arcticcatmatt

Hey all!

I bought a 99 rebel 250 for my woman a few months ago. The lights are all VERY dim on it. We are all about safety and ride in FULL race gear everywhere. That tail light being so dim is not safe. I want to make it brighter. Anyone found a way for this bike to generate more power or a different tail light??

Thanks!!

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flitecontrol

LEDs are generally brighter than stock lights. Do the lights get much brighter when you increase RPMs? Some increase in brightness, especially the headlight, is normal as engine speed increases, but what you are describing may not be normal.

Is it possible that you have a charging issue and that's why the lights are dim? You can check this by hooking up to a car battery (make sure the car engine is OFF!). If the lights get noticeably brighter when hooked to the car, it's probably due to low output on the bike.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

arcticcatmatt

Yeah the lights get brighter when reved but still not bright enough. In the fog this morning I could barely even see her tail light on while going 55 mph. When idling, forget it. Headlight and tail light look like candles!

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flitecontrol

Put it on the car battery and see what it does.

__________________
I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

Twister

Have a volt meter? "Bright" and "dim" are what my grammar teacher use to call a "vague expression" It could be a lot of different things, but if you post your voltage, I'm sure savy people on the on the forum will point you on the right direction?
a) voltage with the ignition on the "off" position
b) voltage with the engine iddling once it's warm, with no choke (close to 1300 rpm)
c) voltage with the engine between 2200 and 5000 rpm.

Is your battery topped off?

I have leds on Miss Tripplehorn. The tail/brake bulb that I found on Autozone only came on pairs. They are meant to last 10,000 hrs, I seriously doubt Miss Tripplehorn will survive 700,000 miles, so I got one left If you want it it's yours. No adapting, soldering, etc. It's a direct bolt on replacement. Keep us posted. And keep you wife's bike -and yours- as visible as possible.

I also ride with the full attire, but last two weeks it's been hard hitting triple digits every single day. But I rather sweat than bleed.

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Every ride is a joyride on a Rebel

1986 CMX250C "Miss Triplehorn" 17K miles
1984 GL1200A 106K miles

fastpakr

Also, keep in mind that the stock '99 headlight is a 35w sealed beam. Converting to a 55w H4 bulb will help immensely (assuming everything else is in good working order). Test the electrical system first.

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'99 Vulcan 500 - current DD, 27k miles and counting
'83 Honda Silverwing GL650i - future DD, still in pieces