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Tail lights

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by voodoochild, Dec 11, 2006.

  1. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Ok guys.....So I'm doing this 240 rear tire kit on my 04 Dyna right, and I am having my fender split and widened to 11". Now, I like the bob tail style fender, although nobody likes that style but me. Problem is I can't find a wide tail light anywhere. Nobody makes one, wants to make one or even has any suggestions as to where to find one. Now, I could change over to a different fender but I don't want to. Does anyone know of anybody who could make a tail light, or know where I could find one? I have searched the internet looking but haven't found anything. I am open to all suggestions please. Can I have a custom sized one made? And, if so, who could make it? Thanks to all.:confused:
  2. TAZZ

    TAZZ New Member

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    I once put dual Caddy bullets on a widened fender. I don't know of a lens fabricator and I know of no wide tail light options so I fabbed brackets and stuffed dual lenses on a bobbed fender. The buyer liked it enough to pay me for it. I matched up similar lenses for turn blinkies and made it real legal-like.

    Just an idea!
  3. kenfuzed

    kenfuzed Administrator Staff Member

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    Here's an idea. How bout cut a piece of metal that would fill the shape of where the tail light would go. Then drill our holes for multiple LED's to make an array across the metal. If you put enough you could cover the whole piece so it looks like little beads covering the surface of the metal piece. LED's are easy to work with and you can add tons of them without creating any load on your electrical.

    Just my own idea.
  4. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Thanks for the ideas guys! I knew someone would have some thoughts. Don't, or do I, need a lense cover? (for the LED's) I don't know much about those. I am open to any and all ideas. I guess those caddy lights, or similar, would work fine if I found the right "look". Thanks again!
  5. kenfuzed

    kenfuzed Administrator Staff Member

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    LED's don't really need a lense except that they don't cast light in all directions, so light is directional. However its also to your advantage as LED don't require a reflector either since their light is produced outward (hope I described that right). If you've noticed many big-rigs and their trailers are now using clustered LED's instead of incandescent bulbs, and they are much more noticable.

    Some of my best ideas have come from junk yards. I'd go to your local junk yard and look at different tail lights on junk cars. You may find the right shape that will give you some inspiration. Also don't be affraid to think outside the box... some frontend turnsignal housing may actually be the right shape since they tend to be rectangular. Imagination is sometimes the greatest solution.
  6. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Sweet idea Ken! Sometimes my head is better used for a hat rack. There are plenty of junk yards around here that I can visit. I never thought of the front lights from cars, they could be sculpted just enough for use. Thanks again.
  7. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Local shop cuts out a shape in fenders, then puts a box behind it stuffed with led's you can do pretty much anything with them
  8. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    another thought....if you find a light you like in a junk yard.....you can cut your fender and weld the fixture in, then mold and paint....have done that on a lot of cars and trucks. imagination is the key....look at something that you like, then say ya, that will work with a bit of fabbing!!! good luck on your quest.....and leds can be put behind most any lens you find out there....
    chuck
  9. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    More excellent suggestions to get my brain working....thanks again!
  10. ReeseSS

    ReeseSS New Member

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    Well, this is not an exciting idea, but why not fit the stock light back on? When he splits the fender, he can fill and prep that area to take the stock one back. There is a pic on the Hog Pro sight in gallery of a WG with the 240 kit, split the fender and stock light if you want to see how it looks.
  11. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Thanks Reese, though not exciting, it's definately a time saving option! I will try to explore all avenues. I actually looked at the tail lights of my grandfather caddy today! He might be missin' one when he gets back from Fla.
  12. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Reese, I just looked at that Dyna on Hogpro's website....do you think it looks a little funny with that bracket in there and that little tail light? I was hoping to get something of a wider light to accent that wide tire. For anyone who's interested....http://www.hogpro.com/imagebox.php?name=pic/gallery5-pic32.jpg I'm still open to thoughts and suggestions. Thanks,
  13. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    im not sure how wide your fender is....but a few years back, toyota or one of the import trucks had a 3rd brake light mounted on the roof. it was kinda wide and scoop looking....and made of metal also. i know of a fella that has some pretty neat light stuff for most anything....trying to implement them into stopsigns....i will try to get ahold of him and get you a email. these things mount flush or a bit ressesed. it might be tomorrow before i get the info for you
    chuck
  14. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Thanks Chuck. That link you sent me took me to an insurance website?! I didn't see anything regarding lights. Are you sure the link was correct? Now you really got me curious about those lites. Lemme know. Thanks.
  15. bikerjim1

    bikerjim1 Moderator

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    Voodoo,

    Do you want to stay with the taillight/fender combination, or are you game to, say, a primary mounted or swingarm mounted style?
    Also, as much as I hate to throw it in as an option, are the metric bike taillights. A lot of them are coming out with wider tires on the rear. Maybe shop around for the one that strikes yer fancy on a metric cruiser. I don't know, Hummm...........just a thought.
  16. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    sorry voodoo, i see where the page has expired. i didnt check to see if it was still active:eek: :eek: . i have an older email addy, and have emailed to see if he is still around....will let ya know
    again, sorry
    chuck
  17. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Chuck, hey no need to apologize...yer helpin me out remember? Let me know when you find out. It's takin me this long so a few more days ain't gonna hurt my chances of riding any time soon! Jim, another excellent idea. I don't know if my bike will reject the "transplant", but it could be worth a try. Thanks guys!
  18. ironhorse

    ironhorse Active Member

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    Lights I love em along with chrome, thats the trucker in me Always dumped the change from the couch into the pete, the dodge, so on and so on. one of the cool lights I've seen lately is in the hd catalog and the kuryakan catalog they are in an infinity/tunnel look may be something to work with, don't have trucks anymore so the dodge and bike get the couch money (dang I look good rolling through vegas at night:cool: )
  19. voodoochild

    voodoochild New Member

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    Ironhorse, I have always loved the lights on the big rigs, the more the merrier. I will definately look at the "K" catalog, and I also have the new HD catalog too. Thanks for the tips.

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