Lamp munching Bandit

My bike seems to be forever blowing the number plate lamp. I can only
think this would be due to vibration? I was wondering if an LED type
replacement would be more robust.

So, what is
a) the legal status of LED replacements?
b) the general opinion on LED lamps?

 

Almost certainly. Have you checked all the connections and joints in
the loom for tightness and corrosion?

It certainly would - no filament to vibrate to ****, see.

They are legal AFAIK.
I'd use them like a shot if they weren't so fucking expensive.

 

<looks at floor, shuffles feet>

No, the lamp stops working, I take it out and put a fresh one in.
Although I can't see how bad connections or corrosion could cause the
lamp itself to fail?

I was perplexed when the new one didn't fix it today and so had a quick
fiddle with the loom. Then I put the fluke on the new one and it was
already blown! Good job I got two.

My thoughts exactly.

<googles for prices>

Ok, where do I get them? There seem to be some rather nifty right angle
ones which would suit number plate illumination to a tee[1] - but I
can't find a UK site with a price.

[1] Assuming the bend points the right way as it were.

 

Try here...

http://www.motorcycleshops.co.uk/shops/mk137pz.htm

independant LED fitter/(retailer?) that's not too far from me.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Otter

Oh you utter, utter, *utter* ****.

<whimper>

They're only in Milton Keynes too...

I think the BlingMobile may be about to be taken to a whole new level...

--
Nigel - Manufacturer of the "Champion-105" range of rearsets

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
ZZR1100, Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"

 

You may have answered your own query above.

Briefly, if there is an intermittent connection on live or earth, it
will make and break the power supply. If it does this frequently, the
lamp will appear to flicker. A tungsten filament has a finite life in
that it will only accept a certain number of thermal cycles - being
turned on and off. If it is being effectively turned on and off many
times by a bad connection, it will die comparatively rapidly.

Poor connections also heat up, due to the 'on and off' effect. This
will affect the longevity of the copper strands that make up the
wires, making them more prone to breaking. That and corrosion causing
volatge drop are major long-term problems with copper wired looms.

I could rabbit on for ages, but that'll do for now as I'm knackered.

[LED repalcements]

Carry on googling, or try local car and/or bike parts shops.

Someone who knows will be along shortly, I expect.

 

My parents/brother sell a couple of types for around £6 -
http://www.shop.vintech.co.uk/acatalog/CATALOGUE_Lighting_set__horn__dyn
amo____ignition_24.html

They can probably get others if you ring & ask - the phone number's on
the main site http://www.vintech.co.uk/

That's the trouble with LEDs, they don't throw any light out to the
side. If you're that worried about having an illuminated plate you'll
probably need bent bulbs, or ones where the LEDs stick out from the
holder rather than being flush.

 

<averts eyes>

--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/KH500A8/TS250C
|_\_____/_| ..73063../..16931.../..3180./.19406
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 YTC#4 PM#5
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 two#11 WG*
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4
'^'

 

Fairy lights. Well, it is nearly Xmas...

 

You could try
http://www.ultraleds.co.uk
or
http://www.2ndbite.com

The guy at the second one was very helpful when I got in touch.

--
<8P Wizard
Suzuki GS550 "I like that. Nicely shite" - TOG
Golf GTi 16v
ANORAK#17b BOMB#19 BOTAFOT#138 BREast#5 COFF#24
COSOC#8 DFV#11 STG#1

 

rb was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

I just got one for the Husky from http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/ -
ordered Sunday, turned up Wednesday.

It's about the same size as the bulb it replaces so there are were no
fitting problems. I noticed that the light it emits (it's a 'white'
LED) has a noticeable blue tinge to it, a bit light neon light - in
fact, that was what it reminded me of.

All in all, it seems to be somewhat brighter than a normal bulb and
the intensity increases again noticeably when the brake light 'mode'
is used.

 

If it wasn't for you pixies and your infallible logic I would have
gotten away with it too.

<puts req in for another tuit>

Thanks all.

 

[replacement LED lights]

I think this particular product says it all:

"Tarts Handbag engine and bike loom for Harley (10 lamps 8 around
engine 2 for rear wheel) #60"

Next!

 

@localhost.talkaboutmotorcycles.com>, Doesnotcompute
() says...

Are you saying you've got LEDs in there and they've failed? I thought
that didn't happen.

<Holds out fire extinguisher>

--
<8P Wizard
Suzuki GS550 "I like that. Nicely shite" - TOG
Golf GTi 16v
ANORAK#17b BOMB#19 BOTAFOT#138 BREast#5 COFF#24
COSOC#8 DFV#11 STG#1

 

Poor earths are also a bulb killer.