converting to LED lights

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Oldmannewwinger
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converting to LED lights

#1

Post by Oldmannewwinger »

On my 1985 Aspencade I have mostly changed over to LED lights with the exception of the turn signals due to the fact that I will need to find an LED flasher once I do that. Does anyone know a good flasher that will plug right in?
Also I have a red tail light indicator on the dash that stays on all the time now. How do I get that to go out but still work if I have a bad bulb or connector?
Thanks.
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pidjones
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Re: converting to LED lights

#2

Post by pidjones »

flasher.jpg
flasher.jpg (110.65 KiB) Viewed 792 times
NAPA 09117 worked great on my GL1000s and CB750F. Planning to use one on a 1972 Triumph T150V that is being rescued (converting to negative ground, too) this year.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
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1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: converting to LED lights

#3

Post by Sidecar Bob »

The red warning light is only supposed to come on if the tail light bulb's dim (tail light) filament fails, indicating that the Reserve Lighting Unit is sending half voltage to the brake light filament. If you have changed to LED bulb replacements and the warning light is on it is probably because the LED unit doesn't draw enough current to tell the RLU that the light is working. I'm not sure what voltage it will provide to the parts of an LED tail light but I can't imagine it would be as good as having the light connected without the RLU.

IMHO, the best solution is to bypass the RLU as described in the Clymer manual. They included that at least 30 years ago because even then it was known that the RLU is more likely to fail and cause problems than it is to work and prevent them. And that was before LED tail lights were even thought of......
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
Oldmannewwinger
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Re: converting to LED lights

#4

Post by Oldmannewwinger »

Wow, I really appreciate that advice. I think I bought the wrong manual though, I got the Haynes one. Sounds like I need a Clymer one. (Unless someone could post a copy of that page) Lol. Thanks.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: converting to LED lights

#5

Post by Sidecar Bob »

The Factory Shop Manual (available from several sources online; maybe someone will post a link) should always be your first choice. Haynes is my 2nd choice (used occasionally when I don't understand the wording in the FSM or want a different picture) and I also have Clymer's collection of typos but I rarely take it out of the drawer these days.

Randakk to the rescue:
https://www.randakksblog.com/headlight- ... ent-151721

Image
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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Rednaxs60
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Re: converting to LED lights

#6

Post by Rednaxs60 »

I converted my signal lights to LED. Purchased a flasher relay from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08GFQ ... UTF8&psc=1
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: converting to LED lights

#7

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I had good results with Tridon EP36 flashers but any LED compatible flasher will work. Most LED flashers have 3 terminals but Honda's engineers anticipated that need and you should find a green (ground) wire near the other 2 for that purpose.

BTW: I changed to sequential LED signals and no longer need any type of flasher
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 1&p=801184
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
Oldmannewwinger
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Re: converting to LED lights

#8

Post by Oldmannewwinger »

Thank-you to pidjones for the recommendation of the electronic flasher from NAPA. I just bought mine but cannot figure out how to make it work. I used solderless connectors to hook it up so I didn't have to modify the bike or destroy to old flasher. I can't figure out what they (honda) did by testing the wires and I still cant figure it out by the schematics. I can get signal lights by applying power to the middle terminal and some strange noise like a relay clicking on by powering the right terminal and the left one is constant power with the key on. The new flasher has terminals labled X, P and L ????????????
I noticed also that pidjones used it on an 1100 and a 750. Could my 1200 be diferent from those?
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Rednaxs60
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Re: converting to LED lights

#9

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Flasher pins are X/P/L? Changed my signal lights to LED and installed an electronic flasher that eliminated the hyperflash:
LED Hyper Flash Relay.jpg
LED Hyper Flash Relay.jpg (55.79 KiB) Viewed 552 times
You should have three wires: white/green - power wire, goes to the "P" pin of the relay, gray - wire to the lights - goes to the "L" pin of the relay, blue/black - wire to the cancelling unit - goes to the "X" pin of the relay.

Good luck
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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5speed
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Re: converting to LED lights

#10

Post by 5speed »

every light on my 1100 is led including the running lights..
I got my flasher from the same place I got my led bulbs..
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: converting to LED lights

#11

Post by Sidecar Bob »

As I said, neither of my bikes has a flasher of any kind.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
Oldmannewwinger
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Re: converting to LED lights

#12

Post by Oldmannewwinger »

Thank you Rednaxs60. That's the most descriptive explanation I could hope for. Problem is it didn't work. I hooked it up as described and turned on the key. Immediately it started clicking with the turn signals off. Only the left front light was flashing, nothing else. When I turned on the RH blinker, it stopped clicking. The weird thing is when I plug the origional one back in, everything works. It just blinks hyper fast. Not sure if a different style would work that way??? This is the electronic flasher from NAPA.
Oldmannewwinger
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Re: converting to LED lights

#13

Post by Oldmannewwinger »

Another note to Rednaxs60. The bike wiring (wire colors) and the new flasher pins are exactly as discribed. I appreciate your expertise, knowlege and willingness to help me out here. Thank-you.
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5speed
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Re: converting to LED lights

#14

Post by 5speed »

This is the flasher I used. worked perfectly.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... r/782/836/
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Rednaxs60
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Re: converting to LED lights

#15

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Interesting. Here's a PDF of the circuit:
Aspy Flasher.pdf
(353.57 KiB) Downloaded 38 times
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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