As the title says, wondering if anyone has done this before I start buying the wrong parts. I'm planning on installing K&S clear lenses on my stock housings and doing a running white/amber turn setup on the fronts for more noticeability. And maybe running red/amber turn on the rear. Would be cool to wire the rears to act like a brake light too.
I did come across this doodad that might help: https://www.customled.com/products/blinker-genie (https://www.customled.com/products/blinker-genie)
There's a guide here on the forums or on the wiki. Basically, you have to solder in a couple of components, resistors I think.
I just ordered the parts to do it. The turn signals and turn signal indicator are the last bulbs on the bike that I need to switch to LEDs. I waited to do them last because they are the most challenging.
There are two problems you have to solve:
1.) Quick flashing as a result of the low resistance LEDs making the flasher unit blink fast.
2.) All 4 turns signals flashing at once because the stock wiring passes the ground through the unused turn signals. On incandescent bulbs, this is not enough for them to light up. The LEDs use so little power that they light up as normal.
The most "stock" way to solve the issues is to replace the OEM flasher with an electronic unit designed for LEDS.
Then add diodes before the turn signal indicator and connect the turn signal indicator to ground:
(http://billycreek.net/photos/motorcycle_pictures_640/diodes.png)
This fix works with LED or incandescent turn signal indicators, but if you are replacing the turn signal bulbs you might as well do the entire bike. Brighter, longer life, instant-on.
I purchased everything from SuperbrightLEDS.com.
Flasher:https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/flashers-load-resistors/cf12anl-01-led-bulb-electronic-flasher/781/835/?utm_source=product_review_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=product_review_email (https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/flashers-load-resistors/cf12anl-01-led-bulb-electronic-flasher/781/835/?utm_source=product_review_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=product_review_email)
Diodes (much cheaper than the one's you linked to):https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/flashers-load-resistors/metric-bike-diode-kit/1190/2805/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq4OZ6PKw6AIVNh6tBh3RdQ9DEAQYASABEgLi0PD_BwE (https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/flashers-load-resistors/metric-bike-diode-kit/1190/2805/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq4OZ6PKw6AIVNh6tBh3RdQ9DEAQYASABEgLi0PD_BwE)
You can also get your bulbs there.
All of this info (including the wiring diagram) comes from previous posts by Patrick, aka adidasguy. Search around the forum if you need additional info.
Alright, thanks for the links. I'm thinking it'll be more complicated with me wanting to do switchback LEDS. This is my first time with any sort of wiring project
Quote from: Bluesmudge on March 23, 2020, 08:22:32 AM
This fix works with LED or incandescent turn signal indicators, but if you are replacing the turn signal bulbs you might as well do the entire bike. Brighter, longer life, instant-on..
By indicator, you mean the dashboard bulb?
I already had swapped that out, but have come across this issue you're pointing out with the current running back through it.
Are you planning on actual switchback LEDs as well, or just plain Amber LEDs for your turn signals?
I don't know what switchback LEDs are. I ordered regular amber LED bulbs.
Edit: Just looked it up. They are running lights and turn signals. I don't think it will be that much more complicated; Just a lot of work (too much work for me. I'm done with bike wiring for awhile after this project. I already have yellow LED fog lights on the front forks and auxiliary LED brake lights on the rear of the bike and on my top case). For the running light function of the switchback LEDS, splice the third wire for the running light of the switchback LED to a relay that is triggered off the headlight or running lights. All the problems associated with the turn signal function of the switchback LED should not effect your wiring of the running light function. Its really no different than wiring up an auxiliary brake light.
Yes, by indicator bulb I meant the dashboard bulb. The LED bulb in the wiring diagram above is the dashboard indicator light.
My apologies, I should make it a habit to be more detailed right off the bat.
Yes, I am trying to be fancy with it for sure lol. Thanks for the replies, I'm gonna give it a shot soon. Just really want to make myself more visible. And will definitely be doing some fog lights of my own. What fogs did you end up going with?
If you get it all working with those bulbs let us know how you did it!
For fog lights I went with the ADVmonster.com model 30 fog lights with flip-up amber lenses. I purchased them ~3 years ago and they are still going strong.
Advmonster is basically just a vendor for Chinese made lights with a little bit of customer service and a few custom products (dimmers and wiring harnesses).
Don't purchase their rotary dimmer. It failed for me after a few years because of the moving parts. I replaced with the solid state dimmer and its working good now (~30% intensity at low beam. Full intensity when you switch to high beam).
If you can afford them, Denali or Clearwater lights are going to be much nicer but ADVmonster lights are working for me.
Will do and I'll make sure to take some pictures. This also might finally be me excuse to buy soldering iron/station aha.
I have come across ADVmonster before. I believe their LED H4 headlight is highly recommended a drop in for these bikes. Might have to give them a shot, their pricing is pretty fair. But damn, Denali's do look niceee. Dat TriOptic lens
I have the ADVmonster LED headlight as well. The beam pattern is much better than some other Chinese LED H4 bulbs I had tried before but still not a perfect replacement. I've always wanted to try an LED retrofit from a more legit company like Sylvania but they charge at least double the money. I've never been a big fan of the blue color most LED replacement H4 bulbs put out but I put up with it because the lower current draw gives me more electrical head room for the front/rear aux lighting, heated grips, and GPS I run on the GS's mediocre electrical system. I have considered doing a tinted wrap on the headlight to get the color temperature closer to stock but now that my aux lights are yellow I think the color difference between the bright white/blue headlight and the yellow aux lights makes drivers notice me even more than when all 3 front lights were a consistent blueish white.
I could see how the tiny differences would help draw attention, but I'm not a fan of cool white either. Currently I have some Chinese LED h4 drop in as well, but the high beam pattern is complete garbage. Practically useless it feels.
I wonder if the Sylvania retrofits are really worth it. Or maybe I'll look into an actual headlight replacement.