighting and Marking'.

Reg.16 " Except for emergency vehicles it is an offence to fit a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp or device resembling such, whether working or not"

Hope this is of assistance to you,

Thankyou

Norfolk Constabulary
Contact & Control Room
OCC
Falconers Chase
Wymondham
Norfolk
NR18 0WW

Tel: 101
Fax: 0845 345 4567
SMS: 07786 200 777
Minicom: 0845 345 3458
Email: enquiries@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
...and my last email
map wrote:
Norfolk Police,

Thank you for your reply.

I see from the interpretation section of ROAD VEHICLE LIGHTING REGULATIONS 1989 that a special warning lamp is defined as:
"A lamp, fitted to the front or rear of a vehicle, capable of emitting a blue flashing light and not any other kind of light."

This is not the same as stating vehicles other than emergency vehicles cannot be fitted with a blue light. It would appear that if the light is constant and not flashing it complies with the regulations. This would certainly account for the blue lights in the cabs of many hgv lorries.

Thank you for the clarification. Perhaps you could also clarify your web page.

Best regards, Alex

Ref interpretation: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/made
...and I haven't had a reply to that.

So perhaps some sanity check from the likes of T.C.and others but to me it looks good to go Thumbs Up

A constant blue led I would not consider to be a blue warning beacon (as in picture in posts above) or is it a special warning lamp as special warning lamps must flash in order to be a special warning lamp. It can only emit blue flashing light not any other form of light, so if it emitted constant light, blue or not it's not a special warning lamp. Hope I'm not emphasising that point too much Wink

Ok Very Happy


Whether it is technically legal or not, please don't fit blue (or green) lights.

Thanks. Thumbs Up
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map
Mr Calendar



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PostPosted: 11:51 - 01 Jul 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

69.9mph wrote:
map wrote:
<stuff>
Whether it is technically legal or not, please don't fit blue (or green) lights...

Why? Please explain.

A green light would be illegal.
Reading the information a constant blue light would not be illegal.
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keggyhander
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PostPosted: 13:16 - 01 Jul 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Green lights illegal?

Good!

My bike has them recessed all over. It's like a fucking green ghost at night.
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map
Mr Calendar



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PostPosted: 13:34 - 01 Jul 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

keggyhander wrote:
Green lights illegal?
Good!
My bike has them recessed all over. It's like a fucking green ghost at night.

Green lights legal only for medical practitioners as said above.
So illegal if you are not.

Sadly I suspect enthusiastic amateur gynaecologist is not on the allowed list Wink Razz
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sickpup
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PostPosted: 14:54 - 22 Jul 2012    Post subject: Re: Anyone source/use blue daytime lights? Reply with quote

map wrote:
However, I was also thinking that blue would be more visible. Contrary to popular belief it is not illegal to show a blue light at the front providing it is a steady light and doesn't resemble a special lamp or beacon.


map wrote:
As above stated by Paulington, a Health and Saftery Officer who covers this sort of thing and serving and ex-police who both had LED blue light above headlight on their bikes. Apparently they found filtering through traffic quite easy Wink


So basically you want to fit blue lights so you can pretend you are a Policeman on your Pan European then.

Do so and you run the risk of being prosecuted for impersonating a Policeman, small risk but it is there.
Bigger risk is that you get pulled a Policeman who has an ounce of common sense and phones up your insurance company and asks if you have declared your blue lights which of course you won't do because it adds considerably to the policy cost and he gets the bike lifted.

Learn to filter, safer and cheaper. Thumbs Up
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c-m
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PostPosted: 14:58 - 22 Jul 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why would you bother fitting these when you already have a side light and dipped beam, both likely to produce more light than these.
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Andrew122
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PostPosted: 15:50 - 22 Jul 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is what I would make of it all.

Regulation 16
No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle [ or a vehicle used for special forces purposes] 1 , shall be fitted with–
(a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or
(b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

The interpretation section of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations defines "warning beacon" as:

"A lamp that is capable of emitting a flashing or rotating beam of light throughout 360° in the horizontal plane."

The same section defines "special warning lamp" as:

"A lamp, fitted to the front or rear of a vehicle, capable of emitting a blue flashing light and not any other kind of light."

We know that anything resembling either one of these will be in contravention of the Regulations. A constant blue light will not, in itself, appear to be prohibited. It could be argued that blue sidelights or headlights are capable of emitting a flashing beam of light if there is something as simple as an on/off switch. I know...what idiot is going to sit there playing cops and robbers whilst flashing his sidelights on and off?

There are a few interesting points which would alter the interpretation a court would apply to the Regulation.

1) The draftsman of the legislation has chosen in another section to specifically prohibit the showing of any red light at the front of a vehicle. The courts would potentially see the absence of any direct prohibition of blue lights as an implication that blue lights, on their own, were not intended to be prohibited.

2) In the same section, it is directed that ANY colour showing at the back other than red will be prohibited, unless one of the exceptions apply.

3) The restrictive way in which regulation 16 is worded: Had it been intended that all blue lights be prohibited, this would no doubt have been stated. Instead, regulation 16 is careful to prohibit only blue lights resembling warning beacons.

There are no relevant cases on this. The only one I could find discussed the issue of whether a "warning beacon" which was not plugged in was enough to constitute the offence. It was.

I would argue that constant blue lights fitted to the front of a vehicle should not cause a problem legally. But as I have pointed out, an on/off switch could be enough to fuel an argument that they are capable of resembling a warning lamp. Nobody will really know unless this comes to court. Tread carefully.

I need a cup of tea after that.
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tatfan
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PostPosted: 16:26 - 22 Jul 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Legal or not, a good place to check out is https://www.bikevis.com/
They do 'bullet' lights in blue white and red, and other types aswell.
I have nothing to do with them, I'm just a satisfied customer.
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