Can someone educate me on what's needed to convert the standard signal light bulbs on R100 RS to LED?
The LED bulbs are much brighter, but they have a different internal resistance, which the standard flasher module very much counts on having. So there are 2 ways around this...
1) Install an electronically controlled flasher unit. In this way the flash rate is controlled by an internal circuit board and NOT the physical bulb itself. (These will work with either type or even mixed bulbs.) The basic resistance type flasher unit is cheap, around $6. The circuit board controlled unit is usually around $25.
2) Add a "resistor pack" to the circuit. This adds the missing resistance back to the flasher circuit, so that the LED bulbs have the total resistance that once again match the older incandescent bulbs. This sounds easier, but the ones I've seen are rather large (about 4" long) and fitting under the tank or inside the HL shell looks to be an issue.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Hello Mike. Apparently, the model year for your RS is the critical factor. 77 thru 80 is easy, 81 to 95 is not really possible. If you go to the Katdash.com website, click on F.A.Q., and scroll down the page - she has a nice section covering turn signal flashers and LED bulbs. For 77 through 80, you need an electronic flasher in place of the stock flasher (in the headlight shell). I installed the electronic FL3 flasher sold by Katdash in my 78 back in 2021. Then you can insert LED 1156 equivalent bulbs in the turn signals. However, starting in ‘81 BMW wired the turn signals in such a way that basically requires that they be incandescent bulbs regardless of the flasher. She says it’s not possible for 81 to 95 unless resistance is added to the circuits - so there’s not much point.
i will send you a link to the 1156 equivalent LED bulbs I used from Amazon. They are nice and bright, and have been working since 2021.
[Mods added link]
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