6Th Gen Led Battle!

Hello all!

I am starting the process of going ALL LED for my 6TH GEN Viffer for instant on light, better brightness and less hassle. I've read everything including this great headlight post here and am still having trouble with a firm understanding of the details to get started. BTW.. at the urging of this group I already have many Posi-locks and have Tightwads distribution block if I need some switched power.

The order for my plan of action is to do:

1. Brake lights

      -I've already ordered these based on a post here (see post #30). I should point out that according to the vendor.. these are the brightest at a smaller size and an upgrade in brightness to what's in post #30. I'll also point out that these could possibly fit but are much larger however the very brightest!

2. Turn signals

     -I want to get switchbacks (white to amber) and have all four be running AND turn signals

     -I'm aware I'll have to get a flasher here (instead of loading up on resistors)

3. Headlights

     -Looking at h4's and h7s at LifetimeLED's

     -I just want them to run like they do now. I believe it's 2 lights on bottom for lows and all 4 lights for highs. If that's wrong please correct me.

OK QUESTIONS..

1A.) BRAKE LIGHTS - Anyone in the 6TH Gen group know how large of an LED tower bulb we can get away with? I measured the top brake bulb housing from the hole (right where the light connector gasket would seal) to the back plastic being careful not to let the allen wrench ride up or down and keeping it straight and got 2 3/4" (as accurate as I could get). I then measured the bottom of the bulb that clicks into the base (1/4"). So we have a total of 3" or 76.2mm. I know someone has got to have a more accurate measurement? I'm trying to go as big as possible without the bulb touching the housing for the sake of choices. 

1B.) I imagine the lower bulb housing is the same size but I am assuming here.

2A.)I saw a post once upon a time that went through a simple plan to tap/connect some rear turn signals wires to existing wiring to get them to behave like the fronts. Can anyone explain or know where that post is?

2B.) Anything special I need to do to run led switchbacks in the front or rears than the direction I'm already heading?

3A.) Is it really as easy as following this video?

3B.) Am I selecting the correct LED headlights?

3C.) I've considered Tesla LED's but because of advancements in LED tech I'm thinking maybe some headlights will do it and can be aimed better

All of your experience is highly appreciated!

P.S. We really need to (if not done already) have an up to date BEST and latest led recommendation post along with retrofit guides per GEN. As powerful of a collection of info we have here regarding our beloved beasts it would seem we could do this AND... to hopefully aid in my contribution of giving back I may initiate this myself after going through the paces. BTW.. I am aware that not everyone will want to do this.

Thanks all!

I got an led tail light for my fifth gen from Thurn in Germany. No idea if they have them for 6th, but if so get one. It will be too expensive, but far better than any bulb!
When I saw the switchbacks, I immediately thought of 6th Gen turn signals! Perfect!
I like the headlight plan. There was a link posted about some led headlights that look identical to the Lifetime bulbs, but near half price. Check the ZoomZoom thread in the fifth gen section. At the end.
BTW, every bulb in my '99 is led except one. FI light stays on at half brightness in the 5th Gen. Probably the new ones come with built in resisters, so I could make it 100%. I think the 6th has led wired into the gauges.

I just made some edits to the above post as I re-measured!

I got an led tail light for my fifth gen from Thurn in Germany. No idea if they have them for 6th, but if so get one. It will be too expensive, but far better than any bulb!
When I saw the switchbacks, I immediately thought of 6th Gen turn signals! Perfect!
I like the headlight plan. There was a link posted about some led headlights that look identical to the Lifetime bulbs, but near half price. Check the ZoomZoom thread in the fifth gen section. At the end.
BTW, every bulb in my '99 is led except one. FI light stays on at half brightness in the 5th Gen. Probably the new ones come with built in resisters, so I could make it 100%. I think the 6th has led wired into the gauges.

Good info! Thanks Kev!

Here is the link to the thread that Kev was mentioning.

http://www.vfrdiscus...dlight install

The Lifetime bulbs are certainly more money than the ones shown in the link to Amazon, BUT the Lifetime LED's do come with a better warranty. Just food for thought. Having been through the install of LED headlights I can honestly say that the hardest part about the install is figuring out where to mount the power supply boxes for the bulbs. My only recommendation in regards to the power supplies is that when you install them, make sure that the power supplies don't interfere with any wiring harnesses etc when you mount them. Nothing worse than trying to figure out why nothing lines up properly when you put things back together only to figure out that a wire or something else is in the way. Go ahead, ask how I know..... LOL

If you get some of the switchback lights installed on your bike, post up some photos or a video if you can so we can all see what they look like installed and working.

As an after thought, if you were able to get the turn signals mounted elsewhere on the front of the bike, say on the mirrors (one of THE more common suggestions for turn signal placement) the holes left for the factory turn signals might make an excellent location to install some auxiliary LED driving lights. Hmmmmmmmmm

Surely lessening the load on the electrical system with L.E.D bulbs will mean the reg/rec unit will have to turn even more electricity into heat which it already has a problem doing with any reliability

The stock reg /rec is a shunt unit meaning any amps not being used get turned into heat

At least that is how I was informed

I converted my 2010 6th Gen to LEDs for all indicators and the 2 brake lights.

Got the bulbs from SuperbrightLeds   www.superbrightleds.com

The Indicator bulbs are:  7443-A45-T Amber

The Brake bulbs are:  7443-R45-T Red

They fit without issue and are good and bright.

You will need to change the flasher relay to an electronic one based on the number of pins on your existing one.

As far as the rectifier/regulator, I changed mine for one of the Wire My Bike non-shunting ones and haven't had an issue since.

Cheers

Phil

Sorry one thing I forgot to mention is that in NZ our front indicators are just that only. Indicators, not running lights so they may not fully suit your situation.

Phil

Surely lessening the load on the electrical system with L.E.D bulbs will mean the reg/rec unit will have to turn even more electricity into heat which it already has a problem doing with any reliability
 
The stock reg /rec is a shunt unit meaning any amps not being used get turned into heat
 
At least that is how I was informed

Plus one on this. You better get a good voltage gauge, because that RR is going to be working extra hard to shunt off the current that you are no longer using...

LED kit or not, upgrade your R/R to a MOSFET style if you haven't already.  I'm currently running a rick's unit, but the one at roadstercycle is a popular choice as well.  Go look at yours on the bike, if it starts with "SH" on the model number, replace IMMEDIATELY.

I also made up the freed watts with even more LED auxiliary lighting.  :goofy:

LED kit or not, upgrade your R/R to a MOSFET style if you haven't already.  I'm currently running a rick's unit, but the one at roadstercycle is a popular choice as well.  Go look at yours on the bike, if it starts with "SH" on the model number, replace IMMEDIATELY.

I also made up the freed watts with even more LED auxiliary lighting.  :goofy:

This guy is on point!

Agree on Roadster Cycles kit. I have the same stuff I put together myself because I didn't know about his complete kits.

Interested in seeing what you guys are doing, so I'm jumping onto this thread.

So far I've done this:

Brake/Tail:  http://www.amazon.co...duct/B00HJEXEF8.  I can't say if these are brighter than the stock halogens, but they aren't dimmer.  I did get one dud, but was able to exhange easily with Amazon.  Fit with no issues, and I'll remain pleased if the lights are durable enough to last.

Turn signals:  http://www.amazon.co...4657650_TE_item.  No issues with fitment on my 2003 (so note, the running lights up front are different than your 2007).  Either way, they look great, and like all LEDs, have a nice crisp on/off transition which makes them more distinct.

Low Beams:  http://www.amazon.co...488MDWY4HY5BBMQ.  Installed these and really like them.  Only required a minor trim on the bulb boot, but is otherwise drop-in.  The light output is probably pretty true to the 5000K rating, and is pretty white.  They don't have that ricer blue look to them and work very well in the stock housings.  I haven't been flashed yet and find that the pattern is pretty darn good.  Lots of usable light, and only 20W per bulb.

High Beams:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AOVPVE/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_dp_1 I tried these, but didn't get to install them.  The adapter ring is thinner than stock and the spring clip doesn't hold the bulb tightly to the housing.  Also, the heatsinks don't really fit within the housing opening.  Oddly, the heatsink on the units I have don't look like the item in the Amazon photo; it looks more like this:  https://www.lifetime...headlight_bulbs .  I'm not sure what I'm going to do, or if I can find a way to make these work.  It's a shame, because I was really looking forward to having high beams matching the lows in terms of color and output.

I also am running a Rick's MOSFET R/R and a VFRNESS w/ a voltage gauge.  These lighting upgrades were done for better visibility, but also to free up wattage (yes, I know how that sounds).  But for me, I needed the capacity to run heated grips, jacket, pants, and gloves.  Haven't tried the heated clothing yet, but I maintain a rock-steady 14.3-14.4V battery charge with the headlights, fan, and heated grips on.  I don't expect an issue with the heated clothing, but will report back if I find any.

Just gotta figure out that damn high beam and I'll be ecstatic.  To be fair, even as is, the lights are as good (or better) than my car's.

Agree on Roadster Cycles kit. I have the same stuff I put together myself because I didn't know about his complete kits.

Given that I did the wiring recall on my 6th gen can I merely plug this one in using the factory wiring already in place?

http://www.roadsterc...lator about.htm

Interested in seeing what you guys are doing, so I'm jumping onto this thread.

So far I've done this:

Brake/Tail:  http://www.amazon.co...duct/B00HJEXEF8.  I can't say if these are brighter than the stock halogens, but they aren't dimmer.  I did get one dud, but was able to exhange easily with Amazon.  Fit with no issues, and I'll remain pleased if the lights are durable enough to last.

Turn signals:  http://www.amazon.co...4657650_TE_item.  No issues with fitment on my 2003 (so note, the running lights up front are different than your 2007).  Either way, they look great, and like all LEDs, have a nice crisp on/off transition which makes them more distinct.

Low Beams:  http://www.amazon.co...488MDWY4HY5BBMQ.  Installed these and really like them.  Only required a minor trim on the bulb boot, but is otherwise drop-in.  The light output is probably pretty true to the 5000K rating, and is pretty white.  They don't have that ricer blue look to them and work very well in the stock housings.  I haven't been flashed yet and find that the pattern is pretty darn good.  Lots of usable light, and only 20W per bulb.

High Beams:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AOVPVE/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_dp_1 I tried these, but didn't get to install them.  The adapter ring is thinner than stock and the spring clip doesn't hold the bulb tightly to the housing.  Also, the heatsinks don't really fit within the housing opening.  Oddly, the heatsink on the units I have don't look like the item in the Amazon photo; it looks more like this:  https://www.lifetime...headlight_bulbs .  I'm not sure what I'm going to do, or if I can find a way to make these work.  It's a shame, because I was really looking forward to having high beams matching the lows in terms of color and output.

I also am running a Rick's MOSFET R/R and a VFRNESS w/ a voltage gauge.  These lighting upgrades were done for better visibility, but also to free up wattage (yes, I know how that sounds).  But for me, I needed the capacity to run heated grips, jacket, pants, and gloves.  Haven't tried the heated clothing yet, but I maintain a rock-steady 14.3-14.4V battery charge with the headlights, fan, and heated grips on.  I don't expect an issue with the heated clothing, but will report back if I find any.

Just gotta figure out that damn high beam and I'll be ecstatic.  To be fair, even as is, the lights are as good (or better) than my car's.

Pic's  nighttime please .

I just checked and have a SH type r/r. And I was about to install LED headlights. Thanks for the heads up. Looks like I'll need a MOSFET r/r to go with my VFRness and new headlights.