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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: merisey on August 23, 2008, 09:53:07 AM

Title: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: merisey on August 23, 2008, 09:53:07 AM
on the model for the newer gs' does the led tail still function as a license plate light. or would i have to mod up some bolt lights or something?
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: frankieG on August 23, 2008, 10:38:33 AM
i have it and i must say it is one of the best mods out there.  easy to install, looks great and yes it also performs as a license plate light.
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: erbilabuc on August 23, 2008, 10:45:43 AM
Quote from: merisey on August 23, 2008, 09:53:07 AM
on the model for the newer gs' does the led tail still function as a license plate light. or would i have to mod up some bolt lights or something?

I had one but after a while the right side red led's stop working but I didnt care anyways because it came with the bike. I just replaced it with a cbr 1000rr light.
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: Esteban on February 27, 2009, 09:57:07 PM
What about these?  Less than the Clear Alternatives and *allegedly* DOT approved (at least stamped...).  They say it's for the GS500F, but then also say it's for a number of other bikes.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-06-HONDA-SHADOW-VLX-600-SPIRIT-1100-GS500F-TAILLIGHT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a2Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem200306488296QQitemZ200306488296QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Or is this better?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Motorcycle-Parts-Accessories__GS500F-LED-CLEAR-Tail-light-04-07-GS-500F-Suzuki-26IT_W0QQitemZ360134463152QQadiZ2863QQadnZMotorcycleQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item360134463152&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: lawman on February 28, 2009, 10:55:59 AM
Quote from: Esteban on February 27, 2009, 09:57:07 PM
What about these?  Less than the Clear Alternatives and *allegedly* DOT approved (at least stamped...).  They say it's for the GS500F, but then also say it's for a number of other bikes.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-06-HONDA-SHADOW-VLX-600-SPIRIT-1100-GS500F-TAILLIGHT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a2Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem200306488296QQitemZ200306488296QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Or is this better?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Motorcycle-Parts-Accessories__GS500F-LED-CLEAR-Tail-light-04-07-GS-500F-Suzuki-26IT_W0QQitemZ360134463152QQadiZ2863QQadnZMotorcycleQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item360134463152&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

That's what I have.  So far so good.  Now, I haven't ridden the bike in a while though because of lack of time and valve issues, but it was easy to install, looks good, works well, etc.
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: Esteban on March 04, 2009, 07:45:20 AM
Quote from: lawman on February 28, 2009, 10:55:59 AM
That's what I have.  So far so good.  Now, I haven't ridden the bike in a while though because of lack of time and valve issues, but it was easy to install, looks good, works well, etc.
Was the ST-3067LED easy to install and does it have the load resistors integrated?  Also, the auction says that it's "Exactly same as picture (includes accessories for installation as shown)", but they don't show the wiring harness, so I'm wondering if it is a plug-in or do I have to splice the wires?
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: lawman on March 04, 2009, 09:14:12 AM
Quote from: Esteban on March 04, 2009, 07:45:20 AM
Quote from: lawman on February 28, 2009, 10:55:59 AM
That's what I have.  So far so good.  Now, I haven't ridden the bike in a while though because of lack of time and valve issues, but it was easy to install, looks good, works well, etc.
Was the ST-3067LED easy to install and does it have the load resistors integrated?  Also, the auction says that it's "Exactly same as picture (includes accessories for installation as shown)", but they don't show the wiring harness, so I'm wondering if it is a plug-in or do I have to splice the wires?

Funny ... I didn't install resistors, and it didn't appear to have any, but the blink rate is normal, so I guess it must.

All it had was a plate of leds that you put in the brake light frame, with a clear lens to fit over the top in place of the red lens.  Wired into the plate it has a plug that plugs into one of the brake light bulb receptacles for the brake light, and two wires for the turn signals.  I pulled out the other brake light receptacle, leaving the boot in, and threated the turn signal wires through the holes that used to have the other brake light wires, so it's watertight, then put bullet connectors on the ends so the whole assembly is upluggable.  I did a little rewiring and soldering, but I think it made the unit much cleaner and less likely to have problems from moisture etc.  And it was eaaaasy.
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: Esteban on March 06, 2009, 07:10:54 AM
Quote from: lawman on March 04, 2009, 09:14:12 AM
Funny ... I didn't install resistors, and it didn't appear to have any, but the blink rate is normal, so I guess it must.
Great, well, I just picked one up on eBay, so I'll see how it looks on my '07!  One last question, it's hard to see from the PICs, but does the ST-3067LED have downward-facing white LEDs for the license plate? (I'm assuming it does, but, as I said, it's hard to tell)
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: Esteban on March 16, 2009, 05:13:09 PM
Here's a comparison (all taken at the same aperture and shutter speed):
(http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/muffinsAHOY/StockVsST-3067LED.jpg)

So a couple of comments:
1. I was sent the wrong light (i.e., it was not plug-and-play).  I had to cut off the connector (a 4-prong, where the GS has a 3 prong) and crimp on spade connectors so that I could plug the light into the GS harness.
2. The seal around the lens is crappy.  There is a 1mm gap around the top of the lens.  I ended up using 3m silicon sealant to close it up.
3. The visibility from directly behind is good, to the sides bad.
4. It *does* include white LEDs that illuminate the license plate.

I haven't hooked up the integrated turn signals yet, but they appear to function fine.  There are no load resistors, so the flash speed increases when the integrated signals are hooked up and the rear turn signals are disconnected.
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: joshr08 on March 16, 2009, 05:21:18 PM
i am guessing that bad side visability is one reason that most led turn signals and such are not DOT approved.
Title: Re: anyone with clear alternatives led tail
Post by: Esteban on March 16, 2009, 05:52:19 PM
Quote from: joshr08 on March 16, 2009, 05:21:18 PM
i am guessing that bad side visability is one reason that most led turn signals and such are not DOT approved.
The interesting thing is that these signals are stamped DOT approved (see the tail light I purchased for my '07: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280320067212)

However, I'm not sure that they are truly DOT approved (maybe just stamped at the factory?).  I definitely like the look MUCH better with my white-blue '07, so even though there are a number of pitfalls, I would still recommend them.  I'm planning on hooking up the integrated lights in parallel with the stock turn signals for the time being.  The more visibility the better IMHO!