LED Lights

[Binman180]

Hello,

I've experimented with various LED lights for my CB400f to try and lower the power draw of my bike.

I'm aware LED lights have a poor reputation but I commute on my bike and I've got a setup currently which is pretty darn good. MOST of my commute to work is on back roads without street lighting. Thanks to the setup I have, I am successfully running Oxford heated grips.

Headlight:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251740749562?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

When I got my bike, the bulb currently in place was a normal H4 bulb 55w. This didn't offer particularly good visibility. After plenty of negative reviews of various different types, I bought this one. It draws less than the original headlight and outputs much more light. I can't comment on reliability because I haven't had it long but I'm very pleased with it. Only downside is that I had to swap some terminals around on the wiring harness.

Rear Tail/Stop:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181935891649?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I've bought and tried quite a few 1157 rear LED lights and have always been dissapointed. Either the light wasn't very bright or the contrast between the two modes wasn't that great so it could have been less obvious to the driver behind in comparison to a convensional bulb. I recently bought this one and i'm happy with it. It is VERY bright I must say, brighter than a normal bulb by some margin. The contrast between tail and stop is much greater than any of the LED rear lights I've tried so far.

Instrument/side lights:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300612430026?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Although probably not needed, I thought save a little bit more power here by fitting LEDs. I originally tried the SMD type ones (with 5 or so LEDs dotted over) but they were unreliable and not very nice looking even under the dash panel. So I tried these ones and they are much better. give off a nice bright light behind the instruments, seem reliable and I also use one for the side light.

I haven't changed the indicator bulbs because they aren't powered often enough and I quite like the deeper colour that normal bulbs give off here.

Hope this helps anyone out. I'll follow up with pictures when I get the chance.

Thanks, Ryan

[Chris400F]

I got the ones I am using from here:
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyleds.htm

I have a LEDACE 25RST Stop/Tail (under heading '12V Stop/Tail bulb replacements' on the web page).
I have an LDT10DW fitted in place of the side light bulb which I use as a DRL (under heading 'Very bright T10 10MM Capless (Wedge)' on the web page).

I have a Cibie headlamp fitted which came with a holder for a capless bulb for the pilot light.
Similar bulbs are also available with bayonet fitting as in the standard headlamp.

[florence]

are they legal for road use?

[Chris400F]

Are you talking front or rear specifically or LEDs in general?
As far as I am aware they are legal. There are certainly a lot available including LED bulbs and load resistors for use in indicators.
Suggested uses for the bulb I am using as a pilot are "To be fitted as pilot lights inside the headlight reflector, Royal Enfield Caskette lights and car sidelights".
These bulbs were fitted for the MoT and the bike flew through that.

[Binman180]

Mines passed MOT aswell.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/contents/made

Most of what I've seen here after a VERY brief browse, seems to suggest that the lighting requirements for a bike as old as mine ('77) either suggest a minimum or no requirement. I could be wrong.