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 Rear Taillight Assebly Modification
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227 |
I was thinking about shortening the stanchions/posts that the turn signal housings attach to so I could narrow up the look of the overall license plate and turn signal assembly.
When I opened up the light housing it appears that the housing is held on to the post by way of a press fit or a stamped indentation that acts like a set screw that holds it on. I haven’t done it yet but looks like you could drill it out to remove the light housing.
I'd like to hear from anyone who has shortened these attachment posts before i jump into it.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Gary
If your ship doesn't come in - swim out to it !
Nothing but Triumph -'05 Speedmaster - Ride with the NorCal Presidents
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Re: Rear Taillight Assebly Modification
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 386
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 386 |
It's easier to remove the post from the licence plate holder. Each side is held on with a nut. Just unplug the wiring harness, loosen the nut from the stem and pull the whole works out. I ended up using the posts to mount different lights on. I cut the post off and tapped it to fit the new lights. I have also moved the front signals under my lightbar. 
1982 Pontiac Trans Am...K.I.T.T. in progress.
"It looks like Darth Vaders bathroom in here..."
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Re: Rear Taillight Assebly Modification
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 604
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 604 |
The short stem Lucas or Lucas pattern units are another way to go.
Last I knew they were all over ebay.
The repro jobs shouldn't cost a lot.
Said Molly to James, that's a fine motorbike.
Richard Thompson
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Re: Rear Taillight Assebly Modification
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Check this out Bonneville turn signal modedit: Okay I had a good laugh at this; apparently my lame brain mixed up the turn signals from my old Honda Shadow with the totally-not-like-these-at-all signals on the America and led me to post this complete nonsense...oops! 
Last edited by oldroadie; 01/18/2008 6:32 PM.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Rear Taillight Assebly Modification
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 38
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 38 |
If you remove the licese plate the stancions are held on by nuts. remove the stanchions and then cut the threaded portion off but save it. Then cut the stantions 2 inches shorter. tap the end with a 10 mm tap. then screw the threaded portion half way in the stantion. There is still enough threads to secure light assembly to the plate holder with the nut.
I have one already done for sale if interested
Last edited by 79scout2; 01/21/2008 11:01 AM.
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Re: Rear Taillight Assebly Modification
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,302
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,302 |
When loosening the nuts it might be a good idea to heat them because they used threadlocker when assembling them.
both ends.
mike
2006 neon blue speedmaster
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Re: Rear Taillight Assebly Modification
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227
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Thanks for all your comments. I really like the look of the original stock light housings and they are a good quality especially the chrome. I looked at the light end side of the post again and they appear to be threaded on to the light housing with lock-tight.
I'm going to make a new set of posts (shorter ~3/4 inch from stock length)with 316 stainless steel tubing. A outer tube and inner tube threaded on both ends.
I guess I could shorten the stock ones but then I would have to rechrome them to prevent corrosion. The stainless will match the other stainless on my bike.
I'll take a picture when done and put it on my photo post.
Thanks again,
Gary
If your ship doesn't come in - swim out to it !
Nothing but Triumph -'05 Speedmaster - Ride with the NorCal Presidents
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Re: Rear Taillight Assembly Modification
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227
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Fabricated and installed rear turn signal light posts yesterday. It took about 3-1/2 hours to do both then another hour to rewire the lights. I first had to use extreme torque force to unscrew the light housings off the stock posts (T used epoxy to freeze them on)and cut the wire plug ends off to remove the light assembly from posts I used some 1/2 inch ID 316 ss tubing curt to two inches long (stock 3-3/8inches) then threaded each end of the tubing (10mm x 1.25 thread)then get a piece of 1/8" steel pipe and threaded it (10mm x 1.25 thread), four pieces about 1-1/4 inch long.
I threaded the outside threaded tube pieces into the new posts and then into the light housings. Rewired the light assembly to the plug ends then install on the license plate bracket.
The lights now are now in line with the shock towers and 15 inches wide instead of the stock ~ 17-3/4â€.
I’d rather not have any turn signals but CA demands those kind of things on a bike.
I at least like the look of the lights better now and won’t feel like I have to squeeze so much when splitting lanes (which is legal in CA).
Still finding things to change (project number 36 completed). picture in my photo post folder
Gary
If your ship doesn't come in - swim out to it !
Nothing but Triumph -'05 Speedmaster - Ride with the NorCal Presidents
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Re: Rear Taillight Assembly Modification
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227 |
A picture of fabricated pieces should show here. 
If your ship doesn't come in - swim out to it !
Nothing but Triumph -'05 Speedmaster - Ride with the NorCal Presidents
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Re: Rear Taillight Assembly Modification
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 298
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 298 |
Quote:
Fabricated and installed rear turn signal light posts yesterday. It took about 3-1/2 hours to do both then another hour to rewire the lights. I first had to use extreme torque force to unscrew the light housings off the stock posts (T used epoxy to freeze them on)and cut the wire plug ends off to remove the light assembly from posts I used some 1/2 inch ID 316 ss tubing curt to two inches long (stock 3-3/8inches) then threaded each end of the tubing (10mm x 1.25 thread)then get a piece of 1/8" steel pipe and threaded it (10mm x 1.25 thread), four pieces about 1-1/4 inch long.
I threaded the outside threaded tube pieces into the new posts and then into the light housings. Rewired the light assembly to the plug ends then install on the license plate bracket.
The lights now are now in line with the shock towers and 15 inches wide instead of the stock ~ 17-3/4â€.
I’d rather not have any turn signals but CA demands those kind of things on a bike.
I at least like the look of the lights better now and won’t feel like I have to squeeze so much when splitting lanes (which is legal in CA).
Still finding things to change (project number 36 completed). picture in my photo post folder
Gary
I am looking into doing this and I know there are several methods described here.
Couldn't you cut the chrome stalk with a pipe cutter then cut the inner piece to length and rethread with a die?
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