Introduction: DIY Simple LED Bike Tires
A simple way to make your tires light up the night. This can work on bikes, scooters, and mabey even cars. Ok probably not cars since their tires might just send this little array flying and possibly breaking something or hurting someone. Also if you dont have any leds sitting around you can take apart a flashlight for them.
Step 1: Materials
This project will use a varation of the "LED Throwie".
Materials:
-4 leds(any color)
-2, 3v battaries
-electrical tape
- a bike or another slow moving form of transportstion
Step 2: Dual "Throwies"
Now take 2 LEDs and one battery and attach them with electrical tape. Repeat this for the two remaning LEDs and battery.
Step 3: Attach to Wheel
Now take some duct tape or electrical tape and secure the "dual throwie" to the outer part of the wheel rim. Make shure it is on the outer part of the rim or else centrifugal force will most likely tear the whole thing off or at least bend the LEDs alot. Sorry I forgot to photograph this part up close.
Step 4: Done
Now you have cool light up wheels in under 5min.
Finalist in the
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Participated in the
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23 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
I did a similar hack to some hub-caps of mine back in the day. Got some amusing looks from people in other cars, should really redo it and post it up here =)
13 years ago on Introduction
can make is project for car is good.
13 years ago on Introduction
Wait. When you're riding does it make a continuous circle of light or not? I'm thinking no... =S
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Very close to it when you are moving at a good rate of speed.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
If you put two lights on the opposite sides of one tire you might have a better circle effect.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Does this remind anyone of TRON ?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
yes
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Yea that helps when you go slower making a complete circle with less speed.
13 years ago on Introduction
this is a very nice idea, i think i'm gonna do it seeing as my parents are always nagging me about having no light on my bike. What about el-wire? although maybe that wouldn't be necessary as the wheels are spinning so it would create the same effect of like a circle of light.
13 years ago on Introduction
very nice idea. ill do-it-myself and add them to my bike when it stops raining.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
eeeh i thought.. D: I thought if you had your anode and cathode covered up with some sort of waterproof electrical tape the actuale LED light will still light.. i mean, the plastic is waterproof right?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
what i meant was that my bike was right at the end of the garden, and it was pouring with rain.i have tried it and the bike looks awesome.
13 years ago on Introduction
What if you add a switch to it? instead of it being on ALL the time, finishing your battery... Try that and take some pics id like to see that :)
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
For extended use that would be a great addition. When I thought of this it was just for a simple one time thing that you would take off after you are done with it.
13 years ago on Introduction
Great instructable. May I recommend having something in between the LED wires, and the battery, when stored, so the battery does not die out. Or, you could just take it apart after using it :P
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Yes that would be a good idea if you didnt take this apart after each use.
13 years ago on Introduction
If you have steel rims, you could attach these in traditional throwie-style with rare-earth magnets. Great idea.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Yes it would stick but you would probably want to tape it just to be shure it dosent stick around.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Just to make shure it dosent slide around.
13 years ago on Step 4
cool idea. I have been wanting to do something like this for a while. I guess you beat me to it.