Rear lights, change to running lights/directionals

[Jersey mike]

I had the bike out tonight and when I backed it into the garage I got a good look at how dark the back end is with no other ambient lighting.

Is it possible to keep the stock turn signals and turn them into running lights and directionals?

I'm not a great electronic person, so be gentle with the explanations if it is possible.

Is,it legal to have rear Amber running lights?  If not, are there red replacement lenses for the stock unit?


Mike

[sandy]

I think Electrical Connections sells an LED kit that does what you want. Also search on Amazon for an LED Valkyrie tail light. It's about $90 but very worth it. Oh and yes it's legal to have amber tail lights.

[Jess from VA]

Yes, there are several kits (electronic boxes) available.  

Wire it in under the side cover or under the seat and it makes the signals run, turn, brake, even with 1156 single element bulbs.  But you must swap out amber signal lenses for red.  You cannot run full time amber lights in back, only the front.  Red lenses for valk signals can be found (I think some are one screw mount and others two screw).

http://www.customdynamics.com/tailconversion_kit.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Kuryakyn-4710-Run-Turn-Brake-Controller/dp/B00BVVF462

All kits do not fit/work on all bikes.  

Add a license plate frame with a row of two circuit LEDs on it for run, brake lights and this gives you four lights all the time.  My LEDs are on the bottom so it does not interfere with the dim plate light on top.

http://www.metricthunder.com/product/DS-272365.html

Finally, there is a plug and play led array to replace the 1157 bulb in the std tail light (I seem to remember having to shave a little plastic out of the inside of my lens).
http://www.amazon.com/Radiantz-Tail-Light-Honda-Shadow-Valkyrie-VTX/dp/B000TK8LY8

Even if you don't do this, getting a new 1157 bulb can be an improvement over a 15yo bulb.  Also, on bikes that use a 1157 tail/brake combination bulb, a 2357 tail/brake combination bulb, available at any auto parts store, will produce the same brightness for the tail light (3 lumens), but will produce 25% greater brightness for the brake light (40 lumens vs. 32 lumens). However, the rated hours of service for the 2357 bulb brake light element is much less (400 hours for the 2357 brake light element vs. 1,200 hours for the 1157 brake light element)

[BigMac (SoCal)]

I just bought 2 front turn signal lights off ebay and mounted them to the rear replacing the stock rear turn signal light. Just had to ad one wire from the license plate to make them running lights as well. I still have the amber lenses but but in red 1157 bulbs which helped a little. I don't know of anyone that has gotten a ticket for running amber lights in the rear.   

[Jersey mike]

Thanks for the info guys..

Tonight wasn't the 1st time I've seen the bike in the dark, so maybe it's my senioritis setting in...getting more cautious in my older years. I've seen the bike with car lights hitting it from behind and it stands out, the extra chrome around the saddle bags certainly shines nice and bright.

Well any way, I'll add this to the wish list of things to do and to anyone else with thoughts on the subject feel free to comment.

Oh BTW, are red replacement lenses a universal fit or make and model specific and who might carry them?

Mike

[Dak44312]

It is ILLEGAL in most states to run amber running lights in the rear.  You can get red lenses if your  bike uses the single screw at the bottom of the housing to hold the lens. Google  "TSL-HR lens". I have them on 2 of my bikes. They are about $30, but OE quality and look. If you have the early style rear light assembly with 2 screws that go through the face of the turn signal lenses, you are out of luck for red lenses.  

I would not recommend any of the standard plug in LED bulbs. I have tried a lot of them and they all suck. They are not bright enough during the day. If you want to go that route, buy the radiantz tail light insert, and the custom dynamics signal inserts. These are still plug and play as far as the housing is concerned. You will need an electronic flasher, however, and more than likely a diode  spliced/soldered into the headlight housing (it's easy) to prevent the indicator light inside the headlamp from causing hyper flash or both signals flashing at the same time. With LED, you ideally want the lens to be the same color as the light. If you have the older style lens setup and can't make that happen, some guys have had success painting their factory lenses with red testors model paint (I think- don't quote me on that).

[Jess from VA]

http://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Glow-TSL-HR-Replacement-Cruisers/dp/B00LD73NJ4

For night riding don't forget that extra reflectors and reflective tape are cheap (some of that tape is nearly invisible in daylight and bright at night, with light on it) (I keep trying to remember to get a reflective decal for the back of my helmet)



http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Reflective-Safety-Tape-Adhesive/dp/B000NPNXP6

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycles/stickers-decals/motorcycle-reflective-tape-kit.htm

http://www.purpleharley.com/reflective_index.htm

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Red lens can be had. Blaze B827R clearance lights from most auto parts stores or internet (much cheaper) will fit with a little mod.  after getting the wiring  done take the white backing plate off the clearence light use a holesaw and remove most of the center of this plate. glue or JB Weld the white plate to the chrome housing, it"s a thick fit. After it dries snap red lens on and you finished. I've done several bikes this way and have never lost a lens or had a problem. ON a two bolt lens leave enough plate to drill holes in it and with longer screws mount it as if it was the amber lens and then snap red lens to it. A good bulb is a 3496 same watt running light 3 time brighter stop or blinker light.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

http://blazer-international.com/productdetail.php?itemno=B827R&cat=4 hope this works

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

here us another  place   http://www.amazon.com/Blazer-B827R-clearance-marker-1-each/dp/B0045LOMYA

[John Schmidt]

Take the easy and inexpensive route, go to a hobby shop and get some translucent red spray paint used on models. Walmart used to carry it as well. Remove the amber lens, clean the inside with some alcohol and let dry. Then spray the inside of the lens with 2-3 coat, light coats so it won't run. Let it dry overnight then replace the lenses. You can't tell they were ever amber, and you now have red lights in the rear when you make the run/turn/brake transition. 

[Ramie]

You could get some front turn signal then go with a bulb like this and a clear lense.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/1157-Switchback-Dual-Color-High-Power_60013820259.html

[vanagon40]

Clear Alternatives makes red lenses for both the one screw (CA-CTS-0020-ATT) and two screw (CA-CTS-0021-ATT) lenses.

As suggested above, using the front signals (or even just the bulb sockets and wiring) is an easy way to add running lights to the rear signals.

Unless one uses an aftermarket kit, adding brake lights is a little more difficult.  I fabbed together four relays and couple of diodes, but I believe a trailer converter will also work.  I took the final additional step of turning off the running light when the signal is flashing for better contrast (note that the front signals work this way).

Good luck.

[michaelyoung254]

I did this to my '98. I bought two new front blinkers 'cause I wanted to make sure I had some with some nice shiny chrome, but you should be able to score some used ones off of Ebay pretty cheap if that's the route you want to take. Installed them in place of the rear, and then added red lenses that I found on AliExpress:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Motorcycle-Turn-Signals-For-HONDA-SHADOW-SPIRIT-1100-MAGNA-VALKYRIE-97-00/554297406.html

Wired them up to the brake light, and tail light, and now I have two additional tail lights, and brake lights along with the regular turn signals. Unlike amber or other color lenses with red bulbs which may or may not be legal depending on which state you're in, these should be legal in all 50 states.

NOTE: These lenses are for a '97 - '00 as after that the lens only had one screw instead of two. I never found any replacement lenses for the newer models, but if yours only has the single screw, and you are going to go this route, simply put on the older style housings. No difference other than the way the lens cover fastens to the blinker housing.

NOTE, NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU SPECIFY WHICH COLOR LENS YOU WANT!

IF YOU DO NOT SPECIFY WHICH COLOR (EVEN THOUGH THE PICTURE IS RED) YOU WILL RECEIVE A SET OF "CLEAR" LENSES.   Don't ask how I know this But I have to give a shoutout to  AliExpress because even though the mix up on the color was my fault, they sent me the red ones, and didn't charge me for them.

[blackvalkyrie]

Jersey:
You can turn your stock turns into running lights and directional....I did that, but I converted mine to LED...instead of incandescent... burns much brighter..uses less power... but  you will need either a diode kit or a ballast resistor.... I recommend the diode kit.... there are web sites where you can buy red bulbs and then buy clear lens... I bought plasma rods from custom dynamics and took off the stock turns..and then a curved plate frame with led intergrated... if you want... pm me and I can try to post a pic here

I had the bike out tonight and when I backed it into the garage I got a good look at how dark the back end is with no other ambient lighting.

Is it possible to keep the stock turn signals and turn them into running lights and directionals?

I'm not a great electronic person, so be gentle with the explanations if it is possible.

Is,it legal to have rear Amber running lights?  If not, are there red replacement lenses for the stock unit?


Mike

[RDKLL]

I got a set of KY-2509 Run-Stop-Signal. It has 3 circuits...red run, red stop and amber turn signal. I wanted to get rid of the big center light. But if you wanted to keep the center then it would probably work for you too

[Jopson]

Here's what I did with mine, got a Hopkins run, brake, turn trailer converter. Removed the 1156 bulb holders from the rear turns and installed 1157 holders in their place ( bit tricky but not too bad).  Sprayed the orange lenses red with testors candy red paint. Bags have red LEDS in them so I tied them into the signal for the corresponding turn light, so now when I'm running I have the original running light on, plus the running lights in the turn signals (operate just the same as the fronts now, had to run a signal wire from each front light to the Hopkins to make sure the rears acted correctly). When I turn I get the original turn light plus the light in the bag flashes. When I brake I get all 5 lights to come on. Probably cost me about $50 and a couple of evenings to get it all working.

 

[MarkT]

Don't run 1157 bulbs in OEM plastic housings, as run lights, if they are behind saddlebags as there isn't enough air back there to keep them cool on a hot day and the plastic will melt and the guts fall out.  Happened to me twice.  Use LED bulbs they don't get hot.  

I wrote up a tech article, to change them into run-brake-turn using only relays and diodes.  Takes more work but it's cheap and works well, if you can follow directions.  I recommend soldering to make them reliable.  Crimp fittings, not so reliable and Scotch blocks - HORRIBLE idea. If you use LEDs you will have to address the difference in resistance for the flasher - I used a Kisan flasher for that.  It also powers my Highlighter. I used red LED arrays and clear lenses from a VTX but Clear Alternatives sells them as well.  See

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/VTX_signals/vtx_signals.html

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TkRl9i8Ad8

[Jopson]

Don't run 1157 bulbs in OEM plastic housings, as run lights, if they are behind saddlebags as there isn't enough air back there to keep them cool on a hot day and the plastic will melt and the guts fall out.  Happened to me twice.  Use LED bulbs they don't get hot.

Oh yeah, sorry markT you are correct, only use LEDs. Forgot to mention that in what I wrote!
 

[BF]

I have the Radiantz led tail light with clear lens for the tail light.  

I replaced the stock red reflectors with red leds/reflectors from Big Bike Parts (see my sig pic).  They look like the oem red reflectors, but are really leds.  

I did the Electrical Connection run/brake/turn kit in my turns with clear lenses.  They're red run/brake and amber turn.  Since I have clear lenses, I installed amber bulbs for the turns.  The led part shines red through the clear lens.  

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/ledturnsignalmod.htm

I added a license tag holder with red run/brake led with clear lenses at the top and bottom from Custom Dynamics.  





On my trunk, I added some led light bars with clear lenses on the trunk rack that the trunk is mounted on.  The sides are just wired for run....and the rear is wired for run/brake.  Got them here.

http://www.bigrigchromeshop.com/10-led-inch-light-bar-bezel-p-7100.html#.VYXdw_3bKcM

[Dorkman]

Here is another solution, with all the stuff you need . . .

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,49820.0.html

[Bonzo]

Great Thread and Great Ideas! I already have two aux 55 watt yellow spots on the wind shield and two aux white spots on the engine guards that i bought from Big Rig Chrome. I had a lady make a left turn in front of me with three 55 watt lamps on in the front, at 45 mph. and she claimed she didn't see me. 26 Mom of four on her cell with two previous suspensions on her lic.
I just ordered 3 red  light led spot, three white light spots and a magic led modular flasher. I have a Kury aux three switch on top of my clutch reservoir. I am going to mount two of the reds on the bottom of the bags on my tourer and two whites on the bottom of the engine guards and wire them to the white aux lights already in use. in the spare (third) i am going to wire the third white one the tweek bar between the front forks and the third red one some where on the rear fender hooked up to the modulator for close quarters driving or dangerous conditions.  I really like the LED side lit Lic. Plate holder also, but I have four sentimental gem bolts and I do not think I can have it all.