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Are ALL or some led replacement bulbs directional? Reason for asking is that headlight bulbs face forward and the indicators bulbs face sideways. This may seem a daft question but if you don't know you don't know.
Al
Al
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Howdy Al- It's a good question that's been touched-on before. If you do plan-on buying LED bulbs, and do not want to get into directional bulbs, find one's with a rotating base. But, taillight, blinkers, and headlight should be your concern. The dash bulbs will illuminate no matter what direction (BA9). My bike is all-led, all the way around. Only thing I have to do is possibly wire-in a license plate light, as you lose that feature going from a white incandescent, to a red LED taillight bulb.1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights. -
Hi Ian,
One of the things I'm thinking of is using a set of indicators fitted to the forks and using them a permanent driving lights. The bulbs in the indicators are mounted sideways, that is the reason of me question. Also if I use the indicator as a driving light a led bulb will be much cooler than the conventional bulb and hopefully will not overheat and blow.
AlComment
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I guess I'm confused as to your question at this point. The XS11 used 1157 bulbs up-front, which allow them to operate as day-runners, as-well as turn signals. If you plan-on being more visible up-front, I'd suggest flood driving lights.1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.Comment
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I'm thinking flood lights being aesthetically to big but factory indicators being not to out of place.
AlComment
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Fuction over form if you're thinking safety. I have floods on mine, and I love them!1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.Comment
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Dare I ask for a pic of them on you bike?Comment
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Well since Al has a SF, his front turn signals are not 1157 bulbs. The specials only have 1156'S in theirs.
I too would agree though with Ian, the turn signal indicators would be totally useless as driving lights. They just would not put out enough light to be of any value.Nathan
KD9ARL
μολὼν λαβέ
1978 XS1100E
K&N Filter
#45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
OEM Exhaust
ATK Fork Brace
LED Dash lights
Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
Green Monster Coils
SS Brake Lines
Vision 550 Auto Tensioner
In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Theodore RooseveltComment
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You both have the advantage over me on this subject. So no matter which LED bulb I put in the indicator body you say it would'nt be bright enough?
Over here we have right muppets and window lickers driving on our roads. I'm thinking along the lines of 3 lights on the front being better than one.
AlComment
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Nope, there just isn't enough reflectivity inside the housing and leds are too directional to produce enough light, and the lens is just not designed to be used with leds.
Your best bet is tool find some purpose built driving lights.Nathan
KD9ARL
μολὼν λαβέ
1978 XS1100E
K&N Filter
#45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
OEM Exhaust
ATK Fork Brace
LED Dash lights
Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
Green Monster Coils
SS Brake Lines
Vision 550 Auto Tensioner
In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Theodore RooseveltComment
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Hi Al,
These work really well.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ght/1670/3819/
They also have a 2" round unit but it puts out less light and costs more but may suit your quest for small driving light.
Phil1981 XS1100 H Venturer ( Addie)
1983 XJ 650 Maxim
2004 Kawasaki Concours. ( Black Bear)Comment
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1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.Comment
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Now that is a nice bike.
Comment
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Hey Al,
What the others have said are what I have also said several threads ago!
Here's MY BIKE with them mounted to simple L brackets bolted to the lower fork TT clamp/bolts!
My headlight looks funny because I have an Mini HID projector mounted inside of it. These lights do put out quite a bit of light which also aids in seeing the road at night, as well as being very visible during the day. They are LED's so they only draw a total of 1 amp each. But they are a bit expensive like $35.00 each!
But will provide what you're looking for and more...both visibility to others as well as visibility in seeing the road at night!
I got them from the site linked to in the previous post.
T.C.T. C. Gresham
81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
History shows again and again,
How nature points out the folly of men!Comment
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Now if I can get stock indicators to have LED bulbs inside them to put that much light out along with the headlight. That is the look I'm after. Question IS, can I get what I'm after?
AlComment
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