Topic: Tail/Brake light questions

[ddanz27]

Hey all! Happy Wednesday! I am looking for some answers to my brakelight dilema (okay so its not a dilema, I am being a little dramatic). I am needing to do something with my rear end (the one on the bike) and I am having a hard time deciding what to do. I think I have narrowed down my blinkers but as for my tail light I am not sure whether to go with a multi-led unit like I have seen on ebay or go with a universal assembly that would require a bulb which I would just install an LED bulb in. My real question is, would one be brighter than the other? I ordered a set of backup lights for my car from superbrightleds.com and they are almost blinding but then I hear others hear on the forum say that LEDs will not be as bright. Is this only for a LED type assembly with like 40 or 50 leds in it?

Also, would the wiring be simpler for me if I were to just install the bulb type replacement. It seems I would have to wire in some "extras" if I went with the other route. I hope this makes sense. I have been reading all day and cant really decide.

Thanks for any advice!

Below are the types of assemblies I am speaking of if that helps

[Duke McDukiedook]

It depends on the type of LED bulb and the base. They have some pretty damn bright ones that people have used for brake lights that are dual brightness. my front replacement 1157 turn bulbs with 30 amber LEDS are not as bright as the incandescent bulbs.

It all depends on what you plan on doing, show us specifically what you plan on using for your setup.

[flybox1]

id say find the lense that looks the best with your build, and then find the bulb that gets you the desired effect.

[ddanz27]

Here is the exact tail that I have decided on. What do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390304067810&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AVRI#ht_5637wt_778

[Duke McDukiedook]

It looks like it should work, get it and see if it does.
If it doesn't work proerly you might have to add some resistors.

[turkey2143]

I have the bottom one you posted a picture of, it has a white license plate light that I use to "highlight" my rear tire which looks pretty cool to me, solid mounting with rubber backing, but I made my own metal bracket that I welded to the frame.

[ddanz27]

I have the bottom one you posted a picture of, it has a white license plate light that I use to "highlight" my rear tire which looks pretty cool to me, solid mounting with rubber backing, but I made my own metal bracket that I welded to the frame.

Did you have to use resistors on that light or were you able to plug it up and go? Is it very bright?

[turkey2143]

I plugged it right up to the existing wires and it's a lot brighter than stock when someone is directly behind me, but from the side the old light was more noticeable because of the bigger lense.

[ddanz27]

Great! Thanks Turkey. That gives me the confidence to go with the led light rather than a bulb assembly!

[Skunk Stripe]

I have been looking at this tail light.
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-lighting-parts-hooded-gloss-black-lucas-taillight-light-20-1081-gbpc.html
They also have a chrome one for $20 less. Not sure why a black painted one is more but I like the look of it better.
It uses a regular bulb, smaller than our stock ones though.