LED turn signals

[Bob_Roller]

Monte,  a question, you said the rear turn directionals are red on your bike, that's the first time I've heard of that, they are usually amber .

[montmil]

Monte,  a question, you said the rear turn directionals are red on your bike, that's the first time I've heard of that, they are usually amber .

Well, d'oh! They are amber. The pair of red "1156" LEDs I bought are for the Cabriolet's tail lamps so I had red on the brain. [smiley=embarassed.gif] The part number I posted is for a red light emitting diode. Click amber if you're outfitting the turn signals.

SuperBrights offers clear, red and amber LEDs; suggesting you match the bulb to your lens color.

[steven m]

Is there a way to turn the now LED turn signals with the new relay into running lights with the turn signals blinking off instead of on?  With such a low draw it wouldn't be hard on the charging system.  I think...

Steve

[Bob_Roller]

In the R65 Technical FAQ/Procedure section seventh entry, Rob Valdez has a thread on installing a 4 way hazard flasher circuit .

[John M]

Hi Monty , can you post a review of the led performance (i.e. are they noticeably brighter than the standard 1156 or is the current draw and life the prime reason for switching ) Happy holidays John

[montmil]

Hi Monty , can you post a review of the led performance (i.e. are they noticeably brighter than the standard 1156 or is the current draw and life the prime reason for switching ) Happy holidays John

A factor to consider is the reflector "dish" behind the bulb and the fresnel design of the lens. Also the bulb's proximity to the reflector, its shape and condition. You'll also note on the SuperBrights web catalog that they offer a wide variety of bulbs with a multitude of LED positions and LED count. Can get rather confusing.

I tried an LED brake light bulb on the R65 but it didn't seem as bright as the stock 1156. However, I did "cheap out" and buy an LED bulb with very few diodes. The reflector in the brake light section wasn't conductive to the smaller LED bulb. The turn signal reflectors are much closer and tighter to the bulb and offer better reflections.

For me, it boils down to experimentation. SuperBright will accept returns and exchanges for upgrades.

My wife's Cadillac DTS has extremely brilliant LED lamps -multiple LEDs in the tail lights- but I can't get inside the unit to see the plastic lens design or any other details that might help with bulb selection for the Airheads.

For now, I buy the bulb with the widest angle and the greatest number of LEDs that will fit... without breaking the bank.  

[scottyintex]

Let us know how it works out Mont. Two years back I put LED bulbs in my R65 turn signals. I used a no load flasher unit instead of resistors. However, I didn’t think they were as bright as the regular incandescent bulbs and pulled them out. Went back to the old bulbs I did...might have been the LED bulbs were not the best out there. Anyway let us know how it works out. Also, a much belated thanks on the idea of putting a LED bulb in the tail light to replace that anemic little bulb. I put in one of the super brights.....that made a big difference.

[montmil]

With nothing better to do today, I lined up both R65s, side-by-side, and swapped the red 24-LED/100 degree bulbs -that are going into the Cabriolet's tail lamp housing- into one of the R65's rear turn signals.

My totally unscientific test revealed that even with the incorrect color -turn sigs should be fitted with amber LED bulbs, not red- the 24 diode LED bulbs are as bright or even slightly brighter than the OEM #1156 12V, 21W incandescent bulb.

The LED turn signal lamps should last indefinitely and will utilize their lower voltage requirements for generating light rather than heat. The lower electrical draw, although small, will also benefit engine operations.

Whether or not you choose to spend the money on the higher priced LED bulbs for turn signal replacements, a good LED bulb will make a noticeable safety improvement as a replacement for the small 5W specified BMW tail light bulb. And an LED won't melt the plastic tail light lens as will the often seen but incorrect 1156 21W used; rather than the specified smaller R19-5W.

Monte  

[scottyintex]

"good LED bulb will make a noticeable safety improvement as a replacement for the small 5W specified BMW tail light bulb. " It sure did!!! Thanks

[montmil]

ADDENDUM... with a R65-Cabriolet connection:

A gorgeous day today in North Texas with CAVU sky and 60[ch730]F. Perfect opportunity to install the red 24-LED bulbs in the tail light section of the Cabrio. Not a quickie job as it's necessary to yank out the entire rear lamp assembly just to change a bulb. Great design... not.

Well, slap me! No wonder the tail lights looked a bit dim on the 'dub; the tail light bulbs are the exact same wimpy R19-5 watt as comes OEM on the BMW R65s.

It's all good now.

Happy New Year, you guys. [smiley=beerchug.gif]