The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: badgertom on October 08, 2015, 01:24:34 PM
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I know this or a similar question was ask before. But, what is the best way to make the turn signal light on the instrument panel more visible.
Some days ( esp. when its sunny) it is hard to tell if the light is on. I thought about LED bulbs but are they available and will they fit ? Also will they work or do I need to run a resistor across the circuit? Are there any other solutions? Thnaks for any help.
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There are LED replacemnt bulbs available, but I don't know if it will solve the problem of visibility in direct sunlight .
Here's a link, just to show you what you are looking for .
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-5-led-miniature-wedge-retrofit-car/199/#/tab/Photos&Videos
From what I've read, you want to get an LED the same color as the lens that it will be working with .
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Thanks, I'll give it a try.
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Ideally you should compare the lumen output of any prospective LED bulb with that of the original. I don't have a precise figure for the stock bulb but it will be in the region of 30 lumens. So I'd look for an LED with a fair bit more than 30 lumens.
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There are two competing priorities:
1/. Bright enough to see on a sunny day
2/. not so bright as to be blinding at night.
in my opinion the stock bulbs are plenty bright enough, if you need more cues to remind you to turn off the blinkers, fit a beeper. My RS has such a device stock and I miss it on the R65 - by pure chance my wife's R65/80 had one fitted new (1979 edition) and it is still on the bike, albeit disconnected......A plot is beginning to form.
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I have toned down the bleeper on my 79 and find it very useful; particularly for frightening pedestrians.
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I have a beeper but one can only hear it when in town and it sounds like a croaking fog! But I find it helpful to remind me. Japanese name sounding name Nikko" written on the outside cover disc. The turn signals are bright enough to notice them on btw. if I look.
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I have a beeper ... Japanese name sounding name "Nikko" written on the outside cover disc.
Many bike manufacturers seem to source their noisemakers from Nikko. They're everywhere. My Triumph Trophy 900 came with Nikko pip-squeak horns that were barely audible. Tossed 'em, made up a relayed wiring harness and tucked in a pair of Freeway Blasters from the FLAPS. Gets the attention of texting drivers.
I'm occasionally guilty of forgetting to turn off turn signals. I often use the old-fashioned hand signals. Flapping arms do seem to catch the eye of those cage drivers.