Orange running lights

[WI_Hedgehog]

In the U.S. they're called "marker lights" and they mark the sides of a vehicle, be it a car, truck, or motorcycle.

Scooters and motorcycles (which is a "scooter" above 50cc -or- able to exceed 30 MPH under ideal conditions) is required to have a "daytime running light" (namely the headlight) illuminated so other drivers notice the motorized cycle. As so many automobile drivers mistake scooters and motorcycles for bicycles, the headlight is supposed to draw their attention to the vehicle so they observe the rate of travel and don't pull out in front of it, or do something else without thinking first and cause an unnecessary incident.

Bicyclists, noting that automobile drivers disregard them, have also put lights on their bikes, in hopes auto drivers will "see them" and avoid causing injuries. The response by auto drivers is to ignore both bicycles and scooters/motorcycles and continue causing "accidents."

Authorities therefore require marker likes on motorized vehicles to differentiate them from bicycles. In addition, were the headlight to fail, the marker lights would still be illuminated, and in theory the auto driver able to "see" the scooter/motorcycle.

[leoper]

do you think is possible to take off orange cover from this blinker lights ?
i have seen someone who did it, so blinker is clear, and with bulbs with 2 colurs, you can have more white light in normal position, and orange blinker when you need

[WI_Hedgehog]

There's only one socket in the stock bulb housing, and the reflector is set to reflect from a particular bulb. If you change the bulb setup it will be similar to seeing a curvy, sexy gal in a fun-house mirror, then she moves and the curves are in the wrong places... In this case the light won't be reflected correctly and would be dull & dim, despite having bright bulbs. You'd need different light housings designed to do that.

http://what-when-how.com/automobile/hea ... utomobile/

[Gil]

do you think is possible to take off orange cover from this blinker lights ?
i have seen someone who did it, so blinker is clear, and with bulbs with 2 colurs, you can have more white light in normal position, and orange blinker when you need

The orange lense can be removed, but you have to dismantle the headlight. Then you could replace the halogen bulb with a two color LED bulb. I'm guessing that your scoot uses 1157 bulbs, which are two filament. The hard part is finding a bright enough LED bulb. Our PCX in the USA use single filament bulbs.


Gil

[leoper]

do you think is possible to take off orange cover from this blinker lights ?
i have seen someone who did it, so blinker is clear, and with bulbs with 2 colurs, you can have more white light in normal position, and orange blinker when you need

The orange lense can be removed, but you have to dismantle the headlight. Then you could replace the halogen bulb with a two color LED bulb. I'm guessing that your scoot uses 1157 bulbs, which are two filament. The hard part is finding a bright enough LED bulb. Our PCX in the USA use single filament bulbs.


Gil

i think, this type is enought

https://www.amazon.com/Partsam-2057A-Wh ... 7+dual+led

https://www.amazon.com/Autolizer-Signal ... B00C3MVK6G

[you you]

There's only one socket in the stock bulb housing, and the reflector is set to reflect from a particular bulb. If you change the bulb setup it will be similar to seeing a curvy, sexy gal in a fun-house mirror, then she moves and the curves are in the wrong places... In this case the light won't be reflected correctly and would be dull & dim, despite having bright bulbs. You'd need different light housings designed to do that.

http://what-when-how.com/automobile/hea ... utomobile/

In reality any changes to the distance to the reflector are likely to be minor and won't have a material effect on beam pattern or intensity.

But you are right, a bit of common sense when choosing the bulb to make sure it is of approximately the same size wouldn't harm.

[Gil]

You don't need those resistors, I used this ebay flasher so that the turn signals flash at the right rate.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-2-Pin-Adju ... EN&vxp=mtr

The first bulb you listed seem good, going by the reviews and pictures. These might be good too.

https://www.amazon.com/ENDPAGE-Switchba ... llow+white

Gil

[iceman]

In the UK, any external lights fitted to a vehicle must work to pass an MOT - usually picked up by 'legit' car MOT's but may get un-noticed on a bike MOT. If the police pulled you over, they could check and fine you for non functioning lights.
It comes down to chance, and it's your bike so do what you like - want to disable the running lights - go ahead.

[WI_Hedgehog]

Those Chineese replacement bulbs are a great idea, maybe try to find some quality ones though...

....In reality any changes to the distance to the reflector are likely to be minor and won't have a material effect on beam pattern or intensity....

Not to start a pissing match, and only for information because I've been through this a lot: The stock bulbs *generally* are the filament type, so a slightly side-to-side point-light-source (the filament). The reflectors (basically mirrors) are made based on this so they reflect the maximum amount of light from the point source to disperse in a specific pattern, and that pattern has been studied by many, many people for maximum safety of the driver and those around them. Headlights, directional, whatever, the pattern for each has been studied and is well-known.

LEDs are a long, fat, front-back light source, completely different from the point-light-source. While they may be bright from one angle, they're probably not from another. Much the same with HIDs although they throw a plasma arc front-back and while thin, the center of the arc is generally not where the center of the filament was, and the direction is front-back instead of side-side, so they *look* brighter to the driver, but are blinding oncoming traffic because the dispersion pattern isn't right due to where the light source is relative to the reflector location. When properly aiming this setup they're no brighter than what they replace, and are actually darker for many reasons off-topic to this thread.

Bottom line is replacing the bulbs with something different generally makes them harder to see and therefore puts the driver at greater risk. I'm not your mom, and sure as hell ain't here to tell you what to do. Do as you want--I ain't no "safety b!tch" either. I looked into this a lot for the Fury, and as much as I'd love to change out the stock lollypops and tail light, the factory solution seems to be the best practical setup regarding other people understanding my intentions and not smacking into me. The PCX lollys are really good looking and very functional, so for me there's no need to change them out. Plus it's a small ride, being seen is important (maybe enough for some people to dress like Big Bird, but not myself...) Just thought I'd share so you have a better idea of the potential outcome and can do what's best for you.

yellow_for_safety.jpg (74.83 KiB) Viewed 3320 times

[you you]

Those Chineese replacement bulbs are a great idea, maybe try to find some quality ones though...

....In reality any changes to the distance to the reflector are likely to be minor and won't have a material effect on beam pattern or intensity....

Not to start a pissing match, and only for information because I've been through this a lot: The stock bulbs *generally* are the filament type, so a slightly side-to-side point-light-source (the filament). The reflectors (basically mirrors) are made based on this so they reflect the maximum amount of light from the point source to disperse in a specific pattern, and that pattern has been studied by many, many people for maximum safety of the driver and those around them. Headlights, directional, whatever, the pattern for each has been studied and is well-known.

LEDs are a long, fat, front-back light source, completely different from the point-light-source. While they may be bright from one angle, they're probably not from another. Much the same with HIDs although they throw a plasma arc front-back and while thin, the center of the arc is generally not where the center of the filament was, and the direction is front-back instead of side-side, so they *look* brighter to the driver, but are blinding oncoming traffic because the dispersion pattern isn't right due to where the light source is relative to the reflector location. When properly aiming this setup they're no brighter than what they replace, and are actually darker for many reasons off-topic to this thread.

Bottom line is replacing the bulbs with something different generally makes them harder to see and therefore puts the driver at greater risk. I'm not your mom, and sure as hell ain't here to tell you what to do. Do as you want--I ain't no "safety b!tch" either. I looked into this a lot for the Fury, and as much as I'd love to change out the stock lollypops and tail light, the factory solution seems to be the best practical setup regarding other people understanding my intentions and not smacking into me. The PCX lollys are really good looking and very functional, so for me there's no need to change them out. Plus it's a small ride, being seen is important (maybe enough for some people to dress like Big Bird, but not myself...) Just thought I'd share so you have a better idea of the potential outcome and can do what's best for you.

yellow_for_safety.jpg

Its fine advice but your "chopper" headlight that you are basing it on is much smaller than a PCXs. Im sure there is nothing wrong with popping an LED in and seeing what happens. My bet is that it wont be quite so dramatic, never mind life threatening.

[Mel46]

It's a baby hog! When it grows up it will need back surgery 'cause that rider is just a bit too big for it! Oh my aching gas tank!

[Gil]

Those are all important concerns, so I don't consider it a pissing match. The legal and safety points are important things to keep in mind. My only concern with LED lights is their brightness. LED's are getting better, but since there aren't any name brands widely available it becomes a gamble.

Gil

[davenowherejones]

You don't need those resistors, I used this ebay flasher so that the turn signals flash at the right rate.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-2-Pin-Adju ... EN&vxp=mtr

The first bulb you listed seem good, going by the reviews and pictures. These might be good too.

https://www.amazon.com/ENDPAGE-Switchba ... llow+white

Gil

What motorcycle did you use the eBay flasher on? PCX or Forza 300? Where did you wire it in? How?

Thanks

[WI_Hedgehog]

Those are all important concerns, so I don't consider it a pissing match. The legal and safety points are important things to keep in mind. My only concern with LED lights is their brightness. LED's are getting better, but since there aren't any name brands widely available it becomes a gamble.

Gil

Maybe it's worth it. On my car I changed out the stock filament reverse lamps for LED that are way brighter and light up the area for the backup camera. In this case the replacement bulb has a
focused main lens (narrow beam projector) with a few smaller side bulb as flood light; works great, only took about 7 trial bulbs to get a good one for the housing, not a big deal. The replacements use less power and run cooler than stock. I'm mainly concerned with seeing where I'm going and others knowing I'm backing up, both needs are met.

On directional lights you want them to shine straight, and also to the sides so people see them from any reasonable angle and can understand you're changing lanes or turning, a difficult accomplishment on sunny days. This is why I normally don't change stock directionals, they tend to work best under a variety of conditions. That's probably the real legal concern, that a driver who changed thier directionals (or other lights) hasn't unintentionally become a hazzard to others.

[Mel46]

I have a 2013 model, which h has those "sticks" attached to the right and left front and back areas as turn signals. The front light assembly has nothing in either the top or the bottom of the light assembly. I would like to tap into the turn signal circuits and add lights in this empty slots. Does anyone know if the bike could handle LED bulbs in the empty turn signal/marker light sockets, or should I try installing yellow 1157 bulbs in the slots?

[Gil]

What motorcycle did you use the eBay flasher on? PCX or Forza 300? Where did you wire it in? How?

Thanks

I used it on my Honda PCX. I replaced the stock one with the ebay one, it plugs into the stock plug, it's that simple. I'm guessing that it's the same type for the Forza 300?


Gil

[Gil]

Here is a picture of the LED bulbs I used for the turn signals on my scoot. They aren't as bright as I would like, but for now they will do. I got them from ebay. I bought a couple extra, sacrificed this one just to see how it's wired.

gil

[Gil]

do you think is possible to take off orange cover from this blinker lights ?
i have seen someone who did it, so blinker is clear, and with bulbs with 2 colurs, you can have more white light in normal position, and orange blinker when you need

Make sure to verify what type of bulb your scoot uses. On my scoot they are 1156 bulbs, for the turn signals, as we don't have the running lights on the PCX for some reason.

gil

[Gil]

I'll start a new thread on LED bulbs. I'll show the ones that I have bought in the past and what I have on the scoot. I just went scouring ebay and found a couple promising bulbs that might be brighter than the halogen turn signal bulbs.


Gil

[you you]

Here is a picture of the LED bulbs I used for the turn signals on my scoot. They aren't as bright as I would like, but for now they will do. I got them from ebay. I bought a couple extra, sacrificed this one just to see how it's wired.

gil

Ive done the same to see inside.

Most of the house bulbs are LED now. Much better.