changing tail light bulbs 1989 voyager zg1200

[bigdog58]

looking for advice. need to change tail light bulb seems tricky. also i am new here

[ekap1200]

looking for advice. need to change tail light bulb seems tricky. also i am new here

open up the trunk, there are four bolts that hold the whole assm on , two on the top of the ledge and two on the front of the ledge.

[bigdog58]

thanks master fabicator. i was looking at a video that would have me use a heating element to loosen the light fixture. im so glad i didnt do that. thanks so much. i am new here and hope to be able to get more advice and meet people who like to ride. Peace

[krasmu]

you only need to remove the 4 bolts inside the trunk and remove the entire lens assembly at one time. no need to remove the 2 small Phillips screws on the lense under the trunk.

[wsm 1]

Changed my today ,four bolts and out the whole lens assembly comes.I went back with 1157 led bulbs.

[Draxxis]

When I've tried to put led bulbs in my brake lights, the only time they kick on is when I press the brakes. When I let off the brake, the lights shut off. They don't go dim like they're supposed to. I have a 1986 Voyager.

[Jimvoyager01]

Bigdog58,,,,welcome to the AVA from Minnesota This forum has people who will help you with any questions....

[krasmu]

When I installed my LEd 1157 bulbs they showed very little difference between the run and flash modes. What I did was installed some 2amp 50ohm resisters in the power line going to the running light side of the bulbs. This dropped the voltage down to a perfect running light brightness and gave a nice difference between the two modes. Had to install one on each of the four turn and break light 1157 applications.

[cranky]

... try these, they'll knock your, and hopefully the guy behind you, eyes out!!!
Brighter and flash for @ 2 sec.... http://tinyurl.com/gluw9cr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
scroll down a bit for an example, the low lamp is not lit in the example,
but they work!!!

[SgtSlag]

crankyb, All:

I ordered a set of the recommended LED 1157 replacements... OUTSTANDING! I had a Back Off! flasher module installed, which I unplugged. The LED's not only flash really fast, really bright for 2 seconds, but they also have a marked difference between running light output, and brake light output. They flash at around 8 times, in 2 seconds, or 4 Hz. I ordered a second set to install in my bike hauling trailer.

Had one brake light bulb go out on us on our recent trip on the Cabot Trail. Bought a replacement set, but never got them installed. With the life of LED's running around 50,000 hours, versus 5,000 hours for an 1157 filament bulb, I don't mind giving the 1157's to a friend! I doubt I will ever need to replace these LED's in my lifetime.

Third point to note from the 2 LED's being installed in my bike's brake lights: the alternator output voltage increased from 14.0 Volts, to 14.2 Volts! That makes me excited to replace as many of the remaining filament bulbs with LED's, as possible. Also need to look into replacing the signal relays, so that they flash properly, without resorting to load resistors, which would waste the amps saved by using the LED's... Thanks, crankyb! Cheers!

[cranky]

[cranky]

.. and these are next!!! Just ordered 'um, for < 4 bucks delivered...
I'll take a gamble, they look like they will "brighten" things up!! JM2C
Fix the front turn signal lites.....

http://tinyurl.com/hmth3j8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SgtSlag]

I ordered all of the LED lights I will need for the remainder of lights on my XII (excluding the dash lights...), along with an electronic flasher module, so my signal LED's (also an 1157 LED, only amber in color, without flashers built-in, up front; 1156 LED's in the saddlebags) will flash properly. The total cost for all LED's, and flasher module, will total around $70. The installation is my time, so no cost out-of-pocket. I consider this to be well worth the investment, as I will likely never need to replace a light again! Here is a listing of the items I ordered, in case anyone else is interested:

1) Flasher Module, new;
2) Type 1156 Amber LED's for rear turn signals;
3) Type 1157 Amber LED's for the front fairing Turn Signals;
4) Red, and Amber Side Marker LED's, saddlebags and front fairing;
5) Red 1157 LED's with built-in flasher's (4 Hz., for 2 seconds, then on steady), for the rear brake lights, in the trunk.

I shopped for an LED headlight bulb replacement, as well. This is much more difficult. There are inexpensive H4 LED bulbs available, but the majority have no fan, no heatsink of any kind. If they pump out 1,000+ Lumens, they will also pump out a great deal of heat... No heatsink means they will fail in short order! I found a $27 H4 LED, 5th generation design, using woven copper strands, for a heatsink. I found less expensive units on e-Bay, but they were auctions, not "Buy It Now", items. I want to get it at a fixed price, not play the auction game. I will likely order this later this Fall, along with the LED-compatible Modulator -- see below. Here is a link to an image showing the LED headlight bulb installed, with the copper braid heatsinks splayed out, to dissipate heat properly: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com ... L1000_.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I also want to get a Headlight Modulator which is compatible with LED's, and there are few available, so I will have to pay full price for that unit. All in all, I am very pleased with the LED's thus far. Really looking forward to replacing all of the filament bulbs in the XII. Should have them all installed by the end of the month. I'll report back on the running voltage (3,000-4,000 RPM running the down the highway) on the charging system when I get them all in place... Cheers!

[cranky]

Outstanding!!! You found the front and rear little markers!!! I missed them!!!
Will order!!! That leaves the headlite, let us know how that works!!! .... and
your voltage test! Thanks!!!! Cranky

[cranky]

Please let us / me know if the small marker lights are brighter than
the stock bulbs, I can't find any watts comparisons... I would assume
they are, but will wait for your experience! Thanks! Cranky