All this tail light talk

[Cubby's RX-1]

Ok, I was going thru one of my books at work looking for these led lights and came across BLUE BULBS AND LEDs. They state they are for off road use only. Sleds are used off road, so can anyone think of a reason why I can't run these blue lights in my clear lens??? I have 2 reasons for wanting to do this, 1- to match my blue sled and; 2- to drive my friends I ride with crazy. Especially my one buddy who just hopped off a blue SRX to ride a Mach Z..........................Cubby

 

[RX-Dave]

Well, if you think about it, a guy could come up with a switch and some wiring modification to allow you to run one brake light to each side. Then you could switch from 1 blue bulb, and one red one. mAll the LED bulbs look white while not on.

Thinking about it, you could run them both on, and have purple LOL

 

[Mighty]

The only thing I can think of is the fact that they don't generate any heat. Even with being close to the exaust, how much snow will build up on the lens? They won't look so cool if you can't see them............

 

[Cubby's RX-1]

Well, if you think about it, a guy could come up with a switch and some wiring modification to allow you to run one brake light to each side. Then you could switch from 1 blue bulb, and one red one. mAll the LED bulbs look white while not on.

Thinking about it, you could run them both on, and have purple LOL

Another thing I thought of is glueing a blue dot on the center of the red LED bulb, which infact would be purple................Cubby

 

[Tork]

Sounds kinda cool. If you could get some custom bulbs made you could have 3-4 blue LEDs in the running circuit and the remainder red for the stop circuit. Or you could go with the all blue bulbs and add these red hyperlights so you get some red for stopping. http://www.hyperlites.com/unikits.html

These are pretty popular on m cycles.

You might need to worry a little that peoples brains arent wired to hit the brakes when your tail lights go a brighter blue. Might be wise to have some red in there somewhere for brake lights.

I would not worry about snow build up running LEDs. On the 96 and older vmax it was a real problem. But with the 97 redesign that same fixture instead of being flush, stuck out some 2 inches or so. With that the problem almost completely disappeared. Plus the muffler/pipes should put some heat back there anyway in addition to the fact that they stick out some and are mounted fairly high up.

 

[Cubby's RX-1]

Good idea Tork. I already have those Hyperlites in blue. They are shining on both sides of my chrome front end. I also have some clear ones shining down on to my rear skid. At first my friends hated them but now they like it because at night with a lake full of sleds, they can pick me out of the crowd and follow me which ever way I am heading.....................Cubby

 

[Tork]

Now you are getting me all fired up with the idea of putting lights in other places. With custom cars and cycles all over the place I have often thought about doing some sled customization. But you sir have actually gone ahead and done a wonderful job!!!!

 

[Indy]

I did the install this weekend, the led looks really cool with the inner red lens removed. At first they rotated in unison, but then started rotating seperate of each other. Then when I hit the brakes they flash, but you have to hit the brakes hard, slight pressure will not activate the flashing brake lights. I don't think a blue dot will look right, I would try using some scotch tape at first before drilling out the lense. I am not sure I will keep these led's due to the fact that I have to hit the brake lever HARD to activate the brake lights. I might just go with red 1157's.

I also have thought of adding some additional lights, maybe the side reflector, I am sure we could find some lights that would fit right in there. The cool lights would be in the screen areas, I've seen a web site that sold these. I am just becoming concerned that it will be over the top, you know, when is enough, enough.

 

[Tork]

Indy,
sounds like you just need to adjust your brake light switch. That switch either activates or not. That should also mean that your conventional bulbs arent lighting the brake lights unless you hit them hard.
For me enough is never enough, that is part of the fun of it. Sure I dont do alot of things if I dont see the bang for the buck, but lighting is very cheap to do.

 

[Indy]

Tork, can I adjust the brake light at the lever?

 

[Cubby's RX-1]

I don't think a blue dot will look right.

I was going to put the blue dot directly on the LED bulb, not on the clear lens. This way if it doesnt look good I can remove it and not ruin the clear lens.

Indy wrote:I am just becoming concerned that it will be over the top, you know, when is enough, enough.

Dude, did you actually say this to me????????? (heheh)...........Cubby

 

[Indy]

Sorry Cubby, what was I thinking?

 

[Tork]

Tork, can I adjust the brake light at the lever?

Dont know for sure, never done it on these sleds. Did it on some motorcycles though. One it was just a matter of bending the tang on the tiny switch, on the other I dont remember, however in did not take all that long and the adjustment worked fine. Could have been as simple as loostening 2 little screws sliding the switch more to the lever and then tightening the screws.

It is gonna be a tiny switch in your lever assy. you got to get it to trip with less lever movement

 

[Cubby's RX-1]

Sorry Cubby, what was I thinking?

I'll let it go this time but be more careful next time..................Cubby

 

[Cubby's RX-1]

Ok, I just got the blue 1157s and they are flippin cool lookin. I think I might go with this idea...............Cubby