Special Tail Light Upgrade

[MPittma100]

With the small tail light on the Specials, I felt like an upgrade might be in order. I came up with an LED tail/brake light that can be added without altering the bike.

I bought the light online. A friend fabricated a ss bracket and I mounted it using the 2 tail light housing bolts and wired the assembly into existing harness. Almost looks like it is supposed to be there. And it is much brighter than stock - especially the brake light which also flashes. I am going to attempt to add some pictures.

Mike

[MPittma100]

SF Tail Light Upgrade

Pix of Special tail light upgrade:

[MPittma100]

Special Tail Light Upgrade

More Pix:

[MPittma100]

Special Tail Light Upgrade

More Pix:

[MPittma100]

Special Tail Light Upgrade

Last picture.

[MPittma100]

Special Tail Light Upgrade

The third hole in the bracket is for the wire to pass through. I put a rubber grommet there to prevent chaffing. The light is held in place with 2 sided tape (comes with it). LED light has a strong/highly visible output. It can be seen for a distance further than that of the stock light.

Mike

[crazy steve]

Only the '79 has the 'small' taillight; the later ones use the same light as the standard just with the clear area in the lens done in red so it doesn't light up the fender...

[MPittma100]

Smart Move

Putting the bigger taillight on the later Specials was definitely a better idea by Yamaha. Short of making that change to the 1979SF, this LED addition seems to be a good help to the small stock light.

Mike

Only the '79 has the 'small' taillight; the later ones use the same light as the standard just with the clear area in the lens done in red so it doesn't light up the fender...

[skids]

It looks good and bright.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mike,

Looks great, was the standard tail light ON while the new LED one was on??

Also, you forgot to provide WHERE you got it from, model # and pricing and such?? Folks might also like to do something like this for the XJ as well since it ALSO has a small tail light similar to the 79SF.

T.C.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Mike,
As TC says. Details please. That looks like what I have been thinnking of for my 81H which has the big light but I would like even more.
Phil

[MPittma100]

Specs

Hey Mike,

Looks great, was the standard tail light ON while the new LED one was on??

Also, you forgot to provide WHERE you got it from, model # and pricing and such?? Folks might also like to do something like this for the XJ as well since it ALSO has a small tail light similar to the 79SF.

T.C.

TC,

The standard light was not on. I was testing the new light without it. I got the light online from www.motorcycle-superstore.com. It is called a Custom Dynamics Light Bar. Their SKU#380211. Price was $27.99 and you can choose flashing or not flashing. There are more lights available from this same manufacturer on the site. I could ask my friend if he would consider making some more brackets and if so, how much he would charge. If anyone is interested, let me know.

Mike

[MPittma100]

TC,

The standard light was not on. I was testing the new light without it. I got the light online from www.motorcycle-superstore.com. It is called a Custom Dynamics Light Bar. Their SKU#380211. Price was $27.99 and you can choose flashing or not flashing. There are more lights available from this same manufacturer on the site. I could ask my friend if he would consider making some more brackets and if so, how much he would charge. If anyone is interested, let me know.

Mike

A picture will better explain how I joined the new light wiring into the factory harness. Will take some more pictures and post.

Mike

[MPittma100]

Wiring for Special Taillight Upgrade

A picture will better explain how I joined the new light wiring into the factory harness. Will take some more pictures and post.

Mike

So these pictures show the routing of the LED taillight wiring. The factory connectors are the round push/pull type. They are behind the license plate. I simply unplugged them, put the new bare wire ends in each and pushed them back together. Added a little electrical tape around each one for a little insurance.