Advantages of Clear Turn Signals?

[calnalu]

Besides looking cool, are there any advantages to having clear turn signal lenses with amber lights vs. standard issue orange turn signal lenses? Are the lights brighter with clear lenses, amber bulbs?

Marty

[YB in IN]

Originally posted by Calnalu
Besides looking cool, are there any advantages to having clear turn signal lenses with amber lights vs. standard issue orange turn signal lenses? Are the lights brighter with clear lenses, amber bulbs?

Marty

Are those legal to have? It seems like I read somewhere that you can't have clear turn signals in some states. I could be wrong though.:dunno

[MarkF]

Originally posted by YB in IN
Are those legal to have? It seems like I read somewhere that you can't have clear turn signals in some states. I could be wrong though.:dunno

The lens is clear the bulb supplies the color. It's a cool thing!

MarkF

[bikerfish1100]

it's ALL about appearance.

[username]

Originally posted by YB in IN
Are those legal to have? It seems like I read somewhere that you can't have clear turn signals in some states. I could be wrong though.:dunno

based on what i've seen here in texas, you arent supposed to even have turn signals at all. ;)

[rmoser]

You can have them, but you're not supposed to use them:bliss

[username]

well that explains why everyone is honking and giving me the finger. im constantly getting the, 'youre not from around here, are ya?' and 'boy, you got purty lips!' from people pulling up next to me at lights.

to get back on topic - one bad thing about clear lenses is that you have to have a colored bulb to replace them. i can see how in a touring situation where i'd only want to carry one replacement bulb, clear, and be able to replace either a front or rear turn signal. i also wouldnt want to be in east bumble and not be able to get a bulb. kinda dumb sounding, and i'd call this a super low concern type thing, but it exists. you do carry spare bulbs, right?

i dont get the whole 'clear turn signals look better' thing anyway, but that's on a long list of cool, hEp, and stylish automotive things that i am just not clued into including but not limited to loud exhaust, really dark tinted windows, having my car seat set wayyy back, flashy rims, loud boomy bass, neon-lit undercarriage, and soggy grape nuts.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Here in Florida the turnsignal lights have no meaning either, even the LEO's aren't using them.:cry

[dzimbric]

Originally posted by username
well that explains why everyone is honking and giving me the finger. im constantly getting the, 'youre not from around here, are ya?' and 'boy, you got purty lips!' from people pulling up next to me at lights.

to get back on topic - one bad thing about clear lenses is that you have to have a colored bulb to replace them. i can see how in a touring situation where i'd only want to carry one replacement bulb, clear, and be able to replace either a front or rear turn signal. i also wouldnt want to be in east bumble and not be able to get a bulb. kinda dumb sounding, and i'd call this a super low concern type thing, but it exists. you do carry spare bulbs, right?

i dont get the whole 'clear turn signals look better' thing anyway, but that's on a long list of cool, hEp, and stylish automotive things that i am just not clued into including but not limited to loud exhaust, really dark tinted windows, having my car seat set wayyy back, flashy rims, loud boomy bass, neon-lit undercarriage, and soggy grape nuts.

You can use a 1157 lamp for the turn signal and a 1156 for the running lights. While riding with some folks in N. Dakota to Spokane her warning light came on to indicate a failed brake lamp. We bought a 1157 in West Bumblebutt for 75 cents. The cheapest part she will ever purchase for the bike.

Where can I git the winders tinted on my RT?
Do they sell winders fer an ARTEE?
How much fer them tinted ARTEE winders.

How did you mount yer car seat on the R? How did ya drive the car without a seat?
I tried settin the seat way back on my RT but all them wheelies was scaring me to death. ;) ;)

[calnalu]

Over the weekend, someone mentioned that you can get silver colored light bulbs that blend in with the back light reflector but burn orange in color when the turn signal's on. I guess this is doubly kewl because then you don't have orange blubs showing through the clear lenses when the light's out.

Anyone heard of these types of bulbs? If so, where can you get them?

Marty

[MCohen]

Originally posted by Calnalu
Anyone heard of these types of bulbs? If so, where can you get them?

Silverstar bulbs made by Sylvania. I found them at my local auto parts store. I'm sure you can find them online as well. They are incredible expensive though.

Michael

[MCohen]

Here's a photo. The bulbs have a silver iridescent coating. They kinda look silver and blue with a little hint of orange from some angles.

Michael

[calnalu]

Thanks for the info and pic. Dang! Expensive is right. $39 for a light bulb?!?!

[jlsworks]

The safety advantage "theory" (if there is one) for Clear turnsignals is, it attracts attention.

Instead of Orange to Bright Orange...

It goes from Clear to Bright Orange, thus producing a separate "alarming" color and providing that much needed "Safety Factor" we all dream of, and it looks cool.

There you go.

[Cliffy777]

for me in the clear turn signals is that they came stock on the bike. :)

[breyfogle]

Originally posted by jlsworks
The safety advantage "theory" (if there is one) for Clear turnsignals is, it attracts attention.

And the folks way back in 1963 (IIRC) could have said exactly the same thing when turn signals changed from clear to amber !!

[dzimbric]

Originally posted by M. Cohen
Silverstar bulbs made by Sylvania. I found them at my local auto parts store. I'm sure you can find them online as well. They are incredible expensive though.

Michael

I bought silverstar headlight lamps H7 from Wal-mart. A pair costs around $20.00
I used to run the PIAA H7 at 38.00 but could not get them the last time my low beam failed.
The silverstatrs are not as effective as the PIAA, Guess you get what you pay for.

[cruisin]

I can see where the change from clear to amber when the bulb is activated would attract more attention than amber to brighter amber. There might also be an advantage for those who like to use LED running lights. The clear lenses would allow those to be more easily seen than trying to use LEDs inside the amber ones. I currently have red LEDs shining through amber lenses on both the RT and the cruiser for additional rear lighting, but a clear lens would allow those to appear just that much brighter. BTW the super-bright red LEDs appear red through an amber lens; but when the turn signal is activated it is many times brighter and overpowers the LED.

[Richr8]

Turn signal lenses that is. Does anyone know if anyone makes these and where I might purchase a set?

[rinty]

The main reason for the clear lenses is to distinguish your BMW from earlier models. :D

Rinty

[Richr8]

The main reason for the clear lenses is to distinguish your BMW from earlier models. :D

Rinty

Come on now. There is no way yo are going to confuse an 1150 with a 12 due to clear lenses. :D

[rinty]

No, but it does distinguish the 1150 from the 1100's. Just in case the sun is shining from the wrong direction and you can't see the paint work clearly. :D

Rinty

[Easy]

based on what i've seen here in texas, you arent supposed to even have turn signals at all. ;)

That's great, and very true! In Kerrville, between the geriatric drivers and herds of deer, you hardly notice the lack of turn signal use. Every time I see four wheels and gray hair approaching, I look for an eject button. :laugh

Easy :german

[bikerfish1100]

No, but it does distinguish the 1150 from the 1100's. Just in case the sun is shining from the wrong direction and you can't see the single vs dual headlight setup clearly. :D

Rinty
fixed it for ya.

[henzilla]

the silver coated bulbs ahow amber when lit. they are to keep the :brow cool factor of clear lenses clear without an egg yolk appearance. I have clear on one R, amber on another and my RT came with clear. I prefer the look of the clear lenses, but at even at $10 a bulb online, seem expensive to be cool for now. the clear RT 's lens do not have the egg yolk look of the R1150

a buddy sent me this link after we talked last weekend about pricey bulbs

http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CA&Product_Code=CB1156&Category_Code=Bulbs

BMW of Santa Cruz & A&S have clear lenses for the R's, maybe the RT's also

[michaelrm69]

On my honda i have a clear tail light lense with LED lighting for the brakes. Looks cool without a doubt, no red bulbs showing through. But the real advantage with the LED's are they run cooler, require less power, are brighter and supposedly will last much longer than bulbs. Mine have 1157 bulb style post and they cost about $10 if I remeber correctly? They are brighter than the red bulbs were through the clear lense, and I think they are brighter then the clear bulbs through the red lense but that may just be because i want it to be LOL

My GS came with clear lenses and colored bulbs. At some point i will probably replace them with LED's, but for the moment they are fine...

[FredRydr]

Are the lights brighter with clear lenses, amber bulbs?I believe they are harder to see in the daytime. Some cars with clear lenses appear to have no signals on at all unless looking straight on at the front of the yellow bulb.

Fred

[04R1150RS]

OK here's another thought on the clear turn signals, which I can't stand. They look like what the ricers would have. I have the amber bulbs behind the smoked lenses (matches the bike's gray color). I case you're wondering the turn signal light can still be seen.

You'll have to click the link below to see, sorry about that as I can't send big picts to the site.

http://groups.msn.com/Richards69TR6Restoration/bmwpictures.msnw?Page=Last