running light on the rear

[tandnhome]

I just hooked up some rear running lights on my bike. I ordered a set of front turn signals lights and put them on the rear , They have a two filement bulb in the front ones and only a one filement bulb in the rear. They hook up the same as the rear and then I tapped into the tag light wire for the running light , no modules and does not affect the blinker relay or the  blinker indicator light. I used all stock honda parts, now all I need to do is get in my two red lens to replace the amber ones .

[Denny47]

I did the same thing you did except was not comfortable that the light gauge OEM wire was heavy enough and ran a 16 ga. fused wire from the keyed hot wire near the fuse box and a ground wire to the running lights. Cost for the lights themselves were around $90 for the pair from Honda. I have been unable to locate the red lens and am still running the amber. Have been considering searching for clear lens and red 1157 bulbs. I feel a little more visible from the rear with these lights. I did not check for availability of the guts for the lights but they can be changed out and will fit.

[saddlesore]

You can get red lenses here........
http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/Clear_Alternatives_Clear_Colored_Turnsignal_lens_p/cts-0021.htm

[JaysGone]

Although its illegal to run amber lights on the rear as running lights.
I have been doing so here in Florida for over 5 years on both my bikes.

Id like to think the odds on being stopped for such are fairly low.
With most cops probably not even knowing the laws.
The fine if any also being low as all it is, is an equipment violation and here anyway a recipt for some red testors paint and maybe a photo is all one would need for it to be dismissed.
Im not advocating it at all.
But Im also not lossing sleep over what Id consider a safety issue in my case as is.
Id make my bike a chritmas tree if I could for more visability.

[tank_post142]

Jay: the law exists so that others may know what direction you are heading, so it is not a safety issue for you, but rather, a safety issue for others. to continue to ride with your lights in this configuration shows blatant disregard for the rule of law and the safety of others on the road. just another reason to dislike "bikers".

[Hoser]

If you go to a hobby shop and buy a small spray can of testor's candy apple red model paint and spray the inside of the lenses, they turn red,honest. sounds weird, but it's true.    Hoser

[Attic Rat]

I did that back in 1997 on my Valkyrie . I  have been running the amber lights on other bikes for over 30 years and no one has ever stopped me or said anything about the amber lights. The amber shows up better than the red

[chuckie]

Can you buy just the bulb holder and change that out
Chuckie

[vanagon40]

Can you buy just the bulb holder and change that out
Chuckie

If you could buy just the bulb holder, then yes, that would be all you would need to change to add running lights.  I do not believe you can purchase just the bulb holder new from Honda.  Maybe look for a damaged pair of front turn signals?

Also, it's more wiring, but I tapped into the front running lights as the power source for the rear running lights (separate wires for right and left).  The advantage it that the running light turns off when the signal is flashing, making the signal more pronounced.

[salty1]

You can get red lenses here........
http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/Clear_Alternatives_Clear_Colored_Turnsignal_lens_p/cts-0021.htm

Or clear lenses and red bulbs. Phat Performance also has the bulbs. I personally like the red lense approach myself.

[Farther]

These might work:  http://www.kuryakyn.com/Products/733/Deep-Dish-Bezels-With-Lenses

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Blazer-2-3-8-in-dia-red-round-all-plastic-clearance-light/ These lens are almost a direct fit. You remove the bulb mount by taking a 1in  hole saw and drilling the backing plate out. It is white plastic and easy to drill. Then if your bike is pre  2000 drill two small holes for the orginal mounting screws mount the backing plate and snap the lens on.  If your bike is 2000 and up you just glue the backing plates inside the orginal housing with JB Weld or other epoxy or glue and snap the lens on. Been on my bike for years and over a hundred thousand miles. PS you can get these lights cheaper on the internet but I took the easy way and just ordered them for autozone.  I replaced my kury lens with these as the chrome on the kury one peeled off in a short period of time.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

link didn't quite work. blazer pn. B827R  is the thing your looking for.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

that didn't get it either  B827R  will work on yahoo search.

[Brian]

that didn't get it either  B827R  will work on yahoo search.

Blazer B827R Red clearance marker at Amazon for $2.49 each right now. I did this mod.



This first picture is the before and after on the base modification.
The second picture is the comparison between the painted lens on the left and new red lens on the right.
In order to have these work brighter as running/brake and turn signals I had to use the hopkins #46365 powered converter to compensate for a voltage drop thru the standard hopkins convertor causing the lights to be dim. Using 1157 super bright LEDS back there now. Lights are a whole lot brighter now during the bright sunny days. No more complaints from followers on poker runs now.

[Oklahoma_Valk]

***SOLVED***
Tonight I tried the OP's mod. I got ahold of a set of stock front valk blinkers. With the dual filament. I wired the second filament of both lights into the tag light, just like the OP. Problem is....I keep blowing my fuses for the tag light!!

Anyone else had this problem? I've blown a 10A and a 15A. I guess I'll be trying to run an auxillary wire to the second filaments, like Denny47 did.

Responses appreciated!!

-OKie

_________________________________
*** I had pinched a wire while putting the assembly back together. It was grounding out and popping my fuses. Now all is well. this mod is awesome!****
 

[Brian]

Hey guys, you can never have too many lights on the rear. Now that you have gone to the trouble of converting your 1156 sockets to 1157's I suggest you consider making them run/brake/turn. There are many threads on this site that even contain wiring diagrams to help you do it. I personally had issues with a drop in voltage to the filament that was the brake circuit. I never found what the problem was, it was in the 2 volt range. I had originally used the standard Hoppy convertor. I called Hopkins about this issue they suggested that I try their powered convertor#46365. Problem gone. Brake and turn signal now brighter than the running. They weren't before when using LED's or the standard bulb. The best price for this powered convertor was Amazon. I am now back using the superbright red LED's.

[saddlesore]

http://www.kriss.com/bltsystem.php

This is the unit I bought.  It's a bit pricey but there are cheaper alternatives.
They also have headlight modulators, four way flashers, etc.
Take your time during the installation, use your wiring diagram, get the wires right.

[Denny47]

Did I miss something, re: Mase, reply #15, saw the photos but nothing to explain them other that they have red lens. Was he/you trying to tell us where to get the red lens?

[tank_post142]

the lenses are from 1973-86 sportster.these are aftermarket, factory ones have a squarer profile. there is a small lip that fits inside the chrome base you will have to shave a couple of thousands off the diameter so it will pop into our lights. i used an exacto knife and just dragged it around the outside of the lip a couple of times and it popped right in.the screw holes pretty much line up. this works on Kawasaki cruiser lights also.

factory style:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Sportster-2-New-red-turn-signals-lens-68483-73-/370629656938?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item564b3fc16a&vxp=mtr

[Denny47]

Great. Thanks, haven't had any problems w/ the amber and hopefully will not until I can obtain the red ones, did see a fairly new Harley with amber running lites which he said were factory but he did not buy the bike new. It's easy to pinch a wire and glad he found the problem. Rather a pain in the rear to run the wires from the lite up along with the OEM wiring to the fuse box like I did. I did put connecters in my wires where the OEM wires have connections so I could remove the rear half of the fender if needed.

[Cotton Mouth]

Those Harley ones look nice. Thanks for the pics. Dennis Kirk has all the Harley lens colors including blue dots already installed. The standard red ones will cost you about $7.00 including shipping. These are Made in the USA also.
https://www.denniskirk.com/red-turn-signal-lens-dhd1r.p21259.prd/21259.sku

[Disco]

Although its illegal to run amber lights on the rear as running lights.
I have been doing so here in Florida for over 5 years on both my bikes.

...the law exists so that others may know what direction you are heading, so it is not a safety issue for you, but rather, a safety issue for others. to continue to ride with your lights in this configuration shows blatant disregard for the rule of law and the safety of others on the road. just another reason to dislike "bikers".

We all know there are a bunch of idiot drivers out there, but I believe it's still safe to assume that headlights are white, taillights are red, and the direction of a vehicle's travel can be better determined from them as opposed to the color of the running lights.  Just my $0.02.

[tank_post142]

so running lights pointed to the rear are not tail lights?

[Disco]

so running lights pointed to the rear are not tail lights?

I see your point but I've always considered the taillight to be the one that brightens when the brakes are applied.  Just like I've never considered the front running lights/turn signals to be headlights.

And trust me, Jay, being lit up like a Christmas tree sometimes isn't enough... 

[saddlesore]

FYI....Wisconsin state law..

Trans 305.43  Lighting.
(1) Every motorcycle shall be equipped with all lighting devices required by ch. 347, Stats. In addition, every motorcycle manufactured after January 1, 1972, shall be equipped with 2 amber direction signal lamps on the front and 2 direction signal lamps on the rear which may be red or amber.
(2) A motorcycle may be equipped with no more than 2 auxiliary lamps, including auxiliary lamps on a side car.
(3) Motorcycles and attached sidecars may be equipped with marker lamps provided that:
(a) No marker lamp exceeds a wattage of 10 watts.
(b) No marker lamp interferes with the visibility of a headlamp, tail lamp, stop lamp or direction signal.
(c) No lamp shows a color except red to the rear and amber to the front.
(4) All lighting devices shall be maintained in proper working condition and in conformity with ch. 347, Stats. All wiring and connections shall be maintained in good condition and there shall be no cracked, broken or missing lenses or reflectors.

[Denny47]

I see a contradiction here between #1 & 3c. #1 says rear turn may be red or amber and 3a says red only on the rear. Not sure but when they refer to marker lights, it is to the lights on the sides, front  amber, rear red. Might be a point to argue if stopped......

[Valkpilot]

I see a contradiction here between #1 & 3a. #1 says rear turn may be red or amber and 3a says red only on the rear. Not sure but when they refer to marker lights, it is to the lights on the sides, front red, rear amber. Might be a point to argue if stopped......

No contradition. 

A turn signal/indicator is not meant to be on all the time.

Marker lights, running lights, tail lights are constantly lit.


It's also my personal opinion that arguing with the cop that stops you never helps your case.

[saddlesore]

  I read it as signals on the rear can be red or amber.  Running or brake lights must be red.  So if you convert to the signals to running lights you also have to go to red lenses.
 I had to read it a couple of times to get that.
  I got pulled over for having blue LEDs.  The cop recited the whole statute verbatim.  It was no big deal but I had to remove the blue lights.  It was a foggy night and I told him it help to be seen.
He didn't buy it.

[Pappy!]

Guys, take a look at the lilnk below. This is about the neatest and cheapest way to do this that I have seen to date. Very bright and very noticeable plus easy to do.

http://www.vulcanforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28093

[Oklahoma_Valk]

Here's an update on my rear end....or...well you know.



I used a little Testors candy apple per hosers instructions. The amber was brighter, but I prefer the look of the all-red. Then found some red LEDs at autozone with 3m tape backing, and stuck them to the license plate. Piggybacked them into the brake lamp. So they only light when brake is depressed.

behold, run turn brake.