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Can someone suggest a custom brake light solution

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  • #1

    Can someone suggest a custom brake light solution

    Hi All,

    I've been doing some research on custom brake lights. I'm not a huge fan of the blocky stock brake light so I wanted to do something else. I seen that one of the guys had smaller brake lights on either side of the seat (I can't find the post but it was a chopper/bobber style bike). Can someone post some pictures of their custom tail light or something?? Thanks a bunch in advance.
    1980 XS1100SG
    In the process of making her look pretty!
    P.S., TomRodgers has the best avatar icon ever!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I did a motorcycle makeover last winter on a 1980 XS850 Special. the tail light is the same as the 1100 Special. I opted for an LED light. I like the clear lens as well. I use an ebay seller named R and P carriages for my LED lights. I've replaced all the lights on my RV with LED's from Him and bought lights for the bike as well. He's great to do business with. He sells a 6" oval tail/brake LED brake light that is a fairly easy replacement for the stock light on our bikes. You can bolt it up to the same mount that the stock light bolts to. He has either RED lens LEDs or clear lens with red LEDs. I used the stock plug off the old light on the LED. Worked Great! If you want to get fancy Autoulimination sells a Brakelight flasher that works with LEDs. It flashes quickly when you first apply the brake for the first couple of seconds. If you go this route make sure you order the surface mount light and not grommet mounted one. Oh I forgot to mention, the light will cost you about $15 and this includes shipping.
    Heres a picture:<a href="http://s953.photobucket.com/albums/ae14/lordservant1014/?action=view&current=RicksXS850015.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae14/lordservant1014/RicksXS850015.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
    Last edited by Rev.Rick; 02-18-2010, 07:36 PM.
    Rev.Rick

    What I ride now: 1980 XS1100 Special

    What I used to Ride: 1980 XS850, 1984 Honda V65 Sabre, 1974 Honda CB750 ss, Yamaha YZ 480 (bored YZ400), Kawasaki 500 triple

    Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! John Newton (1725-1807)

    Comment

    • #3
      Well I tried to get a picture. Lets see if this works.

      Rev.Rick

      What I ride now: 1980 XS1100 Special

      What I used to Ride: 1980 XS850, 1984 Honda V65 Sabre, 1974 Honda CB750 ss, Yamaha YZ 480 (bored YZ400), Kawasaki 500 triple

      Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! John Newton (1725-1807)

      Comment

      • #4
        Nice, I like how you have that. Where did you get the lic. plate holders? I checked the guys ebay page, I'm looking for something similar to what you have maybe just a little bit smaller.
        1980 XS1100SG
        In the process of making her look pretty!
        P.S., TomRodgers has the best avatar icon ever!

        Comment

        • #5
          I got an LED version of a 30's Ford taillight, also off Ebay:



          This is on my '80g. I was able to cut the stock license plate holder to accomodate the new light, and mount it on the bottom edge of the fender. I think the LED lights are the only way to go. They work really well in the motorcycle application.
          Healthy is merely the slowest rate at which you can die

          Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better. I’ve always believed this, in spite of the trouble it’s caused me. Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba….Hunter S. Thompson

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by t71ford View Post
            I got an LED version of a 30's Ford taillight, also off Ebay:



            This is on my '80g. I was able to cut the stock license plate holder to accomodate the new light, and mount it on the bottom edge of the fender. I think the LED lights are the only way to go. They work really well in the motorcycle application.
            Nice, I think that's the route I'm gonna take. I'm gonna check around to see if that comes in black. Thanks for the info guys.
            1980 XS1100SG
            In the process of making her look pretty!
            P.S., TomRodgers has the best avatar icon ever!

            Comment

            • #7
              If doing a custom rear light, one thing you might want to think about is if the new light has a 'reflector' element in it. The OEM light does, but very few aftermarket ones do. Why is this important? Because in many states, it's a requirement that you have a 'visible' reflector that returns light even when the light is off. Here, they specify a red reflector, so a reflective plate won't do it. Generally not a problem, but I know at least a few guys that got ticketed for this by a hard-nosed LEO.

              You're also generally required to have a white light on your plate.

              Check your local laws....

              '78E original owner
              Last edited by crazy steve; 02-19-2010, 01:00 PM.
              Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

              '78E original owner - resto project
              '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
              '82 XJ rebuild project
              '80SG restified, red SOLD
              '79F parts...
              '81H more parts...

              Other current bikes:
              '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
              '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
              '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
              Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
              Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

              Comment

              • #8
                the light on mine does have a white led license light that shines down. No reflector, though. It is brighter than the stock one, but does not reflect light when off. Just FYI...
                Healthy is merely the slowest rate at which you can die

                Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better. I’ve always believed this, in spite of the trouble it’s caused me. Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba….Hunter S. Thompson

                Comment

                • #9
                  The reflector doesn't have to be part of the light itself; simply that there be one on the back of the bike. Harley lights don't have a reflector, but the factory puts a reflector on the license plate bracket (which a lot of guys remove, making the bike 'illegal').

                  I installed two '59 Caddy taillights on one bike, and 'hid' the reflector (red reflective tape) between them.

                  '78E original owner
                  Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

                  '78E original owner - resto project
                  '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
                  '82 XJ rebuild project
                  '80SG restified, red SOLD
                  '79F parts...
                  '81H more parts...

                  Other current bikes:
                  '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
                  '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
                  '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
                  Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
                  Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by crazy steve View Post
                    The reflector doesn't have to be part of the light itself; simply that there be one on the back of the bike. Harley lights don't have a reflector, but the factory puts a reflector on the license plate bracket (which a lot of guys remove, making the bike 'illegal').

                    I installed two '59 Caddy taillights on one bike, and 'hid' the reflector (red reflective tape) between them.

                    '78E original owner
                    How'd you set up two of them? Got pics?
                    Joe


                    78XS1100

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by joceiphus View Post
                      How'd you set up two of them? Got pics?
                      Sent you a PM with a link....
                      Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

                      '78E original owner - resto project
                      '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
                      '82 XJ rebuild project
                      '80SG restified, red SOLD
                      '79F parts...
                      '81H more parts...

                      Other current bikes:
                      '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
                      '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
                      '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
                      Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
                      Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by crazy steve View Post
                        Sent you a PM with a link....
                        I'd like to see that too if possible.
                        1980 XS1100SG
                        In the process of making her look pretty!
                        P.S., TomRodgers has the best avatar icon ever!

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          R1

                          this my tail light set up ,


                          the bike is a different color now

                          Last edited by GARTHXS; 02-19-2010, 11:12 PM. Reason: add
                          91 kwaka kz1000p
                          Stock


                          ( Insert clever quote here )

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by garthxs View Post
                            this my tail light set up ,


                            the bike is a different color now

                            Nice, I have something similar for my blinkers but mine are more square. Is that your brake light I see peaking out the bottom of the fender?
                            1980 XS1100SG
                            In the process of making her look pretty!
                            P.S., TomRodgers has the best avatar icon ever!

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              yup

                              Originally posted by thewright1 View Post
                              Nice, I have something similar for my blinkers but mine are more square. Is that your brake light I see peaking out the bottom of the fender?
                              the angle is from a standing pic , but it is an r1 tail light rigged to fit under the cowl , it is a small light but extremely bright
                              91 kwaka kz1000p
                              Stock


                              ( Insert clever quote here )

                              Comment

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