I "upgraded" the charging system on my '75 GL1000, by reducing the consumption of the lighting.
As we get into cooler weather, I'm starting to use my heated gear. This usually means putting away most of the classic/vintage Hondas, due to lower power output from the alternators on them.
My '75 GL1000 and '76 CB400F both have dual-filament 1157 bulbs in the turn signals, and use one filament for the signal, one for for running lights, even with the headlight turned off. I don't know if the original intent was to run the brighter, 25W filament for the running light and the 10W one for the signal, but, that is how the GL1000 is wired. I seem to remember my CB400F being the other way around, but, I forget. In any case, the regular incandescent bulbs were consuming a combined 50W.
The incandescent tail/stop bulb consumes 10W for the tail-light function.
I changed both out to LEDs, which are brighter, and "snappier" on the turn on, a great feature for the brake light.
I had also previously installed an H4 headlight reflector with an LED H4 replacement.
I do not recall if the GL1000 came with a 50/55W headlight, or a 35/35W one like the CB400F likely had, but, in any case, the LED replacement consumes about 12W
The LED 1157 replacements consume about 3W on the higher brightness, and 1W on the lower brightness. I used color specific 1157 LEDs, red for the tail/stop, amber for the signal/running.
Although I bought amber 1156 LEDs for the rear signals, I didn't install them, because I forgot to order an LED compatible LED relay. The rear incandescent ones put enough load on the stock one to make it work, so, they'll stay in for now. As the signals only draw power when you use them, this wouldn't have been any useful power savings anyway, I just wanted the brighter, snappier signals. Next time I place an order for LEDs, I'll get some TS relays too.
Previous power consumption:
Tail: 10W
Running lights: 50W
Headlight (assuming the brighter 55w): 55W
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Total: 115W
LED power consumption:
Tail: 1W
Running lights: 6W
Headlight: 12W
-------------------
Total: 19W
Savings, 96 Watts!
That's enough to run my heated gear on high, about 70W for the jacket, 20W for the gloves.
![](https://i.imgur.com/UoJfRmr.jpg)
![](https://i.imgur.com/AgRJuLz.jpg)