ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: manlytom on March 25, 2011, 10:29:53 AM
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Hi all,
I have started to investigate the options to convert all the lights on my Zero S to LED lights. It seems for indicators and rear light there are easy options available on ebay. What I have not found is are LED front lights with high/low beam etc...
by the way I plan to convert this out of principle and that I had to have blown bulbs. I am aware that the lights power consumption is marginal compared to the motors. then again, every Watt might count getting home one day.
so, anyone done a LED conversion on a bike or even a Zero ?
cheers
Tom
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It's going to be hard to find a DOT LED replacement front light. I've never seen LED "bulb" replacements for headlights. It tends to always be a full housing made for LEDs because of need for heat displacement. Ebay has a number of LED head lights / work lights that would work. These guys are dirt cheap but not DOT or a headlight. But does have great light output. A number of ebay vendors sell these lights so shop around for the best price.
ebay seller (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-18w-LED-Work-Light-Caterpillar-bulldozer-Komatsu-24v-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf61279a7QQitemZ330545920423QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
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I did HID light on my bmw 1100. They make more light per watt than LED's.
I don't know why many people think LED's are so great, maybe it's because they last longer ?
It's also hard to get a beam from led's, because the light source is so spread out compared to an arc lamp.
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I swapped out the tail light bulb and the front parking light with items from "the led shop". http://www.ledshoponline.com/ part numbers 0077 and 2260. I didn't bother with the indicators as the flasher can will need a ballast resistor to work anyway, so there's no power saving there and they're only on for a small percentage. I'm not worried about the bulbs blowing as it's the vibration on a petrol bike that blows the bulbs all the time. These bikes don't have any.
I think the headlight might be impossible at this point in time. I just pulled the headlight fuse and stuck it in the spare slot next to it.
=:)
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I have seen some very bright head lights that were installed on bicycles. Maybe you should check out LED lights made for bicycles. They will not be legal for using on a motor vehicle, but perhaps you don't care. I am sure they would be fine for daytime use, but might not have enough spread and range for nighttime use. They might also have an incorrect pattern that may dazzle on-coming traffic at night.
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I posted earlier on this forum that I converted my headlight to xenon. I get 3-1/2 times the light at 20% less current than the stock halogen. I haven't looked at my previous posting lately but I'm pretty sure I posted the details about the conversion kit that I bought over the web. It was "plug & play". I only had room for the low beam setup so I connected it to the high beam part of the switch. Now I can turn the headlight off by switching to the low beam setting. Even though I only have a low beam now, it is much better than the high beam was on the stock headlamp. :)
Trikester
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I bought a "Vision X Solstice LED Light Pod Euro" from RockyMountainATVmc. I saw this one being used in a variety of offroad applications from Jeeps to motorcycles. Actually it puts out a nice light pattern, and it does have good distance. Maybe same as a 55W halogen typical offroad light, but this is only 10W so they say. I have not used it all that much yet though, I have to modify the bracket I made for it. I put it on a gas dirbike, but the bracket vibrates too much I think it will break eventually. Resonate frequency problem I think. Darn gas bikes and their vibration. No high low selection as required for street, but so far I like it.
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thanks for all the feedback. just playing with the thought of doing a combined indicator/brake/rear light like you get on the Harley Nightster. That way I could loose the long rear cover and cut/shorten it easily. just not sure where to stick the number plate ...
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Hi all, have come across these DOT approved LED headlights.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/dwp/gma/dwp_gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448777102&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309408692&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309408692&dwp_dealerid=48285&locale=en_US&bmUID=1306524517940&bmLocale=en_US (http://www.harley-davidson.com/dwp/gma/dwp_gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448777102&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309408692&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309408692&dwp_dealerid=48285&locale=en_US&bmUID=1306524517940&bmLocale=en_US)
this seems LED headlights are possible/available and are in fact street legal ! Now to work out what is in that package to rebuild them for the Zero at the right price.
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If you look on Zero's web store, they are now offering an LED headlight replacement. It is almost $800.
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If you look on Zero's web store, they are now offering an LED headlight replacement. It is almost $800.
thx, the Zero store headlight looks just like the Harley LED headlight in my link ! Zero claims for 2011 models only - so that rules me out .... Guess I need to find the OEM player and fit it myself... $877 is an awful lot of money for some LED headlights.
then the Corbin seat has come done in price quite a bit - just sucks that I bought it already ....
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Hi all,
I have started to investigate the options to convert all the lights on my Zero S to led light (http://www.niceledlights.com). It seems for indicators and rear light there are easy options available on ebay. What I have not found is are LED front lights with high/low beam etc...
by the way I plan to convert this out of principle and that I had to have blown bulbs. I am aware that the lights power consumption is marginal compared to the motors. then again, every Watt might count getting home one day.
so, anyone done a LED conversion on a bike or even a Zero ?
cheers
Tom
hello friend have you done the LED conversion? I am looking to get new lights for my bike.. Can you help me with your experience?Please reply thanks in advance:)
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hello friend have you done the LED conversion? I am looking to get new lights for my bike.. Can you help me with your experience?Please reply thanks in advance:)
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hi,
checked the Zero webstore - seems they don't have any LED options on offer. This leaves us the after market options only.
I have done the conversion on a 2011.
First start with the indicators. the mount on the Zero is standard size, either
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Swar-LED-Turn-Signal-Light-Indicators-Buell-1125R-XB12R-X1-S1-/380664519236?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a15f9a44 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Swar-LED-Turn-Signal-Light-Indicators-Buell-1125R-XB12R-X1-S1-/380664519236?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a15f9a44)
For the LEDs to work properly you need as well the right LED relay. A relay like in the link (from Hong Kong NOT China - Hong Kong usually ships where as China shops don't...). Ensure the symbols match the original one in the Zero as there are different options. The relay is in the tank area (2011 that is other models dont know). Easy to swap.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-3-Pin-3Pin-Car-Flasher-Relay-for-Turn-Signal-LED-Light-Flash-Fast-Blink-12V-/400363099493?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d37801565 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-3-Pin-3Pin-Car-Flasher-Relay-for-Turn-Signal-LED-Light-Flash-Fast-Blink-12V-/400363099493?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d37801565)
next the rear light. As I did want to chop the rearfender and create a cleaner look I went for a bracket / LED solution (its from an Australian seller):
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Aluminium-LED-stop-taillight-plate-indicator-mount-/330401316251?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ced73fd9b (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Aluminium-LED-stop-taillight-plate-indicator-mount-/330401316251?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ced73fd9b)
then for 2011 or older with a round 7" headlight - Trucklite phase7. great light better than standard one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-LED-headlamp-12v-replaces-PAR56-H6014-H6024-/190652151731?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c63c0f7b3 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-LED-headlamp-12v-replaces-PAR56-H6014-H6024-/190652151731?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c63c0f7b3)
it is a bit of a job to make the LED trucklite fit. do it carefully and it will work.
hope this helps.