Eliminating Rear Tail Light...
Eliminating Rear Tail Light...
This is a project I've been turning over in my head for months.
Basically I want to:
- eliminate the tail light (fender chop)
- move the turn signals off the struts (to use saddlebag easy brackets)
- use relocated rear turn signals as brake lights
Now I know there are kits out there to eliminate the tail light and go with red turn signals only, but usually these are strut mounted...others I have seen like mini-bullets often aren't that bright to be the stand-alone rear lights. Suggestions?
Basically I want to:
- eliminate the tail light (fender chop)
- move the turn signals off the struts (to use saddlebag easy brackets)
- use relocated rear turn signals as brake lights
Now I know there are kits out there to eliminate the tail light and go with red turn signals only, but usually these are strut mounted...others I have seen like mini-bullets often aren't that bright to be the stand-alone rear lights. Suggestions?
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
I have a buddy with a chopped fender and he has one of the LED strips along the bottom of the cut fender, you don't even notice the strip if his bike is turned off. Once the bike is on the whole strip lights up as a taillight, they brighten "A LOT" when the brakes are applied and each side lights up for turn signals...just a thought
I have a buddy with a chopped fender and he has one of the LED strips along the bottom of the cut fender, you don't even notice the strip if his bike is turned off. Once the bike is on the whole strip lights up as a taillight, they brighten "A LOT" when the brakes are applied and each side lights up for turn signals...just a thought
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 386
Likes: 1
From:
I love to clean up the rears lights but I like to be seen from behind, In the Allentown PA, Morning Call or Wfmz Ch69 news just today 10/20/08 a guy stopped for a red light and was rear ended on his bike, at 1 am, Now here is the worst part, The 50 year old biker is in the Hosipial and the driver of the car got out and ran into the woods and hasn't been seen since.
So I like have my bike lit up at nights, over the winter I plan on more lights on the back.
So I like have my bike lit up at nights, over the winter I plan on more lights on the back.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 1
From: Valdosta, Ga
Sounds like you "want your cake and eat it too". To run bags and have a cleaned up look in the back is kind of an oxymoron. I know the bags wont be on all the time, but if you fab up some weird light mounts to make room for bags, you aren't really cleaning up anything, other than resale value. Why not chop the fender, add an after market brake light that holds your liscense plate, and just use hand signals instead of blinkers? I don't think you will be able to run a side mount plate with bags. You need to ask yourself what your priorities are... and good luck bro!
Sounds like you "want your cake and eat it too". To run bags and have a cleaned up look in the back is kind of an oxymoron. I know the bags wont be on all the time, but if you fab up some weird light mounts to make room for bags, you aren't really cleaning up anything, other than resale value. Why not chop the fender, add an after market brake light that holds your liscense plate, and just use hand signals instead of blinkers? I don't think you will be able to run a side mount plate with bags. You need to ask yourself what your priorities are... and good luck bro!
I'm kinda eliminating any possible option by wanting to move the signals, chop the fender, and eliminate the tail light...while maintaining rearward visibility. If I could find something that worked well on a chopped fender besides the sparto (limpdick) light that comes on the '09 Bob fender, I wouldn't mind the tail light.
A side mount plate holder with a tail light would work well, but it seems like a lot of states are starting to ban those.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 1
From: Valdosta, Ga
Check out Fabricator Keven's website. He's got cool stuff. Send him an email describing what you want and he might be able to swing it.http://www.fabkevin.com
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 1
From: Valdosta, Ga
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 2
From: Southwest OHIO
i like the idea of using the layback license plate with turn signal relocation. then use the kit that turns your rear turn signals into turn/brake lights, like on the nightsters... this will lay your plate down (looks much better), relocates signals to plate (can mount saddlebags). and removes the ugly brake light. then you just need to cut your fender to remove the hole where the stock brake light mounts...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
maybe these will work to eliminate turn signals: http://www.alloyart.com/products/dsl.html
other choice is to get a licence plate frame that does it all.
personally I would keep the tailight as you are going to keep the plate where it is
those plate tailight combos are cool on wide fenders but they are more than likely too wide to look good on your stock one.
up to you ... gonna get expensive...
other choice is to get a licence plate frame that does it all.
personally I would keep the tailight as you are going to keep the plate where it is
those plate tailight combos are cool on wide fenders but they are more than likely too wide to look good on your stock one.
up to you ... gonna get expensive...