| Author | Message | ||
     Petebueller |
I thought they would look cool so I had some dark smoke tail-light lenses made. Its a freshly engineered dimple pattern and it turns out that even though it is dark the diffusion and apparent brilliance is better than with the standard red lens. This is what it looks like with an LED tail light insert. Ignition off  Tail-light on  Brake light on  | ||
| Jraice |
Very VERY unique! Looks cool... Im still a fan of clear but thats a nice looking setup. | ||
| Vortec57 |
I want one! | ||
| Petebueller |
Hi Vortec I'm a sponsor so I'm allowed to tell you that I have them on-line at www.srwmoto.com.au . The lens is AU$35 which is about US$25. You need a red light to go with it. The red bulbs suck. Minimum you should use is a red LED bulb (make sure not a white one). We have an LED taillight insert that replaces the bulb. That's what you see on my bike in the picture. It is properly engineered and comes with a 1 year warranty. I just worked out for someone who PM'd me that at today's rate it would be US$140 for the lens and and an insert delivered to the US by registered mail. Let me know if you are interested. Peter | ||
| Rah7777777 |
Very nice looking lens! I like the pattern! Ive been waiting on some smoked lenses to get in from my lens maker, but I like yours! Do you mind if I buy some and possibly sell them with my LED lights? Thanks! -Robert www.xblights.com | ||
| Petebueller |
Hi Robert I think that's a great idea. It would help us both keep our costs down. One problem at the moment is quantity. The manufacturer got what he suspects was a bad batch of silicon for moulding and it destroyed half of the master mould before he finished my order. He needs to machine up a replacement for that half and hasn't given me an ETA on the next batch. I sold a few over night and have received Emails ranging from possible to positive on getting one. So I'm getting low. I'd like to spread them around as much as possible at the moment. Would it be OK if I sold you one to check out first and take it from there? Peter | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
How much darker is it then the Clear Alternatives smoke lens? | ||
| Petebueller |
I haven't seen the Clear Alternative smoke so I can't compare I'm sorry. These are pretty dark. You can see the reflection of the number plate in the top picture and maybe get an idea by comparing with the smoke tint on the indicators. The pictures were taken with a flash and you can see that brings out the orange in the indicators, but nothing in the lens. | ||
| Got_jack |
Have u tried them with led blinkers? Would the amber be bright enough to see with the black cover? | ||
| Rah7777777 |
Yes sir! I'll be sending you a PM | ||
| Big_b |
Is there any way to have one of these made that is smooth on the inside? | ||
| Petebueller |
Got_jack The Amber LEDs are a pure colour (same as the red LEDs are) and will come through without loss of colour, but with attenuated brightness, With decent bightness in the LEDs they should work. The diffusion of this lens is excellent which helps maintain brightness. I expected the Red to attenuate more than it has. | ||
| Petebueller |
Big_b Without the dimples, the light will not diffuse, and they would end up being like a rear spotlight from what I understand. The light needs to be spread across the lens for it to work. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
That looks great. I would also like to combo the lens with XBlights. If you guys work something out be sure to post it. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
Im pretty excited about this! just placed an order and hope to see them in the near future! Also, nice site Peter!! although i do miss the action video of the Buell you had on the top of your old site! I want something like that for mine!!! | ||
| Petebueller |
They are ready for the morning mail Robert. Looks like it could work well for both of us. I'll admit that I need to find a classier bike for my banner. | ||
| Big_b |
I just thought if I were to use an integrated l.e.d. setup like xblights offers I wouldn't need the diffusion. I have seen another member here who made his integrated tail light and polished the inside smooth and it looked great. I'll try to find the link. | ||
| Big_b |
Here it is. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/445804.html?1237759130 | ||
| H2owerker |
HEY! That's my thread!! He's right about the "spotlight" effect the LED's can have. To defeat that issue I used 40-degree lights, and reduced the intensity w/ 270ohm resistors so they weren't blinding when viewed directly. I've gotten lots of compliments from people I know that have ridden/driven behind me. I can also attest that the lens is illuminated quite well when viewed from the side. I'll go get some pics and post them here. (and in my thread) I've been kicking around the idea of getting some "Crystal Clear" lenses made. If the Petebueller or Rah7777777 would care to give me any tips before getting into this I'd appreciate it...if not I'll understand. | ||
| H2owerker |
Alright. I can't post to the "Old" thread... But here's what the illumination looks like. Here's the "spotlight" effect w/ just the running lights.  And the brakes applied.  From the side w/ the running lights only.  And the brakes applied.  As you can see it is very visible from the side. But the intensity directly behind the bike is dramatic. | ||
| Petebueller |
Hi Big_b, H2owerker That light is a great concept. Pretty neat and a lot of thought. I haven't seen the lenses made, so this is just my understanding of the way it was done. I'm guessing but I think in essence it is close. First there is a master mould - 2 parts. From that a silicon mould is made. The lens is made from resin moulded into the silicon in a vacuum. The silicon comes off and there is moulded lens basically finished, just needing machining around the edge so that it gets a good seal in the housing. Getting the lens smooth like you want comes from the mould. I'll find out more and if this is all lies I'll put up a correction.  | ||
| Rah7777777 |
The LED's will make all the difference in the world. check the pics in this thread out.... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/171 43/379540.html?1233771931 Both pics are just the LED's, NO lens installed. both pics are taken from my old work station, so the distance to the wall is the same. The cheap 2-prong LEDs have a very straight on light pattern, not to mention the lack of brightness. I would LOVE to get some smooth lenses made! My lens maker said it would be a bit of a pain, so I never followed up on it. But after reading H20werkers past posts, I might try and make one myself. But I need time....... :-) -Robert www.xblights.com | ||
| Big_b |
This is something I would be interested in. | ||
| Petebueller |
I asked the lens manufacturer about smooth lenses, and he said that he doesn't do them. He could make the mould but there is more too it. For one thing the smooth lenses show any little flaw or scratch. The number lost is production is high so they become very expensive. The other thing is to have them so that they could be certified requires a siverised coating underneath and having the LEDs built into a relector. Some light is transmitted through the coating and the rest back onto the reflector. It bounces around and diffuses. Its on its way to winter here and dark when I get home. I haven't see the tail-light in daylight before. I like it; I'll show it off a bit with and without the running light on. I could reach the brake and take a picture. It is something like 12 times the apparent brightness of the taillight and shows up really well.    | ||
| H2owerker |
Yeah. The smooth lens will show any defect, and that may actually be the reason my lens "glows". I only buffed the inside minimally, and on close inspection many small scratches can bee seen. I don't have any illusions about DOT approval. If I were going to have some made I'd ask that they all be clearly marked "For Off-Road use ONLY"... | ||
| Rah7777777 |
Thats very true on the smooth lens, he said only 1 out of every 8 or so would turn out well. Which would be too much thrown out for one good one. Just don't mark the lenses with any DOT (including the foreign versions of DOT) stamps and you should be good to go. I do like the idea of a smooth lens though, H20werkers looks pretty neat! |
