LED Tail / Brake Light

[Bob_Roller]

I just replaced the two tail light / brake light bulbs, dual filament 1157 bulbs on my Guzzi .
I've got a voltmeter in the instrument cluster and when I apply the brakes, I would see about a 3 volt drop on the voltmeter .
Now with the LED's installed, no meter movement upon applying the brakes .
Each filament of the incandescent bulbs, is 21 watts, so with the tail light on and the brake applied, it's around 84 watts, a bit under a third of the charging system output at high rpm's .
The Guzzi has the same Bosch charging system as the airheads .

[Tony Smith]

Yep.

Long ago replaced the tail light and brake light on my R65 with LEDs.

I fitted two of the same output but it works out OK as the internal reflectors and lenses in the R65 tail light housing make the brake light more "focused" and therefore it appears brighter that the tail light. I couldn't think of any downside to having a brighter than standard tail light.

[mrclubike]

Yep.

Long ago replaced the tail light and brake light on my R65 with LEDs.

I fitted two of the same output but it works out OK as the internal reflectors and lenses in the R65 tail light housing make the brake light more "focused" and therefore it appears brighter that the tail light. I couldn't think of any downside to having a brighter than standard tail light.

I have done the same
The LED brake light bulb is a lot brighter than stock incandescent bulb
More brighter = more safer 

Change out the headlight also and you will rarely see the volt meter go into a discharge voltage (below 12.5 at 1100 rpm)
Will at least   with the Delco "A" circuit voltage regulator
Not sure with the stock type "B" circuit

Either way it frees up a lot of charging capacity 

[mrclubike]

The ZEVO LED's work great
Get reds for the brake and tail and amber's for the turns
They have to be trimmed up to fit in the sockets and the tip of the heat sink has to be cut off to fit under the  tail  light lens

Don't waist you money on the Emerald island LED tail light conversions
The ZEVO's are brighter

[Bob_Roller]

On my R65's I put an aftermarket tail light / brake light part from Motorrad Elektrik, Beacon 2 .
I got them about 14 years ago, before LED bulbs were available .

http://www.motoelekt.com/lighting.htm
 
I put Sylvania ' tower ' type LED's on the Guzzi, I think they have about 18 LED's on each bulb .


https://www.carid.com/sylvania/led-bulbs.html?relationshipId=1264494980&childId=592655052&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_9nsvfW82gIVj_hkCh3n_Q4gEAQYBCABEgKzcfD_BwE

If anyone decides to convert to LED's, remember to match the color of the LED, to the color of the lens it shines through .

[mrclubike]

I have seen the Zevo along side the Motorrad Electric / Emerald Island 

I  promise  you the Zevo's are brighter  and cheaper

  If you look at  the Zevo
The led points back to the reflector not out
This gives you a very bright light

[qwerty123]

I can corroborate, good 1156 LED units, like Zevo or from superbrightLEDs.com, are brighter than the Emerald Isle / Motorrad Elektrik Beacon lights.

[BPT]

Do you trim the white plastic "shoulder" part to make them fit into the socket?

It looks like that is what is keeping the bulb from seating on mine but it's also where the seam on the plastic housing is.  Maybe it just  needs a small amount taken off to make it fit?

[Bob_Roller]

How many LED's do these Zevo bulbs have ??
Where did you purchase them ??
I was thinking of changing out the 1157 bulb on my oilhead for an LED replacement .

[mrclubike]

Do you trim the white plastic "shoulder" part to make them fit into the socket?

It looks like that is what is keeping the bulb from seating on mine but it's also where the seam on the plastic housing is.  Maybe it just  needs a small amount taken off to make it fit?

Yes 

[mrclubike]

How many LED's do these Zevo bulbs have ??
Where did you purchase them ??
I was thinking of changing out the 1157 bulb on my oilhead for an LED replacement .

Just 2
But they are focused back to the reflector

[BPT]

Thanks MrClubike.  I thought that was the only place to do it but wanted to make sure that it wouldn't come apart since there is that seam and tabs there.

I'll try a little at a time.........

[davidpdx]

I don't know if it is legal everywhere but I installed a flashing LED brake light on all my bikes. Super Bright LED has them and it is one of the best safety items I have added to my bike. Lots of car drivers just are not paying attention and a little strobe can wake them up sometimes.