Indicator/Dash Lights

[Smilerider]

Has anyone replaced the indicator/dash lights with LED's??

[Squidley]

I have never heard of anyone doing that, but you could be the guinea pig if you want to

[SaltyDog]

Last fall I replaced all my dash illumination lights and indicator lights with LED replacements. I used side firing type for the illumination locations and 4 led type for the indicator positions (high beam, turn signals, neutral and headlight out).

 

 

Now I can see the neutral indicator and turn signal indicators even in bright sunlight. I also don't have to worry about having burnt out dash illumination lights when I drive at night. I used all white LEDs but could have used colored ones to match the indicator lenses. I bought my LEDs on Ebay from different vendors to get the two types, side firing flat top and 4 led type. You just have to verify the correct operation in the socket since the LEDs are polarity sensitive. If they don't work then just rotate them 180 degrees.

 

 

I have replaced all the lights (dash, turn signal, running lights and brake lights) with LEDs that I have purchased (dash) or fabricated replacement inserts (turn signal, running lights-both front and rear, and brake).

 

 

I like to experiment with LEDs and have built replacement inserts for all my motorcycles (2 BMWs and the 1983 Venture). It isn't just for the lower power draw or lifetime operation. I make my turn signals into running lights and add additional red LEDs in rear turn signal housings to to provide two extra brake/running lights on the rear of my bikes. More lighting is always a good thing.

 

 

You can find all the help about building your own units on the internet. It may not be the best cost effective solution, but I like the infinite ability to customize my lighting devices. I also recently replaced the halogen bulbs in my driving lights with luxeon LEDs to make them lifetime daytime running lights. It just seems I can't stop myself with all these lights.

 

I also swapped out my headlight with a HID Bi-Xenon system last year and converted the high beam indicator so it would function when I bypassed and removed the redundant reserve lighting device. All these modifications are made possible because I have jumpered the CMS warning reed switches for the headlight, turn and brake lights.

 

I changed out the turn signal and hazard relays to modern electronic type also, but I did lose the automatic cancelling function. But with the brighter turn indicator LEDs in the dash, it is easy to see when I forget to cancel the signals. Not hard to remember for me since I also ride three other motorcycles without the cancel function.

 

It takes some experimentation to get it all right and there are other ways to get the same results (load resistors, rough duty bulbs, and high output Xenon equivalent bulbs). But, these are my bikes and I tend to do things MY WAY. You will have to decide for yourself if it is worth the effort on your bike. All my modifications have proven reiable on multiple bikes and makes (Yamaha, Suzuki and BMW) and haven't given me any problems once I worked out the initial fitment.

[SaltyDog]

Thought I would post some pictures of my rear LED signals that I built for my '83 venture. I used the square Superflux type of leds which have a four pin mounting so they are very vibration resistant and are high intensity. I purchased them on Ebay from some Chinese Ebay sellers. They are very reasonable in price and come with the correct dropping resistors for 12v operation. All I had to do was get some perf board to solder the leds onto and add the resistors. The perf board is made of fiberglass which has copper pads on one side and holes in the standard center distance. Once the boards were soldered up, I experimented with an additional resistor for the dimmer running light function and added diodes to isolate the brake and running lights circuits from each other.

 

 

Most all these modifications have been posted here before by others so search around and you will find the postings or it is all on the internet. I just wanted to show that these can be built for a low cost with only your time invested. These units are very bright at night and clearly visible during the day. And they will last practically indefinitely since they are all solid state components.

 

Since I also upgraded my charging system with the Shindengen regulator last year, my bikes electrical system is very stable and provides a good enviroment for the solid state leds.

[Snaggletooth]

Check out this site for LED bulbs. I got list going for doing the same thing with the dash and replacing the bulbs in my rear light bar.

 

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fmini-wedge.html

 

Hope it helps.

 

Mike

[Smilerider]

Thank you very much for all the info.. I find it hard to see the lights during the day and was hoping to increase the output just a little with the LED's... I will be new to actually doing this type of swap out so all of your ideas will be well thought through before I actually make the attempt... Thanks again for your replies.... JM