The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: nhmaf on July 03, 2009, 10:07:44 PM

Title: Holy smoking tail lights!
Post by: nhmaf on July 03, 2009, 10:07:44 PM

So, I am going over the R65 in preparation for taking her on her longest road trip yet -> down to the MOA rally and back, which will likely be a bit over 2000 miles round trip.   I was contemplating getting an LED replacement (Beacon 2) tail light from Rick at Motorrad Elektrik so I wouldn't have to worry about tail/brake light bulb replacements, and I took off the tail light lense to see  the wiring in the OEM configuration.

Zoinks !   The tail light lens is starting to crack in the middle, caused by a large circular melted area from the lower (license plate) bulb.  Apparently the PO decided to replace the 5W bulb that goes in there with a 25W   1156 bulb.   The brake light is a 25W 1156 bulb, but it is more recessed and farther away from the plastic lens than the lower bulb.   Riding around with the 25W lower bulb was very visible (I wondered why it seemed so bright!!) but apparently the plastic lense doesn't like all those watts so close to it..   I found a 1003 12W bulb and replaced the 25W bulb - hopefully that will do for now without melting things more.   I think that I'll still plan on getting the LED replacement assembly with less heat, but now gotta glue/expoy up the crack to stop it from spreading until I get a replacement tail light lense.    

Just wanted to point this out to others as I've seen the melted taillight situation on other airheads, too.   The 25W (or higher) 1157 bulbs are easy to find and fit that lower socket, but there is too much heat too close to the plastic, it seems....

Title: Re: Holy smoking tail lights!
Post by: montmil on July 04, 2009, 09:29:28 AM

Found the same bulb issue in my '81 soon after I bought it. Swapped for a lower watt bulb. Fortunately, no damage to my lens plastic.   Monte

Title: Re: Holy smoking tail lights!
Post by: suecanada on July 04, 2009, 10:32:11 AM

I'm going to look now!
Thanks Mike!

Title: Re: Holy smoking tail lights!
Post by: MrRiden on July 04, 2009, 11:09:24 AM

Sounds like you have a lens ready for a blue dot installation.

Title: Re: Holy smoking tail lights!
Post by: weasel01 on July 04, 2009, 01:07:10 PM

on board easy bake oven!

Title: Re: Holy smoking tail lights!
Post by: montmil on July 04, 2009, 06:28:00 PM

Quote

Sounds like you have a lens ready for a blue dot installation.

I remember blue dot tail lights! Cat at school had a '49 Merc flattie with capped lakes pipes, maroon paint, wicker seats (yes) in front and blue dots. He also had a gorgeous girlfriend who lived down the street from me. Uh Oh... primitive stirrings. Alas, she was a junior and I but a lowly fish.

Blue dots rock! And they're still available.   Monte

Title: Re: Holy smoking tail lights!
Post by: aussie on July 05, 2009, 04:06:47 AM

Ummm..... Pardon my ignorance, but blue dots?

Title: Re: Holy smoking tail lights!
Post by: montmil on July 05, 2009, 07:59:05 AM

Hey, Aussie Tim

Blue Dots are an American hot rod item that began, oh, late 50's or so.

Simple, small circular plastic blue dots were either fitted to or after-market manufactured automotive taillight lenses.

The blue dot was positioned along the longitudinal axis of the tail light bulb so that when lights and or brakes were on... pretty!

Some law enforcement anal-retentive types still tend to write citations for 'em. "Supposed to be red", they say. Phooey.