Rear tail light LED Conversion!

[xunedeinx]

As a contribution for being newly approved on the forums, im going to document my trials and and adventures in converting my rear tail light to a LED one!

My Background: Im big into pc's, you can call me a nerd, its ok, i take it as a compliment. Im BIG into case modding, so a gs500f...Just like a big case!

So, lets shove some LED's into the tail in an non-ordinary way..

I was at wally-world (walmart) last night, and saw this LED trailer brake-light/turn signal, and the gears turned... I can make it work! 5 dollars later and more seat time, and I have this gem...



Shiney, eh?

So, out of the box, its close dimensions, but im not taking the easy way out, I want it to look FACTORY.. So, tear into the GS we go!

BEFORE:


During:



REMOVED COMPARISON!!!



Heres the game plan. Get that LED unit INSIDE the tail section...


pt2 in a sec

[xunedeinx]

Alright, so first task is stripping the two lights...So off with their Lens's (British accent)!!!



Now that were this far along, we can see the LED unit is too big, but its an epoxied board with the led's on it inside of a plastic case, but its been epoxied in the case, so a lot of chipping and prying is needed to free it from its plastic prison.. The after effects should look similar to this..




Now, the original LED unit had a BIG plug in the back, which had to go, so I cut it off and soldered in some new leads, which will eventually attach to the bikes stock wiring harness.



Looks good, part three in a sec.

[xunedeinx]

Now, I had to attach it to the stock bulb housing.

I had the idea in mind that I didn't want to disrupt the original bulb sockets or functioning in case for some odd reason I decided to go back to the OG gear. Doubt it'll happen, but never no. To attach it, I screwed it in place (duh) But I positioned it so that the screwed predrilled threw the back where the stock bolts go, so there's no protruding threw the back with screws. Hence, no need for bolts and nuts. Yay, no nuts..


That's where it was positioned, screwed into place.



Here, you can see where I had the wiring go threw. Tomorrow, ill silicone it for moisture protection. for now it'll do.



Soldered in line with stock wiring to keep factory harness.



tidied up.

Part 4 for completion pics!!!

[xunedeinx]

here is it on the bike with running red light on



Here is it with the brakes applied



Reattached with factory look..



Running lights



Brake Lights...



My thoughts on this simple mod that only drew blood once (dont ask), Easy, quick (only lasted an hour and a half), and made a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!!


The running light is BRIGHT!...

The Brake light HURTS it is so bright! defiantly an eye-grabber for anyone behind you.

All in all, try it out, costed $10 dollars, 5 beers, and maybe 2 hours time and some pain. Have fun!

-Justin

[xunedeinx]

Oops, fixed images with 4 being the same...New issue, i reattached the seat and forgot about hooking up the lock..new thread.

[Fausty0]

Right on man, I did something very similar to mine!

[ben2go]

Mad props for this.

I have a Clear Alternatives Yamaha R1 tail light on my 89 GS.I may have to try that out and see how it works on those.

Here is mine just in case you are wondering what it looks like.





BTW,this was before I rebuilt and customized my bike.It was the first mod I did.

[xunedeinx]

Defiantly give it a shot. Wallyworld sells 2 round led units in the auto section, may work well in that rear section!

POST PICS!

-Justin

[Iautorico]

I just wanted to say thanks that's an awesome Idea! I'm gonna try it since the misses is leaving town this week and I'm off today and tomorrow! Lol!

[ben2go]

Defiantly give it a shot. Wallyworld sells 2 round led units in the auto section, may work well in that rear section!

POST PICS!

-Justin

I'll check it out.Thanks.

[tb0lt]

Superb idea. I will have to check this out. Thanks for the post and pics.

[Twism86]

Thanks man. Despite my extreme aversion towards walmart I may go pick that light up.

[crzydood17]

if only we can make it blink looks great might have to run to wally world myself....

[ben2go]

Thanks man. Despite my extreme aversion towards walmart I may go pick that light up.

I'm not a fan either.

[xunedeinx]

Eh walmart does suck, but their loosing market share...

If you had the desire, you could drill the back of the board where the two right and left side bulbs are, to the solder points, and wire it up so you can do each side seperatly...

But be in for a world of  headaches knowing which one is which.

[shawn]

As much as I dislike Walmart, I am heading there this week to get this.

Could you post the stock number?

thanks
shawn

[xunedeinx]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Blazer-LED-Oval-Stop-Turn-and-Tail-Light-Kit-Red/15111464?findingMethod=rr

Was cheaper in store, but thats the one

[Therefore]

Thanks for this diy! It was wry clear and fr once the photos were great! About what percentage do you think the LEDs are brighter by? Is there any angle of view drawbacks?


Sent from my iPhone4 using Tapatalk

[xunedeinx]

Angle of view is same as stock, as the leds are inside the lenses, and it gets refracted plenty.

Dosn't light up the plate as well..

Brightness is about double. Stockers you could barely see running, and weren't that bright with brakes applies.

LEDs are bright on running, prob about the same as the old ones with the applied brakes, and the brakes applied are really bright. I can see it lighting up road signs behind me when i drive by and apply brakes. Before, absolutely nothing. not the most scientific approach, but it is a lot better, and for a few bucks, what you got to loose?

[MistahT]

if only we can make it blink......

You could also take apart some led marker lights and integrate them into the tail light to make a single unit. The only issue I could see is the brake light overpowering the blinker light. Maybe put a small shroud around the turn signal leds. Even if you block the very sides from the light from the brake light, I still think people will notice the blinding red