Old ones on the left, new on the right. I dig it. I’ve got new center bulbs coming in the morning. I’ll link the bulbs in a bit.
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
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Installed LED headlights and turn signals
- Thread starter big0red4224
- Start date
Newest PY21W BAU15S LED Car Bulbs, Amber Yellow 25W 12496 7507 PY21W BAU15S LED 2641A Bulbs for Turn Signal Lights with Build-in Load Resistor Anti Hyper Flash for Blinker Bulb (Pack of 2) https://amazon.com/dp/B08DHMNDF2/
AUXITO H4 9003 LED Headlight Bulbs, 12000LM Per Set 6500K Xenon White for High and Low Beam Hi/Lo Plug and Play, Pack of 2 https://amazon.com/dp/B07TQLK6SH/
AUXITO H4 9003 LED Headlight Bulbs, 12000LM Per Set 6500K Xenon White for High and Low Beam Hi/Lo Plug and Play, Pack of 2 https://amazon.com/dp/B07TQLK6SH/
UntitledTJK, I have not done the rears yet, but I do have them to install this weekend. I'll do the same pic with the hazards on to show both. The same bulb fits.
Rich, yes. It was a straight swap. I made sure I found bulbs that were direct replacements, and allowed the use of the OEM headlight boots and connectors the way Kawasaki designed it. Some LED bulbs use remote drivers or big fans, which don't seal up the same with the OEM boots, and can allow water into the housings.
I rode it from Mesa, AZ to Las Vegas and back this weekend. Non-stop except for gas both directions. No ill effect on the headlights. If they will run for 5 hours straight, twice, I have no reason to believe that there will be any heat issues as a daily driver.
Rich, yes. It was a straight swap. I made sure I found bulbs that were direct replacements, and allowed the use of the OEM headlight boots and connectors the way Kawasaki designed it. Some LED bulbs use remote drivers or big fans, which don't seal up the same with the OEM boots, and can allow water into the housings.
I rode it from Mesa, AZ to Las Vegas and back this weekend. Non-stop except for gas both directions. No ill effect on the headlights. If they will run for 5 hours straight, twice, I have no reason to believe that there will be any heat issues as a daily driver.
No problem, sir. The turn signals were a bit on the expensive side, but they really are excellent. And the design works perfectly with the shape of the C14 lights. The head of the bulb is sort-of a projector and shines really brightly ahead, and the LEDs around the circumference really shine to the sides as well.
Riding to and from Vegas really made it evident how much better the new lights are. Many people who were dawdling in the left hand lane moved over without me ever having to tap the passing lights.
Riding to and from Vegas really made it evident how much better the new lights are. Many people who were dawdling in the left hand lane moved over without me ever having to tap the passing lights.
LED on the left, standard on the right. And yes, the regular one IS lit.
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
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Installed a Bright2Wheels direct replacement tail light. Despite the pictures, the brake light IS a little brighter in person and the running light is WAY brighter.
OEM Running:
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
OEM Stop:
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
B2W Running:
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
B2W Stop:
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
OEM Running:
Untitled by bigangryscot, on FlickrOEM Stop:
Untitled by bigangryscot, on FlickrB2W Running:
Untitled by bigangryscot, on FlickrB2W Stop:
Untitled by bigangryscot, on Flickr
Those look nice. I'd probably do that if I had kept my rear fender. I emailed B2W to see if I could work with something. I may disassemble my original light and work some voodoo on it.
Thanks for the link to the LED turn signals!
Direct plug n play units! These things are freakin' bright, buddy!
They would only let me order 1 pack at a time but well worth the price in my opinion!
Norm
Glad they worked out for you, Norm. Put a full set in my buddy’s ZX14R. Had to put a new flasher in his, since his uses a different, 2-wire flasher. Otherwise, direct for those too.
I installed the headlights last night replacing some LEDs I put in a couple years ago. Cut off on the low beam is much better than what I was running and the high beams light up road signs for a couple miles! Installation was a snap too because of their size. The units I just pulled out had a huge heat sink that sat behind the bulbs. The picture is the same brand I was running before, but the H4 that they don't stock anymore.
Attachments
Howdy. Nice writeup! I had swapped out the front lights and location lamps with LEDs too and they work much better. Also noticed that the license plate lamp is 1980's style and I'd like to replace that with an LED. Have you swapped out yours already, and if so which lamp did you opt for?
Thx, AB
Thx, AB
Sorry, AB. I did a tail tidy, so I wired in a completely new LED light assembly.
Did you link the replacement city lights?
Just want to confirm, for any who may have doubts about these lamps, that they are WAAAAY brighter than the LEDs I previously had installed. Haven't seen them coming at me, but from the way the road lights up out front I'm guessing these are pretty hard to miss! And then the high beams, wow. Just WOW.
My next thought is to swap out the turn signal lamps for the switchbacks. Saw a thread about them the other day. Not sure I'm a big fan of pulling off the body panels to string the wiring though. The video that was shared gave an overview, but didn't get into nearly enough detail for me to feel comfortable plunging in.
At this point I think I'll just swap out the front turn signal lamps for the LED ambers, which appear to be super bright based on the number of surfaces. Only concern might be that they could get super hot. I'll try these and report back once installed.
I thought I did. The actual ones I bought, the link is broken. These are the same color and manufacturer, just have more LED chips: https://amazon.com/SiriusLED-Extremely-Chipset-Interior-Courtesy/dp/B00GXO3IUG
I haven't had any issues with heat, and it's been pretty warm here.
What flasher did you use in your buddy's 14R? I have a 2012 ZX14r. Did you change out his headlamps?
For the flasher relay, went with the CustomLED guy. Worked great. https://www.customled.com/products/elfr-1-electronic-led-flasher-relay
For the headlights on his 2018 ZX14R: https://www.amazon.com/H11-H8-H9-Conversion-Waterproof/dp/B08LKLV4DX
They work AWESOME. It is how the bike should have come. The pure white lights are SOOO much better than the OEM incandescents. The highs and lows are the same bulb. On the 2018 anyway. And the passing light button on the ZX makes it look like a damn strobe. Not that he has to use it. The same city lights above work for the ZX, too. They're even the same color temp as the linked headlights.
UPDATE: finally got around to pulling off the body work and installed these on the front turn signals. WOW what a difference!
No joke folks, these are eye popping. Just ordered another set for my rear lamps (which are infinitely easier to swap out).
Why Kawa product mgrs decided against giving us these inexpensive lamps off the showroom floor is beyond me. The difference they make is remarkable. Thankfully I'll have these in place until I can scratch together the $250 to upgrade the whole shootin' match to the switchbacks.
In the meanwhile, if you're looking for a small (low budget) project that has a big impact, these will fit that bill.
Just a FYI, I’ve been riding around in 110°+ heat, no ill effects on any of the bulbs. It was 117° on my ride home yesterday.
It really makes me happy to see others using these. I’m glad I could contribute to the community in some small way.
It really makes me happy to see others using these. I’m glad I could contribute to the community in some small way.
Thanks Tony,
I installed the Bright2Wheels LED Tail light with integrated turn signals. That was an easy install. Now all the lights are all bright LED's and they work great. Thanks for your suggesting the the tail light.
Ken
I installed the Bright2Wheels LED Tail light with integrated turn signals. That was an easy install. Now all the lights are all bright LED's and they work great. Thanks for your suggesting the the tail light.
Ken
Similar install last night . From a 130 feet to the front of the barn hi beam and low beam
Have you enojed the Auxito LED's? I installed some just about a month ago, but haven"t done any night riding.
I am
I am in the same boat. They sure do look brighter in the garage. Unfortunately we have a lot of winter left.
I think im going to buy these for my bike. I can barely ride at night with the stock lamp.
Thanks for the great write up. I swapped my headlights and daytime running lights to the LEDs you noted last year and love them.
For the turn signals did the bulbs prevent hyper-flashing or did you rewire the turn signals to address?
As one who has installed LED headlight bulbs in a few bikes, I would like to point out that “too me” the greatest advantage to switching to LEDs is to become more visible to oncoming traffic. I am convinced that enhanced VISIBILITY is a key part of staying safe on the roads.
How have the bulbs worked out over the past year?
I picked up a set of the amber LED turn signal bulbs from the Amazon link last week and love them. I tried to buy a second set for the rear, but it seems that amber units are not available. The link now maps to a white set that have an incompatible base. I see many options out there and many suggest an added resistor may be needed or different relay in the bike's wiring. Does anyone know of a similar plug-and-play set of amber LED bulbs that have the same brightness?
Like Viper, I feel that the greatest advantage to switching to LEDs is to become more visible to oncoming traffic. I am convinced that enhanced VISIBILITY is a key part of staying safe on the roads.
I installed the Gixerhp Switchback Lights on the front of mine. His kit is plug and play.
(ie; I'm not as good at wiring as bigOred so I opted to buy ready built).
(Red amazes me}
(Even with the kit, I admit that I called to Gixer when I {still} became confused)
I initially installed the LED Head and Running Lights (I LIKED IT), and then I moved to the signal light installation.
,,,(ie; included in the kit are 2 filamant LED bulbs for the signal locations)
With these installed in the signal locations, I Now have white running lights "and" BRIGHT amber blinkers.
With "all" LED's on the front, the bike really stands out to approaching traffic.
I have, {and will eventually install} his Switchback Lights on the rear as well.
video.search.yahoo.com
Gixerhp is a COG Industry Member and supports COG at the Rally's with prizes.
Saaaaa-lute. (And thank you for your assistance)
Ride safe, Ted
I installed the Gixerhp Switchback Lights on the front of mine. His kit is plug and play.
(ie; I'm not as good at wiring as bigOred so I opted to buy ready built).
(Red amazes me}
(Even with the kit, I admit that I called to Gixer when I {still} became confused)
I initially installed the LED Head and Running Lights (I LIKED IT), and then I moved to the signal light installation.
,,,(ie; included in the kit are 2 filamant LED bulbs for the signal locations)
With these installed in the signal locations, I Now have white running lights "and" BRIGHT amber blinkers.
With "all" LED's on the front, the bike really stands out to approaching traffic.
I have, {and will eventually install} his Switchback Lights on the rear as well.
Kawasaki concours switchback lighting - Yahoo Video Search Results
The search engine that helps you find exactly what you're looking for. Find the most relevant information, video, images, and answers from all across the Web.
video.search.yahoo.com
Gixerhp is a COG Industry Member and supports COG at the Rally's with prizes.
Saaaaa-lute. (And thank you for your assistance)
Ride safe, Ted
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Thanks so much for the information Ted!!! I like making my self less invisibleLike Viper, I feel that the greatest advantage to switching to LEDs is to become more visible to oncoming traffic. I am convinced that enhanced VISIBILITY is a key part of staying safe on the roads.
I installed the Gixerhp Switchback Lights on the front of mine. His kit is plug and play.
(ie; I'm not as good at wiring as bigOred so I opted to buy ready built).
(I admit that I called to him when I became confused)
I initially installed the LED Head and Running Lights, and then moved to the signal lights.
,,,(ie; included in the kit are 2 filamant LED bulbs for the signal locations)
With these installed in the signal locations, I Now have white running lights "and" BRIGHT amber blinkers.
With "all" LED's on the front, the bike really stands out to approaching traffic.
I have, {and will eventually install} his Switchback Lights on the rear as well.
Gixerhp is a COG Industry Member and supports COG at the Rally's with prizes.
Saaaaa-lute. (And thank you for your assistance)
Ride safe, Ted
Happy and safe riding. RobI need to get some of these led's, either my vision is getting bad or the stock lamps are terrible.
How did you get to the light locations to replace. The service manual says to remove inner fairing and cone up from the bottom. Did you do this or just have a way to reach in and get to them. I have the bulbs from the link and will be replacing them. Any hints?
For the headlights you can reach down through the handlebars. For the running lights, take off the small fairing (a few pop rivets if I remember correctly) under the headlights and reach up from the bottom.
Thanks! The headlights were pretty easy. Will pop off the inner and get the running lights replaced.