Custom taillight bracket fabrication
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Custom taillight bracket fabrication
Before I begin, a HUGE thanks goes out to Pkellymc without whom I wouldn't be able to be doing this. He's letting me borrow a wide glide fender for mock-up purposes. Thanks Patrick. 
Some back story. I have a custom taillight/turn signal setup that I love.
My only problem is that I cannot find a bracket that fits the 06+ wide glides. I'm forced to fab one up myself. I've seen brackets from jokermachine I liked but they were $150+ and I never did receive a response from them when I wrote asking if they had a bracket that would fit my bike. They like softails and older dynas over there. It's been well over a week...to answer a simple email. Anyway.......
I'm no Muddpuddle so I'm working with very basic tools. I did buy a sheet of 16ga sheetmetal from Tractor Supply Store today and will use it for final fab.
Now back to our regularly scheduled write-up.
First I found some good cardboard and cut it to fit the outside width of the fender. Taped it on with blue painters tape so not to damage Pkelly's fender.
Traced inside outline and marked bottom of fender on cardboard with marker.
Once I was satisfied, I removed the cardboard from the fender and cut it down to size with a sharp box cutter.
Now I cut two strip of c.b. and taped them on. These will be the siderails and I'll mark the holes.
I did lay the taillight in to set depth. I don't want the fixture sticking out of the fender.
Once satisfied, I removed my template from the fender.
I'm going to lay out a license plate bracket seperately out of c.b. but when I cut the sheetmetal it will be one piece. I also want to incorporate a shelf (bend in the metal) so I can still utilize the luggage rack.
...this is it for now. I'll add more as it happens.
Some back story. I have a custom taillight/turn signal setup that I love.
My only problem is that I cannot find a bracket that fits the 06+ wide glides. I'm forced to fab one up myself. I've seen brackets from jokermachine I liked but they were $150+ and I never did receive a response from them when I wrote asking if they had a bracket that would fit my bike. They like softails and older dynas over there. It's been well over a week...to answer a simple email. Anyway.......
I'm no Muddpuddle so I'm working with very basic tools. I did buy a sheet of 16ga sheetmetal from Tractor Supply Store today and will use it for final fab.
Now back to our regularly scheduled write-up.
First I found some good cardboard and cut it to fit the outside width of the fender. Taped it on with blue painters tape so not to damage Pkelly's fender.
Traced inside outline and marked bottom of fender on cardboard with marker.
Once I was satisfied, I removed the cardboard from the fender and cut it down to size with a sharp box cutter.
Now I cut two strip of c.b. and taped them on. These will be the siderails and I'll mark the holes.
I did lay the taillight in to set depth. I don't want the fixture sticking out of the fender.
Once satisfied, I removed my template from the fender.
I'm going to lay out a license plate bracket seperately out of c.b. but when I cut the sheetmetal it will be one piece. I also want to incorporate a shelf (bend in the metal) so I can still utilize the luggage rack.
...this is it for now. I'll add more as it happens.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
SC:
Way to go bro ...
Those turn signals on either side behind the grill? I like that kind of self-contained unit ... seems like turn signal relocation is one of the biggest things you have to figure out (fore and aft) ...
R/
Priest
Way to go bro ...
Those turn signals on either side behind the grill? I like that kind of self-contained unit ... seems like turn signal relocation is one of the biggest things you have to figure out (fore and aft) ...
R/
Priest
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
a little photoshopping...to show black light and chrome light
The front isn't that bad. Having done it, I actually want to move them back to the controls area. Seems like that's one thing that sets HD apart from the others. The rear is another story. RSA05 did a nice setup with his signals. My reasoning for rear signal relocate is that I want to put on some x-large (+/- 21" long) saddlebags. I only have 17.5" to work with now between shock and turn signal.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Verdad Gallardo
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Suuuure....let me just pull my cnc machine out of my ****. 
I actually thought about putting a heritage style rear fender on my WG just so I could do that. Don't think I haven't contemplated it. I have an indy down in Columbia that has a good stock of old parts. He has fenders hanging all over. I bet I could score a rear heritage fender for a good price. I might have to look into it.
Ahhh....let me finish this mod to see how I like it.
I actually thought about putting a heritage style rear fender on my WG just so I could do that. Don't think I haven't contemplated it. I have an indy down in Columbia that has a good stock of old parts. He has fenders hanging all over. I bet I could score a rear heritage fender for a good price. I might have to look into it.
Ahhh....let me finish this mod to see how I like it.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
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.