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Message started by Johnnyblade on 09/29/15 at 06:37:29

Title: Turn signals
Post by Johnnyblade on 09/29/15 at 06:37:29

Can these be modified to fit the s40?http://m.ebay.com/itm/AMBER-DUAL-FILAMENT-CHROME-METAL-BULLET-LIGHTS-PAIR-12-VOLT-HARLEY-TURN-SIGNALS-/331586219095?nav=SEARCH

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Dave on 09/29/15 at 06:55:02

Front or back?

They most likely can be adapted....however they won't fit into the stock mounting points or plug into the stock wiring harness.

For the back you will have to drill some new holes into the chrome side rails to mount them....or mount them to a bracket on the license plate as some other folks have done. If they are dual filament bulbs....it is not legal to use amber running lights in the rear....you can only have red running lights on the back of any vehicle or trailer in the US. If they only have the 8 watt lights...they will not be bright enough to be seen in the daylight - the stock turn signals have 23 watt bulbs for turn signals.

Not sure what you would have to do to adapt them to the front....make some kind of bracket you could use to mount them to the forks.

You aren't going to get much of anything worthwhile for $ 15....I hate to see folks bolting on pieces that will not keep them as safe as possible - turn signals, tail lights and brake lights are really important safety items.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by verslagen1 on 09/29/15 at 08:44:16

You can use this method to mount any signal with wires thru the bolt to the stock locations.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1137475021

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Johnnyblade on 09/29/15 at 08:45:04

Thanks Dave. You saved me 15 bucks.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Dave on 09/29/15 at 09:26:30

Do you need to replace damaged stock turns signals.....or are you going for a different look?

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by JutMan on 09/29/15 at 12:51:18

For my front a bought P clamps and removed the original clamps.

For the rear, i removed ( knocked out ) the small pin that was at the base of the attachment point on the original lights. Then I used a dremel tool the get rid of the bit of weld. They used a tree nut ( bent the tabs down ) to screw the lights into.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by JutMan on 09/29/15 at 13:02:11

Front

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by JutMan on 09/29/15 at 13:02:36

Rear

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 09/29/15 at 20:46:00

I actually have a set of those that I got when I was doing the "I need MORE light!" experiments. They are better than most of their peers. They are chrome plated steel and the plating looks good, and have a gasket between the lens and the case plus a gasket/anti vibration pad between the light and the mounting surface. I have a very similar pair with different lenses that bolt directly to my rear fender as part of a turn signal relocate plan. Mine are made for 1156 bulbs so they are one wire though.

I eventually converted them to 2 watt LED daytime running lights for the front of the Honda. It's a pretty solid unit.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by JutMan on 09/29/15 at 20:51:02

010C0C040A064E140A170B4E101716630 wrote:

Is there any issue with wiring both filaments to hot and a single ground?

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 09/29/15 at 21:03:21

So far as i know, on a dual filament 1157 bulb, when one filament is on, the other is off. This may not be true in all applications, but that is the way they work when used as signals on my Honda. I cant recall if the lower watt filament stays on in the back brake light application.

So, to answer your question....you want to "hot up" both the 8 watt filament and the 27 watt filament at the same time, all the time, yes? Seems like a waste of power. The 1156 and 1157's cost virtually the same, so I would just hook up the brighter filament an cut the other wire off and tuck it.
Electrically speaking, no...there is no reason you cant do that...but they will draw a max of 35 watts each (yikes) and you may burn the lenses. These are not huge light assemblies, and the bulb takes up much of the interior room.

I can post a pick of one sitting next to say.....a quarter and a pack of smokes so you can see what you are dealing with in size.

As I said...I switched out the original bulbs for LED's and have no heat worries.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Kris01 on 09/29/15 at 21:15:47

I noticed a Honda minivan in a turn lane with the signals blinking that way. When one was on, the other was off. That may just be Honda minivans though.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 09/29/15 at 21:26:59

Note to Dave: I can appreciate the caution. I have bought at least 6 different sets of aftermarket turn signals to do experiments with and some of them are just downright crappy. This particular set is all steel and with the exception of one of the bulb sockets being off-center (easy fix), they are heavy and come with a vibration/seal at the mounting point and are water tight. Putting 1.8 - 2 watt red LED bulbs in them make them easily daylight visible.

Same company, different lens style..

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 09/29/15 at 21:31:32

JohnnyBlade, if I may ask....are you ADDING these lights to the existing system or looking to replace your current lights?

I only ask because our bikes do not have a lot of "power to spare" when it comes to the generator (magneto), and adding that much additional wattage would be troublesome.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Dave on 09/30/15 at 03:25:49

333E3E3638347C263825397C222524510 wrote:

Note to Dave: I can appreciate the caution. I have bought at least 6 different sets of aftermarket turn signals to do experiments with and some of them are just downright crappy.

I provide this caution, as I have been on group rides in the daylight and seen a lot of aftermarket and stock turn signals on bikes. Some of the aftermarket turns signals folks put on their bikes are absolutely worthless in daylight or direct sunlight. If you are looking directly at the light you may be able to see that it is flashing - but they are not bright enough to get the attention of a distracted driver. Same thing for some aftermarket brake lights (especially cheap LED lights)....the brake light just doesn't attract attention. The really good lights just can't be made for $ 15.......you most likely will have to spend quite a bit more to get a light that protects you as well as the stock DOT approved lights do.

I also feel the same way about the owners of cars and truck that put the smoked covers over their turn signals and brake lights.....it really cuts down on the amount of light that comes out and makes the lights harder to see.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 09/30/15 at 06:27:40

Dave, not to belabor the point...but a 27 watt 1156 bulb in a cheap Chinese plastichrome housing is no less effective than if it is in a cast metal housing.

On LEDs, I can agree that lumens vs brightness vs 360 degree vs 45 degree projection....all make for a different output.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Dave on 09/30/15 at 07:16:26

414C4C444A460E544A574B0E505756230 wrote:

Dave, not to belabor the point...but a 27 watt 1156 bulb in a cheap Chinese plastichrome housing is no less effective than if it is in a cast metal housing.

I have no problem discussing this at length....I believe it is important that folks are safe, and are getting lights that help to keep them safe.

Buying an aftermarket light that is similar in design and uses an 1157 bulb (or 1156 for single element) is most likely going to be a good light and visible in the daytime. I think it is important that the bulb is oriented with the end facing the traffic - and that is has a good reflector to focus the light.

My first attempt at a smaller turn signal looked like the photo below. It was bought from Lockhart Phillips and it has an 18W bulb that is mounted sideways, and there is no reflector. It was very dim in daylight....you could see it blinking if you were looking at it.

http://i61.tinypic.com/2n9yrlf.jpg

So my next attempt was to spend $ 35 each and buy an LED turn signal that was reported to be bright. It was purchased from Lockhart Phillips....and was nowhere nearly bright enough for daylight use. Yes....you could see it flashing if you were looking at it - but it was not as visible as the stock turn signal if you were looking past the light or off to the side a bit (like drivers in cars will be doing). So I sent them back.

http://i62.tinypic.com/fu2fzc.jpg

I finally resolved my turn signal issue by taking the lights in the first photo, and installing a pair of 1.5 Watt LED's in each turn signal housing.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-wired-bolts/plm-series-wired-one-and-half-watt-led/1141/

This is the stock turn signal socket and light. (Notice the orientation of the bulb and the lack of a reflector....the light just isn't directed to where the light will be effective).

http://i39.tinypic.com/2mp0n7t.jpg

This is the stock housing with a stainless metal mounting plate I cut, along with 2 of the LED lights.

http://i42.tinypic.com/16bk7di.jpg

This is the light housing with the LED's mounted and wired.

http://i40.tinypic.com/14tq4y0.jpg

I really believe it is important that bikers understand that their lives depend on the brightness and visibility of their brake lights and turn signals.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by DesertRat on 09/30/15 at 07:24:33

I agree with you Dave. I cannot understand why it's okay to remove or convert to smaller lights, then complain that cagers cannot see us. It baffles me.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 09/30/15 at 12:36:59

I have converted several of the less than desirable lights I purchased into very bright LEDs using a similar method. I have a dozen or so of those single LED units like you used...in 1 watt, 3 watt and 5 watt ratings.

I also agree that ANY light that can possibly be oriented so that the bulb faces traffic is the most desirable configuration. Even the "side mounted" LEDs with the standard 1156 bottom end do not reflect anywhere near as well as a glass bulb, and if there is no reflector....they are about useless.

Later tonight or tomorrow morning I will post pics of the lights I have successfully converted. Wattage/luminosity ratings will have to wait until my photometer shows up in the mail next week.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Dave on 09/30/15 at 13:38:22

Here is a crappy video I made (I don't have much of any video ability or equipment)....it shows the difference in brightness from the rear turn signals with the single 18 Watt filament bulb compared to the converted lights on the front that had a pair of 1.5 Watt LED's installed.

View My Video (http://tinypic.com/r/2r20rc5/5)

I did convert them all and have been using them for 2 years.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by JutMan on 09/30/15 at 20:27:48

Have you ever toyed with these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-LED-Motorcycle-Fork-Turn-Signal-Kit-for-Harley-Honda-ALL-43mm-forks-/281126970387

Cheaper version
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Universal-Motorcycle-Bike-Amber-LED-Turn-Signal-Indicator-Blinker-Light-New-/121650252006?hash=item1c52eb88e6&vxp=mtr

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 10/01/15 at 00:43:23

I have not seen those types of lights used in the real world yet, but I can tell you from experience that the 5050 Surface Mounted Device type LEDs that are used in these ring lights are very bright. They are often called "tri-chip" LEDs because they are actually 3 led chips in each single 5mm x 5mm lights (hence the name 5050). It is difficult to look at one of these directly as they can hurt your eyes a bit.

I wouldnt go so far as to say that they are "daylight visible", but they are certainly bright enough to both add accent lighting and make the bike more visible from a distance. I would NOT count on them as the sole turn signal for the bike.

I have a single 5050 SMD LED mounted to the top edge of my computer monitor (in blue) and it lights up not just my keyboard, but my entire desk.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Johnnyblade on 10/01/15 at 14:05:55

Sorry guys, I was out of action for a bit. The need would to replace a stock lamp housing due to "failure." What I mean by failure is....
I bought the bike used and someone used jb weld to keep the bullet styled plastic lens bell on the stem. Worked fine until.... I knocked it off backing out of the garage. Lol. I bought an oem one that should be here soon, although I distain the plastic!

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 10/01/15 at 15:05:00

On a $25,000 Harley Super...sure, I wouldnt want plasti-chrome on it either. On my $1,100 savage....as long as the finish looks nice I have no issues with plastic.

The "vent covers" shown here are chromed ABS...and it matches up with the metal chrome of the battery box cover quite nicely.

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by Johnnyblade on 10/01/15 at 16:04:41

When I was looking for my first bike I backed away from a yamaha star 250 because of the ugly and bulgy plastic air intake covers. The 650 is much nicer looking and so much more fun to ride!

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by ToesNose on 12/18/15 at 09:56:45

5F606158747B150 wrote:

For the rear, i removed ( knocked out ) the small pin that was at the base of the attachment point on the original lights. Then I used a dremel tool the get rid of the bit of weld. They used a tree nut ( bent the tabs down ) to screw the lights into.

JutMan where did you find those 12m Tee Nuts? The only ones I'm finding are online and I don't need a bag of 20+ LOL ;D

Title: Re: Turn signals
Post by KennyG on 12/18/15 at 12:21:57

Ace Hardware has T-Nuts.....

Lowes & Home Depot have T-Nuts too.

Kenny G