Brake/running light - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

blackie1491 · 09-16-2005, 06:00 PM

I have been looking at ways to bring more attention to the brake light. I have tried an led- not bright enough, does not throw light in all directions so the lens does not light up the plate or in other directions. I bought a bright 1157, but it was not as bright as stock. I have a 2357 I have yet to try, could not get a long life one and no info on wattage.
I was looking at a lic, plate frame with led lights that are both low and high
wattage to act as run/brake light. The price was a little steep.
I have seen frames with both red and amber leds that are low/high.
But the price is US and then there is broker plus freight plus exchange plus taxes. I even looked at buying the LED units and attaching to my backrest
but the prices are high here. $70. plus taxes of 14.5% for a 6" chrome led,or the same for 2 3".
What is every one else doing?.

Ranger_b0b · 09-28-2005, 12:47 PM

How much of a Do-it-yourselfer are you? You can buy the superbright LEDs from fairchild electric very cheap ($0.70 USD) and resistors and mounts from Radio Shack, again, very cheap. I am working on a project for my Chevy Avalanche, to make it look like this:

(note the lighted bolts along the sides of the truck)

An easier method might be to buy lighted license plate bolts, and use those in strategic locations.

blackie1491 · 09-29-2005, 12:40 AM

Thanks for the info.
I have been looking at whats available here, things are a little pricey.
I have seen some Lic. Plate Frames with dual intentesy LEDS to run as running lights, brake lights and also seqs. turn signals. Still pricey but covers all bases.

Ranger_b0b · 10-07-2005, 06:18 PM

hmmm...look around herehere. This is where most of the ppl on my avalanche forum buy them...Kinda pricey, so I took the poor man method to build them myself. let me know if you wanna try to make some, I'll send you some info ive got saved....somewhere.

DrBob · 10-10-2005, 08:58 PM

Here is what I did: Real light mods
Since I wrote that article I added clear lenses and red bulbs to the back. Cost another $12.

blackie1491 · 10-11-2005, 05:43 PM

Thank you for the info, my bike is going into storage at the end of Oct. as I live in a Condo with no storage space for a motorcycle.
It will come out end of Feb.
I am going to run into Washington State and see what I can find there.
There is no selection here.
Bob

ComputerGeekOn2Wheels · 10-14-2005, 01:19 AM

Would it be possible to adapt an OEM light bar for use on the rear of a C50? Yeah, you'd need red lenses...shouldn't be too difficult. Yeah, it would be BRIGHT...but isn't that the point? Granted, I haven't laid hands on a light bar kit yet so I'm not sure how it installs but they appear to replace the turn signals...the front & rear signals look identical to me. Just a thought!!

09-16-2005, 06:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,319	Brake/running light I have been looking at ways to bring more attention to the brake light. I have tried an led- not bright enough, does not throw light in all directions so the lens does not light up the plate or in other directions. I bought a bright 1157, but it was not as bright as stock. I have a 2357 I have yet to try, could not get a long life one and no info on wattage. I was looking at a lic, plate frame with led lights that are both low and high wattage to act as run/brake light. The price was a little steep. I have seen frames with both red and amber leds that are low/high. But the price is US and then there is broker plus freight plus exchange plus taxes. I even looked at buying the LED units and attaching to my backrest but the prices are high here. $70. plus taxes of 14.5% for a 6" chrome led,or the same for 2 3". What is every one else doing?.

09-28-2005, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ranger_b0b Clunked into first gear Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: '82 Suzuki GS650L Location: Sparta, MI (-85.69978/43.16359) Posts: 221	How much of a Do-it-yourselfer are you? You can buy the superbright LEDs from fairchild electric very cheap ($0.70 USD) and resistors and mounts from Radio Shack, again, very cheap. I am working on a project for my Chevy Avalanche, to make it look like this: (note the lighted bolts along the sides of the truck) An easier method might be to buy lighted license plate bolts, and use those in strategic locations. __________________ Mike aka IronHorse of Hell's Beergut MC He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. - Benjamin Franklin '82 GS650L - Rescued July 05 - Resuscitated Aug 05 www.myspace.com/mike_hiler

10-07-2005, 06:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ranger_b0b Clunked into first gear Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: '82 Suzuki GS650L Location: Sparta, MI (-85.69978/43.16359) Posts: 221	hmmm...look around herehere. This is where most of the ppl on my avalanche forum buy them...Kinda pricey, so I took the poor man method to build them myself. let me know if you wanna try to make some, I'll send you some info ive got saved....somewhere. __________________ Mike aka IronHorse of Hell's Beergut MC He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. - Benjamin Franklin '82 GS650L - Rescued July 05 - Resuscitated Aug 05 www.myspace.com/mike_hiler

10-10-2005, 08:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,751	Here is what I did: Real light mods Since I wrote that article I added clear lenses and red bulbs to the back. Cost another $12. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

10-14-2005, 01:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
ComputerGeekOn2Wheels Newbie Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 C50T Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 3	Would it be possible to adapt an OEM light bar for use on the rear of a C50? Yeah, you'd need red lenses...shouldn't be too difficult. Yeah, it would be BRIGHT...but isn't that the point? Granted, I haven't laid hands on a light bar kit yet so I'm not sure how it installs but they appear to replace the turn signals...the front & rear signals look identical to me. Just a thought!! __________________ _______________________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn-out, shouting, "Holy sh*t! What a ride!"

09-29-2005, 12:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,319	Thanks for the info. I have been looking at whats available here, things are a little pricey. I have seen some Lic. Plate Frames with dual intentesy LEDS to run as running lights, brake lights and also seqs. turn signals. Still pricey but covers all bases.

10-11-2005, 05:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,319	Thank you for the info, my bike is going into storage at the end of Oct. as I live in a Condo with no storage space for a motorcycle. It will come out end of Feb. I am going to run into Washington State and see what I can find there. There is no selection here. Bob

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
brake/blinker light issues	chris	Mechanics Corner	5	01-30-2007 10:53 PM
Looking for a brake light for my trunk	St0nkingByte	The Paddock	6	10-09-2005 08:01 AM
Brake light stays on ??	honduhx	Mechanics Corner	5	01-27-2005 09:20 PM
LED Brake light	Nighthawk	Katana Planet Emergency Shelter	8	10-22-2004 12:01 AM
brake light and key	RedneckUF	The Paddock	4	02-03-2004 10:04 AM