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...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0179.jpg)
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:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0180.jpg)
During:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0181.jpg)
REMOVED COMPARISON!!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0182.jpg)
Heres the game plan. Get that LED unit INSIDE the tail section...
pt2 in a sec
Alright, so first task is stripping the two lights...So off with their Lens's (British accent)!!!
(http://img.photobucket.co
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..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0185.jpg)
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.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0186.jpg)
Looks good, part three in a sec.
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..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0187.jpg)
That's where it was positioned, screwed into place.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0188.jpg)
Here, you can see where I had the wiring go threw. Tomorrow, ill silicone it for moisture protection. for now it'll do.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0189.jpg)
Soldered in line with stock wiring to keep factory harness.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0190.jpg)
tidied up.
Part 4 for completion pics!!!
here is it on the bike with running red light on
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0191.jpg)
Here is it with the brakes applied
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0192.jpg)
Reattached with factory look..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0193.jpg)
Running lights
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0197.jpg)
Brake Lights...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/xunedeinx/IMG_0198.jpg)
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
Oops, fixed images with 4 being the same...New issue, i reattached the seat and forgot about hooking up the lock..new thread.
Right on man, I did something very similar to mine!
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.
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/motorcycle008.jpg)
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/motorcycle009.jpg)
BTW,this was before I rebuilt and customized my bike.It was the first mod I did.
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 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!
Quote from: xunedeinx on June 12, 2011, 06:41:27 AM
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.
Superb idea. I will have to check this out. Thanks for the post and pics.
Thanks man. Despite my extreme aversion towards walmart I may go pick that light up.
if only we can make it blink :) looks great might have to run to wally world myself....
Quote from: Twism86 on June 12, 2011, 12:52:13 PM
Thanks man. Despite my extreme aversion towards walmart I may go pick that light up.
I'm not a fan either.
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.
As much as I dislike Walmart, I am heading there this week to get this.
Could you post the stock number?
thanks
shawn
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
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
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?
Quote from: crzydood17 on June 12, 2011, 02:35:15 PM
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 :)
Great job on the conversion but is seems like a lot of work when there is LED tail light options out there.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Tail-Lights-SUZUKI-GS500F-2004-2005-2006-2007-2009-/250837826714?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a67197c9a
I give you every credit for making this work and your ingenuity. now that's it done it looks great.
Enjoy!
Nice write up!
Both the previous look interesting, but you lose the required clear/white illumination at the bottom down to the license plate.
Im waiting for the "1157-R19W6: Motorcycle Tail 19-LED 1157 Bulb" to arrive as a straight bulb swap -- hope they are good...
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR
I've bought many cheap ebay led bulbs and quality "superbrightleds.com" bulbs and its definitely worth it to spend the extra on super bright and do it right the first time. I recommend them over anyone else for your business.
Btw, do you need a different flasher relay if you upgrade to leds?
Quote from: MistahT on June 14, 2011, 12:01:59 PM
I've bought many cheap ebay led bulbs and quality "superbrightleds.com" bulbs and its definitely worth it to spend the extra on super bright and do it right the first time. I recommend them over anyone else for your business.
Btw, do you need a different flasher relay if you upgrade to leds?
Only if the turn signals are upgraded to LEDs.
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/Motorcycle%20Stuff/0626081710.jpg)
I replaced the front turn signals with LED flush-mount signal lights but now my signals flash very quickly, both front and rear. I understand I may need a flasher relay due to the difference in power used between the stock bulbs and LEDs?
I'm not very familiar with how all this stuff works... could someone explain to me what I need to do like I'm a 10 year old? Thanks!
Quote from: Nwhiteside on June 14, 2011, 11:31:46 AM
Both the previous look interesting, but you lose the required clear/white illumination at the bottom down to the license plate.
...
This is easy to fix. One way is with LED license plate bolts http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/300564768198
Im not a fan of clear/flashy stuff. Wanted it to look stock.
Plus, it kept me busy, I had fun, and Id rather have a bike be mine then bought off of ebay.
Remenber, im a HUGE pc modder
Quote from: gitarooman83 on June 14, 2011, 01:40:01 PM
I replaced the front turn signals with LED flush-mount signal lights but now my signals flash very quickly, both front and rear. I understand I may need a flasher relay due to the difference in power used between the stock bulbs and LEDs?
I'm not very familiar with how all this stuff works... could someone explain to me what I need to do like I'm a 10 year old? Thanks!
Here is my write up.I used brighter incandesant bulbs that cause the signals to come on and stay on.An electronic relay solves the issue with LEDs and higher wattage incandesant bulbs. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=42477.0
Move to project thread please?
Bump to top for great project idea! :thumb:
Just did this little project. man what a PITA to get that led board out of there, thank you dremel. Only thing I did different was that I dremeled indents of the side of the board to wedge it between the two screw post instead of screwing it in. The lens holds it in place, time will tell if it holds.
I'm getting a pair of dual-"filament" white LEDs as direct replacements of the stock bulbs for $9
Quote from: radodrill on January 06, 2014, 08:11:53 PM
I'm getting a pair of dual-"filament" white LEDs as direct replacements of the stock bulbs for $9
You should read this before using white bulbs behind a red lens. http://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb_notes.php
You guys remember JeffD (I think that was his handle) made these that you fit into the original housing ...
They were sorta cut to fit in the 89-00 housing. I saw one on Ginovega's bike. Looked pretty good, but was a bit askew.
Cool.
Buddha.