The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: razz2234 on April 27, 2010, 11:00:44 AM
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OK...a pretty easy question. The tail lights on the 1981 R65 are two-fold. One to light up the license plate/running light and the other for the brake. Has anyone tried an LED for the brake light? If so...is it an 1156 or 1157? And is it really better than the standard bulb?
Thanks
Bill
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If you want better lighting in the tail light/brake light, I would look at Motorrad Elektrik, for their LED replacement board, Beacon 2, a 'plug and play' type part .
http://www.motoelekt.com/lighting.htm
I also added the Electro Pods, and the Stopper LED light bar .
http://www.motoelekt.com/electropod.htm
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Suitable LEDs are easily available in this country (UK) from Paul Goff, I'm sure there is a good source in the US as well. But don't do the common error and fit red LEDs. There is already a red plastic lens you know! That plus red LEDs will give a dim tail light. White LEDs are all you need.
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I checked the LED Beacon 2 tail light/brake light on my'81 R65, and all but 10 LED's are red, the bottom row of white LED's is for license plate illumination .
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I like the LED light assembly sold by Motoradd... except the $60.00 plus shippping is a bit tough to chew.
I went with a red 24-LED bulb #1156 -that's a single contact and filament- for both the R65's brake lights. Made in the USA. Two year guarantee. $7.49 each, IIRC, plus free shipping. Will likely add a white 24-LED for the tail light/license plate illumination.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fled_prods.htm
They are brighter by a bunch. Vibration is not an issue. Me likey :)
Monte
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I don't like the LEDs that use the stock socket because the possibility of socket contact failure is pretty high, as I found out a few years ago. I was constantly removing the lens to reset the bulb. I had been warned this was common as airheads got older.
I replaced it with the Beacon II that Bob talks about. I love it. It is hard-wired.
Hyper-Lites were my additional rear lighting.
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+1 on another happy Beacon-2 customer. It is a bit on the pricey side, but it will probably last longer than the rest of the bike in all but the most unfortunate rear-ender. (knock wood)
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I'm researching this myself, as I'd like to brighten the rear lights and reduce the electrical draw. The lower bulb has actually begun to melt the tail-light lens. The Motorrad setup looks fantastic, but $60+ is a bit too much right now.
Monte: Did you go with red or white LEDs in both plugs? I've read that it's best to use the same color LED as the lens but if I did that, the license plate will be illuminated red, which I don't want.
I was thinking of going with a white 1156 on the lower plug, and buying one of the fancy "flashing" LED brake bulbs for the top.
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The melting plastic lense is a common problem on these bikes when someone puts in the incorrect wattage bulb - that lower bulb is very close to the plastic compared to the upper bulb and is only supposed to be about a 6W or 10W bulb. But, a 20 or 25W bulb will fit in the socket, and it will in time melt a hole right through the plastic lens. I discovered the PO had done this on my R65, and I frequently see this problem on other airheads as well.
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The OEM correct taillight bulb is a around 7 watts of brilliance. It is also the 1156 base with a smaller glass globe to keep it away from the plastic lens. I see them at WalMart.
Red LED bulb for the brake light. White down under so you'll stay legal on the license plate.
Monte
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I am with Bob and the others................ the Motorrad Elektrik LED light is great. Your damn near invisible to car drivers.....or so it seems. So having a nice bright tail light is a good thing. This is a picture of my sidecar R65. The cycle has a Motorrad Elektrik LED and the sidecar tail light a regular bulb. The sidecar tail light came off a wrecked R65 and they exactly the same...except for the bulb. I have since replaced it with a LED.
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Last week was warm but foggy during my pre-dawn ride to work.
Similar thoughts as Scotty's were running through my head regarding the wimpy stock tail lights. I continually pulsed the front brake lever just to get noticed. The LEDs are definitely brighter... any of them!
Monte