Instrument Lights Too Dim In Daylight
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Madison, AL
Instrument Lights Too Dim In Daylight
After riding my brother's newer Dyna, I saw his instrument lights were little LED lights and easily visible in the bright sunlight. My 1999 Low Rider lights are old technology light bulbs and are difficult if not impossible to see in the daylight, especially the turn signal light indicators. I would like to upgrade to LEDs if possible but can't find even OEM replacements much less LED upgrades. Anyone know if this is possible and where to find them?
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Summerville SC
Are you talking about the indicator lights in the dash? If so that's an easy fix. You can buy the newer style from the dealer, the only catch you may need to cut/ splice the new lightS into your existing wiring harness.
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Madison, AL
That's right. The indicator lights in the dash. Mine are actually in the eyebrow where the headlight is mounted. I tried buying indicator lights for a newer Low Rider but it only had 7 wires where as mine has 10. Two for each light bulb. I tried pluging it in but only got the blinkers and neutral light. No high beam or oil pressure. Besides, the housing it came in, while the same basic shape, wouldn't plug into the existing hole in the eyebrow.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Madison, AL
Here's the fix.
I found where I could buy 12VDC LED light bulbs from superbrightleds.com and bought two.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...#/attributes/1
On advice from a tech at J&P Cycles, I was told the lights should pull out of the back of the housing. He didn't know what he was talking about. At least not on my bike. I pulled and twisted the light until it tore out of the housing. It's not made to be pulled out but it will if you try hard enough. The tech said I should be able to unplug the old bulbs and plug in a replacement LED bulb he tried to sell me. The incandescent bulbs are hard-wired in so plug-ins won't work.
With the old bulbs out I was able to snip them off and solder the LEDs in place. Then I needed to super glue a plastic collar that came with the lights on top of the opening where the old lights came out of to create more of a channel for the LEDs to fit into. Next I applied some clear silicone caulk on the back side of the bulbs to secure them in place after I stuck them in their new home.
The new bulbs are much brighter and are easily visible in the daylight. Before I wasn't sure if they were still on or had cancelled before I made the turn. I can't see my turn signals very easily either because of their location down on the forks so they weren't much help. Now I can keep my eyes on the road instead of trying to figure out of my blinker is still on.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...#/attributes/1
On advice from a tech at J&P Cycles, I was told the lights should pull out of the back of the housing. He didn't know what he was talking about. At least not on my bike. I pulled and twisted the light until it tore out of the housing. It's not made to be pulled out but it will if you try hard enough. The tech said I should be able to unplug the old bulbs and plug in a replacement LED bulb he tried to sell me. The incandescent bulbs are hard-wired in so plug-ins won't work.
With the old bulbs out I was able to snip them off and solder the LEDs in place. Then I needed to super glue a plastic collar that came with the lights on top of the opening where the old lights came out of to create more of a channel for the LEDs to fit into. Next I applied some clear silicone caulk on the back side of the bulbs to secure them in place after I stuck them in their new home.
The new bulbs are much brighter and are easily visible in the daylight. Before I wasn't sure if they were still on or had cancelled before I made the turn. I can't see my turn signals very easily either because of their location down on the forks so they weren't much help. Now I can keep my eyes on the road instead of trying to figure out of my blinker is still on.
Last edited by copter827; Aug 21, 2015 at 08:12 PM. Reason: Clarity.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Madison, AL
Update
I've got a few rides under my belt since I changed out the bulbs to LEDs. Love the fact that I can see the indicators now. Which brings up a new issue. Why do they cancel before I make a turn? Aren't their tilt sensors built in and/or some other logic the system uses to turn off the blinkers? If they didn't have it back in '99 when the bike was built, is there a replacement module that does a better job of figuring out the appropriate time to turn the signal off?
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: biloxi,ms
I found where I could buy 12VDC LED light bulbs from superbrightleds.com and bought two.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...#/attributes/1
On advice from a tech at J&P Cycles, I was told the lights should pull out of the back of the housing. He didn't know what he was talking about. At least not on my bike. I pulled and twisted the light until it tore out of the housing. It's not made to be pulled out but it will if you try hard enough. The tech said I should be able to unplug the old bulbs and plug in a replacement LED bulb he tried to sell me. The incandescent bulbs are hard-wired in so plug-ins won't work.
With the old bulbs out I was able to snip them off and solder the LEDs in place. Then I needed to super glue a plastic collar that came with the lights on top of the opening where the old lights came out of to create more of a channel for the LEDs to fit into. Next I applied some clear silicone caulk on the back side of the bulbs to secure them in place after I stuck them in their new home.
The new bulbs are much brighter and are easily visible in the daylight. Before I wasn't sure if they were still on or had cancelled before I made the turn. I can't see my turn signals very easily either because of their location down on the forks so they weren't much help. Now I can keep my eyes on the road instead of trying to figure out of my blinker is still on.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...#/attributes/1
On advice from a tech at J&P Cycles, I was told the lights should pull out of the back of the housing. He didn't know what he was talking about. At least not on my bike. I pulled and twisted the light until it tore out of the housing. It's not made to be pulled out but it will if you try hard enough. The tech said I should be able to unplug the old bulbs and plug in a replacement LED bulb he tried to sell me. The incandescent bulbs are hard-wired in so plug-ins won't work.
With the old bulbs out I was able to snip them off and solder the LEDs in place. Then I needed to super glue a plastic collar that came with the lights on top of the opening where the old lights came out of to create more of a channel for the LEDs to fit into. Next I applied some clear silicone caulk on the back side of the bulbs to secure them in place after I stuck them in their new home.
The new bulbs are much brighter and are easily visible in the daylight. Before I wasn't sure if they were still on or had cancelled before I made the turn. I can't see my turn signals very easily either because of their location down on the forks so they weren't much help. Now I can keep my eyes on the road instead of trying to figure out of my blinker is still on.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 339
From: Northeastern Indiana
IIRC ... turn signals are set up on time and distance ... the time starts once you release the turn button ... if you want them on longer you need to hold the button till you are closer to your turn
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