Interstate pod lights replacement.

[John Schmidt]

While I'm in the midst of an engine change, I'd like to do away with the OEM pod lights and install some nice bright LED lamps. Has anyone done a change and what did you end up using as a replacement? I have no problem fabricating new lamp housing mounts.

[Disco]

HayHauler and I had these on both of our F800GS.  He had them in the pods on his Interstate and has them on HotGlue's former bike.  I have them on my R1250RT.

Great product and service from great people.

https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/-Long-Range-Optimus-LED-Auxiliary-light-Round_p_10.html

[pocket aces]

I found a pair of LED bulbs on Amazon. They looked great and fit great in my IS pods.
Might find some info on the VRCC search.

I think these were them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTMTATI?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_60

[Joe333x]

FIY putting LED bulbs in halogen housing typically results in the lights looking brighter when you look at them ie. annoying on coming traffic but will put less light on the road itself.

[John Schmidt]

I found a pair of LED bulbs on Amazon. They looked great and fit great in my IS pods.
Might find some info on the VRCC search.

I think these were them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTMTATI?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_60

How did you get those bulbs inside the lamp, I believe they're sealed.

[Jopson]

I've got similar led bulbs in my oem lights. Theres screws on the back of the light that you unscrew to access the bulb. You've got to remove the light from the brackets first though.

[John Schmidt]

I've got similar led bulbs in my oem lights. Theres screws on the back of the light that you unscrew to access the bulb. You've got to remove the light from the brackets first though.

That's strange, cuz I bought a set of OEM pod lamps off Ebay some time ago and they were totally sealed, no chance of getting in the back. That's what led me to believe they didn't come apart. Good to know so I just went out to experiment on one lamp and sure enough, the bulb is accessible. Learn something new every day.  

New question. If the bulbs are replaced with LED, is it advisable to remove the reflector(if possible) in the center or will the LED's give a directed beam.

[ridingron]

FIY putting LED bulbs in halogen housing typically results in the lights looking brighter when you look at them ie. annoying on coming traffic but will put less light on the road itself.

Thank you for saying this. I pointed this out on another forum and was severely flamed for it.

The number 1 question should be: what is the purpose of the lights. To see or be seen?

[Joe333x]

New question. If the bulbs are replaced with LED, is it advisable to remove the reflector(if possible) in the center or will the LED's give a directed beam.

Both options will lead to poor performance as far as light on the ground goes. Halogen housing specifically reflect the light of the bulb into a beam. LEDS are already a directed light beam and do not reflect light anything like a halogen so the reflection will scatter light everywhere and just be annoying to traffic while giving you less light. If you get rid of the reflector it could help with the poor scatter of the beam but it's still not going to be able to be directed where you want it since the pods are not adjustable. What I'd suggest for the fun of it is do one pod with an LED and one without and watch them side by side and see what actually looks better from behind the bike.

FIY putting LED bulbs in halogen housing typically results in the lights looking brighter when you look at them ie. annoying on coming traffic but will put less light on the road itself.

Thank you for saying this. I pointed this out on another forum and was severely flamed for it.

The number 1 question should be: what is the purpose of the lights. To see or be seen?

I try to explain this to everyone who insists on putting aftermarket LEDs on there OEM halogen vehicles, it absolutely drives me crazy at night and you 100% can be stopped and ticketed for it. Nothing like some clown behind you who's lights are just shining into the sky blinding everyone because they think it looks cool.

[John Schmidt]

Joe333, I agree re. strong lamps shining in oncoming driver's eyes, somewhat like meeting some clown driving with his brights on. I've had better lamps on other models of bikes and always adjusted them downward and slightly to the right, similar to proper low beam aiming on cars. That keeps direct light out of oncoming traffic, plus in the past I only used those lamps at night and in open country locations. I have some completely different LED lamps coming later this week and will see if I can adapt them to the OEM mounts without major fabrication.

[JimC]

John, I answered this for you about a year ago, here is a copy of that thread, hope it helps some.
Jim


John, sorry I don't have a picture of them on the bike, but I bought these off ebay;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144342050132

They were not hard to install, I had to make two aluminum angles, one of them attached under one of the chrome spear trim bolts, the other I drilled the housing and put a small stainless bolt to hold it. They were about 1/4 inch smaller than the opening, but I was able to get them centered, and they held fine.

<a href="https://ibb.co/rb6r3DN"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/6vPC8jL/led-pod-2.jpg" alt="led-pod-2" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/4t7yrJR"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/xLDvT3q/led-pod.jpg" alt="led-pod" border="0"></a><br /><a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'>image upload</a><br />

Click on the highlighted portion of the links, If the pics don't work let me know, I will text them to you, JIM