Opinion on LED running/fog lights?

[Phreon]

I'm fixing up Dumpsterhawk again, replaced the bars, most everything attached to 'em on the left (to rider's) side and am in the process of wiring up the new turn signals. Yeah, I need to take a hammer to the headlight brackets...

 

I like the way the new signals look, but aren't too impressed with how bright they are.   I was thinking about getting some LED running lights to mount to the forks near the lower triple tree / side reflectors and relaying them up so when the turn signal comes on, the appropriate side light goes off in unison. 

 

Sound like a good idea? White or yellow? Too damned irritating? Attract the police?

 

I'm also thinking about replacing the rashed up headlight bucket with a chrome one. Sound good or leave it black?

 

 

 

 

What do you think?

 

Thanks

 

 

P.S. Another view - beater bike porn. All naked and such.

 

Edited November 2, 2014 by Phreon

[ReconRat]

A lot of LED stuff sold is low output on the brightness. Premium LED turn signals would probably be brighter if chosen carefully. Worst case is when trying to replace tail light and brake light. Don't want low output there.

 

I looked at various LED running lights and driving lights, and found about 99% are worthless.

Very few have a useful amount of light. Most are only decoration.

 

But the extra LEDs could be effective as turn signal. Don't put white in the back. Not legal back there. Use yellow.

Edited November 2, 2014 by ReconRat

[Phreon]

I learned that the hard way when I purchased LED bulbs a while back. They're pathetic compared to their incandescent cousins.  Regardless of how (not) bright the turn signals are, I thought a pair of fog/running lights below the headlight (or maybe on the engine guard) would increase my conspicuity. And having the appropriate side light blink in unison with the signals would be even better....

 

I'm sure I'll replace the turn signals again in the future. I just hate how clunky looking and expensive the stock ones are and true LED signals all seem to be styled for an R6 - would look stupid on the 'hawk.  I like the cheap Buell style smoked signals, but they only take a small bulb. Maybe I'll gut 'em and install a matrix of high power LEDs

 

I'm not putting anything in the back for now - the bike came with aux red LED strips that blink when the brakes are applied. THOSE get attention.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Phreon

[Gixxus Christ!]

No point in relaying then just wire in parallel with turn signals.

[ReconRat]

A quick look for LED bulbs, 1156 and 1157. Phillips might be one of the few that have road legal bulbs. 35 bucks pair.

 

I found and bought Denali motorcycle aux/running lights. Low watt. Bright. High output lumens. Expensive at 350 bucks/pair.

 

With really careful searching, various strips of DIY add on LEDs can be found that are very bright. Make sure they are all weather for outdoor use, and that they aren't fudging on the brightness. Very few are high output lumens.

 

I've had good luck finding correct high output add-on LED assemblies at boat yard websites and big rig truck websites.

Mostly I was looking for small high brightness running lights to replace reflectors, and could be toggled on/off.

Almost all of them work as reflectors when off. Haven't bought any yet. Just another project...

 

edit: Rashed up headlight bucket. Body putty and paint.

Edited November 2, 2014 by ReconRat

[Phreon]

 

A quick look for LED bulbs, 1156 and 1157. Phillips might be one of the few that have road legal bulbs. 35 bucks each.

 

I found and bought Denali motorcycle aux/running lights. Low watt. Bright. High output lumens. Expensive at 350 bucks/pair.

 

With really careful searching, various strips of DIY add on LEDs can be found that are very bright. Make sure they are all weather for outdoor use, and that they aren't fudging on the brightness. Very few are high output lumens.

 

I've had good luck finding correct high output add-on LED assemblies at boat yard websites and big rig truck websites.

Mostly I was looking for small high brightness running lights to replace reflectors, and could be toggled on/off.

Almost all of them work as reflectors when off. Haven't bought any yet. Just another project...

 

edit: Rashed up headlight bucket. Body putty and paint.

 

Yeah, that's the problem with the signals I installed. I discovered the hard way that a normal 1157 won't fit them - they take those crappy mini-bulbs.  I have LED bayonet lights in them which are OK, but nothing like big ol' 1157s in the original Honda signals. I was thinking kludging an array into them would work well.

 

 Oh, thanks for the advice about the bucket.  Since it's plastic, Krylon fusion? 

 

 

No point in relaying then just wire in parallel with turn signals.

 

I want them to run all the time as regular running lights and blink with the turn signal.  The Honda is wired as such that if I use the running light circuit, the light'll just go off and stay off when the signals are blinking.  If I use the blink circuit, they'll only be on as turn signals. I've noticed I'm much more invisible on the old black Honda as compared to my red and chrome Vulcan. It's kind of creepy - I want to make sure folks SEE the 'hawk.

 

Thanks

[Gixxus Christ!]

Oh I get ya.

[Al Z. Heimer]

http://www.truck-lite.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=111022&langId=-1

If you want to use LED lights make sure that they are DOT approved and they will be a lot brighter than that Chinese flee bay crap. We are now starting to use these for marker/clearance lights on our equipment. I can assure that they are brighter than heck. With them lit on the high side I would not advise staring at them at a close distance. If you can see the lens it will visible....very visible. They are replacing 2 1/2" lamps. They draw almost no amps. They come in red or amber. Single or dual brightness. That is a red one would be a running/brake and amber a running/turn. They also come in single brightness. They only require a 3/4" hole for the grommet. If you want LED driving or head lights be prepared to pay to get a quality product. That walmart crap won't get the job done.