Ms.Meanie's got a new tighter rear end. (LED rear light install)

[trikebubble]

I installed the LED taillight/brake light/turn signal assembly last night.
Went off without too much of a hitch, pretty straight forward instructions, and sure cleans up Ms.Meanie's rear end.
I took a bunch of pictures, but it doesn't really give a true view of how bright the LED assembly really is. The turn signals are also very bright. My gal (who has complained to me in the past about how ineffective the bullet signals are) gave her 2 thumbs up to the change as well.
I think I may need a load equalizer. The manufacturer states it is not necessary, but my turn signals certainly blink quicker now.
I may also run a bead of silicone under the lens to make sure no moisture gets in.

The LED assembly on EBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=4576747259

New LED light on bike (with smoked lens)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../Nolights1.jpg

Taillight on, in dark garage with no camera flash
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ameraflash.jpg

Brake light on, in dark garage with no camera flash
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ameraflash.jpg

Taillight only on, with camera flash
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ameraflash.jpg

[Xlr8n]

Looks real nice. You'll want to add the load equalizer. about fifteen bucks and splices in in five minutes. I didn't buy one with my LED turn signals initially and the quick blink thingy drove me crazy, so I added the equalizer. Did you go with the clear or smoked lense?

[2WheelFun]

And to think that all those miles we rode with you Carlo and we couldn't even see you

I agree...it's a vast improvement over the other lights you had before. Looks like you did a good job...as usual!

[Darby11]

Looks very good. I ordered the same thing earlier this week but with the clear lens. I can't wait to get it. Now I just need to get something for my license plate. I think I have decided on this:

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/de...00_Mean_Streak

and I will be putting lighted screws in the plate as well.

Also, which load equalizer is a good one? I plan to get this all from Cruiser Customizing.

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by Xlr8n

Looks real nice. You'll want to add the load equalizer. about fifteen bucks and splices in in five minutes. I didn't buy one with my LED turn signals initially and the quick blink thingy drove me crazy, so I added the equalizer. Did you go with the clear or smoked lense?

Info on the load equalizer would be greatly appreciated

I have the smoke lens on there right now. It seems to illuminate just fine. I also have a clear lens from a prior "mod" kicking around. IMO the smoke lens looks 100% better.

[SleekStreak]

Wow, that's cool.

Info from that ebay site suggests you may not need the equalizer if you use the transitor they provide with the kit. Specifically cites the "blinking frequency" issue.

[Xlr8n]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

Info on the load equalizer would be greatly appreciated

I have the smoke lens on there right now. It seems to illuminate just fine. I also have a clear lens from a prior "mod" kicking around. IMO the smoke lens looks 100% better.

It's simply a power sink that draws some current from the wiring to acount for the reduced current draw that LED's use over conventional lights. With LED's ultra low current draw ,your existing flasher thinks a bulb is burnt out an rapid flashes to tell you this. The equalizer is a quick three wire splice into your existing wiring. Here's a low-cost kit: http://www.customled.com/PRODUCTS/TH..._equalizer.htm

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by SleekStreak

Wow, that's cool.

Info from that ebay site suggests you may not need the equalizer if you use the transitor they provide with the kit. Specifically cites the "blinking frequency" issue.

Their is no seperate transistor. Their are a number of them wired onto the board of the unit, but it definatly blinks quicker than stock.

[Spok]

looks good carlo.

[tingboy]

looks good man! i like that

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by Xlr8n

It's simply a power sink that draws some current from the wiring to acount for the reduced current draw that LED's use over conventional lights. With LED's ultra low current draw ,your existing flasher thinks a bulb is burnt out an rapid flashes to tell you this. The equalizer is a quick three wire splice into your existing wiring. Here's a low-cost kit: http://www.customled.com/PRODUCTS/TH..._equalizer.htm

Interseting and thank you,
Here is my first concern. The load equalizer taps into both the positive and ground wires in order to function.
My LED assembly has a common ground for all 3 functions (turn, brake, taillight) and only has one wire (each for left and right) that come off the board to tap into the stock turn signal wiring.

Where would I tap the ground side of the load equalizer?

[ryanmross]

To the same ground..

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by ryanmross

To the same ground..

thanks,
My next silly question.
Do you know which pin, wire is ground on the rear taillight socket. Is it the wire that connects to the outside housing of the socket or one of the two that connect to the pins at the inside base? Does this make sense?

[SleekStreak]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

Their is no seperate transistor. Their are a number of them wired onto the board of the unit, but it definatly blinks quicker than stock.

Interesting. That ebay auction specifically says "-Blinking speed identical to stock turn signals when the included resistors are used". Maybe they left something out of packaging? Dunno. Either way, still looks cool.

I'm curious, though, what you did with the stock wire housing? When I took of my stock lights the stock plastic wire housing piece hung down way below the bottom of the fender, exposed, and quite hideous. I literally just /cut/ it off. Was curious what others have done. I've always regretted doing that in case I ever want to change the lights in the back again I fear I'll have a problem with the housing box, but I didn't see any way around it.

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by SleekStreak

Interesting. That ebay auction specifically says "-Blinking speed identical to stock turn signals when the included resistors are used". Maybe they left something out of packaging? Dunno. Either way, still looks cool.

I'm curious, though, what you did with the stock light housing? When I took of my stock lights the stock housing piece hung down below the bottom of the fender, exposed. I literally cut it off. Was curious what others have done.

Hacksaw ingenuity. I did the same here.

[Xlr8n]

trike- you can splice into the harness under the seat and mount the equalizer there. There is an accessory ground you can use under the seat (see your manual for location) and splice into the right and left positives just aft of the accessory connectors. If my memory serves me correctly, they are both green with a different colored trace. Look at the wires coming out of the factory turnsignals to verify and just splice into each of those positives under the seat.

sleek- cut mine as well. no other way around it unless you want to leave the wiring totally exposed under the fender, which would be a poor choice. You could always order the cover from Kaw if you want to go back to stock, but I doubt you will.

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by Xlr8n

trike- you can splice into the harness under the seat and mount the equalizer there. There is an accessory ground you can use under the seat (see your manual for location) and splice into the right and left positives just aft of the accessory connectors. If my memory serves me correctly, they are both green with a different colored trace. Look at the wires coming out of the factory turnsignals to verify and just splice into each of those positives under the seat.

sleek- cut mine as well. no other way around it unless you want to leave the wiring totally exposed under the fender, which would be a poor choice. You could always order the cover from Kaw if you want to go back to stock, but I doubt you will.

Silly me. I can use the ground wire from the stock light. It is not used and is just taped up out of the way.
Thanks for all the help.
Carlo

[Tbakko]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

I installed the LED taillight/brake light/turn signal assembly last night.

Too Kewl!!!!!!!!!!

[Pirahna]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

Info on the load equalizer would be greatly appreciated

I have the smoke lens on there right now. It seems to illuminate just fine. I also have a clear lens from a prior "mod" kicking around. IMO the smoke lens looks 100% better.

Hey Carlo, mine flashed fast to when I first got it. I went out and bought a load equalizer and was about to install it, I decided to try one more time before I put it on and this time they flashed normal. It seems that the diodes need to warm up for a minute or two and then they work. Mine still flash fast when I first turn on the bike but after two-three minutes they work fine.

[trikebubble]

Originally Posted by Pirahna

Hey Carlo, mine flashed fast to when I first got it. I went out and bought a load equalizer and was about to install it, I decided to try one more time before I put it on and this time they flashed normal. It seems that the diodes need to warm up for a minute or two and then they work. Mine still flash fast when I first turn on the bike but after two-three minutes they work fine.

I'll check on that.
Thanks