tail lamp elliminators

[litshoot]

i've seen it done on newer bikes with dual bulbs in the tail lamps does anyone know of a way of integrating the tail lamps to make a dual bulb tail lamp also turn signals. i've seen them for sale but it seems possible to do myself.

[earlfor]

I dont know about your area, but here, turnsignals have to have 12" of separation to be legal. Of course, if your tail light is more than 12" wide, no problem. :-)

Earl

i've seen it done on newer bikes with dual bulbs in the tail lamps does anyone know of a way of integrating the tail lamps to make a dual bulb tail lamp also turn signals. i've seen them for sale but it seems possible to do myself.

[SqDancerLynn1]

They may do it on newer bike but it is sill NOT legal. WHY give the cops a reason to stop you ???

[bwringer]

As noted above, it's not really smart or legal...


Disclaimers aside, the first thing you need, obviously, is a tail light with two bulbs. I don't recall any GS models that have this, but then again I don't know everything. AFAIK, there's not a good way to stuff two bulbs into a single bulb tail light.

There is someone working on a conversion where the tail light lens is stuffed with LEDs. If the LEDs are separated into groups, this could prove useful.

From there, all you need is one of those small converter boxes used for trailer wiring.

One setup I've seen on a few newer Hardley-Ablesons is kinda neat, and it's actually legal. They simply use two red turn signals and no tail light at all -- the tail, turn, and stop signals work like those on a trailer or old American car.

[Steve]

There is someone working on a conversion where the tail light lens is stuffed with LEDs. If the LEDs are separated into groups, this could prove useful.

Yes, that "someone" would be me. 8-[

Project is on standby due to lack of finances, but is still on the back burner, keeping warm.
I had not thought of dividing the LED array into halves, and probably won't.

I have seen some replacements for the rice rockets that have clear lenses.
Interspersed with the red LEDs for the tail/brake light are yellow LEDs for the turn signals.
Nice idea, but it won't work behind a red lens.


.

[bakalorz]

As noted above, it's not really smart or legal...


Disclaimers aside, the first thing you need, obviously, is a tail light with two bulbs. I don't recall any GS models that have this, but then again I don't know everything. AFAIK, there's not a good way to stuff two bulbs into a single bulb tail light.

Snipped rest.

I am pretty sure one of the versions of the 650s has 2 bulbs.
Mine doesn't, but I saw it in the manual that one of the other versions does (and I was jealous since I want my taillight brighter).

[litshoot]

i'm already looking to redo the back of the bike. i'm going to make a new rear and be retrofitting a hayabusa tail lamp into it. it has two bulbs in it, the kits to make it work are 15 dollars. but i was thinking it shouldn't be all that hard to actually make it work on its own. i was just wondering if anyone had done something like this before i sit down and starting making up my own wiring schematics to make it work right. i'm thinking i'm going to end up using relays for making it flash but am not sure yet.
i'm cheap with big ideas. i'm waiting to get a hid setup from where i work(i'm a mechanic and am just waiting for one to be broken) and i'm going to make a hid headlamp as well. i've got the times, i've got the ability , and can get most supplies, but money is tight.

Thanks to everyones help on this forum its been a great resource for me.

[Steve]

... i'm thinking i'm going to end up using relays for making it flash but am not sure yet.

No need for relays. Just get one of the tail/brake light convertors for trailer towing. The only thing to be aware of when using one of them is that, while the front and rear signals flash together, as they should, when you apply the brake, they will flash opposite each other. That is, when the front is ON, the back will be OFF. When the back is ON the front will be OFF. When you release the brake, they will flash together again.

Nothing wrong with that, but it will surprise you when you see it the first time. :shock:


.

[bwringer]

Also, FWIW, when I wired my Corolla for towing, the only lighting converter that actually worked was the one I bought at U-Haul.

I tried four or five others from various auto parts stores, and none of them did... anything. At all. They were totally inert chunks of plastic with wires sticking out.

Maybe I just got really unlucky or something.

[TheCafeKid]

Wow..that is some rotten luck. How exactly do they work? Would it be hard to build such a thing by hand?

[Steve]

Also, FWIW, when I wired my Corolla for towing, the only lighting converter that actually worked was the one I bought at U-Haul.

I tried four or five others from various auto parts stores, and none of them did... anything. At all. They were totally inert chunks of plastic with wires sticking out.

Maybe I just got really unlucky or something.

Nothing to do with luck, there. That happens to be the consensus in the GoldWing world, too, where they happen to do a fair bit of trailer towing.
Although they all look pretty much the same, the U-Haul units work.

Wow..that is some rotten luck. How exactly do they work? Would it be hard to build such a thing by hand?

It is very possible to build one from scratch (but not the same 'scratch' they use to make cakes 8-[ ). The easiest way involves some wiring and a couple of relays, but for what is involved in the cost of parts and the time it takes to put it all together, not counting the size of the finished product, just spend the $15 and be done with it.


.

[focus frenzy]

As noted above, it's not really smart or legal...


Disclaimers aside, the first thing you need, obviously, is a tail light with two bulbs. I don't recall any GS models that have this, but then again I don't know everything. AFAIK, there's not a good way to stuff two bulbs into a single bulb tail light.

There is someone working on a conversion where the tail light lens is stuffed with LEDs. If the LEDs are separated into groups, this could prove useful.

From there, all you need is one of those small converter boxes used for trailer wiring.

One setup I've seen on a few newer Hardley-Ablesons is kinda neat, and it's actually legal. They simply use two red turn signals and no tail light at all -- the tail, turn, and stop signals work like those on a trailer or old American car.

I have all LED's in the rear and then some. there are red LED's that function as extra tail lights and brake lights in the turn signals as well as amber LED's

vid clip!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v495/leonhogan/?action=view&current=lighttest2001.flv