I figured adding this to the Vendors Forum would be a good idea for any future Vulcaneers looking to upgrade to LED's....

Clear Alternatives (http://clearalternatives.com/index.html): The only maker of a LED tail/brake light board for the VN750.

Forget those cheap replacement 1157 bulbs. Go with a complete board !!!

You can order the board HERE (http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CA&Product_Code=LED-46-L&Category_Code=LED), and/or the clear lens HERE (http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CA&Product_Code=CTL-0046-L&Category_Code=Vulcan).
The clear lens is not needed, seeing as the LED's are red, but if ya want that modern look, they've got them.

I give them a big thumbs up !! http://www.addis-welt.de/smilie/smilie/finger/finger010.gif

For more pictures and links to the site, see http://www.bulldogsbike.com/ledtaillights.htm

Hyper, did you install the board yet? Did I over-read the tiny type, and it's just a plug-in?

You know, The clear lense would be a bad Idea. The led's being red emitting light and the lense being red should intensify the red color. When the (Red)light has to travel trough any other color but it's own(Red) It can effect the overall outcome of that light. You would be relying on the led's to light all the clear break light cover. From the direct rear not to big of a problem, but from the side where your seeing a small area of the board all you would see would be the led's. Oppossed to the red lens refracting the light like it should. Red light + Red lense = Bright! Check it your self. Take the break light cover off.. Hit the breaks. Put the cover on.. Hit the breaks. Which do you think is more intense. Now think of the lense off as a clear lense.

Hyper, did you install the board yet? Did I over-read the tiny type, and it's just a plug-in?

Installation was ridiculously easy (as mentioned in other threads).

The board hugs the grooves that the cover screws go into and the cover then holds it in place. It uses the same bulb housing as is already in the standard tail light assembly . . . the only bear was that the 'light fixing' (for lack of a better word) that plugs into the socket doesn't have much grip on it for pushing and turning it in to lock in place. Still, that just means it takes 2 minutes instead of 1 minute with a standard light.

I put mine in last night. Trying to get the socket in was the only problem I had. Since someone posted yesterday thet their's came with the black wire disconnected I wanted to be very careful and the wires are not long enough to move the board out of the way to get you fingers in there easily. Not a big problem though. I love how bright it is. Kind of like shouting at the cars behind you "I'm slowing down damnit!!"

I used a pair of needlenose pliers to get a grip on the plug and put it into the socket. Other then that the hardest part was unscrewing the lens! (Yes I used plural because I put one in my VN750 taillight I have on the sidecar too)
I told my husband..
If anyone ever rear-ended me and had the nerve to tell the officer.. "I didn't see them"
Just go over and hit the brake light!
Ok, maybe a bad idea since then they could claim they were blinded by them *L*

I put mine in last night. Trying to get the socket in was the only problem I had. Since someone posted yesterday thet their's came with the black wire disconnected I wanted to be very careful and the wires are not long enough to move the board out of the way to get you fingers in there easily. Not a big problem though. I love how bright it is. Kind of like shouting at the cars behind you "I'm slowing down damnit!!"


Add a Signal Dynamics BackOFF XP brake light modulator and you are ROCKING...
:pepper:

Installation was ridiculously easy (as mentioned in other threads).

The board hugs the grooves that the cover screws go into and the cover then holds it in place.

Also, the two O-rings placed over the screw post's (after the board is put in place) help hold everything in.

These can be a little tricky to put on. I held one side on the post with a small screwdriver, then used a small dental type pick to work the other end over, pushing them back until the board was held solid against the post's.

I had to do a little filing on the mounting post's too. The flat tabs above and below the screw hole seemed to have a bit of the mold flash left on them, so the board wouldn't quite fit.
I didn't want to force it and snap the thin pieces at the edge of the board.

I didn't have any trouble getting the o rings in place (once I figured out where they went) but getting the plug into the socket was a hassle. I tried putting it into the right socket (looking at it from the rear) and just couldn't get enough of a grip to push and twist it in. Then I tried the left socket and it went in a lot easier. Maybe it was the angle or something. Just for the record, I'm right handed.

I'm a believer!!!!! Just installed the CA led brakelight and it's even better/brighter than I imagined. Thanks to Bulldog and all others who researched and spearheaded this great accessory for our bikes. Installaton was fairly quick and easy. However, I do have one question. After getting the o-rings in place I noticed that each one rests slightly against one of the led's (the first inside led on either side of the post). Should I be concerned with too much heat on the o-ring? Thanks in advance.

I'm a believer!!!!! Just installed the CA led brakelight and it's even better/brighter than I imagined. Thanks to Bulldog and all others who researched and spearheaded this great accessory for our bikes. Installaton was fairly quick and easy. However, I do have one question. After getting the o-rings in place I noticed that each one rests slightly against one of the led's (the first inside led on either side of the post). Should I be concerned with too much heat on the o-ring? Thanks in advance.


Nah... O-rings are designed to accomidate heat and LED's produce very little. Enjoy the extra amperage...
:smiley_th:rockon::pepper:

They are a good product, wish I would of had them on my 750. I put the board on my 900 it is way brighter than stock but the 900 only uses 1 bulb so anything is a improvement over stock.

Got a problem with my led board. When I apply the brakes the light do not get any brighter. I removed the board and after comparing the two pins on the connector with those on the regular bulbs it appears that one of the pins is shorter and therefore not making contact once it is in place. Anyone else have this problem? After reading the posts I was under the impression it was simply plug and play with no other hardware necessary. Guess I need to contact the folks at Clear Alternatives. Any other suggestions?

Got a problem with my led board. When I apply the brakes the light do not get any brighter. I removed the board and after comparing the two pins on the connector with those on the regular bulbs it appears that one of the pins is shorter and therefore not making contact once it is in place. Anyone else have this problem? After reading the posts I was under the impression it was simply plug and play with no other hardware necessary. Guess I need to contact the folks at Clear Alternatives. Any other suggestions?
Check your brake pedal and see if the spring that pulls on the electrical connection to the brake light is set wrong. Sometimes they adjust themselves a little too far out, and when you depress the brake pedal, there's not enough pull on the spring to engage the connector. Here are two pics of the linkage - the black thing is the electrical connector - it has a needle at the bottom and through which the spring is connected (depress the pedal, spring extends, pulls on the needle, right electrical signal gets sent). You'll see that the black connector is threaded - try turning it out (CCW) a little and see if that helps. May not be related to your LED install at all.

If that were the case wouldn't I havethe same problem with the standard bulbs? They work fine.

If that were the case wouldn't I havethe same problem with the standard bulbs? They work fine.

Absolutely. I was just trying to think of some explanation other than the Clear Alternatives piece, 'cause there really shouldn't be a problem there. Sometimes the sending unit is sitting at a critical point, and a turn or two makes it work (it took me a couple of outings on McKnight to get mine set right). Just thought it might be worth a check.

Crobins365 I appreciate the suggestioin. Since everything works fine with the original bulbs I was a bit leery of making any adjustments. I did notice that one of the pins on the led board protrudes a bit further from the back of the connector while the other is really flush with the back of the connecter. Don't see any way to force the shorter of the two out further without possibly damaging the unit. Per the CA website I also made sure the black wire was crimped through the coating. Kinda hard to tell though without removing the gel from the connector. I'm at a loss as what to do next. Sent the CA guys an email to see what they say. I really like the led board - just want it to work properly.

Crobins365 I appreciate the suggestioin. Since everything works fine with the original bulbs I was a bit leery of making any adjustments. I did notice that one of the pins on the led board protrudes a bit further from the back of the connector while the other is really flush with the back of the connecter. Don't see any way to force the shorter of the two out further without possibly damaging the unit. Per the CA website I also made sure the black wire was crimped through the coating. Kinda hard to tell though without removing the gel from the connector. I'm at a loss as what to do next. Sent the CA guys an email to see what they say. I really like the led board - just want it to work properly.

They will take care of you. Their customer service is great. If you have a problem, email me offline to bulldog@bulldogsbike.com and I'll make a few calls on your behalf. But I doubt that will be necessary...

Got a problem with my led board. When I apply the brakes the light do not get any brighter.

First thing I'd try is to see if there's continuity between each pin and the socket on the C.A. board. If they do, it could be as simple as adding a drop of solder to the shorter pin, then filing/sanding until both are the same height.

Thanks Bull Dog. I sent the CA guys an email last nite and will await the response. Don't think there will be a problem but will let you know the outcome. Hyper, I considered your option as a way to resolve the problem but I don't have the equipment to make the change (not much of a wrench). Also, didn't want to take the chance on voiding any warranty on the product in case that was not the issue even though I think it is. I did all the checks they suggested on the website to no avail. Hopefully they will accept a cod return and ship me another working board.

They never responded to my e-mails when I had a problem. But when I sent it back with an explanation, I recieved a new unit right away.

They never responded to my e-mails when I had a problem. But when I sent it back with an explanation, I recieved a new unit right away.


Hiker,

No response yet, but I only sent the email yesterday. Will give it another day and then send it back as you did, Out of curiosity, what was the problem with your unit? Did you have to eat the return shipping charges?

The black ground was not connected. Either I did it during install or it came that way, I was 6 beers into the change and don't recall how the wire came off. Anyway, I soldered it back myself and when I reinstalled it, there was a row of lights out. So I did as per the return instructions said. I typed up what happened etc. and paid for return postage. Got a new one back about a week later no charge, no re-stocking fee as stated in the return policy.

Just pack it up and state what the problem is and ship it back. Worked for me and I was pleased as heck. The shipping was only a few bucks.

I've since recommended them to several riders and they've ordered from them. Good outfit.

well, i'd say they are a big hit there bulldog. I just ordered mine and then got a call saying they are on backorder until the 20th. Was very nice of them to call me and let me know right away instead of waiting till next week when I was expecting it to be here and then telling me like most places do. Thanks for all your work in this bulldog, i'm excited to see the difference.

Hah, guess what I got today? An e-mail from clear alternatives responding to my July 9th e-mail. As I stated above, has been long since resolved to my great satisfaction. Guess they're not big on the e-mail thing...

Doug,

Thanks for the post with the info on the backorder situation. I returned mine for replacement and they received it on the 15th according to USPS delivery confirmation but I had not received any update from them. Was about to get really concerned but guess I should receive it sometime next week.

Hey Rookie,

I received my LED taillight the other day so they must have them in stock again. Have you heard from them yet?

Got a voice mail message 2 days ago acknowledging receipt of my return. Said I should receive replacement in 2-3 business days. Will post when it comes in. They have been rather slow in responding but it seems they are filling orders and replacing defective units. The jury is still out until I get mine though.

For the life of me I could not get the o-rings over the posts AFTER the board was in place. I could get one on but it would pop off as I worked on the other side. My solution was to place the o-rings on the post BEFORE putting the board in place. This way I was able to slide the o-rings on further, place the board, then slide the o-rings against the back of the board effectively holding it still at the edge of the post. Put the lens back on and voila! It works, doesn't wobble when I shake the bike, and WOW, MUCH BRIGHTER!

Just installed mine last weekend and its bright! And my voltage meter is consistently 0.4v higher than it was before. Only problem I had was getting the sucker into the lamp socket. Had to hold it with two pairs of pliers (one in each hand) and twist it.

Just got confirmation that mine will be here on Friday. I can't wait to get in on the bike.

I just recently installed one on my bike, and I made a chart of the electrical load pre and post install. See it HERE (http://www.vn750.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7956) and go to the post dated 8/1/08. Only problem with the install was the o-rings. I had a set of plumbing o-rings at home, so I used a slightly larger one that fit tight but was much easier to install. Holds perfectly.

They are MUCH brighter. Love them...

I'm a little confused between the CTL-0046-L and the CTL-0046 versions. What is the difference between them?

yea..i seen that also..i think on the higher price you get both the lens and the led lights...and the other you just get the leds. i may be wrong though.