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LED Turn Signals?

8.5K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  blitz07734  
#1 ·
I love love love my red '09 500 LTD, but am not so fond of the orange turn signal lenses. I've been thinking about either replacing the lenses with clear lenses and then putting in an amber bulb, or installing LEDs. Does anyone have experience with either of these options? Do I need to install a diode with the LEDs to slow down the blinker speed?
 
#2 ·
Funny you should post this now. I just got finished installing LED's on mine. It's not as simple as installing the bulbs either.

There are two things to deal with here. First you've got the flasher. You can either use a 'load equalizer' or adapt a variable load flasher.

The second one is a little tougher. The indicator bulb in the dash gets its ground from the 'other' side of the turn signal circuit. Since LED's block reverse current the bulb can't ground therefore weird things happen on the rear bulbs. On this issue you'll have to use 2 diodes to the indicator bulb power side and supply a ground to its other side.

If you only want to put LED's on either front OR rear you only have to do the flasher.

I hope this helps ya.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Well this is a resurrection but oh well...
I did a quick search and this thread came up... and I wanted to comment on what I have read and plan on doing. Maybe this will help others.

So here goes...
I recently got these
(http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380248906197&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT) and dry fitted them to the fender frame after testing the brightness on a loose 12V battery.
Bright enough: yes.
Nice looking: Matter of opinion, I like them.
Dual brightness: NO. Single only, meaning Off or On only.

They are also much smaller than the stock ones. These go maybe 1/2" to the inside of the big orange turn lens. And that 1/2" is likely closer to 1/4".

I am still trying to find a set of fronts that I both like and are dual brightness. It is the dual brightness that is hindering the search. Most the dual brightness ones are ugly or do not match really...

Anyway, this will be an ongoing project that I would be happy to do a photo journal so to speak to help anyone else later that might want to do this mod if anyone wants me too.
 
#8 ·
Dual brightness means that the lights have two brightness levels. It's like your brake lights are brighter than your tail lights. With a standard (ie. 1157) bulb, this is achieved with 2 filaments inside the bulb. Finding dual brightness lights in LED is a little tougher though.
 
#9 ·
Can't really refer to specific stores since I live in Sweden and I'm guessing all of you live in the states.

But here's how I did.

Front LEDS
Image


Back LEDS
Image


Front Clamp/Holder
Image


+ Dedicated resistance boxes to fix the turn signals to blink too fast.

+ Minor electrical things, cables, connectors, etc.

End result
Image
 
#10 ·
I bought these and got them today. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380252434886 I installed them on the back of the bike next to the tail light where the reflectors used to be. I love them. I want to get another set for the front. The blinking issue with the flasher relay was easily fixed with an electronic flasher that I had laying around in my garage. I found this tonight http://www.chromeglow.com/catalog.asp?prodid=520657 that looks like it would allow me to install a matching set on the front. I am wondering if anyone has tried this and knows if it works or not. If not, I think I will still take the chance for $5.00. I am also wondering if I install load resistors if I will still have the issue with the indicator lights? Hope this might help someone, and any help is always appreciated.

Thanks,
John