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Message |
Bhillberg
| Posted on Monday, November 03, 2008 - 06:53 pm: |
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after being stopped the other night for a tail light that was out (just a loose bulb) I was wondering if anyone has had much luck with LEDs? I looked on american sportbike and those seem kinda pricey. Are there any other alternatives people are using? Are they reliable? |
Preybird1
| Posted on Monday, November 03, 2008 - 07:25 pm: |
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Yes i run em and they are so much better. Less power, and more power for my electric gear i wear. I also have led turn signals. Here is a pic for ya! http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/preybird1/le d2.jpg |
Bhillberg
| Posted on Monday, November 03, 2008 - 07:36 pm: |
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how much was the setup? |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Monday, November 03, 2008 - 09:16 pm: |
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I have a clear lens on my white S1W, stock lens on my S2. I use LEDs in both - just bulb replacements, similar to these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-NEW-RED-18-LED-BR AKE-TURN-TAIL-LIGHT-BULBS-1157-2057_W0QQcmdZViewIt emQQcategoryZ33713QQihZ016QQitemZ260310131025QQrdZ 1QQsspagenameZWDVW I've found it's most important to have a) bright LEDs and b) LEDs arrayed around the sides of the 'bulb', to light the reflector in addition to firing out the end, towards the lens. I run red in the S1W, and super-white in the S2. I found red LEDs behind a red lens were not bright enough for me. |
Bhillberg
| Posted on Monday, November 03, 2008 - 10:58 pm: |
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thanks for the info, both of you. rat, I am guessing that these just drop in like the stock bulb? any issues on them coming loose? I think that is all that was wrong with my stock bulb as I re-seated it and all was fine. |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 08:02 am: |
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Bryan - yep, push/twist just like stock. I've had rare instances of the actual sockets wearing out, but you can get replacements for them at Autostoned or any other parts place, with wiring pigtails already installed. Usually, though, if I have a "loose" bulb, I get a dental pick (I keep a set in the garage, for jobs like this and for putting new pins into connectors) and gently pry up on the contact(s) at the bottom of the socket so they "push the bulb out", as it were, once it's installed. I've found that most loose bulb issues are just a bent base contact. (Message edited by ratbuell on November 04, 2008) |
Bhillberg
| Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 09:47 am: |
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one more question, I have been looking and some of these say that since they draw lower current that they require a load equalizer? How much do those run and are they make/model specific? |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 09:53 am: |
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You only need to worry about equalizers if you're using them on the turn signals. Signal flashers are load-based, to alert you to dead bulbs - if they see a low resistance (i.e. dead bulb "open circuit"), they flash faster to alert you. Fixed by installing an LED flasher relay from American Sport Bike. Brake/tail - plug-n-play. |
Bhillberg
| Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 10:02 am: |
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perfect, thanks |
Kyrocket
| Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 03:02 pm: |
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Picked mine up a few years ago at the Autozone down the street. Haven't had any issues with it yet. I finally got around to getting a clear lens for the X1. $17 for the pair IIRC. I believe it's an 1157 your looking for, standard tail/brake bulb. |
Orman1649
| Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 04:37 pm: |
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I also have the loose bulb problem on my S1W. I tried smooshing the stuff back into place but it must just be too tired. I also had a problem with not tossing my leg high enough getting on or off the bike and took out a few rear turn signals. To kill two birds with one stone I ordered one of the integrated tail lights with turn signals. Hasn't arrived yet but looks pretty slick. http://www.clearalternatives.com/ |
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