Modern Buddy

Just ran down to Autozone and replaced the rear turn signal bulbs with 1156A bulbs. Whoa! Big difference! I already wired the front turn signals together for better visibility (them seeing me), and the big bulbs in the back make the rear turn signals much more visible!

ECS

Did you have to do anything to prepare your Buddy for the new taillights? Or do they just plug right in?

Jody

They plug right in. The metal part of the light bulbs are identical. The 1156A sure does fill up that lens cover! It also increases your visibility from the side in the back. I have another pair of bulbs that I'm probably going to put in the OEM signals up front.

The bulbs were $2.99 a pair at Autozone.

ECS

Thanks for the tip....I did the same thing this morning. The difference is more dramatic on the back signals than the front, formerly dead DOT turn signals, but it's still a great mod.

My concern is that the bulb will generate too much heat and melt the rear light's plastic...


Keep us posted!

AxeYrCat wrote:My concern is that the bulb will generate too much heat and melt the rear light's plastic...


Keep us posted!

I thought of that too, but then think of how long and your blinkers are on? About 10-30 seconds...so hopefully my cover is safe.

has anyone changed the dot bulbs next to the brake levers. I just noticed that they use different bulbs, the 1156 did not fit, is there a #7507 bulb? I found that number on the bulb.

I am going to order some white leds to put in the oem turn signals and use them as running lights. This way I can save some power for my other mods...

I didn't think to change the DOT signal bulbs. Let me look at them and get back to you.

ECS

Great. Stupid European bulbs. Mine have 7507 LF on them. Apparently, they're used on a lot of Volvos and BMWs, and they aren't exactly cheap. Good news is there are some LED replacements available. They're pricey, too, but I don't think we'd have to worry about them burning out.

Either that, or we change out the socket for one that takes an 1156.

Geez.

Any other ideas? Maybe change the signals altogether?

ECS

I like the new turn signals all together...
any suggestions anyone, I will start looking.

mlee10018 wrote:I like the new turn signals all together...
any suggestions anyone, I will start looking.

What do you think about these? I sent a question to the seller, and he said they use 1157 bulbs. I figure we could wire them as turn signals and running lights.

ECS

Elm Creek Smith wrote:Great. Stupid European bulbs. Mine have 7507 LF on them. Apparently, they're used on a lot of Volvos and BMWs, and they aren't exactly cheap. Good news is there are some LED replacements available. They're pricey, too, but I don't think we'd have to worry about them burning out.

Either that, or we change out the socket for one that takes an 1156.

Geez.

Any other ideas? Maybe change the signals altogether?

ECS

Where can those LEDs be found?

http://autolumination.com/1156_1157.htm

About three quarters of the way down the page. There are some silver amber bulbs and half silver bulbs that fit the 7507, too, for about 4 or 5 bucks. The LEDs are 21 bucks.

Oh, yeah! Replacement socket are available on this site as well.

ECS

Elm Creek Smith wrote:Oh, yeah! Replacement socket are available on this site as well.

that's great, I was wondering if we can turn the back signals into running lights/signals as well. Does anyone know if we just switch the sockets to the 1057 ones and 1057 bulb and also wire them to the running lights? That would be great for the front set as well. More lights, more visibility...

Seems reasonable. Dual filament bulbs or dual action LEDs would work in 1157 sockets. I think all you'd have to do is wire the running lights into the tail light.

ECS

which one do you think we need?
62-30 or 62-32?
I think the 62-30?

I think you're right. The 62-30 for the 1157 would allow wiring for running lights, too. The 62-29 should work for the 1156 if you just wanted turn signals.

ECS

this is all great and all, do either of us really know what we are doing?
I have done a bunch of things to my scoot, but it is not because I know what I am doing. I sort of just figure it out. It is still running!

In 20 years in the Army, I and my troops rigged up all sorts of stuff. I think changing the socket in a turn-signal shouldn't be beyond my abilities. I'm really considering changing out the whole signal instead, though, for something a little classier looking.

ECS

I agree about the dot turn signals needs to be switched out to a nicer pair when we find them. I was talking about the rear signals and the front body signals being both running lights and turn signals. what do yoy think?

Definitely the 62-30.

ECS

Stupid question: How do you get the lens covers off the rear turn signals in order to replace the bulbs? I don't see a screw on the lens covers.

henryc wrote:Stupid question: How do you get the lens covers off the rear turn signals in order to replace the bulbs? I don't see a screw on the lens covers.

there is a screw set into the lens... i figured that out after removing 2/3 of the body panels trying to get at that bulb...

You coulda axed me, Isaac...I did this months ago...

--Keys

Keys wrote:You coulda axed me, Isaac...I did this months ago...

--Keys

asking is for poofs
plus i am no longer intimidated at the thought of taking of the body panels...

Did anyone who did this have any problems, except for the one person who "warned" us about a potential problem?

ECS

Hey! Did anyone notice the neon wire in the link above???


http://autolumination.com/lightbright.html

Thanks for the link! I'm not ready to wire it up permanent, I'd like the "new" to be wore off first, I think, before I start altering things too much. But...battery operated? I might check this out, would give a little extra visibility to the side view.

Help! I removed the screw from the rear turn signal lens but the cover won't budge. I want to replace the light bulb but I don't want to break the cover. So - what's the secret??

I remember them being a bit sticky, but one side has a latch and if I remember correctly you have to pull them out away from the bike? Give it a try, it should come off. If not, then try the other direction.

Answering my own question - never mind I found another thread that talks about pushing down on the cover to get it to release. I *did* search before posting, but sometimes it's hard to figure out what words to search (':oops:')

Going to try the method now.

I know they've upgraded the head and tail lamps but do you still need to swap the stock signal lights for brighter ones on the 07's?

Am i just a noob? i got the bulb cover off, but couldn't get the bulb itself out. i was worried about breaking it. is there some type of release, like one of the tiny slits on the side? i was afraid to poke anything in there w/o knowing what it may do.

Push in and rotate approximately 1/4 turn counter-clockwise.

--Keys

Keys wrote:Push in and rotate approximately 1/4 turn counter-clockwise.

--Keys

yeah, my bf showed up just in time to show me how to do it.