Topic: Winter projects or the snowball effect…

[csendker]

I wanted to start off with something relatively simple and easy to do for a winter project, so I decided to swap out the handlebars.  My original ones had a 2” rise, making for a slightly uncomfortable riding position.  I got a set of stock bars with a 4” rise and a bit more swept back.  After pulling the wiring out, I realized this would be a good time to replace all of the instrument lights, so I put new LED lights in the idiot lights (wow, what a difference!).  When I went to do the gauge lights, I thought it would be a good time to swap them out with a stock set that I had acquired.  So off go the old gauges, in go the new LED’s and a new speedo & tach. 

It was supposed to be 60 & sunny last Saturday, so I spent a couple of late nights reassembling everything in anticipation of a ride. Everything went back in smoothly and miraculously so did all of the wiring.  Then I saw it.  A stainless steel upper brake hose.  Yup, the PO swapped out the hose with a shorter one when he put on the low-rise bars, so now they don’t fit.  I dug through the basement and found an old set of stock hoses & MC I bought, mainly for the caliper.  They’re a little worn, but still serviceable.  So I proceeded with a front brake change-out. 

Well, I missed riding Saturday, but late last night I finished the brake install and bled, bled, bled.  The snowball effect: I started with new bars, and now I have new LED idiot lights, new gauges with LED lights, and nice, firm front brakes.  I even added a set of red LED license plate bolts on the back.  And the new grips are somewhere in the mail.  I’m ready to roll.

Damn, it’s a good feeling to know you did the work.  And there's snow in the forecast, so I may not be done yet.

[andy750]

Can you let us know how the LED lights in the gauges work out...are they as bright? and what colour did you use for the gauge lights. Others have reported that LED lights in the gauges are not as effective and Im curious to know your experience as I had been thinking of doing the same thing.

You sound like me....changing things to get ready for a ride and then missing the ride part!
Cheers
Andy in Boston

[csendker]

I used these guys -->>  http://www.superbrightleds.com/BA9S6_specs.htm

I went with the 4-LED colored ones to match the idiot lights (amber, blue, green & red).  They are WAY brighter than the incandescent ones.  I also used the 4-LED white for the instruments.  They're new gauges, so I don't have a real 'before' to compare to.  And, oddly enough, I didn't turn off the garage light to see how well they work.  I'll do it tonight and get back.  Unless they really suck, I'll stick with them so I never have to change them again.  Besides, I figure I saved a net 25-30 watts, so I just gained 0.04 HP!!  FYI, the 8 LED's & 2 bolt-LED's (for the license plate) ran $31.82 including shipping.

[Dennis]

I used these guys -->> http://www.superbrightleds.com/BA9S6_specs.htm

Thanks!!

I'm sure I've seen that site previously, but I went back and took another look. They now have 6 volt tail lamp bulbs (or they did previously and I just missed 'em.) Now I can put a "bulb" in my Elsinore Enduro that will last more than a week. Now all I need is a new carb and I'm set.
Yeah and a new set of tires ........who said it never ends?

[Bob Wessner]

so I just gained 0.04 HP!

Use it wisely. 

[andy750]

I had seen these guys before and they have some great products and so was wondering how bright they are. Thanks for the feedback and the cost which are all very useful to me! Look forward to hearing about your garage test :-)
Cheers
Andy in Boston

[csendker]

Whoa!  Damn they're bright.  Unfortunately, I mean the idiot lights.  Hopefully I won't be doing too much riding in neutral with no oil pressure and my high beams on or I'd go blind, especially while turning.  Sure can't see the gauges with those spotlights going. Luckily, the high beam indicator is a bit muted compared to the rest - I typically run in high beam mode; I think that will be OK. There will be no mistaking any oil pressure problems, or acidentally slipping into neutral.  The gauges could be brighter, but I'll hold my peace until everyone goes to bed tonight and I take her out for my much-anticipated late night run (it's still holding at 62-deg right now, slated to drop into the 30's & snow tomorrow ).  I may try some pics later, but I kinda doubt they'll work out.

I used the 4-LED models, I bet the 1-LED type would be better for the idiot lights.  They also have a wide-angle version available, I wonder if they would be better for the gauges? Hmmmmmm, I think I need to get another 550 so I can do a good side-by-side comparison as my 175 doesn't have the idiot lights.

[csendker]

Here's two quick pics before I toss the kids in bed.  For both, I covered the headlight to minimize reflection and held the camera at eye level while sitting on the bike.

#1 (...746) with the idiot lights blazing.  You can see the gauges in the pic better than in real life.

#2 (...747) while covering the oil & neutral lights with my fingers - closer to riding conditions.  You can see the gauges better in real life than in the picture. 

I may try to put the incandescent lights in one gauge while leaving the LED's in the other, we'll see if I have time to play tonight.

[cbjunkie]

i'm still after a custom LED bar-end blinker...did you buy these things individually and then fit them into the existing sockets?

I have yet to be able to find a blinker that matches what I have in mind...have you seen any in your wanderings, csnend?

[csendker]

Ok, youngsters blissfully sleeping, time to play. 

First, the bulbs I used were direct drop-in's for the BA9's - look at pic #749.  Second, there's a distinct difference in the gauge lights.  For pic #750, I covered the oil light w/electrical tape, put her in gear and left the high beams on.  You can see the gauges OK, but as the picture kind of shows, the incandescent works noticably better (I swapped out the tach bulbs back to incandescent).  The pic isn't real good, but you get the idea.

I also replaced the license plate bolts with 'bolt LED's' - pic #751.  I lost a tail-light one night and had to make a bee-line home with a totally dark rear-end.  Scared the crap out of me.  Ever since, I've added some sort of light to the rear and these are the best ones yet.  I did not replace any running lights, turn signals, brake lights, etc.  Just the BA9's for now.

If you scrounge around the Superbright website, they have tons of drop-in's and specialty lights.  Depending on the usage, they probably have something you can use.  The specialty lights come with two leads, red & black (hot & ground, duh.) and you just wire them up like normal lights.  They have dual-level light drop-in's or you could wire one to the running light wire and another to the blinker or brake wire.  Beware: I believe the blinker would need a resistor; I think the blinker unit needs to see some resistance to properly blink.

[csendker]

RIDE COMPLETE!!

#1 Whoa! - the cold front's coming in & the temp is down 15 already, wind speed ~25 with gusts to ~35.  Hell of a ride.

#2 Whoa! - those idiot lights are really, really bright.  I get a green flash shifting from 1st to 2nd. Turning gives an amber strobe bright enough to attrach small aircraft.  If I did a lot of night riding, I'd have to rethink these.  Fortunately, I mostly ride during the day when this will all probably come in handy.  If I were doing it over, I'd look at the 1-LED versions for the idiot lights.

#3 Whoa! - I wish lighting level of the gauges & idiot lights were reversed.  The gauges are kinda dim, but usable.  Ditto the night riding comment.

[andy750]

Thanks csendker for the detailed reports and the trials with different conditons - really is very useful particulary your comments about the LEDs in the gauges. This is what previous users (Steve F I belive tried this also) had found that LEDs were not ideal for the gauges which is too bad as it would have been cool to have a red or yellow tinge to the gauge lights.
Many thanks,
Andy in Boston

[DrMark]

As I have never had to replace any of my idiot lights yet....are these 6V or 12V?

[Dennis]

As I have never had to replace any of my idiot lights yet....are these 6V or 12V?

12 volt on the SOHC4's

I was only commenting on the 6 volt because it's the first I've seen and the Elsinore has a 6 volt system (and the vibrations eat tail light bulbs).

[csendker]

12V they is.  Only one or two of the colors are even offered in 6V, just be careful when ordering.  This whole thing precipitated when I had one blow out.  What a royal pain to replace.  I just hammered away upside down and jammed inbetween the gauges & bars until I got a new bulb in.  Swore to never do it again.  That was until I disassembled the bars and found the whole thing pops out for an easy fix.  Never stop learning, espically after the fact.

[DrMark]

I like the idea of changing to LEDs, you suggest the 1 led instead of the 4 led for the idiot lights? Whats your experience with the blinkers and stop/taillight? How many LEDs would be a good place to start? They had so many different models listed on their site. If you happen to know the part numbers or the common size for our bikes....would love to copy them before I place a order. Thanks

[csendker]

I haven't changed the blinkers or taillight yet.  The FAQ's discuss this though:

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=2894.msg112#msg112

As for the idiot lights, I got the 4-LED colored version, and they're insanely bright.  I can only assume the 1-LED version is not as strong.  However, the 4-LED white are on the edge of not cutting it for the gauges, kind of dim.  And again, I believe the blinkers will need the resistor added to work properly.  That said, for my 550:

Idiot: BA9
Gauges: BA9
F. Bilnkers: 1157
R. Blinkers: 1073 (?)
Tail: 1157

I held off on the blinkers because on mine, the bulb is mounted perpendicular to the reflector; no problem for a glass incandescent.  But for a directional LED, I'm not so sure.  I seem to recall they have a 90-deg version, but this was all too much thought process when I got the urge to order.  Besides, this was part of the handlebar replacement snowball which began to accellerate downhill...