Bulb Types?

[noche_caliente]

So, I am looking into replacing the bulbs in my turn signals and brake lights to LED while making another beacon for the mothership like Vex's and adding some HIDs in the front. The problem is, partly I'm lazy and don't want to dig through the mess in the garage to get to my manual(storing a friend's bike makes it a little tight sometimes.... *cough* Nick *cough*), and partly because I want other folks to have a nice one-stop resource to find all the types as well.

So without further ado, this is what I have found various places, as to what I think the bulb types for our 250s are....

Head lamps
12 volts, 55 watts, Type H7

Turn signals
BAU15s







Brake light
Type 1157 (thanks dnaL0R), which is a two-filament bulb (first filament for running light, second filament when brakes are applied).




Can anyone confirm if this info is correct? Would these be white bulbs and the color comes from the housing?

Thanks for humoring me on a cold, dreary Sunday afternoon

[kkim]

I can confirm the headlight and tailight bulbs are correct.

you might want add to your list the cluster bulbs.

[noche_caliente]

so after investigating a little more, I've found more info on the signal bulbs. They are a type BAU15s. I found this post on a Vespa forum: http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/topic87.html
It's a very similar bulb, and the base type is the same with most of the indecipherable number on it the same.
So - if you are looking to keep the stock housings, but replace the bulbs with LED, then you need bulbs of the BAU15s type. It's a bayonet-style connector that has the terminals at 150* instead of the standard 180*.

[Cochese]

I have a Custom Dynamics Red 1157 RL1157-32-R en route, $14.50 shipped.

I'll report on brightness of this LED tail from stock.

[CZroe]

Tagged... I'm wondering why the service manual doesn't mention "H7" anywhere? Huh.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Cochese

I have a Custom Dynamics Red 1157 RL1157-32-R en route, $14.50 shipped.

I'll report on brightness of this LED tail from stock.

... approximately 5 months later....

Well? How'd it work for you?

I'm interested because during my summer tour my tail light burned out and I only found out because I got off the bike to take a picture near sunset. I want the longevity/reliability of LEDs.

[bob706]

Originally Posted by adouglas

I want the longevity/reliability of LEDs.

+1. 1157s just plain stink.

[g21-30]

Originally Posted by Cochese

I have a Custom Dynamics Red 1157 RL1157-32-R en route, $14.50 shipped.

I'll report on brightness of this LED tail from stock.

Price drop. $11.00 shipped.

[g21-30]

I received the LED 1157 tail/brake light today. Took pictures of bike with the factory bulb installed with tail light and then brake light. I then replaced the bulb with the LED version and again repeated the same pictures. That's when I noticed one problem. I have the no-cut brake modulator installed. It works great with the factory bulb, but will only work ONE time with the LED bulb. You have to turn the ignition key off and back on, in order to get the LED bulb to modulate again....for one time!

I'm not going to post the pictures, as the factory bulb is brighter in both modes, i.e. tail and brake.

Yes, I reinstalled the factory 1157 bulb.

[LazinCajun]

Bummer

One small thing -- you can't tell from a picture which light is brighter unless you have manually set all of your exposure controls. Not that it really matters in this case.

[g21-30]

I haven't even uploaded the pics from my camera. I did the old IEBEYEBALL evaluation.

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by g21-30

I haven't even uploaded the pics from my camera. I did the old IEBEYEBALL evaluation.

Sam, Had the same problem with an aftermarket LED bulb. Reinstalled the original 1157.

[mike_sema]

If you are looking for the gauge cluster lights the part# is kha37L and hey are a 12v 3.4 w wedge bulb

[mike_sema]

I picked up some new bulbs B/C one of mine went out I found that you can use any 194 bulb B or A. i went with a blue light a few pick

[mike_sema]

ooh and cost about 5 bucks for 4 lights

[kkim]

I like that blue on the dash!

thanks for the info.

[mike_sema]

thanks

[Rayme]

Putting LEDS in stock housing will be a downgrade - as far as being visible go. They aren't as flashy in daytime as incadescent.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by Rayme

Putting LEDS in stock housing will be a downgrade - as far as being visible go. They aren't as flashy in daytime as incadescent.

are you talking about the gauge cluster bulbs? if so, the 195s are incandescent.

[Rayme]

Originally Posted by kkim

are you talking about the gauge cluster bulbs? if so, the 195s are incandescent.

nope I mean the flashers/brake

[Buffalony]

BBBUUUUMMMPPP

Turn signal bulbs!!!!!

WHY?

These bulbs seem to be ridiculously rare. Why....did Kawi go this route?

I am truely happy with the stock housing. However I want a local car store option for replacing a blown turn signal bulb. Not a special order hastle. It's easier to replace the tires on this bike than it is a turn signal!

Kawi gloated they went to 17" tires to make rubber options on this bike better, yet they went all vespa on us with the signal bulbs!!!

Anyone have a link to a DIY to modify the signal sockets? OR Have a link for clear or silverized turn signal replacements. Again..I like the stock housings but cant stand the fried egg effect. I'm not set on LEDs for this one either.

Thanks in advance.

[kkim]

take the stock yellow bulbs out and spray them with a light coat of silver paint. the bulb will look silver when it's off and glow yellow once it's turned on.

gets rid of the egg yolk turn signals.

[Buffalony]

Thanks for the reply kaykay and it looks good, but how much light is lost because of the paint?
I would also like to do a DRL mod in the future and dont want to worry about how well the paint would hold up with the bulbs always on. Paint does seem to be my only other option next to finding a clear or silverized 180deg bulb and filing off one of the pins.

[kkim]

I haven't had any heat related problems with the silver paint. If you're concerned, use a high temp silver paint for engine parts.

The light output seems the same to me... there is no noticeable degraded output. Use a light coat of paint, just heavy enough so the yellow color disappears. It doesn't take much paint at all.

[kevlar250]

It took me 5 min a socket to make it a 180 pin config. I used a Dremel w/ 1/8 carbide burr, no more worries. Stupid 150 bulbs!

[kkim]

what bulbs are you using now?

[nattygirl]

Thanks for the posting OP. This was exactly what I was looking for!!!
Got a question though, are the turn signals the same bulbs as PY21W?

[kevlar250]

I have stock bulbs now but these are on order from superbrightleds.com:
(4) 67-A15 (1) CF12ANL-01 flasher.
I wanted to make sure the sockets could be modded before I ordered the bulbs. If these aren't bright enough I might have to make my own LED arrays on a standard bulb base.
Here's pics of the mod before & after:

[Buffalony]

Originally Posted by kevlar250

It took me 5 min a socket to make it a 180 pin config. I used a Dremel w/ 1/8 carbide burr, no more worries. Stupid 150 bulbs!

ya, what bulbs do ya use now??

Originally Posted by nattygirl

Thanks for the posting OP. This was exactly what I was looking for!!!
Got a question though, are the turn signals the same bulbs as PY21W?

Na. The PY21W are 21W. Too hot I assume. The stockers are 10W.
Im guessing a 12v R10W BA15s which doesnt seem to be common either.
the vespa site mention that an 1156 bulb should drop in but..... I Dunno bout that one!

[nattygirl]

Can anyone confirm what the stock license plate bulb is? Can you swap with a 194 led bulb?

[Momaru]

It's an 1156 socket for the plate illuminator, or at least that's the standard bulb size/socket that fit when my OEM burned out. I'm 99.9% sure a 194 won't work in that socket without some kind of adaptor or modification to the bulb.
Replaced my OEM with a 67-x15 from www.superbrightleds.com. It's not as bright as I'd have liked it to be, but it's brighter/whiter than stock and not too shabby for lighting from LEDs that are facing 90 degrees from the target (bulbs are directed ~level w/ ground, lens is below bulb).

[shift_6]

Originally Posted by mike_sema

I picked up some new bulbs B/C one of mine went out I found that you can use any 194 bulb B or A. i went with a blue light a few pick

mmm just like my VW... blue gauges and a red needle

[nattygirl]

Thanks, I went with a 1156 led bulb for my license plate. Hopefully it will come soon.

Also, I'm not sure if this is correct or not, but I think you can use a 7507 BAU15S LED bulb in our turn signals. I bought some of those also and will test them out and let you guys know if they work/fit or not. Wish me luck... just waiting on shipping now. These were on back order, so it may take some time for me to get them.

[kevlar250]

The superbrightleds.com 67-A15 amber bulbs & CF12ANL-01 flasher came today. Bulbs went right in the modified turn-signal sockets and fit perfect length-wise. Light might be 5-8% less but the instant-on flash makes up for it by being more eye-catching. No more egg-yolk look. The flasher plugs in directly but has no mounting bracket.double-faced tape and a ty-wrap to the stock bracket takes care of that.

[Buffalony]

Originally Posted by kevlar250

The superbrightleds.com 67-A15 amber bulbs & CF12ANL-01 flasher came today. Bulbs went right in the modified turn-signal sockets and fit perfect length-wise. Light might be 5-8% less but the instant-on flash makes up for it by being more eye-catching. No more egg-yolk look. The flasher plugs in directly but has no mounting bracket.double-faced tape and a ty-wrap to the stock bracket takes care of that.

Pics

[kevlar250]

OK I'll get the camera out

[nattygirl]

Has anyone been able to change the turn signals to leds without having to mod anything? If so, where did you purchase your leds? I bought some, but they are way too long to fit in the housing. I got 7507 BAU15s LEDs for V-Leds.com

[CZroe]

Anyone order more stock turn signal bulbs than they needed? It looks like Kawi sells them in a 4-pack.

[CZroe]

OK, I must be doing something totally wrong, but I feel like the bulb is going to shatter and shred my thumb if I try any harder. HOW THE HECK DO YOU REMOVE THEM FROM THE REFLECTOR/SOCKET? I tried push and turn, I tried pull and turn, I tried just turn, nothing. The bulb wiggles a bit when I twist back and forth, so I know it's not stuck to the socket. Even so, when it comes time to twist it into position, the little pegs just stay put and will not twist to a point where they slide out. I feel a blister forming on my thumb from the friction as it slips while I apply tight compression+turning. Any tighter and I feel that I'd shatter the bulb/shred my thumb. What would someone do if the bulb were broken?! Somehow, I doubt the potato trick would help.

[Momaru]

Press and turn counterclockwise is indeed how the sockets are designed; just checked on my stock housings.

I presume you've pulled the reflector/socket out of the black housing? Might try getting a screwdriver behind it (through the back of the socket) once you've turned it as far as it'll go to help push it out.

Suppose it's possible the bulb is getting jammed on extra plastic in the housing.

As a last resort, you could try just breaking the bulb (since it's hosed anyway) and using pliers to get the housing out.

Sorry to hear you're having issues, mine have always just fallen out once I've gotten 'em turned enough. Suppose there's some truth to the 'How many X does it take to change a lightbulb' jokes...