indicators into red rear side lights

[Malky]

Anyone considered turning indicators into red rear side lights ?
I know of folk who install from 6 to 8 high intensity LEDs (and they are really high) into each rear indicator. The value of the in series resistors changes depended on the number of LEDs. You then have 3 red lights at the rear. I've seen it and it looks pretty good and does make folks do a double take.
Then when you stick on an indicator it just look like a normal amber indicator.
In fact I am about to make this mod and time now. Here is a pic sent to me by a man who has done this a few times on R80, R1100RS and helped friends do on a GS also. The pic is of a RS replector taken from the rear.

I'm told that this is legal and even a policeman said "look pretty good, not a problem" or words to that effect.

 

[notadrop]

Sounds a great idea Malky! Let us know how it goes. I for one wouldn't mind a bit more red showing to those following!!

 

[Simon Eassom]

Malky:
What happens when you're braking and indicating at the same time? Would it still be legal? Does the indicator overide the brake lights?
Simon E

 

[Steve]

What happens when you're braking and indicating at the same time? Would it still be legal? Does the indicator overide the brake lights?

I think it's wired into the tail-light circuit, and not the brake lights.

Steve.

 

[Malky]

I think it's wired into the tail-light circuit, and not the brake lights.

Steve.

Yup that is exactly it. And when the taillight is on the LEDs glow. But when then indicator comes on that indicator flashes Orange (it apparently drowns out the red LEDs.

Simon E, notadrop. I guess I had better have this done by the 29th should you guys turn up at the next Sarrat. Failing that I'll post when I get the mod done and we can have a little get together. Certainly notadrop is very near.

 

[Malky]

Did the mod, it's cool

Just finished the mod. Works well even in this bright sunshine.

I put 2 rows of 4 in each indicator.

If you are interested then the parts are as follows.

From Farnell - Toshiba TLSH157P - spec is 22deg viewing angle, intensity 1530 to 7360 mcd, max curr 50mA.
If you run 4 in series with a 120 ohm resistor on 13.8V the current is about 40mA - which performs OK.

You can get the 8deg angle version in Maplin.

I'll be at Sarrat on the 29th July if you wish to see.

 

[(RIP) Yosi]

red indicators

Hi malcolm: Why don't you post a small diagrama for those of us less technical ? I'll love to have the contraption but don't have a clue how to do it. Cheers, Yosi

 

[R Savage]

I'm told that this is legal and even a policeman said "look pretty good, not a problem" or words to that effect.

Not wishing to be more than my usual wet blanket. But, it will be interesting to see how any so-equipped bike is treated at an MOT test. IIRC bikes with US-spec front indicators, i.e. day running indicators, will fail an MOT test. There are stringent distance requirements when considering the separation of lights and I don't think that tail lights and indicators sharing the same lens will meet the requirement. I would suggest a call to DOT or is it DVLA would be prudent. They were very helpful when I wanted to swap my rear fog and stop light wiring in my car. The aim was to separate tail/stop lights by using my existing fog lights as stop lights and my tail/stop lights as tail/fog lights so as to make the stop lights more noticeable. The gist was provided that the bulbs did not exceed the legislated values I could swap them.

I don't know how the current model Discovery is getting around the requirement that the only constant light shown at the front of a vehicle must be white and the only flashing light may be amber with a flash rate of blah blah blah. But the Disco' has a small amber side light as part of the indicator cluster. I wonder if this is an attempt to push the legislation to the point of accepting US style indicators. I've always thought that the flashing stop light was very noticeable on some of the US muscle cars that had stop lights across the whole width of the car

I have wanted to fit day running indicators to 'widen' the image of the GS. Malky - any thoughts as to a solution to that one? White LEDs perhaps??

Rgds Richard

 

[Malky]

Re: Re: indicators into red rear side lights

But, it will be interesting to see how any so-equipped bike is treated at an MOT test.

Yeah I had the same worry. However I know of folks who have passed many MOTs with these fitted. Four years worth of MOTs. So mr DVLA may have something to say but I ain't gonna ask if in practical terms everyone else is happy, most of all coz I know people will see me easier.

I have wanted to fit day running indicators to 'widen' the image of the GS. Malky - any thoughts as to a solution to that one? White LEDs perhaps??

Rgds Richard

Yeah I saw an RT with that done. Good grief it doesn't half make you aware of the bike.

The solution I have seen without sending to Mr BMW for an american mod is ....
Fit Yellow/Amber High Intensity LEDs.
The 8 red ones I fitted have enough output to look as intense as the 5W bulb of the tail light. When the indicator comes on at 21W it all looks amber, whether you have installed red leds (rear) or Yellow/Amber in the front.

You can of course fit amber to the rear. But Red just looks more impressive. It really shouts get off my butt.

I was gonna fit that to the front indicators, but once I stick on the Halfords 55W spots I figure I will have enough lights up front to be noticed. And if I choose not to put the spots on then I will get out the Araldite, soldering iron, LEDs, resistors, drill and go for it on the front indicators.

Cheers.

PS : Yosi I will draw up a diagram or 2 soon, honest. I may just annotate a photo.
Anyone going to Sarratt with a digital camera ? Julian ? City Slicker ? If so then it may look more relevant on the GS indicator as the only other pic I have is of an R1100RS.

 

[Jimb]

PIAA bulbs

If you fit Fog/Driving lamps you can put PIAA bulbs in, these are 55w in current usage but 130w in light output, can fit them in headlights too.