Howdy,
My pal's tell me my rear light could be brighter.
I did replace the bulb, but am wondering if I am using the correct one.
Or maybe there is something brighter I could use.

Any enlightenment appreciated
ta
Rod

The enlightenment was needed at the factory around 30 years ago. Neither the stop or tail light are what I class as even adequate. I have gone for a brighter tail light and some extra LEDs on the stop light and even then they aren't that good.
My personal feeling is that the red lens is where the problem is but getting an aftermarket light that fits and suits is a big ask

Yes and what a pity Rick G
and the headlight's I find really good.
I had thought myself it was the red lens,
but as you say replacing it would be difficult.
I will try a LED type and see if that make 'em happier
Alternatively I will have a look at maybe adding a smaller one below the existing setup.

more anon
R

Rod

The rear bulb comes in a 5Watt and a 10W version. Most places only give you the 5W but the K needs the 10W. the 4W is very dim.

For what its worth I took mine out and clean the bulb and also took out the rear light and washed it out. no metal parts inside so you can do that but make sure its completely dry before refitting it.

I was just having a cruize around on fleabay looking for some sort of LED tail light that might adapt to the Ks and came across these. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-LED-Laser-Rear-Tail-Indicator-Lamp-Fog-DIY-Light-Trailer-Car-Truck-Red-/381144314351?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item58bdf8b1ef
Has anyone seen them or had some experience with them. Seems like the idea is good but as usual it's the quality of the product that counts.

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Rod

The rear bulb comes in a 5Watt and a 10W version. Most places only give you the 5W but the K needs the 10W. the 4W is very dim.

For what its worth I took mine out and clean the bulb and also took out the rear light and washed it out. no metal parts inside so you can do that but make sure its completely dry before refitting it.

Did that with mine. It made a big difference but still not bright enough imo. Be carefull tho. My PO had put a larger wattage in the tail and the plastic is very scorched and a little melted inside.

RicK G wrote:I was just having a cruize around on fleabay looking for some sort of LED tail light that might adapt to the Ks and came across these. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-LED-Laser-Rear-Tail-Indicator-Lamp-Fog-DIY-Light-Trailer-Car-Truck-Red-/381144314351?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item58bdf8b1ef
Has anyone seen them or had some experience with them. Seems like the idea is good but as usual it's the quality of the product that counts.

I was looking at those just last night. I think they're meant to be supplementary to existing taillight. You'd best check with RMS on their legality because some lasers over 1mW are illegal in AU these days and that one is 200mW. There are exceptions.
But I think its cool idea. It creates a no-go-zone, a line not to be crossed... but then you'd get those jerks that would do that just for fun kinda jerky face... I've not used that one before

Standard spec for the K is 10W?

I was thinking about the legal side and that because they can be tilted there is a chance they could get into a position that would cause chaos if it was going back and up into the eyes of the following driver.

Rick, I've bought a bit from China just recently and I have to say the quality looks ok. Not great but the finish is very acceptable. I bought a couple of Cree 30w 2500Lm spots for about AUD$14 each. They're small, light at about 180g, the finish is good and they've got a nice even light pattern. They even have a ½power setting.
I found one of those laser taillights for USD$4.40. At that price even if its no good you'd probably get 5 bucks worth of fun out of it.  :pirat:

As for LED taillight bulbs. At 3W 300Lm they'd be brighter than a 10W incandescent but how would they go with the BMU???
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-1157-BAY15d-50SMD-LED-Car-Brake-Stop-Tail-Light-Signal-Lamp-Bulb-S-White-12V-/281527929030?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item418c5f48c6&vxp=mtr

There is another solution but you need a shedload of patience and a steady hand. The glue line round the lens-to-backing assembly isn't as tough as you think. Take a very sharp (i.e. new) Stanley/Xacto blade and follow the glue line. Start with a very light pressure to mark the line out, then gradually increase pressure on each pass. The lens eventually just pops off (at least, mine did). I then scrubbed the entire backing assembly with brake cleaner, sprayed it with 'chrome' paint and glued it back together. There's a distinct improvement in light output. Unfortunately the only evidence I can offer is a photograph of the refinished tail-light.

https://www.k100-forum.com/t1833p250-85-rt-resto-my-attempt-hey-im-not-into-making-a-show-bike

You could do what I did, taking Charlie 99s idea a step farther.

Use a OEM lens assembly to make a mold to cast a new lens, but clear instead of red.  Then outfit the tail light assembly with high intensity LEDs.

Here is another idea that Albatross 1 came up with a few years ago. Not sure whether it addresses all the concerns, but it could be modified.

Leds are wired into the existing wiring, in this case with the brake light.

I cut some aluminum angle and glued in into the side recesses of the light and then used double sided tape with the leds. These leds are additional to the brake light and do not affect the system to monitor the bulb, in fact if the bulb blows the warning dash light comes on.
Just a bit more for safety.

G'day Rod ,
                take a look at this thread , I did the mod for my K100RS , it works a treat

https://www.k100-forum.com/t4605-rs-tail-light

John R

This is what i have fitted to both of my K's.

Truly plug and play, no cutting any wires and effectively doubles the size of your tail light and stop light.

Huge difference!

Simple.

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Standard spec for the K is 10W?

Yes it is, some 10W bulbs will not fit as they have a larger sized glass globe.  You can get the 10 with a smaller glass though.

Al

Halfords have the smaller 10W in a twin pack.

blaKey wrote:This is what i have fitted to both of my K's.

Truly plug and play, no cutting any wires and effectively doubles the size of your tail light and stop light.

Huge difference!

Simple.

a good option blakey

thanks for the reminder ...many may not have seen this before

Not seen that one before and looks to be the business. A perfect Christmas or birthday present for a K owner.......

yup , this is the kit that I installed and are referring to in post 14 ( with pics ! )

John R