Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Softail Slim - need wiring help...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2013 | 10:40 AM
  #1  
jam436's Avatar
jam436
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Supporter
Default Softail Slim - need wiring help...

I just purchased a Custom Dynamics LED brake light for my Slim and I ran into a small problem...

It's a CD # LB01 - Knight Rider LED light bar.
It's just a simple dual intensity run/brake combo - no turn function.

Now the problem...
The Slim has no dedicated brake light, just the two bullets that serve all three functions - run/brake and turn.

I can't just tap into the wiring at the connector for the brake since if I do it there, that wire also flashes once the turn is switched on.

I'm looking for a "steady on" 12v brake feed, and the manual isn't much help.

Has anyone done this?
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2013 | 10:53 AM
  #2  
SoCalSoftailSlim's Avatar
SoCalSoftailSlim
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Default

Have you tried asking Custom Dynamics to walk you through it? I've ordered a LED from them as well, but run/break,turn, on the rear fender of my Slim as well.

They have been really helpful on discussions with the install, which I'll probably tackle this weekend. Sending them pics of the wiring will help too.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2013 | 10:55 AM
  #3  
ANIMALHOUSE's Avatar
ANIMALHOUSE
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 6
From: Doylestown, PA
Default

Can you splice it into the wiring for the license plate light?
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2013 | 03:26 PM
  #4  
jam436's Avatar
jam436
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Supporter
Default

Originally Posted by SoCalSoftailSlim
Have you tried asking Custom Dynamics to walk you through it? I've ordered a LED from them as well, but run/break,turn, on the rear fender of my Slim as well.

They have been really helpful on discussions with the install, which I'll probably tackle this weekend. Sending them pics of the wiring will help too.
Yeah I did that and they were stumped too, other than to say to look for a "steady on" brake circuit.

Anyway, I found one - and in a very easy location too.
On the Slim, there are three wiring connectors that need disconnected prior to fender removal. The first time I saw them I wondered why there were four wires on the female plug side (coming from the harness), but only three traveling to the tailights (on the male plug side).

It didn't hit me right then that the harness was probably "generic" to a point, fitting more than one Softail...

Turns out the extra, unused wire coming from the harness was in fact a "steady on" brake circuit.
Problem solved...


EDIT: ..and the best part was, 5 minutes after finishing this chore up, the UPS man rolled up with my other delivery from Custom Dynamics - their GEN200 LED turn signal kit...
All I can say is ... WOW.
 

Last edited by jam436; Feb 7, 2013 at 03:29 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2013 | 03:53 PM
  #5  
SoCalSoftailSlim's Avatar
SoCalSoftailSlim
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Default

Originally Posted by jam436
Yeah I did that and they were stumped too, other than to say to look for a "steady on" brake circuit.

Anyway, I found one - and in a very easy location too.
On the Slim, there are three wiring connectors that need disconnected prior to fender removal. The first time I saw them I wondered why there were four wires on the female plug side (coming from the harness), but only three traveling to the tailights (on the male plug side).

It didn't hit me right then that the harness was probably "generic" to a point, fitting more than one Softail...

Turns out the extra, unused wire coming from the harness was in fact a "steady on" brake circuit.
Problem solved...


EDIT: ..and the best part was, 5 minutes after finishing this chore up, the UPS man rolled up with my other delivery from Custom Dynamics - their GEN200 LED turn signal kit...
All I can say is ... WOW.
Cool. I'm glad you figured it out. You certainly have some great lighting going on with your Slim. Custom Dynamics has provided me top notch customer service so far too. Very pleased.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2013 | 04:47 PM
  #6  
jam436's Avatar
jam436
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Supporter
Default

Here's a look with the new lighting - the picture doesn't do it justice.





Those LED's are freakin' BRIGHT - painfully bright even.
Ever have somebody shine a laser pointer in your face?
They're kinda like that...
 

Last edited by jam436; Jul 11, 2017 at 02:57 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2013 | 04:55 PM
  #7  
SoCalSoftailSlim's Avatar
SoCalSoftailSlim
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Default

Haha. I like how bright it is. Would have to see on the road to really know. The taillight is great replacement to the stock reflector thats for sure.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2013 | 05:50 PM
  #8  
jam436's Avatar
jam436
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Supporter
Default

Originally Posted by SoCalSoftailSlim
Haha. I like how bright it is. Would have to see on the road to really know. The taillight is great replacement to the stock reflector thats for sure.
I used that stock reflector mount for the new tail light.
I removed it, took the reflector off, cleaned it up and removed all the old tape.
Then I mounted the new LED light bar to it, and repositioned it further up the fender so that the light barely protrudes from under it.

I used 3M double-face tape, then added a good bead of Permatex Black around the sides and top for extra insurance.
It ain't coming off...
 
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2013 | 10:59 AM
  #9  
UPYEEKILT71's Avatar
UPYEEKILT71
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Default

that looks awesome, I have come into the same problem sort of in that I live in Canada and they are making me put an separate brake light on. I was thinking of part no. 73420-11 which is a sporty chopped fender kit.
 
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2013 | 11:20 AM
  #10  
jam436's Avatar
jam436
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Supporter
Default

Originally Posted by UPYEEKILT71
that looks awesome, I have come into the same problem sort of in that I live in Canada and they are making me put an separate brake light on. I was thinking of part no. 73420-11 which is a sporty chopped fender kit.

I looked at those too, but I wondered about the fit, and for $90 I didn't want to chance that it wouldn't work.
The Custom Dynamics run/brake light I got set me back $39 and I couldn't be happier.
Here's a better idea of the brightness:
 

Last edited by jam436; Jul 11, 2017 at 02:58 PM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:52 AM.