LED Conversion

Hey guys,

I'm toying with the idea of an LED bulb conversion for everything: taillight, turn signals, and indicator lights.

Has anyone tried a full LED conversion before? Any words of recommendation or caution out there?

Somewhat coincidentally, I'm also thinking about converting to a H.I.D. headlight ( kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...ew&catid=4&id=418851 ). If anyone has experience with this, I'd love to hear ya.

Thanks,
Mark

Two forum members, "Loudhvx" and "Otakar" can probably advise you on what will and won't work.

When using LED for turn signals, you'll need to get an electronic turn signal flasher as the LED's will not have enough current draw to make the standard flasher work.

"Otakar" has done a HID conversion on his bike that works really well.

Otakar is the man when it comes to full LED conversions and HID headlights. I havn't gone full LED yet, but I have adapted a LED taillight from a Yamaha R-6. Here's a video that shows the taillight function:

I converted to LEDs at the places that suck the most juice: tail/brake light, turn signals and running lights. You can get 3W Luxeon leds that go straight into the standard socket at superbrightleds.com. You will need a solid-state flasher.

NOTE: if yu get those kind of LEDs with 20 little lights, they won't be bright enough for daylight use. The 3W Luxeons are brighter than stock.

led dash indicator lights are possible but the brake warning light won't like it. Maybe a resistor (high resistance) across it will make it work(or not)with the brake light but it won't stay on if the brake light fails, like its meant to. With out a resistor it just stays on when the keys on. Got some Cadilac hids 4 sale

Thanks! I recently installed a set of PMC turn signals from Z1- I had to run a slightly lower wattage bulb in order to get the cover back on, so I'm familiar with having to use resistors to make the blinker unit function.

Do Z1s and KZ900 have brake warning lights? I never even gave the indicator lights a thought before converting.

mtbspeedfreak wrote:

...Do Z1s and KZ900 have brake warning lights?....

Fitted beginning with 1974 model.

Good Fortune!

You do not have to run any resistors if you use a "no load" electronic flasher unit. I do not have a single bulb anywhere on my bike. I have ALL LEDs and a HID headlight.

otakar wrote:

You do not have to run any resistors if you use a "no load" electronic flasher unit. I do not have a single bulb anywhere on my bike. I have ALL LEDs and a HID headlight.

That's right, I keep neglecting to remember that! Yours is the route I'd like to go- all LED and a HID headlight.

I spent $75 for the Luxeon and LED bulbs at superbrightled.com because I need the extra juice to power my MegaSquirt and wideband O2. If you don't have something consuming the extra current you're releasing, then your reg/rec is going to get awful hot dissipating all that current as heat. Unless your bike has the field coil as used in the early KZs anyway.

The LEDs alone don't leave enough power for my situation, so now I'm looking at the HID set-up.

You can install an LED headlight from here. Kind of pricey tho. Should be a lot less current draw than an HID
www.levineautoparts.com/ledheadlights.html
Tom

Interesting. I worked at national Semiconductor in the power management group. We always wondered if somebody would be able to solve the inherent power dissipation problems with LED headlamps. It requires getting ultra efficient LEDs as well as a way to heatsink the LED dies and get the heat away from them.

Be advised: these may not be any brighter than typical halogen 7" round headlights. If anybody has tried them, how well do they light the road?