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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Cateye tail light mod
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Message started by Bubba on 02/10/16 at 10:57:22

Title: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Bubba on 02/10/16 at 10:57:22

I'm thinking about doing this. Does anyone have a step by step on attachment to the bike?
I could figure it out but I'm kind of a visual person so was hoping to get some clear pics of how it's attached. Also was wondering which cateye looks the best and fits the easiest trying to avoid LED if possible.
Thanks

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Bubba on 02/11/16 at 09:44:38

No one?
Just asking some pics from folks that have done it...
thx

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Blade on 02/11/16 at 17:55:39

I have Bubba- I post some pics.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by smokin_blue on 02/12/16 at 10:34:21

Dave used a couple different ones on his Thumpin Special. See the build section of the rubber side down.

I ordered a slim one that was supposed to be 6.25" wide but turned out to be 6.5" wide so it won't fit under the rear fender otherwise I really liked it.

Minutes ago I just ordered this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331568220017?_trksid=p2060353

Drag specialties offers the same one but I finally figured out that Drag Specialties is just private labeling it from Biker's Choice.

I will let you know what I think of it.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by badwolf on 02/12/16 at 10:53:21

Blue, Let us know when you get it if those holes in the bottom/side are to light up the plate.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Dave on 02/12/16 at 12:07:25

130D0F0B090E3F020C1505600 wrote:

Minutes ago I just ordered this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331568220017?_trksid=p2060353

Well that is some clever wording...they claim the lense is DOT and TUV approved - but don't mention the light is!

I hope the LED lights are bright enough to work as a brake light in the daytime......my experience is that those small LED's just can't compete with sunshine.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by chzeckmate on 02/12/16 at 13:41:35

I'm interested too. My experience is the same a Dave's.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by smokin_blue on 02/12/16 at 18:51:25

Yes the lights on the bottom are for the plate.

I will let everyone know how it performs.

They also have a deeper one that is a standard bulb using that same lens for about $30. it is about 2" thick. The LED one I bought is 15/16" thick. (not the 5/16" listed on some sites). It does have 30 LED's so I am hoping it is bright but I am not holding my breath. If I need to I will add a Super bright LED strip under the license plate.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by smokin_blue on 02/12/16 at 18:56:58

I was also looking at this one. they claim to use ultra bright LEDs

https://www.denniskirk.com/koso-north-america/infinity-led-taillight-lens-w-red-lens-hb025020.p218744.prd/218744.sku

Here is the one I bought that that didn't fit. I was pretty impressed with how bright it was.

https://www.denniskirk.com/v-factor/cat-eye-led-type-tail-lamp-11241.ph21743.prd/H21743.sku

The problem was if it was 6.25" it would have just fit inside the rear fender but at 6.5" it didn't fit like I wanted it too.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Blade on 02/13/16 at 07:08:42

I purchased this tail light as it has an E mark, which can be important here. When I first installed it, it was so deep front to back, that it was at risk of being caught by the tyre on a pothole, and that would drag the light back under the fender.

So ... I decide to do a little modification. I trimmed the light down to less than half using a dremmel on all parts. It's not a solution I would recommend to take on, but once I started it I had to see it through to the end. If you can find a thin taillight to start with, go with that.

The mounting method is by an aluminium bracket slid between the fender and mounting plate, then secured with a wide headed (red) bolt through the fender. I will have a bib and rack on top to cover any remaining bolt holes.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Blade on 02/13/16 at 07:12:46

finished vs original

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Blade on 02/13/16 at 07:20:54

dissection:

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Blade on 02/13/16 at 07:22:07

bib and rack:

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Bubba on 02/16/16 at 08:10:49

Thx all for the responses...
I thought this might be something easier than having to cut stuff away...

The one I was looking at was this one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cat-Eye-Plate-Brake-Taillight-For-Suzuki-Intruder-Volusia-Marauder-Savage-/161160277656?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ASuzuki%7CModel%3ASavage+650&hash=item2585e6ae98&vxp=mtr

Not sure what it would look like or how it would attach???

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by smokin_blue on 02/16/16 at 08:35:29

That shape if very close to what I am going with. The bulb version of my light is very similar to what you are looking at. As soon as mine comes in I will check the brightness and then also try to show what it would look like mounted and how I go about doing it.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Bubba on 02/16/16 at 09:07:19

Thanks Blue,
That would be great!

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by KennyG on 02/16/16 at 12:55:34

I am not sure if this is suitable, I have a spare tail light housing for my Buell Blast and it has a regular old time bulb. The light is very bright.

Pic enclosed

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by KennyG on 02/16/16 at 12:56:27

Another pic of Blast tail light.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by KennyG on 02/16/16 at 13:02:24

The very widest point on the chrome is about 6 7/16".

Front to back it measures 2 3/4" at the ends and 3 1/4" at the center.

If you have a Harley dealer near you that has the Riders Edge Course they will have them in stock. I paid $12.00 for a brand new one in the box. It is not likely they will ever sell the ones they have in stock because the guys that customize Blasts change do a different tail light.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by smokin_blue on 02/21/16 at 16:39:09

So I got the cateye and I am quite impressed with it. I do think it might be DOT approved as I compared the markings on it to that of the stock tail light and they are quite similar. Both the DOT markings and the E marks.

To whomever asked earlier yes there are 5 or 6 white LEDs out the bottom that are for lighting the plate. There is a gasket behind the lens to help seal out water. It is also very nice and thin.

I set them up and took a couple of pictures side by side. Now I know everyone wants them out in sunlight at 100 paces but I wasn't in the mood to try to get it set up outside. Although we were in a thaw I wasn't up to a winter experiment. Sorry ::)

One thing I will say is the stock tail light is very directional. Meaning it fades fairly quickly if you are not directly in line with it. I took these pictures head on with it so that it was at it's brightest point. Here is what we have.

This is the running light.

http://www.street-unique.com/PurplePassion/Photos/TAILLIGHTCOMPARISON.JPG

and here is the brake light.

http://www.street-unique.com/PurplePassion/Photos/BRAKELIGHTCOMPARISON.JPG

It is going on my wife's bike so I am sure I will have plenty of miles following it to beside if I need to add any extra to it.

Title: Re: Cateye tail light mod
Post by Bubba on 03/01/16 at 11:32:04

Hey Blue,
Did you get the tail light installed? Sorry haven't been on in a while.
If you have any pics of how it's attached I'd be very happy!
Thx!