Led signal lamps all around.

Hondeltor

Hondeltor

Joined
Jan 6, 2019
Messages
132
Location
USA
Hello gents,

I converted all my signal lamps on my 1100 to led to save wattage from updrading the headlights to H4s, and am quite pleased with the bulbs I bought so I wanted to share.

Red 1157 in the brake lights:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MY4T4BU/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_435oCbDB0JRC

As a comparison I took a picture with the Led installed in the Right side only.
Park mode:
B99B719B-2D0E-428C-8025-D0EB83D5528B.jpeg
Brake mode:
6AD41934-A83C-4E48-B10E-BC5093CBD4D4.jpeg

The camera shows the color as being slightly yellow on the Led, but it doesnt appear that way to the naked eye. They are a brilliant, crystal red and you can see the true color reflecting on the nylon license plate bolts just underneath. I think the camera gets fooled by the intensity of the light and throws off the color, they are definately brighter and “fill out” the lens with light.

The same company makes an 1157 in amber for the fronts, and 1156 in amber for the rear.

I found the difference in the turn signals difficult to capture with the camera because of the relative brightness, but the results and improved brightness were definately the same, even on the front signals with the bulbs lying on their side. A lot of led bulbs I looked at had shadows in the pattern but not these.

Being all Led did screw up the flash rate but instead of wasting watts with load resistors I replaced the entire flasher relay with a Custom Led product. This one comes with the Honda electrical connector already installed, theres no splicing, just plug and play:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFXJGAQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_gs6oCbZM719G0

Not sure what bulbs the 1300s take, but the same people make them in 3157 and 7443.

Edited to add, The license plate is lit by the tail lights. So using red tail light bulbs causes it to be lit up red which can get you a citation here in the States. So you may have to go the extra step and get some license plate led bolts or something else to make sure a white light is shining on the plate. Whatever you do, stay legal and safe out there.
 
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6ad41934-a83c-4e48-b10e-bc5093cbd4d4-jpeg.234800


That's the most dramatic difference I've ever seen in a comparison pic. It's very impressive for the brake light but astounding for the tail lights.

To get accurate comparison pics you can't use a phone camera or a Point n Shoot in Auto. You need to manually control the exposure to get accurate pic to pic comparisons. But you done good. Real good. Those are great shots. I may have to upgrade my tail lights with the 7443 version of those bulbs.

Now to be real trick you might consider 1100 tail light mod that puts a brake light in the middle. That would be awesome. Having a 1300 I don't know anything about it but it would be way cool. Thanks for all the info!
 
Hondeltor said:
Hello gents,

I converted all my signal lamps on my 1100 to led to save wattage from updrading the headlights to H4s, and am quite pleased with the bulbs I bought so I wanted to share.

Red 1157 in the brake lights:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MY4T4BU/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_435oCbDB0JRC

As a comparison I took a picture with the Led installed in the Right side only.
Park mode:
B99B719B-2D0E-428C-8025-D0EB83D5528B.jpeg
Brake mode:
6AD41934-A83C-4E48-B10E-BC5093CBD4D4.jpeg

The camera shows the color as being slightly yellow on the Led, but it doesnt appear that way to the naked eye. They are a brilliant, crystal red and you can see the true color reflecting on the nylon license plate bolts just underneath. I think the camera gets fooled by the intensity of the light and throws off the color, they are definately brighter and “fill out” the lens with light.

The same company makes an 1157 in amber for the fronts, and 1156 in amber for the rear.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FB824J/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_jk6oCb73T7T3A

I found the difference in the turn signals difficult to capture with the camera because of the relative brightness, but the results and improved brightness were definately the same, even on the front signals with the bulbs lying on their side. A lot of led bulbs I looked at had shadows in the pattern but not these.

Being all Led did screw up the flash rate but instead of wasting watts with load resistors I replaced the entire flasher relay with a Custom Led product. This one comes with the Honda electrical connector already installed, theres no splicing, just plug and play:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFXJGAQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_gs6oCbZM719G0

Not sure what bulbs the 1300s take, but the same people make them in 3157 and 7443.
Click to expand...
Agree with ST Gui, that's a dramatic difference. Congrats and well done.
 
Hi all, I’m about to start a project replacing every bulb on my ST1100 with an LED replacement.

Part numbers and vendors will be provided.
 
Substituting an LED for the 55W H4 means that recipe can be greatly simplified. The relay and fuse could be dropped (or kept) if desired.
 
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ST Gui said:
6ad41934-a83c-4e48-b10e-bc5093cbd4d4-jpeg.234800


That's the most dramatic difference I've ever seen in a comparison pic. It's very impressive for the brake light but astounding for the tail lights.

To get accurate comparison pics you can't use a phone camera or a Point n Shoot in Auto. You need to manually control the exposure to get accurate pic to pic comparisons. But you done good. Real good. Those are great shots. I may have to upgrade my tail lights with the 7443 version of those bulbs.

Now to be real trick you might consider 1100 tail light mod that puts a brake light in the middle. That would be awesome. Having a 1300 I don't know anything about it but it would be way cool. Thanks for all the info!
Click to expand...

All these bulbs have a projector lens on the end, so as bright as they are, they are even moreso end-on which is why i bought these particular ones and why they work so well in the rear assembly.

In fact, I like the 1157 ambers so well I bought another set for my Peterbilt. People seem to have trouble seeing my signals when my headlights are on, I’ll find out tomorrow if they work better in Cincinnati. Besides, theres no better test to see if something electrical will last than installing it on my shaky old truck.
E0A7DD75-6E2B-4DDF-9D9A-D3E4C55BEC93.jpeg

I have thought about a 3rd brake light, maybe one that flashes...
 
Hondeltor said:
All these bulbs have a projector lens on the end, so as bright as they are, they are even moreso end-on which is why i bought these particular ones and why they work so well in the rear assembly.

In fact, I like the 1157 ambers so well I bought another set for my Peterbilt. People seem to have trouble seeing my signals when my headlights are on, I’ll find out tomorrow if they work better in Cincinnati. Besides, theres no better test to see if something electrical will last than installing it on my shaky old truck.
E0A7DD75-6E2B-4DDF-9D9A-D3E4C55BEC93.jpeg

I have thought about a 3rd brake light, maybe one that flashes...
Click to expand...
Installing them on a shaky old truck should be the acid test for these LEDs. :)
I like your istalation and the end result. (No pun intended.)
 
Hondeltor said:
I have thought about a 3rd brake light, maybe one that flashes...
Click to expand...
Putting bulb in the middle of the 1100's tail light and making it a flashing brakelight would be pretty trick and look factory. I want to do something similar with the 1300's turn signals as I already have a 3rd brakelight of the flashing variety.
 
ST Gui said:
6ad41934-a83c-4e48-b10e-bc5093cbd4d4-jpeg.234800


That's the most dramatic difference I've ever seen in a comparison pic. It's very impressive for the brake light but astounding for the tail lights.

To get accurate comparison pics you can't use a phone camera or a Point n Shoot in Auto. You need to manually control the exposure to get accurate pic to pic comparisons. But you done good. Real good. Those are great shots. I may have to upgrade my tail lights with the 7443 version of those bulbs.

Now to be real trick you might consider 1100 tail light mod that puts a brake light in the middle. That would be awesome. Having a 1300 I don't know anything about it but it would be way cool. Thanks for all the info!
Click to expand...

Ask and ye shall receive:
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/th...for-st1100-aka-the-hondeltor-uber-mod.167022/
 
This update is pretty common for 1300s, too. After you replace the flasher you can do all sorts of interesting stuff. LED turn signals in the mirrors, on the panniers, in the top box.

All of it looks good and adds to conspicuity.
 
Had some questions from members about Bulb part numbers for different years because Amazon posts up a warning that they dont fit, even on a 1993.

Obviously 1156/1157 does fit a 1993, does someone have a good source for info on other years? Amazon doesnt know everything it would seem, lol.
 
Nope, Amazon doesnt know everything... :)

I’ve given up on any LED vendor with the exception of Superbright LED’s, except for the headlight bulbs. They use a version of the Sylvania bulb guide (I believe) that seems a lot more accurate than most.

All 1156/1157 etc. have standardized bases but LEDs can vary in length and the quality of the terminal connections. As a result, they should be interchangeable but, alas, they are not.

I ran into the length issue when I was outfitting my 83 GL650 Interstate. Several of the 1157’s I was looking at for the front turn signals were too long and would touch the back of the amber lens. Not good.

Everything I’ve purchased from Superbrite has worked the first time out. The entire buying experience has been excellent.

My $0.02...
 
I may have made a mistake here.

I just realized that the license plate is lit by the taillight, and with red bulbs it is lit up red.

Looking into lit license plate frames, dont want a ticket from some overzealous member of the constabulatory.

Ive edited the original post to reflect this info.
 
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