TOPIC:

Where did you get a two bulb rear light? My bikes have only one bulb. I think you would need an opaque divider between the bulbs, elsewise you wouldn't get a clear turn signal, the whole thing would blink.

Any other ideas we can throw cold water on?

loudhvx wrote:

Looks wrong to me too.

You are defeating the purpose of the integrator by connecting the green and yellow wires to the black wires....

Everybody got that, right? These need to be disconnected no matter how you re-do the config.

By the way, I have just ordered the same unit and am going to configure my 400 with 4 rear lights.

I have the Emgo dual-tail/license holder and 2 dual-filament bullets. I'm thinking the two on the Emgo will remain tail/brake only, and the two bullets will be tail/brake/turn. I may change to two tail/brake/turn each, I don't know. Either way, it should be cool...

Aight - done deal!

I have yet to test this, but all theory seems sound to me.



Here's that separator you were taking about...good to know I'm thinking like a KZ'r


The thing bobs around a bit - so I've gotta make a strap to hold it steady, but other than that - it definitely suits my needs. Oh - and the '84 550 comes stock with a 2 bulb light.. at least mine did when I picked it up in the fall.

Post edited by: pyxen, at: 2007/02/23 19:25

I don't remember the price, but Dennis Kirk (among other places) carries converters just for the purpose of making any two bulb tail light work as tail, stop, and turn signals. My MKII has a dual bulb set up as well, so I'll be watching to see if your set up works. It's a good idea.

Post edited by: 79MKII, at: 2007/02/23 20:14

79MKII wrote:

I don't remember the price, but Dennis Kirk (among other places) carries converters just for the purpose of making any two bulb tail light work as tail, stop, and turn signals....

It's true. I looked into it. Make sure you're wearing an adult diaper when you see the price.

I got the Reese unit from Amazon.com for less than $14 with free super-saver shipping. Free shipping was because I bought a video (Gigantic, The Tale Of Two Johns, if you were wondering) with it and my total order was just over $25.

OK, my new catalog came today and the part number is
21-2106. This "converts OEM dual taillights into turnsignals so you can remove stock turn signals for a sleeker look". click here


Like Biquetoast says, it's $100!!

They have another that sounds like it would work with the single circuit LED's. It is part number 21-1240. I've been thinking about doing something like this myself, I just haven't decided exactly how. It seems like that converter should work, at least for the dual bulb taillight, maybe not the LED. It sure is a lot cheaper!

Post edited by: 79MKII, at: 2007/02/23 20:17

The one I'm using was $25 at the local auto shop - I didn't really have much of an option though. It seems like a good one to get, cause it has the hardware for the entire installation - if using a trailer that is

I like it - it's definitely not a flimsy unit - it's got some weight to it .. not much, but a nice feeling.

Go with this one if you use bulbs. I may look into LEDs in the future, but if this works, I'm happy.. There's also the option of a dual function LED bulb (like this one from DK 22488 ).

FWIW - I had the converter for about a month before I figured out how I wanted to run it..and obviously I changed my mind today, mid installation

Oh - and I'm going to keep the LED marker lights for my saddlebags - and mount them on there for further brake lights/turn signals when they're on. I'm thinking hardbags for the sides.

Post edited by: pyxen, at: 2007/02/23 21:06

Sounds like you are on the right track pyxen. We want photos when it's done.

Nevco48 wrote:

Where did you get a two bulb rear light? My bikes have only one bulb. I think you would need an opaque divider between the bulbs, elsewise you wouldn't get a clear turn signal, the whole thing would blink.

Any other ideas we can throw cold water on?

It sounds to me like a little info on the theory/function of all two element bulbs may be called for here. The elements both operate off the same 12VDC supplied by your bike or car. The run/park element is of less wattage, and therefore dimmer than the turn/brake element. If you buy or salvage a unit from somewhere and do not know which wire is for which element, the bulb can be tested on the bench by simply clamping (gently) the unit ground to a wire connected to a 12V battery. Now touch first one then the other of the wires to the other battery post and observe which causes bulb to light brighter. This is your brake/turn wire.
When you have it all hooked up, the much brighter brake element, when on, totally overwhelms the tail/running light, so you do not need any kind of shield between the elements. If you hook it up "wrong", such that the brake light is the dimmer of the pair, then people behind you will not see the brake light come on, but they will _REALLY_ see your running light all the time!
The separator is needed only when left and right turn signals are in the same unit/housing.

Post edited by: JimatMilkyWay, at: 2007/02/24 08:35

JimatMilkyWay wrote:

The separator is needed only when left and right turn signals are in the same unit/housing.

Right, but as I understand him, that is what pyxen plans to do... Without a seperator between the two bulbs, the turn signal would blink the whole light. (Further confusing the soccer mom on the phone in her SUV that is going to turn you into her hood ornament)

I agree with Nevco that the whole red lens would probably light up at least a little when only one bulb is lit. I'm sure it would be a little brighter on one side, but maybe that wouldn't be enough to really function well as a turn signal. I'll have to experiment a little on my spare MKII taillight.

The new "integrator" taillights, available for the new bikes, actually have color changing led's that turn yellow for the turnsignals. That would be the way to go. Half the lens (which is clear) would turn yellow and the other half would stay red. Now how do we do that with our taillights??




Post edited by: 79MKII, at: 2007/02/24 11:34

Nevco48 wrote:

JimatMilkyWay wrote:

The separator is needed only when left and right turn signals are in the same unit/housing.

Right, but as I understand him, that is what pyxen plans to do... Without a seperator between the two bulbs, the turn signal would blink the whole light. (Further confusing the soccer mom on the phone in her SUV that is going to turn you into her hood ornament)

I wish you were kidding about the soccer Mom.

Yes, I too understand the intention is to house all rear lights together. Because you guys nailed it correctly, I did not comment on earlier post where the original pic showed the left turn/stop, right turn/stop and tail lights all electrically connected; that is, short circuited.
I do not know the wire-color scheme of the light unit Pyxen intends using. This is why I suggested doing a "bench" test and see for himself which wire works for dim and bright on each bulb. Then be carefull to mount unit with left turn on the left, because the bulbs themselves "don't care" if they are on the left or right side.

Post edited by: JimatMilkyWay, at: 2007/02/24 11:39