regarding leds, trunk lights, brake flasher...

[ex vtxer]

I'm hopeful those with 2015 (2012 -newer models i hear are different, dont truly know so dont mean to offend anyone) knowledge can tell me how to go about doing what i want. i've gotten all sort of answers in searches and also from Kuryakyn, ADD ON, Electrical Connection, Superbright, and a couple of others.
here's what i want to do:
1) make my whole trunk have running lights,
2) use a brake flasher so my trunk lights at least one set flash at eye level
and
3) use leds
4) possibly instead of a 1 & 2, can i put on a spoiler with a regular rack or do i have to put on rack risers for it to fit (this is in case i cant do what i want)
*****
*now i've been told the electronic flash relay allows me not to have to put on load *resistors (some say not)
*some say if use electronic flash relay i can use leds in front and rear turn signals
*some people, a Kuryakyn tech, told me that my 2015 allows for the low led draw on turn signals, that i had not heard of
*i've been told some brake flashers work, some wont

[ex vtxer]

I guess I asked too much at once.
Thanks everyone.

[PastoT]

I haven't a Gen2 GL1800 but on the 2002 I've replaced all my lights with LEDs and for the turn flashers to function I disconnected the turn flasher harness from the back of the instrument console and jimmy rigged a solid state electronic flasher module in for 8 bucks at the car parts store. there are only three wires that need to be connected to the harnesses flasher plug. So a few 3" wires and flasher from autozone and the spade connectors were the trick. As for modifying the tail lights that are illuminated I can't really provide good info but I'd check with http://electricalconnection.com/ for a solution the Gen 1 is nearly plug n play.

[ex vtxer]

thank you for reaching out brother. much appreciated. bless

[AZgl1800]

The Electronic Flasher negates the use of load resistors.

The brake lights on the trunk, on my bike, are part of a spoiler across the top of the trunk.

they flash several times and then go solid.... they are fairly bright, but of old vintage.

all the other stuff on my bike is OEM, and could stand a nice upgrade to the newer style lighting.

[PastoT]

Very true, no load resisters with the electronic flasher module (that's at least 4 less cut up harness wires!) I bought load resisters with my lights and fortunately did not have to splice them in as I bought the new flasher module just in time. I like the flash-to-solid brake lights also, I did the same to mine a couple years ago and added two strips of Superbright LED stick on strips down each side of the rear center fender to visually present a noticeable change to the light configuration when brakes are applied. For the foggy winter days I added a refracted red laser projector that fans out about 10 feet behind the bike and creates a large red fan in the fog making my arse look even bigger!

[PastoT]

I never figured I'd be seeking a lighting upgrade on the 1800, they are more than adequate once fog lights are installed but I was tired of buying headlights so I found LED bulbs for everything all around and noted a nice increase in running voltage (+ .3 volts) with the reduced current draw. The high beams were the worst things to replace, OMG I'd rather change the air filter any day. All worth it though, 16,000 lumen with the high beams on and another 6,000 in added in lane assist projectors for really nasty weather nights. However I do worry about setting tumbleweeds on fire! Its sunglasses at night for me It took two years to find bulbs that fit and worked well and didn't cost an arm and a leg. Now if you have the money there are solutions easily purchased that work with our reflectors, tail and turn signals were mush easier to find and install. Next time I ride to AZ I'll try and let you know, I get to Tucson each summer.

[ex vtxer]

The Electronic Flasher negates the use of load resistors.

The brake lights on the trunk, on my bike, are part of a spoiler across the top of the trunk.

they flash several times and then go solid.... they are fairly bright, but of old vintage.

all the other stuff on my bike is OEM, and could stand a nice upgrade to the newer style lighting.

which electronic flasher did you guys use? i was looking at Electronic Connection.
thanks...

[ex vtxer]

I never figured I'd be seeking a lighting upgrade on the 1800, they are more than adequate once fog lights are installed but I was tired of buying headlights so I found LED bulbs for everything all around and noted a nice increase in running voltage (+ .3 volts) with the reduced current draw. The high beams were the worst things to replace, OMG I'd rather change the air filter any day. All worth it though, 16,000 lumen with the high beams on and another 6,000 in added in lane assist projectors for really nasty weather nights. However I do worry about setting tumbleweeds on fire! Its sunglasses at night for me It took two years to find bulbs that fit and worked well and didn't cost an arm and a leg. Now if you have the money there are solutions easily purchased that work with our reflectors, tail and turn signals were mush easier to find and install. Next time I ride to AZ I'll try and let you know, I get to Tucson each summer.

which LED bulbs are you using PastoT? ive been reading on SoCal Leds...at least for the front...

[Andy Cote]

First welcome to the greatest web reference for Goldwings.

I have a 2015 and have started the process of upgrading lights. While it “may” work, changing directional bulbs should include changing the flasher unit. On the GL1800 this involves a fair amount of disassembly. There are instructions and videos available on how to do this. Some of the kits include a new flasher.

IHMO you can’t go wrong with Electrical Connection or SoCal MotoGear/Add-on brand lights and bulbs. I have had good success from both companies.

Brake light flashers are readily available from many sources. Some are incandescent only; some LED only; some work on both. If you cut the harness under the seat it will affect all the brake lights. Or you can cut the harness or do plug and play inside the trunk lid to affect only the added brake lights. Some will flash several times and then go solid. Some will flash several times, hold solid for several seconds and then start over and some will just flash constantly. You will need to decide which is best for you.

Not sure what you mean by “whole trunk have running lights” but there are three basic changes that I see. One converts the taillight between the rear directional to a tail and brake light. This is an inexpensive harness installation as this light already has dual filament bulbs as used on the F6B. There are existing empty plugs in the trunk lid to connect the brake light harness.

The second involves installation of a spoiler. Most will clear (without risers) a rack if already installed. You can use Kuryaken or others but I prefer the Hondaline. Honda’s comes with a brake light. Both EC and now SoCal offer replacement lights for the Honda spoiler that offer brake, tail and turn signals. The new on from SoCal comes with built in flasher for the brake light and sequential turns signals. There are several plug and play flashers for the non-SoCal spoiler light that will work for both Honda and EC lights. Some only work with LED.

The third involves installation of aftermarket lights. Showchrome and Kuryaken make numerous lights that can be added to rear of the bike, some are taillights, some are brake lights and you can even install a diode kit that allows the added LEDs to run at half power for tail lights and full power for brake lights. Hyperlites make a GL1800 specific set that mount on the speaker pods with turn signals and flashing brake lights. SoCal/Add-On makes a kit that goes on the back the speaker pods with tail, brake and sequential turn signals.

If I were to do only one thing, I would do the spoiler with the SoCal replacement light. My plan though is the F6B harness, the spoiler with the EC replacement light/EC flasher and the SoCal brake and sequential turns on the speaker pods. I am also planning on replacing front turn signals with SoCal sequential turn signals/driving light kit. I have already installed the lower cowl fog light/daytime running lights with turn signals. Keeping with halogen headlight bulbs for now and I have already installed the headlight modulator from Signal Dynamics.

[ex vtxer]

***Brake light flashers are readily available from many sources. Some are incandescent only; some LED only; some work on both. If you cut the harness under the seat it will affect all the brake lights. Or you can cut the harness or do plug and play inside the trunk lid to affect only the added brake lights. Some will flash several times and then go solid. Some will flash several times, hold solid for several seconds and then start over and some will just flash constantly. You will need to decide which is best for you.

***Not sure what you mean by “whole trunk have running lights” but there are three basic changes that I see. One converts the taillight between the rear directional to a tail and brake light. This is an inexpensive harness installation as this light already has dual filament bulbs as used on the F6B. There are existing empty plugs in the trunk lid to connect the brake light harness.

i ve been told that some brake flashers can only handle 4 lights, while one says it can handle 4 x 25 watt bulbs. i just figured if id use leds, it would be less wattage than that. and i'm not trying not to cut into harness too much. i'm looking at SoCal or Electrical Conn.

by running lights, i mean, the outside lights on my trunk dont come on, they only light up with brakes on, so i figured they can or should be converted into running lights, to be on at all times, not just when brake is applied. after reading your suggestiong, i'm leaning towards using the BBP harness that turns lower light bar into brake light, and i think the other trunk lights also, not sure on this part. this is my confusion. thanks for help and i think i'm getting a clearer idea of which way to go. i may leave the turn signals alone for now, since i dont want to do that much tearing down to replace flashers...

ive seen a couple of videos and some get to flashers from the front end the other way thru the dash, which is more practical or lets just say, easier, less hassles...
thanks for the help.
Lou

[ex vtxer]

i noticed some seem to be not sure of what i mean by running lights...the upper/outside trunk lights (not the lower signal bar, where the ugly white/clear lens is at) are not lit all the time, they only come on when i hit the brakes. that's what i mean, i would like to have them lit all the time also. it has the same type of bulb as the inner light, or it seems to be the same...any help or suggestions or comments? thanks

[ex vtxer]

well, just a little update here...i got the leds bulbs for the trunk, got the trunk jumper wires and it sure lights up the rear more.

led being replaced.jpeg

leds replaced.jpeg