let there be light

In my ongoing fight to be safe on the motorcycle, I recently modified the LED lighting surrounding my license plate. While I only have the "after" picture, I think the description may be enough to inform the curious. The license plate frame was purchased from Signal Dynamics. The LEDs will show in dim and bright - mapping to running lights and brake lights. The frame is made of steel (powder coated black) and the LEDs are pretty bright.

After observing various LED installations on cars, I realized that the less interference from daytime ambient light, the more effective the LEDs became. The LED housing on the motorcycle frame extends past the frame about 1/2 inch and is made of the same red, transparent plastic all around. To reduce how much ambient light competes with the LEDs, I've recently painted the outside edges of the housing so that only the rear section is clear.

I don't have any empirical data to report, just my subject review; the most obvious difference to my eyes: each of the LEDs now appears as a distinct "dot" against a much darker background, and the difference between running light and brake light seems more pronounced. I certainly haven't lost any functionality and the modification appears "stock." Would I recommend this simple modification to others with similar set-ups? You betcha.