SV650 Brake Light LED Upgrade and Hyper-lite Install

I wanted to make my 2001 SV650 more visible to other road users, so I decided to upgrade the brake lights. I chose a two prong approach after reading a lot about other SV650 owners and their upgrades. I replaced the two stock 1157 brake lights with red Matrix II 32 LED bulbs that I purchased from Autolumination.com. I also added the modulating brake/running U32 kit that I purchased from Hyperlites.com. The combination should make me more visible at night with three lights instead of one, and MUCH more visible when I use the brakes.
 
I used the following tools to do my install:

• allen wrench 
• socket wrench
  • 12mm
  • 10mm
  • 8mm
  • extension
• flathead screwdriver 
• philips screwdriver 
• needle nose pliers 
• wrench 
  
  • 14mm
  • 12mm
  • 10mm
  • 8mm
• blue thread locker  
• rubbing alcohol 
• soldering iron and solder 
• shrink tubing and electrical tape 
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Below are all the pieces that came with the U32 hyper-lite kit. This is the modulating brake/running like with 16 LEDs on each block. I also ordered the license plate bracket to make the mounting a bit easier.

Here is a photo of my current setup, stock brake light, and running light.

I took a lot of extra pictures of the hardware than normal. There are many bolts and screws of different sizes, and I wanted to remember where they all went since I did this work over a few days.
Remove both of the seats. Use the allen wrench for the main seat.

With the 12mm socket, remove the grab bar

Use the philips screw driver to remove the screws on the rear cowling between the seats.

Remove the six screws that hold the rear cowling.

My SV650 has a custom undertray:

with two screws and two 8mm bolts with 10mm nuts.


Remove the two screws holding the brake light lens cover

Remove the two screws holding the pillion seat lock

Twist the cable for the lock out of the grove and then remove it.

Now, the rear cowling can be removed. There are two rubber post shown below. Carefully pull to the sides and remove.

Rear cowling removed:

All of the plastic removed, and the bike is ready to work on.

I mounted the license plate bracket to the bottom of my license plate since I have the turn signal bracket is on the top.

I used a bit of rubbing alcohol to clean the bracket and then stuck the hyper-lites on with the supplied double sided foam tape.
Connect the three brown wires together and the three blue wires together. One wire from each LED block and one from the controller.

The wiring guide that comes with the hyper-lites was correct under the Suzuki listing. I confirmed this by checking with my service manual.

brake light +12V = SV white with black stripe = hyper-lite red
running light +12V = SV brown = hyper-lite grey
ground = SV black with white stripe = hyper-lite black

Attach the positap to the brake light wires by inserting the wire to tap into the open prong as shown below

then screw on the middle connector which taps the wire

push the hyper-lite wire through the other end and screw on

it looks like this when connected correctly. check that both wires are secure.

Repeat the above for the other two wires.

I cleaned up the bottom with some zip tipes and some extra heavy duty electrical tape to support the wires.

Remove the stock 1157  12V 21/5W bulbs

replace with the new red MatrixII 32 LED bulbs

I turned the key and below is a shot of the running lights:

And with the brake lights on:

I did end up cutting the green wire on the hyper-lite controller, so I only flash the brake light for five seconds and then it stays on solid. The hyper-lites are REALLY bright, and my camera doesn’t do them justice. Check out the video here from the hyper-lite website.

When I get some more funds ($94!), I will be buying a set for my other bikes too.

 

 

Written by Chrisluhman for Everyday Riding. All rights reserved.