Author Topic: Taillight choice  (Read 3769 times)

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northshore_paul

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on: October 06, 2008, 01:02:39 am
I have an '03 Classic I just bought that came with the Beehive taillight and I just don't care for it and I want to replace it asap. Has anyone tried the "Classic British-Style Taillight", p51 in the 08 wish book or a similar light from another source? I know taillights, like seats can be a personal thing, you know beauty in the eye of the beholder, but I would appreciate your opinions, especially fit, finish, and function. I don't care for how the beehive light does not fit flush on the fender and that is something I would like to know before buying another. Thanks for your opinions.
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Blue Ridge Wheeltor

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Reply #1 on: October 06, 2008, 01:10:54 am
That's my complaint with the beehive. It doesn't come anywhere close to flush. I am afraid to take it out in the rain.
have you noticed, when you hit the brakes, the license plate lights up brighter?
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geoffbaker

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Reply #2 on: October 06, 2008, 01:30:37 am
I have to say I like the stock taillight on my 2000 military. It's very reminiscent of the old style lights (looks almost the same as the taillight I had on my 1952 BSA). I converted to LED's to make it brighter and I'm very happy with the result.

Haven't seen one I like more.


The Garbone

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Reply #3 on: October 06, 2008, 02:53:26 am
I have the "Classic British Taillight" from CMW and think it is great..  Very bright brake light a I like the finish on the chrome and the fact that it has an integrated plate light and holder.

One thing that might be an issue is that your Behive and the Classic probable use different holes.

Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
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northshore_paul

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Reply #4 on: October 06, 2008, 03:01:03 am
It look good and I want to put it on a new chrome fender so that should not be an issue. I see your vintage indicator lights, what hole are they mounted in?
'01 Kawasaki W650
'06 Suzuki Burgman 400
'03 Bullet Classic gone to a new home
'84 BMW R100 gone to a new home
'94 Honda PC800 gone to a new home


The Garbone

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Reply #5 on: October 06, 2008, 03:27:09 am
The signals are mounted to the rails using the rear bolt hole for the stock seat.  I had them instead of the stock seat bolts until I replaced that seat. 

 To wire them I just slit the rubber tube the wires run in under the fender and cut the ends off the turn signal wires and pulled them back.  They come out from left side with the right side signal run over the top of the fender.  You can see the black tie wraps for the right hand wire in the picture on the seat bracket. 

The right side wire was a bit short so I had to splice some extra wire on but I was able to hide the junction up under the seat.  It also keeps the junction dry which helps with corrosion.

« Last Edit: October 06, 2008, 03:29:58 am by Gary-FL »
Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
67' Ford Mustang
74' Catalina 27 "Knot a Clew"
95 RE Ace Clubman 535
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd HaCK

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northshore_paul

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Reply #6 on: October 06, 2008, 04:29:05 am
I imagine it also requires a license plate bracket drilled and mounted on the fender.
'01 Kawasaki W650
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'03 Bullet Classic gone to a new home
'84 BMW R100 gone to a new home
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Slider

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Reply #7 on: October 06, 2008, 04:37:40 am
Just my two cents here... I have the tombstone LED tail light. It's really bright and I like the style. It's not perfectly flush but it has a thick rubber gasket, and I'm currently in the process of sealing it with silicone, so I'm not worried about rain. I also have the illuminated license plate bolts.

I must retreat to my place of Zen and meditate on this.


The Garbone

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Reply #8 on: October 06, 2008, 05:07:40 am
I imagine it also requires a license plate bracket drilled and mounted on the fender.

Nope, the plate bracket is part of the casting..  I will try to get a better picture Monday.
Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
67' Ford Mustang
74' Catalina 27 "Knot a Clew"
95 RE Ace Clubman 535
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd HaCK

* all actions described in this post are fictional *


northshore_paul

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Reply #9 on: October 06, 2008, 05:37:33 am
Thanks everyone for the info and pics, the tombstone does look good, and the option of having LED's is good, less current draw and longer lasting, the only negative is the fit is not flush, something that really bothers me about the beehive light.

BTW, both pics show bikes that look like they just came off the dealer's showroom floor, really sharp!
'01 Kawasaki W650
'06 Suzuki Burgman 400
'03 Bullet Classic gone to a new home
'84 BMW R100 gone to a new home
'94 Honda PC800 gone to a new home


Slider

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Reply #10 on: October 06, 2008, 05:50:59 am
Quote
BTW, both pics show bikes that look like they just came off the dealer's showroom floor, really sharp!


Mine has 55 miles on it so far. ;D

I must retreat to my place of Zen and meditate on this.


The Garbone

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Reply #11 on: October 06, 2008, 10:31:07 pm
Some better pictures of the "Classic"





Sorry, the bike is a bit dirty, did a few miles in the rain this weekend.

Also a bonus for the first one to tell me the makes of the vehicles sitting outside my garage.   
« Last Edit: October 06, 2008, 10:34:28 pm by Gary-FL »
Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
67' Ford Mustang
74' Catalina 27 "Knot a Clew"
95 RE Ace Clubman 535
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd HaCK

* all actions described in this post are fictional *


Coronach

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Reply #12 on: October 06, 2008, 10:39:09 pm
Ford Mustang and F150?
Columbus, OH
2008 Black Classic ES "Last One"
1050 miles on the clock
OH! ... IO!


The Garbone

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Reply #13 on: October 06, 2008, 10:44:35 pm
Ford Mustang and F150?

Wow, that was quick..  Its not the 67' mustang but my wife's 2006,  And my 97' F-150 which has been sitting so long the front brakes are seized up,  this weeks project, grease the pins...

Have a cigar....
Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
67' Ford Mustang
74' Catalina 27 "Knot a Clew"
95 RE Ace Clubman 535
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd HaCK

* all actions described in this post are fictional *


Coronach

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Reply #14 on: October 06, 2008, 11:50:14 pm
I have a 98 F150 that is just as solid a truck as you could want. It has been out of service exactly once in its decade of life, and that for a corroded starter wire. Simple fix.

Mike
Columbus, OH
2008 Black Classic ES "Last One"
1050 miles on the clock
OH! ... IO!


The Garbone

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Reply #15 on: October 06, 2008, 11:54:35 pm
I actually sold a 98 Tacoma  in 2006 and  bought my F-150 Lariat used and still had $500 cash and cheaper insurance, and now I have three times the truck.  I love everything but the 14mpg it gets.
Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
67' Ford Mustang
74' Catalina 27 "Knot a Clew"
95 RE Ace Clubman 535
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd HaCK

* all actions described in this post are fictional *


northshore_paul

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Reply #16 on: October 07, 2008, 02:45:00 am
Gary,that taillight looks sweet,so that seals the deal it is the one I will get. I see your bullet turn signal indicators and I have a question. I saw one up close and the way it mounts on the fender carrier with that metal base, it looks like it will tear into the paint and I guess it needs to for some electrical contact since there is no ground wire. Did you find it messes up your paint? And thanks again for the photos it really helps in making a decision.
'01 Kawasaki W650
'06 Suzuki Burgman 400
'03 Bullet Classic gone to a new home
'84 BMW R100 gone to a new home
'94 Honda PC800 gone to a new home


The Garbone

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Reply #17 on: October 07, 2008, 03:09:59 am
On the rears signals I just bolted them on and the grounding was fine, probably because the stock seat bolts had already damaged the coating.  I imagine I will have a little corrosion but since I am inland and we have no road salt/snow I am not all that concerned.

For the turn signals the fronts were the ones I had to work at to get a good ground,  had to pull the brackets and file things to get a good ground.
Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
67' Ford Mustang
74' Catalina 27 "Knot a Clew"
95 RE Ace Clubman 535
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd HaCK

* all actions described in this post are fictional *


Slider

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Reply #18 on: October 07, 2008, 05:39:56 pm
I have to amend my earlier post about the tombstone light not being flush with the fender. It didn't appear to be flush when the bike was delivered to my house, but it turns out that it is. When I took it apart, I didn't consider how the dealer had stuffed the wiring into it when he installed it. But after trying to re-install it myself, I see now that the trick is to get the wiring stuffed into the hollows inside the housing so it can be pulled all the way against the fender when you tighten the bolts. If you can do that, it's a good fit, and with the rubber gasket in place, it seals just fine.

I don't think the dealer worried about that too much when he put it on, but now I see the difference it makes.

I must retreat to my place of Zen and meditate on this.