r1150gs rear light

[Fanum]

but it's not that bright and only become really visible when directly behind it.


So What about these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BAY15D-11...Vehicles_CarParts_SM&var=&hash=item61dd79f860

You've already identified the problem with LEDs....they are very directional.

Adding Lumens won't help......the only way of efficiently getting a brighter light in the right direction is to replace the unit, or the reflector IN the unit.

On the K bike, the extra trucklights I fitted were more omni-directional because they were designed as a complete unit....they just happened to fit INSIDE the lamp housing, so they worked.

(Even then, I had to mount them on a bed of squidgy silicone goop angled away from the centre line of the bike IYSWIM)

You may be lucky and find an LED bulb that just happens to suit the existing reflector unit, but to do the job properly, you need to replace the whole unit IMO.

 

[Timolgra]

You've already identified the problem with LEDs....they are very directional.

Adding Lumens won't help......the only way of efficiently getting a brighter light in the right direction is to replace the unit, or the reflector IN the unit.

On the K bike, the extra trucklights I fitted were more omni-directional because they were designed as a complete unit....they just happened to fit INSIDE the lamp housing, so they worked.

(Even then, I had to mount them on a bed of squidgy silicone goop angled away from the centre line of the bike IYSWIM)

You may be lucky and find an LED bulb that just happens to suit the existing reflector unit, but to do the job properly, you need to replace the whole unit IMO.

Ok Ta, I get that now.

It's an ongoing problem with the 640 light which is pretty impossible to replace with anything after market but with the K did you fit the complete new light including it's own red lens?

 

[Fanum]

Ok Ta, I get that now.

It's an ongoing problem with the 640 light which is pretty impossible to replace with anything after market but with the K did you fit the complete new light including it's own red lens?

No.

Take the red OEM lens cover plastic bit off, and it's compartmentalised inside......I just glued the Trucklights (with their red covers, they were still bright enough even showing through two layers of red plastic) into the voids on either side of the filament bulb, then screwed the OEM cover back on.

The ones I used were dual brightness, IE they went double bright when braking.

Mine were samples from Durite that I purloined.

Do a good google on 'hamburger lights' and truck lighting.......the hamburger bit gives you either a reversing/indicator light or a double bright top and bottom layer for braking, with running light as the 'meat' IYSWIM.

They're designed with a wide angle of viewing, but t hat's the critical bit....they're DESIGNED as a whole unit, rather than being an add-on bulb or sub-unit that doesn't come with a designed reflector system for wide angle light dispersal.

The very flash/blingy light that you used to run on the dakar bike....I remember that some of the individual LEDs went poof in that, but it was a good bit of kit......things have moved on though, and for a fraction of what CTFT would have paid to fit that, you'll get a much better result these days.

Just search the online catalogues

 

[Timolgra]

Great, yes I'd assumed you would take the cover off.

I've got one of these on it's way to fit into the cavernous K tail light

But that may now get used for something else and I'll look out for 2 of the smaller ones like you used
Ta

 

[Fanum]

Great, yes I'd assumed you would take the cover off.

I've got one of these on it's way to fit into the cavernous K tail light

But that may now get used for something else and I'll look out for 2 of the smaller ones like you used
Ta

Two, as ADDITIONS to the filament dual wattage bulb rather than replacements, that's what I went for

Double redundancy approach

 

[Timolgra]

Two, as ADDITIONS to the filament dual wattage bulb rather than replacements, that's what I went for

Double redundancy approach

Yeah, that's what I'm going to do but just trying one for now, I never intended to replace it ,,,,,,, unless Flip can convince me otherwise, but it's past his bedtime now

 

[Flipfly]

Yeah, that's what I'm going to do but just trying one for now, I never intended to replace it ,,,,,,, unless Flip can convince me otherwise, but it's past his bedtime now

Still here, although yawning

The projector type bulbs are the easy option. My 1150 has a techno led panel in and it's defo the better solution. I agree with McFannykins with the judicious use of bodgerism and truck LEDs you will get a better, brighter light. Panel systems are best, but if ya lazy, inept or just plainly not that arsed, an LED bulb is a good upgrade over tungsten bulbs.

 

[Timolgra]

I've used the TT rear light for years which is pretty good, I also have an LED strip under the number plate and you can see from this photo how directional it is, ie. where??