Custom taillight bracket fabrication
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Thanks Joe.
I'm in the midst of a dilemma. In present position, the luggage rack doesn't fit. I had to move the bracket back about 3/4". Now the fixture is completely within the fender space which I like.
My next issue comes from the front support for the luggage rack (if I choose to keep it). The stock light bracket has a lip that the luggage rack sits on, and is supported. With my custom bracket, unless I get into bending a shelf into it (which I can do) I was thinking about two L brackets.
I'm in the midst of a dilemma. In present position, the luggage rack doesn't fit. I had to move the bracket back about 3/4". Now the fixture is completely within the fender space which I like.
My next issue comes from the front support for the luggage rack (if I choose to keep it). The stock light bracket has a lip that the luggage rack sits on, and is supported. With my custom bracket, unless I get into bending a shelf into it (which I can do) I was thinking about two L brackets.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Thanks... that's the $64,000 question. 
I am going to run a little rubber gasket around the top of it where it contacts the fender. I haven't drilled the mount holes yet so I'm hoping to get it as tight as possible and then drill so when I mount it it'll be just as tight.
I don't see it ripping. It's pretty thick. I'd like to weld some supports but I lack a welder and I haven't made any friends in town that do. I might be able to talk to my local chromer. He's got a pretty decent shop as he does a lot of other fab work besides chroming.
I am going to run a little rubber gasket around the top of it where it contacts the fender. I haven't drilled the mount holes yet so I'm hoping to get it as tight as possible and then drill so when I mount it it'll be just as tight. I don't see it ripping. It's pretty thick. I'd like to weld some supports but I lack a welder and I haven't made any friends in town that do. I might be able to talk to my local chromer. He's got a pretty decent shop as he does a lot of other fab work besides chroming.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
First time I've stumbled across your thread, Vic. Glad the spare "fire-sale" fender is helping with your mock-up work...it's coming along great and is gonna look awesome when you're finished
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
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From: Ogden, UT
Vic, any chance you might use a different rack? The one I have uses the last 2 strut bolts, so no attachment to the rear like yours. I think yours is a little wider than mine, so not useable, but surely there are similar for 06?
Very nice work by the way, you are starting me thinking about redoing mine now.
I should have my new bars in a couple weeks, then it will be time to move the front signals....AGAIN.... Having them incorporated into the bars so to speak.
Very nice work by the way, you are starting me thinking about redoing mine now.
I should have my new bars in a couple weeks, then it will be time to move the front signals....AGAIN.... Having them incorporated into the bars so to speak.
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Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Rich, I'm not sure I will use this rack. I've been looking at solo racks that use the two seat mount points to attach. Found one on ebay that isn't expensive. I've also been considering a sissybar mounted luggage rack. That will come in handy when my g/f rides with me.
Unfortunately, the -05 WG racks won't work on 06-later. I thought about modifying mine to work like that but I don't have a welder and I'm not in a position to go buy one to play with. It's on my list though. I'd love to see what I could come up with.
Unfortunately, the -05 WG racks won't work on 06-later. I thought about modifying mine to work like that but I don't have a welder and I'm not in a position to go buy one to play with. It's on my list though. I'd love to see what I could come up with.
Last edited by SC-Longhair; Jul 2, 2009 at 09:32 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
Ok folks, I have an update. I had some time over the past couple days and began realtime fabrication of my custom taillight/turn signal combo light bracket.
I bought a small sheet of 16ga steel at Tractor Supply Store a few months back. I laid the template, and traced it yesterday. I broke out my 18v cordless jigsaw and went to cutting.
I still have some trimming to do on it, but here is where I am. Yes, I have the holes drilled and the taillight is mounted. The tabs used for mounting will be cut down as I don't need them 8-10" long.
Also, that long piece on the bottom will be the licence plate mount eventually. I'm gonna trim it down and such when I get to that point.
I bought a small sheet of 16ga steel at Tractor Supply Store a few months back. I laid the template, and traced it yesterday. I broke out my 18v cordless jigsaw and went to cutting.
I still have some trimming to do on it, but here is where I am. Yes, I have the holes drilled and the taillight is mounted. The tabs used for mounting will be cut down as I don't need them 8-10" long.
Also, that long piece on the bottom will be the licence plate mount eventually. I'm gonna trim it down and such when I get to that point.
Bart