LED Tail/Brake Light Bulbs...

[Vince Lupo]

Anyone try one of those LED tail/brake light bulbs in their bike? I was just reading in the December Classic Bike mag about editor Hugo Wilson installing one of them in his '54 Triumph Thunderbird, and he said that they draw less power and are brighter than incandescent.

Just wondering.....

[deaddog]

Anyone try one of those LED tail/brake light bulbs in their bike? I was just reading in the December Classic Bike mag about editor Hugo Wilson installing one of them in his '54 Triumph Thunderbird, and he said that they draw less power and are brighter than incandescent.

Just wondering.....

If your charging system is working as it was designed, using LED may cause you an overcharge problem because LED lights draw very little amps. The charging system does not have a voltage regulator so it is designed with the charge out put and drain predetermined. If you change either side of the equation you will throw it off balance. This is what happens if you ride your bike with the headlight burned out and the light switch on (it will overcharge). This is just my thoughts on it, I could be wrong……

I thought your systems been working fine………

[Vince Lupo]

Thanks for reply and suggestion. Yes, it has been working fine -- haven't needed to charge the battery once since the beginning of the season last year. I'm just always interested to try new things, and when I read that little article in Classic Bike I was curious about it. I actually did go out a buy one (they are cheap) and found that it was not nearly as bright as incandescent (I bought a 24 LED wide angled), so decided to stick with the tried and true 1157 bulbs. I guess if it ain't broke.....

[angrypirate]

I have a '63 CA77 305 and it eats tail lights. A new light wont last 2 hours at best and im not sure why. I tried 1157, and 1154 with the same result so I'm thinking that LEDs may last longer. Any thoughts?

[BrewCityDream]

I have a '63 CA77 305 and it eats tail lights. A new light wont last 2 hours at best and im not sure why. I tried 1157, and 1154 with the same result so I'm thinking that LEDs may last longer. Any thoughts?

same problem here as well...

[eyedragaknee]

FWIW, I run an H-4 35/35 watt headlight bulb. I also run an 1.8" LED cluster from www.customdynamics.com. These are 1157 bases and are NOT like the cheap little ones everybody sells. They are bright as hell. I have the same one that I have taken from bikes when I sell them. This one is 2 years old and has seen 4 bikes and now in a shaky fendered CL77. I highly recommend them.

The headlight is the one from candlepower that I converted to the H-4. It is a close enough fit after you trim it a bit. If you do this on a Cl-77 you will have to bend the tabs because it will hit the speedo cable, but it works great and I can safely ride at night.

[angrypirate]

I've been using an LED tail light i found at auto zone for the last few weeks with no problems at all.