How To Customize Motorcycle LED Lights / Dual Voltage and Brightness For Tail Lights 

I see in the replies some people just can't say nothing good. But for me, you nailed it and I am going to fabricate this for my motorcycle. Thanks..

Just started a lighting project on my 98 Valkyrie, and while searching internet for cool brake/tail lights, I came across your video. Thanks for doing that. Very smart. I'm impressed. I hooked a cpl LED's up earlier and my 10amp fuses kept blowing. Hope I don't screw it up and burn my bike to the ground.

Absolutely fantastic video! After watching this I went down to Frys and purchased a couple diodes and resistors and made some simple custom light strips for my CBR that have low voltage constant lights for driving, and if I need to really be seen, like when splitting lanes, I just flip on the highs! And because your video was so easy to understand, I felt really confident like a real pro when I was buying the parts! Thanks a million

Good info. My problem is that connected extra side led running lights and an additional brake light on my Harley Street 500 and now I don't have running lights or brake lights at all. And all the fuses as fine.

This is exactly what I wanted.THANK YOU. Took a while to find this and may I suggest that perhaps you re-post it with reference to Harley Davidson as there are a few hardened bikers who could avail of this info or perhaps not as most of the HD riders GO TO THE DEALERS and perhaps most would would not understand what you are talking about and then probably ask you how do they solder or what do they need to buy from the HD dealer , Wow what a rip off Harley are getting at their loyal Harley customers... THANK You.

Customization is where it is at!! Stick is the start, the final project is the goal. #innovation #customized #outsidethebox

Thank you Steve Buscemi for the informative video.

Great video, what happens if you go below 250? I assume the higher the resistance the lower the brightness

Thanks a ton for this. Helped me a great deal in getting the tail light working of the motorcycle I'm restoring.

The driving light trick is cool so for you who didn't catch the game here if I get this right is you hook up power from the driving light source to the diode with the resistor and the brake light power to the diode without. The Diodes block power from each power source so they work separately and the resistor dims the power from the driving light power (Any constant power source). The diodes work like shutoffs so to say or check valves if you know what they are.

Good evening everyone, hopefully the gurus here can help out with this problem. I bought a 97 honda shadow 600 custom. I bought a cool set of front and rear led blinkers that are running lights as well. They have 3 wires coming from them. The stock lights have 2 wires. I've googled for weeks. And only find the opposite. Now I am ok with without th running lights, but since I have it open, why not do it correctly. Thanks guys, go easy on me this is my first time.

Thanks for this great video tutorial... I've used relays for my 4 led strip for the break and stop lights... and this will make things easier... and much more better wiring...

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Quick question. What would this mean with a single filament bulb as opposed to doing it to LED? I asked because I have some replacement turn signals that are your regular bulbs but are not three wire like the factory ones are on my bike. They are only two wire and I do not want to do away with daytime running lights. Would using the two diodes as bridges between the factory turn signal and DRLs and the positive wire from the aftermarket turn signal accomplish the same thing? This would be without resistors.

Great video! This will help me with my custom LED taillight I'm looking to put on my bike. Thanks!!

Exactly my problem (new top box with LEDs built in) and exactly the solution I wanted. Thank you Soooooo much.

Here is a good one for you. And I believe you would know how to achieve this. Your video here has given me hope for my build. I want to take a led strip that has white and red on it. Red will be wired to both brake and parking and tail lights. Parking will give me 50% brightness Braking will give me 100% brightness Turn signal will be 100% but blinking ( I wanted sequential - just run thru the leds repeatedly ) Reverse would be 100% brightness There are modules out there already but they are not sold by themselves. They are sold with led strips and the strips do not have the colors I want.. I can build my own kit. But I am not sure on the type of led strip or components to put in a project box.... If you dont mind giving some insite

Nice Chanel I just subscribed I'm a novice on this,but good learner. Thanks!

Thanks, how do you actually put it into practice though?

The opening music is also used by I Hate Everything. Cool.

if I make 10 LEDs and 12 volts.How ohm resistor that I use...?How amp diode that I use...?How amp diode for tail lamp..?How amp diode for brake lamp...?answer my question and send the video to me please....Thanks,,,

Awesome! Big help, just what I needed, you answered my questions!!!! Still have one question, to avoid using a resistor, and if I have access to say a running light cable (assuming it’s about 5v) can just use the two diodes with each attached to its own power wire, 5v and 12v to accomplish same running and brake light set up?

This is just what the doctor order. Thanks

Thanks Lessco Electronics! I was able to create my led mod after watching this video.

Great video and easy to follow. I want to connect 6" led strips to make turn signals inside the mirror box my 99 Tahoe. Would I use just one diode and resistor to connect to the turn signal wiring of the truck, so I get the ON/OFF effect on the mirror led? In 2001 Chevy integrated them behind the mirror as an arrow. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks brotha you saved me 48$ was looking for something similar but saving $$ is the way to go thanks again really helpful clip

I think this would add the resistive current to the 12 volt for the brake light. Am I correct? If you have 6 volts coming from the running light line and 12 volts from the break line... would equal 18 volts. Wouldn't that burn the leds out sooner?

So I know nothing about resistors but noticed when I was in the store last on another project they have different wattage what watt resistor am I suppose to get for this application? Thanks again cant wait to do this

The resistor is matched to the color of the LED’s, just check the info sheet on them or as in the video, start with a 200 ohms resistor to see how bright they are, especially when behind a colored factory or homemade lenses. The resistor is the current limiting device, so it is used on the darker or less bright LED’s. Brake lights are alway brighter, today, you hope someone will see them. But play with resistance as 460 ohms May work for tail lights, but only a 200 ohm to brake light. Applying voltage to either is double duty, so two circuits connected at the start will allow voltage to backward into the other circuit, causing all kinds of goofy issues. Hence, we need diodes. Look up a power solving simple math that is P * I X E or PIE. You don’t need a 5 watt or a 3 watt which the math will allow you to operate a 90 ohm coil of a relay. Quit a bit more. 1/2 watt diodes are fine, but as the charging voltage varies from 12.8Vdc engine off, fully charged battery at 100% state of health. The rate of voltage output is determined by the air temp. Cold temps, the alt runs at 14.2Vdc while cold it runs at 13.2Vdc. This is true for charging a battery as well. Remember their is a voltage drop of 0.7 volts across the best diode so using a DMM, don’t freak out. It is normal. Yes, voltage is important but current makes you LED’s last a decade or too much current, they last for 3 Ms. Poof, their goes the magic smoke. Point the ring on the diode toward the LED array, add the resistor on the side that stays darker. Just provide a good ground path to the battery, use Star washers to dig into paint, and dielectric grease sold with silicone at home improvement stores. Remember, the lower the current and voltage, the larger a mistake here becomes. DK, ASE Master Tech since 78, retired.

Why Would I Go Through The Hassel? I'm Wiring Up My Own LED System For My Honda Motorcycle By Just Patching Into Those Systems, And Switching Out The Flasher Relay To Solve The Hyper Flashing...

Kudos on the video, it was very informative. I have been looking for a video like this for a long time. I still need help with my project. I am doing this to my motorcycle what i needed to know, do i need the dio or just the resister for a amber turning signal or is a completely different set up? can you or anyone please advise? Thank you all.

Isnt it better to solder the resistor after the diode? Otherwise you loose lightintensity. I am just asking

Hi, great video, couple questions. Looking at 5 amp diodes I'm finding lots of different voltages from 40 volts up to 1000 volts. What is the proper voltage for a 12v motorcycle flasher strip LED just like you built. Second question is on the 300 ohm resisters I'm finding different wattages from 1/4 watt up to 10 watts. What is the proper wattage? Final request is for another video showing how to make an LED run constant as a running light and then make it flash off to work as a blinker. Thanks

Absolutely great video. Thanks.

Hope I can get an answer I know this is an old post but still relevant. I want to wire a led strip to ALSO flash when my turn signal flashes so could you put 3 power inputs? 1 running light w/diode 1 braking light w/diode and resistor and 1 from turn signals w/diode.

Sorry also forgot to ask, I am doing like running time day lights on the motorcycle but they keep dying on me. i ran them with a on and off switch to turn them on manually. can you please advise so they dont die out so quickly should i use resistors and what wattage. Please understand im not an electrician im just a regular guy trying to make my bike look better and safer.

Hi' ive just got a couple of Brake lights for my Honda Valkyrie,, , got the diode's & resisters of EBay & followed your vid .. spot on, Nice one & thanks for sharing im'e well impressed .... well done,

Thank you, this is great! Question... I have a two wire LED light on each side of my tour pak tail light. They serve as blinkers and only tuen on when blinker for that side is activated. Is there a way I can use two diodes to connect both the turn signal and brake so that if I use my left turn signal the light will blink even though I apply the brake and the will stay will stay solid, as brake (left turn signal in)? I assume something else will be necessary to stop power from brake.

Do you sell a ready made kit for this? Thanks

nice video' can you please give some advice,i have this old 6 volt bike that has only regular front turn signal so i bought 4 mini 6 volt led turn signals and hooked them all up,the problem now is when i switch to the left,all 4 bulbs is flashing,same way when i switch to the right,so what seems to be my problem??thank you so much.....

Dear Sir kindly provide me name of the all items which was you used for making this led light.

Is it possible for that trick to make two led strips become brakes and blinkers?

Thanks, I have a project I need to finish, that requires LED strips and the connection of the vehicle/motorcycle.

never thought of it that way...thanks man keep up the good work and keep sharing knowledge

Excellent I left very clear. Nice music, what is it?

Hi, we are interested in a running light, brake light and turn signal , three wire setup. 1. We are thinking maybe we use two diodes for the running light 2. place the resistor behind the diode band to stop the led hyper flashing on the turn signal wire. Do you think this will work?

Lessco Electronics i want to design for 1w 350ma star red leds . .n same 14v dc power from motorbike(while running), so could you guide me if this design and components goes fine and gonna smoothly work for me , and how many maximum leds i could fit in the circuit, so that it does not burn out later . .plzz do suggest . .!!

When looking for resistors, they are listed with many different watt ratings. Can you be more specific? 5W, 20W, etc. Thanks

Just my 2 cents, the smaller the resisistor value i.e. below 300 will make led brighter when running "dimmed" ..choose your resistor value at will depending on wanted "dimmed"brightness.. if I'm not mistaken, with my very basic electrical knowledge

Hello can I hook up a led light kit on my xr650r it all ac stock I hooked up dc system 12 v. Can I get regulator / rectifier 24v or more to power let’s say 150 watt led or 200 watt led My xr 650r has dual 100 watt ac output. Or I can change it to one 200 watt single output system. I trying get very brite led headlite

Quick question i cant find a answer anywhere ...hopefully u can help ...can i add my turn signals to that to if i do the same as tail light add another resister and diode on a 2 wire led strip ??? So u would have turn ...brake..and running? I have a costume bagger n LEDs r much noticeable but the sattlebag spoilers i have is only for 1 6 inch led strip ?? Plz help great video also

Hi, when I installed the LED bulb 1157 to my bike tail light holder, none running light (2 of them) lighted up, depressed brakes and both lighted up. I tried using one filament bulb with one LED , filament bulb lighted up while LED only light up when brake depressed. In such case, do I need any load resistor for the LED to light up ?

Where would you suggest getting a red LED strip from? And would you use the same resistors for a 6V electrical system?

I'm trying to use this on a led brake light. However, when I use a resistor it's not having the same effect as in the video. Instead when I add a resistor instead of it getting dimmer some of the leds turn off. Is there anything I can do to fix this? I have a feeling it's the way the brake light is internally wired.

its a great video... i hope you can help me... i dont understand all de materials that you use to make it, because my english is very bad, can you give me more details about all the components to buy it an electrnic'store?? thanks a lot!!!

Awesome tutorial sir. I'll apply this on my motorcycl brakelight. So the diode alone without the resistor brightens the LED strip than it's usual brightness?

Will this work with switchback lights too ....running white and signal amber leds

Hey what about the diodes what other choises besides 5amp? It can be higher or lower amps? Thanks

Hi Sir My bike in led light Not supported Please help me Led light in bike wiring Connection videos ,

Do you need one for each side for front turn signals? Thanks

Do you hook it up to two outputs then?

What diodes are they.? Is there different voltage diodes. Should I be looking for 12 v diodes for my motorcycle setup. Also should I use diodes inline on all my led indicators aswell?

Can this be done with rgb LEDs ? If so do I need different diodes or resistors?

Great video👍👍. Question can I use that same style diode on my 36 led set up? Also would I only need 2 diodes to make all 36 LED work? A little info on my set up I have 36 diodes LED with resistor on each one of them. The specs are 12v forward voltage is 2.0 and forward current is 20. Thanks for your help

Great video! I think I'm going to try this on my Ducati 1100 Evo. One question though, do you have any advice on integrating the turn indicators onto the one LED strip with the rear brake? Thanks again 😄

Good job. I am going to try it on my Honda.

Nice, exactly what I was looking for, thanks

I can't seem to find those diodes (1n5004) anywhere :( could I use a slightly different one? Say a 3amp diode? Awesome video by the way, thanks for sharing :)

Great explanation and video

Do you do custom work?

can you add a strobe module into the low light side

What's the name of the ending song of your video? I know I've heard it before years ago but I can't recall the name.

Excellent video thank you very much.

Just a question... what wattage do I need for the resistor and how many volts for the diodes do I need?

ok so how is it installed when yo onle have one power wire??

Thanks for the info, that's pretty cool

i want my led to be a little bit brighter under the resistor so should i choose a higher ohm or lower ohms. for example 600 ohm 1w for a bright look or 250 ohm for a brighter look......... PLEASE HELP

i went to ebay they want to sell packs of 10 i dont need that many how about Radio shack would they have the diodes an resistor ASAP PLEASE

Yeah that's really cool!

resistor is it 12v or 1watt ???

Hi there. quick question... Just to clarify will this work on a strip of LEDs for 12v motorcycle brake light? Thank you Great video

why do we use diods?

Great Video! Thanks

Where did you purchase your diodes? I can't find any diodes model #IN5004. I found plenty of model #IN5404.

Do you recommend a diode in4007

thanks again,ill look it up.....

thxs i always wanted learn that

This does not work on multicolor LEDs . How do I get rgb LEDs to work like this?

Good job mate!!! 👍🏻

A question about the resistor. You said you used a 300 Ohm resistor, If you use a say 500 Ohm resistor the parking light would be dimmer correct?

Think I'd like slightly brighter Running light ..... Brake is plenty bright . Bit brighter running lights for like Day time and Sunny days ... Tail light needs to be seen for sure. Bplay with resistor size I suppose ...

shongololo nice video,how about the cirquitdiagram?

Can this method work fo hi/lo beam for motorcycle headlights?

can u teach me how to make integrated tail light. I really like your project... tnkz

What LED strip is this and where do I order it.. thank you

thanks for doing this video great job

nice video thanks ..really help me

Awesome Cool stuff , thanks man

Is the 5amp diode good if i want My highbeam to turn on both High and low beam?

Thank for the great idea

i like to have a run, brake, and turn. is it possible on one LED strip using this.