Topic: Putting 2 LED tail lights on my cafe...

[DammitDan]

Anyone have any experience with this?  I've searched the forums and have some good leads, but I don't know exactly what I should be looking for...

I'm trying to put 2 projecting LED tail lights sticking out of the back of the frame here...



Any suggestions?  I'm also on a budget, so any lower-priced options would be great.  I'm just looking for tail/brake lighting (maybe connect them for turn signals, too?  if possible...)

[del105]

I don't really have any advice on how to do it, but your visibility is going to be really low day and night with single LED lights. They tend to not be visible at all unless you're directly behind them. I tried using singles as blinkers and no one could see them.

[upperlake04]

 Interesting solution for a non-skid seat Dan

[GoatBaSS]

Interesting solution for a non-skid seat Dan

HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA>>>>>>>>.......... HEEEEHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAA!

[Rooster379]

I'm working on a LED tail light and signals myself at the moment. Being a truck driver I tend to get into a little "trouble" mixing and matching things, but I'll be using a 4" red sealed tail/stop LED light with a quick disconnect pigtail spliced into the factory harness, the mount will be similar to most other cafe seats, in the hump. For turn signals, I've yet to decide, but you could look around on iowa80.com or other truck driver chrome shop sites. just my .02, good luck

[rhinoracer]

Check out the new Harleys, they have exactly what you're trying to do.

I'm not good with HD strange names but I think they are the nightster and the latest chopped chopper.

[DammitDan]

Interesting solution for a non-skid seat Dan

hahahaha...  That gave me a good laugh this morning, thanks man 

Here's what it looks like with the whole deal installed:



I'm basically looking to have an LED pod that will stick straight out of that hollow frame end, then drill the frame farther back for wires to feed in.  I'm sure I could easily fabricate something that I would glue in there with silicone or liquid nails, but I don't know where I can get the socket from, or what it would really look like.

And I plan to use a 10 or 12 LED pattern bulb, so it should be plenty bright during the daytime.  And I'll have 2 

[super pasty white guy]

Something else to consider is that you can now buy 5 watt LED taillight bulbs.

I put one in the other day and they're bloody bright.  Definitely brighter than a standard light bulb.

http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ORD-1-1-1-113633.cfm

... Course they're not particularly cheap...

[Einyodeler]

Here are a couple of links.
I`ll probably be doing this to the CJ360 rebuild as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Red-LED-Brake-Tail-Lights-Go-Cart-Sand-Kart-Off-road_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46092QQihZ010QQitemZ200134388012

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Red-LED-stop-tail-turn-Lights-Motorcycle-ATV-Trailer_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQihZ010QQitemZ200135722488

[DammitDan]

Here are a couple of links.
I`ll probably be doing this to the CJ360 rebuild as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Red-LED-Brake-Tail-Lights-Go-Cart-Sand-Kart-Off-road_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46092QQihZ010QQitemZ200134388012

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Red-LED-stop-tail-turn-Lights-Motorcycle-ATV-Trailer_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQihZ010QQitemZ200135722488

Looks like those housings are going to be too big to fit inside the frame tube.  I measured the tube at 3/4" inner diameter and 7/8" outside diameter...

[rlarkin70]

maybe these ones? says they fit into a 1/4" hole (!!!)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OPTO-LED-Motorcycle-TAIL-BRAKE-TURN-Signal-Lights-RED_W0QQitemZ180169783334QQihZ008QQcategoryZ35598QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[DammitDan]

I went ahead and ordered these ones...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=180170175668

When I get them I'll document the installation 

[johnny]

I use one of these on my 350 tail/brake light.
I can't see why it wouldn't work for your application.
http://superbrightleds.com/specs/115x-xLX3.htm

[edbikerii]

I just ordered one for my 550.  How well does yours work for you?  Are you happy with it?

I use one of these on my 350 tail/brake light.
I can't see why it wouldn't work for your application.
http://superbrightleds.com/specs/115x-xLX3.htm

[GoatBaSS]

Johnny may have the coolest avitar of the month!

[Patrick]

I got LEDs for another of my bikes from here: http://superbrightleds.com/index.htm

Best prices I've found on the web. I used them to allow me to put additional lights on an old Yamaha without overdrawing the weak alternator.  LEDs can be as brighter or brighter than incandescent bulbs and they also can be seen from all angles, if you get the right ones. You can use them for turn signals, but not with the stock flasher, which has to have a draw on it to work. LEDs draw extremely little juice. With an electronic flasher, though, they can be signals.

Patrick

[Bodi]

Quote:

"Something else to consider is that you can now buy 5 watt LED taillight bulbs.
I put one in the other day and they're bloody bright.  Definitely brighter than a standard light bulb.
http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ORD-1-1-1-113633.cfm"

Probably excellent lamps, I use some 3W Luxeon 1157 replacements that are BRIGHT!.

But I worry about their engineering... quote from the website:

(http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ord-Light~bulbs-Signal,Corner,Tail~and~accessories~bulbs-1-113626.htm)

"Automotive LED lights produce more intense light that travels faster and farther then any ordinary automotive light."

Hmmmmmmm.... if they really think they can speed up light, how much can I trust their designers?

[dusterdude]

pro teal did somethnig like that on his 750.

[TwoTired]

But I worry about their engineering... quote from the website:

(http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ord-Light~bulbs-Signal,Corner,Tail~and~accessories~bulbs-1-113626.htm)

"Automotive LED lights produce more intense light that travels faster and farther then any ordinary automotive light."

Hmmmmmmm.... if they really think they can speed up light, how much can I trust their designers?

True engineers/designers know better.  But, marketing/sales types have always wanted to change the laws of physics, as well as the time continuum. And, THAT'S where trust is unwarranted.

[1arm]

 I'm just looking for tail/brake lighting (maybe connect them for turn signals, too?  if possible...)

I had these Hyperlite 3-way LED modules on my old bike (deceased).  I used them as supplements to stock tail/brake/turn but they should work just by themselves.
Half of each module works as tail/flashing brake and the other half as turn signals.

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=17002&Category_Code=HYP

[edbikerii]

My Luxeon Lx3 3W taillight came in last night.  It is definitely much brighter than the incandescent 1157.  Visibility day or night won't be a problem, but not having a white bulb to illuminate the license plate might be (at inspection time and maybe at the "end of the month").

[johnny]

Johnny may have the coolest avitar of the month!

Thanks!

[johnny]

I just ordered one for my 550.  How well does yours work for you?  Are you happy with it?

I use one of these on my 350 tail/brake light.
I can't see why it wouldn't work for your application.
http://superbrightleds.com/specs/115x-xLX3.htm

So far, so good. The Luxeon is BRIGHT! Best of all, it only draws 3 watts - which is great for my inadequate charging system. I also just installed a 35 watt halogen headlight assembly - which seems to help keep the drain on the system to a minimum.

[jonbuoy]

Those LED lamps do react faster - there is no bulb filament to heat up.  The difference is surprisingly noticeable.  I think a car manufacturer quoted it as worth a few meters in stopping distance.