resistors needed for led taillight?

[brecchi]

so basically im replacing a clear led tailight with a smoked one with integrated turn signals. bike is an 01 monster 900 dark. not sure how to install the resistor blocks that came with it. i would love to hear that they are unnecessary but im not sure if thats the case.

[mmakay]

Install one each from the turn signal positive lead to the ground in parallel with the LED board.

[macker]

here is a diagram for ya from clear alternatives

[spinned]

Try it without the resistors first.  I didn't need them.  If you have LEDs in the front too you may need them.

[Spike]

Try it without the resistors first.  I didn't need them.  If you have LEDs in the front too you may need them.

+1.

[brecchi]

yeah, no leds up front. will not installing the resistors shorten the life of the diode board anyway? any other ill side effects? i suck with wiring and i also have hi mounts which get in the way of everything ( including the old signals which i had to remove). is there a good spot where you guys place the resistors?

[Slide Panda]

I got some resistors from Rizoma, which have nice long leads.  I made some 2" bits of wire that the resistors are wired in parallel to and which I connected the bikes harness on one end and the LEDs on the other.  Not a necessary step, but by doing that I didn't need to cut into the bikes harness.

With the longer connection leads that come on the Rizoma resistors I mounted them to the frame (with a little foam between), behind the triangular side pods.  They are out of the way there, and get good air flow.

[psycledelic]

I installed the clear alternative Led w/ signals and didn't need the resistors.  As said above, I would try without first.  Less mess in the wiring.

[mmakay]

I installed the clear alternative Led w/ signals and didn't need the resistors.  As said above, I would try without first.  Less mess in the wiring.

Older (non-immobilizer) bikes will generally need resistors.  The newer bikes don't have the same style of flasher relay, so don't always need resistors.  (My 695 didn't.)

[rgramjet]

I just grounded my resistors to the bolts holding the plastic underseat cover doohicky instead of splicing into the negative wires.  Works well.