 LED Tail Lamp shootout
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 Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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looks like #3 is the winner... of course.. mo money .. lol.. great test .thanks for the efforts..
which one did you keep in the tail BTW ???
07 SPEEDMASTER ..SLASHCUT BUBS..
NOLOGY COILS/WIRES ..PHANTOM BLACK ..CHROME COVERS...K&N PODS..
BEAUTIFULL WHEN SHE RUNS RIGHT..SHE WAS ..
.. I LIKE HER>> ALOT ~~
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Quote:
...which one did you keep in the tail BTW ???
That's a secret. I'm trying to appear objective. 
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
#3 looks the best Thanks for the survey Although getting a free bulb is a good excuse to get another bike 
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Fantastic!
How does your license plate look like illuminated with a red LED ? If there is any way you could post a picture of that (indoor lights off would probably be best)...?
That's been the hang up on my converting - but my daughter is taking the MSF class next week, so I've been wanting to seriously upgrade the lighting on the VStar...
#3 looks best to me too!
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Quote:
How does your license plate look like illuminated with a red LED ?
What makes you think I stayed with one of the LED lamps?
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Thanks for taking the time to do this- I've been thinking about upgrading the bulb.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to do all this!
H.
2010 Speedmaster Black/New England White
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Good test and thanks for taking the time.
My vote: #3. I too wonder what that would look like with the red illumination on the plate with a red LED.
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7 |
None of the LED seem to illuminate the license plate much... If I were to swap, I would go with number 2, the price is much more reasonable, it is better than stock, maybe not as bright as #3, but for a $20 difference I could live with it. But realistically, if I needed one, I would go to the nearest parts store and get an 1157 bulb and be done with it.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Actually all of the LED lamps illuminate the plate pretty well. It is bathed in warm, red glow. 
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
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Thanks CCI for taking the time to purchase the lamps and make the comparison. #3 for me also.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
You outdid yourself. Very thorough and helpful guide... thank you very much!! # 3 for me too!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,502 Likes: 7
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
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That's an informative post cci, a $20 price difference might be nothing one day if someone doesn't see you braking!! I have one of those lights that flash when the brake is applied.
'04' Black America
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Nov 2009
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OK, CCI. It's time to come clean. Which one did you end up with?
H.
2010 Speedmaster Black/New England White
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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 Here's a photo of an "official license plate", under the following conditions: - 1. Tail light turned off indoors
- 2. Tail light illuminated indoors with the building lights turned off
- 3. Brake light illuminated indoors with the building lights turned off
Yes, this is lamp #3.
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I wonder if any city/state/county/province have laws specifying the color of light illuminating the license plate? I think most of them give a distance at which it must be readable at night.
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Only problem I see (depends on your state law) but the License plate lamp must be white in some states...
From Texas Transpertation code (see f)
Sec. 547.322. TAILLAMPS REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or vehicle that is towed at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with at least two taillamps.
(b) A passenger car or truck that was manufactured or assembled before the model year 1960 shall be equipped with at least one taillamp.
(c) Taillamps shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle:
(1) at a height from 15 to 72 inches; and
(2) at the same level and spaced as widely apart as practicable if a vehicle is equipped with more than one lamp.
(d) A taillamp shall emit a red light plainly visible at a distance of 1,000 feet from the rear of the vehicle.
(e) If vehicles are traveling in combination, only the taillamps on the rearmost vehicle are required to emit a light for the distance specified in Subsection (d).
(f) A taillamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and mounted to emit a white light that:
(1) illuminates the rear license plate; and
(2) makes the plate clearly legible at a distance of 50 feet from the rear.
(g) A taillamp, including a separate lamp used to illuminate a rear license plate, must emit a light when a headlamp or auxiliary driving lamp is lighted.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Last edited by jyatesmp; 08/18/2010 2:06 PM.
07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Dec 2007
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I agree, #3 is it. Now to see which one lasts the longest.
05 BA, Goodwood Green, Chevy605 pipes , ai removed, Freak kit, K&N pods, 145 main/42 pilot / 3 turns out, bags and screen
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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According to the two sources (knowledgable & reliale but not definitively authorities) Kansas requires the license plate be illuminated with a white light. So... I'll be blocking off the taillight from illuminating the license plate and adding a separate light for that for the VStar - I'll see how that goes before I start splicing wires on the America.
Thanks for the great information!
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Great test! Thanks for the info, but #1 works just fine for me.
if life gives you lemons keep them because hey,free lemons.
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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actually you need all need to go get a 2057 to replace the stock 1157 .. back in the 80's i think..the feds determined too many old ladies where ending up in someones trunk .. and steppd up the brightness..between stop and tail.. I'm a parts pro and have all the bros around here switched over.. ride safe..
07 SPEEDMASTER ..SLASHCUT BUBS..
NOLOGY COILS/WIRES ..PHANTOM BLACK ..CHROME COVERS...K&N PODS..
BEAUTIFULL WHEN SHE RUNS RIGHT..SHE WAS ..
.. I LIKE HER>> ALOT ~~
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Posts: 2,150 |
Not wanting to hijack your post but I've found this tail light bulban excellent purchase. Not only does it illuminate heaps better to the stock bulb, it flashes when I touch the brakes. My main concern was getting taken out at a set of traffic lights and the fact it illuminated so well was actually a bonus. A simple plug and play 
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Quote:
Not wanting to hijack your post but I've found this tail light bulb
an excellent purchase.
Not only does it illuminate heaps better to the stock bulb, it flashes when I touch the brakes.
My main concern was getting taken out at a set of traffic lights and the fact it illuminated so well was actually a bonus.
A simple plug and play
I've had this tail light for over 12 months and can confirm Staffos opinion. 
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
I put the Kissan Signalminder on my Speedy. It not only flashes your rear brake, but it also flashes your turn signals when you apply the brakes.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: LED Tail Lamp shootout
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,502 Likes: 7
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Only problem I see (depends on your state law) but the License plate lamp must be white in some states...
From Texas Transpertation code (see f)
Sec. 547.322. TAILLAMPS REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or vehicle that is towed at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with at least two taillamps.
(b) A passenger car or truck that was manufactured or assembled before the model year 1960 shall be equipped with at least one taillamp.
(c) Taillamps shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle:
(1) at a height from 15 to 72 inches; and
(2) at the same level and spaced as widely apart as practicable if a vehicle is equipped with more than one lamp.
(d) A taillamp shall emit a red light plainly visible at a distance of 1,000 feet from the rear of the vehicle.
(e) If vehicles are traveling in combination, only the taillamps on the rearmost vehicle are required to emit a light for the distance specified in Subsection (d).
(f) A taillamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and mounted to emit a white light that:
(1) illuminates the rear license plate; and
(2) makes the plate clearly legible at a distance of 50 feet from the rear.
(g) A taillamp, including a separate lamp used to illuminate a rear license plate, must emit a light when a headlamp or auxiliary driving lamp is lighted.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F1157-R19W6_motorcycle_bulb.htm
'04' Black America
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