Halogen Brake Light Bulb Replacement for RSV?

[First_N_Last]

OK... the questions about using a Halogen 1157 brake light for a RSV have been in the messages for years but I have never seen an answer?

 

Has anyone replaced their 1157 brake light bulb with a 50watt or 30watt Halogen 1157 bulb?

The Sylvania 2357LL will be my only choice unless someone has experience to share.

 

Well?

Comments?

 

Thanks;

JohnB

Edited July 31, 2010 by First_N_Last
specify Sylvania

[KiteSquid]

Go with the 2357LL or better yet use the 3496.

 

The Halogen bulbs have been known to melt motorcycle tail lamp housings.

 

 

You can also paint the "chrome" parts of your tail light housing with gloss white paint for a little more light output.......

 

 

Have you read the thread at THIS link?

[First_N_Last]

Go with the 2357LL or better yet use the 3496.

 

The Halogen bulbs have been known to melt motorcycle tail lamp housings.

 

 

You can also paint the "chrome" parts of your tail light housing with gloss white paint for a little more light output.......

 

 

Have you read the thread at THIS link?

===============================

 

you did a great job in the info you provided in that thread.

Yes, I referenced that, but found no statements of anyone actually trying a 50 or 30 watt H1157.

 

The thread could confuse non-technical people about 2357LL bulbs.

Not all 2357LL bulbs are the same. As you noted... only the Sylvania bulb is the one to use.

My research revealed the following:

CEC 2357LL - 800/10,000 Average Rated Hours

Eiko 2357LL - 400/5,000 hours

Sylvania 2357LL - 2000/10,000 hours

 

So...

Has anyone actually tried a 50 or 30 watt H1157 in a RSV brake light housing?.

JohnB

[dingy]

 

 

You can also paint the "chrome" parts of your tail light housing with gloss white paint for a little more light output.......

 

 

 

Why would you paint the chrome surfaces?

 

I am aware that out of the color spectrum, that white is the most reflective, but, is chrome a color? Silver maybe, but chrome is much more reflective than anything I have seen on a color chart.

 

This will be a stretch, but isn't chrome similar in reflectivity to a mirror? I realize the mirror surface is polished and gives greater depth, but if the metals surface detracts from the chrome plating due to unevenness, then this same unevenness will affect the white paint as well.

 

If white were superior, wouldn't reflectors in flashlights & telescopes be white?

 

Just wondering via the keyboard.

 

 

Gary

[Flyinfool]

I agree that chrome is more reflective than white paint.

 

BUT

 

With the chrome being so reflective, the light that hits at an angle will reflect off at the same angle and you may get more light to the sides, top, and bottom. If you paint it flat white it will scatter the light that hits it more and you may actually get more light to the rear, and a little less to the sides, top, and bottom.

 

Just thinking out loud via the keyboard

[wes0778]

If more light is what you are looking for, why not put in an LED tail light?

 

http://www.bikerhiway.com/radiantz-led-tail-light-for-yamaha-road-star-and-vstar-p-176.html

[First_N_Last]

If more light is what you are looking for, why not put in an LED tail light?

 

http://www.bikerhiway.com/radiantz-led-tail-light-for-yamaha-road-star-and-vstar-p-176.html

 

 

Good suggestion for some, but not for me for two reasons:

1) cost of LED array vs. 2357LL

2) worry about low current draw & it's affect on my unknown (came with bike) brake flasher/modulator

 

Thanks;

JohnB

[KiteSquid]

Why would you paint the chrome surfaces?

 

I am aware that out of the color spectrum, that white is the most reflective, but, is chrome a color? Silver maybe, but chrome is much more reflective than anything I have seen on a color chart.

 

Chrome is a color, and the "chrome" on the plastic parts is NOT Chrome. Click HERE to read the Wikipedia article on Chrome plating.

 

White paint will reflect more of the color spectrum than the chrome plated plastic.

 

I don't have access to a spectrometer but that would be the way to prove it....

 

This will be a stretch, but isn't chrome similar in reflectivity to a mirror? I realize the mirror surface is polished and gives greater depth, but if the metals surface detracts from the chrome plating due to unevenness, then this same unevenness will affect the white paint as well.

 

If white were superior, wouldn't reflectors in flashlights & telescopes be white?

 

Just wondering via the keyboard.

 

 

Gary

 

The reflective surfaces in telescopes are high grade reflectors, now if you could apply that coating to the inside of the tail light housing, you would get more light.

[First_N_Last]

Hi;

 

No replies were made to this thread, so I believe none of us have tried a H1157.

 

After taking the brake light cover off I discovered that there is only about 1/2" clearance between the bulb & the plastic cover. Using a H1157 would definitely be a high risk.

 

I also discovered that Sylvania is the only manufacturer that truly makes a Long Life 2357 bulb. All the others have a short life.

 

Sooooo...

 

I have installed a Sylvania 2357LL bulb in the Brake Light housing. Additionally I have ground the bottom bayonet stud/tit off two 2357LL A (Amber) bulbs & installed them in the front signal lights.

Unfortunately, my rear signal light lenses are clear & I will have to hunt for red 2357LL bulbs or just leave the red 1157s in there.

 

Thanks;

JohnB

[Kitty]

If you don't know, then watch this. Lol

 

It's chrome alright. :-)

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kvtwfNT7sM]YouTube- Trace Adkins - Chrome[/ame]

 

 

Why would you paint the chrome surfaces?

 

I am aware that out of the color spectrum, that white is the most reflective, but, is chrome a color? Silver maybe, but chrome is much more reflective than anything I have seen on a color chart.

 

This will be a stretch, but isn't chrome similar in reflectivity to a mirror? I realize the mirror surface is polished and gives greater depth, but if the metals surface detracts from the chrome plating due to unevenness, then this same unevenness will affect the white paint as well.

 

If white were superior, wouldn't reflectors in flashlights & telescopes be white?

 

Just wondering via the keyboard.

 

 

Gary

[RandyR]

thats what we need. more chrome...

 

btw here's a comparison chart. http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/triumph/brake-lights/light-bulbs.htm

 

from another source:

 

Though they are spendy, the best bulb you can use in place of 1157 is a 3496. You can get them from your local Honda dealer. Part number is 34906-SL0-A01. It draws the same amount of current as 1157, but is much more efficient. It produces 43 candlepower on the bright (brake or turn) filament, and 3.5 candlepower on the dim (tail or parking) filament. It also has a nickel-plated base that is much more corrosion resistant than the plain brass base of an 1157, so it’s less likely to stick in the socket.

 

Sylvania 3496 Long Life are $5.99 a pair from Amazon.

Edited August 3, 2010 by RandyR