Topic: trick little led taillight...

[babyfood1217]

I got part of this done a while ago, but finally got to taking pics tonight so...

LED components were actually red auxiliary lamps from farm and fleet (also available at most places where trailer stuff is sold.) The original lamps are two small LEDs encased in a red housing, back with epoxy, and mounted via two holes on either end.  I took three units, cut one mounting hole from two of the units, and both holes from the remaining unit.  As viewed in the images, they are only pressed into the housing, but eventually they will all be epoxied into place (along with the two end screws.)



The bracket the pieces are pressed into is a simple aluminum piece.  Milled to fit the three sections with an access hole in the back for the wiring to emerge through.  



The bracket then mounts to another bracket, this one fabbed from mild steel pieces (assorted sizes) which are formed and welded to mount both the rear turn signals and the taillight unit to the frame.  This main bracket actually is bolted onto the frame via the same mount that the seat lock mechanism is attached to the frame by.



So when setting up the wiring, I was a bit leary as to the brightness of the LEDs.  I should've know better.  The three separate units in the taillight are each two LEDs, and I chose one single unit for taillight, and the addition of the two remaining units for brake light.  That adds up to two (2) LEDs for taillight and six (6) for brake light.  Made the mistake of looking at it when I first plugged in the wires for these pics.  Now I see little green spots

First pics are with some garage lights on.  Taillight first, brake light second...





These pics are nothing but the LED units lighting up the space.  Tail first, brake second...

[BobbyR]

Very nice work indeed.!!!!

[Beans]

Looks good I got my led setup from auto zone. mine are bumper lights for an import.  like they setup you did though looks clean. wonder what it will look like with the seat on.

[babyfood1217]

...wonder what it will look like with the seat on.

ugh.  That's for a thread way far in the future...

[the technological J]

nice u should check and see if u can see it in direct sunlight i had a cheap setup of leds and they couldnt be seen(completely invisible) in direct sunlight and were useless in daylight but worked awesome at night.... so double check it before u make it too permant...... buat looks good hope it works

[Alan F.]

They make those units in amber too, they'll almost certainly fit in a set of stock directional housings, although I've seen small round led lights too, say 1-3/4" diameter that would probably be great in a directional too, just have to figure out how to split the led's up for the front running lights...
-Alan

[babyfood1217]

u should check and see if u can see it in direct sunlight...

Good point.  Haven't even thought of that until now.  Unless horrible things happen to the sun in the next few hours, I'll check that tomorrow.  Thanks!!!

-Chris

[babyfood1217]

nice u should check and see if u can see it in direct sunlight

thegabrielj - I blame the following event on you

I moved the motorcycle out of the garage the other day.  Heeding the suggestion thegabrielj made regarding the light in the daylight.  Fairly sunny day, so I wheeled it out of the garage and parked it next to my moms car.  Wasn't tons of room, and the front wheel was close to the edge of the driveway, but enough clearance between the bike and the car so I flipped the kickstand down and leaned her over.  Hooked up the wires and stepped back to grab the camera.  Camera in hand, I noticed the wires came loose, so I walked up to the bike to reconnect them, and the front wheel rolled off the edge of the driveway and into the grass.  It was about 2" lower and the forward movement and the weight of the bike happened to be just right to get the kickstand to fold up, dumping the bike into the front driver wheel well of her 2004 subaru outback legacy fancy schmancy expensive to repair nicer than my car.  If it would've been my truck, I would've sprayed it with some primer and been ok.  It was hers however, so doled out a wonder $450 for a baseball sized dent to be repaired.  Damn.  Stupid motorcycle (owner).   Took a picture that day after I cussed up a storm, and I'll post it later, but just the taillight looked ok so I think I'll be good.

-Chris

[Soos]

I like your posts!!!




You have quite the knack for improvisation, I like that.








l8r

[the technological J]

lol that sux... my bad..i have big shoulders i can take it...those kinda mistakes u only make once...... how did the tail light work?

[babyfood1217]

pretty good actually.  Once I dig up the cord I misplaced, I'll hook up the camera and throw up a pic.