LED Tail and Side Lamps Rotax Retrofit
By Phil Guilfoyle, April 2020
I felt that the rear lighting on my Sunbeam 14/40 was totally inadequate for modern driving. So I decided to add LED lights, front and rear, to increase visibility without over-taxing the charging circuit (a Rotax generator and cut-out).
I had a spare pair of Rotax side lamps to convert into new tail lamps. These are identical to the Rotax side lights fitted to the front guards.
I refurbished all the Rotax lights, removed the reflectors and bulb holders and fitted patterned glass so that the internals would not be visible. Make sure that you orient the pattern.
I also wanted completely sealed units with all functions in the one light (i.e. tail = red brake / red tail / amber indicator and front = white side / amber indicator).
Make sure that you orient the pattern.
I bought two pair of Max-Inc Concepts from thirdgearau, an excellent Australian seller on eBay (recommended).
For the rear: stop/tail and indicators, a pair of Motorcycle LED Integrated Stop Tail Indicator Lights. They have red and amber LEDs.
For the front guards: a pair of Motorcycle LED Integrated Indicator Daytime Running Lights / Turn Signals. They have white and amber LEDs.
At about $100 per pair, there are cheaper motorcycle LED lamps out there but these are the best I’ve seen. These are CNC-machined aluminium, chromed, fully sealed, beautifully made and ready to wire in.
Open up centre hole in Rotax side light to 8mm. Fit washers under LED light to raise to centre line of Rotax.
Fit and tighten the M8 nut and make a new rubber gasket.
Honestly, it is as easy as that.
The red and amber are better diffused than photo indicates.
And this is fitted!
This is fitted. The original “divers bell” remains, really only to illuminate the number plate.
Although not original, they look right to my eye, and make the car much more visible from the rear. Also, they are more reliable than poorly sealed vintage fittings. Not only are they brighter, but they are more likely to be actually working.
And this is the result at the front with the white side / amber indicator motorcycle light using the same method.