Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner rear turn signal post shortening help needed

Folks,
I did a few searches and am not finding the post I am lookin for.
I thought, a while ago, that someone posted instructions for shortening the turn signal posts.
Anyone remeber this?
Anyone done this and would like to post instructions/pics?

I need to do this cause I want to keep my stock signals but I have hard bags coming so I want to position the signals so they land between the bags and fender. My worst case is that I will need to mount signals to the fender...but thats added cost Id rather not do right now. Any help would be appreciated!

It's been done several times, I did a quick search and could not find any relevant posts, but if I remember correctly Larryshep was one of the first to do it.

Don't know what your options are but what about mounting signals in the back side of the hard bags. No stems at all but make them part of the back of the bags?

I thought about that and at some point that may be the way I go. I found these really good looking oval lights at shiny-hiney.com.
For now I want to do this with minimal cost involved (I need to finish that gas tank before I start another project). Im also not sure if Im going to keep the bags on 100% of the time. I probably will but I like options you know.
Your method of using the hardware spacers is in my mind too.

Here's the post from Blue05speedmaster http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...true#Post286327
but the photos must be in the currently unavailable photo post section.

Thats a good post...wish the photo posts were working.
Seems easy...cut, tap and ride. This means I get to buy moer tools...tap n die set here I come.

Vermont American makes a really good tap and dies set with hex shaped dies. (can use a wrench or socket on them if space calls for it) and they are lifetime warranty.

I bought hollow bolts and chrome spacers from J&P Cycles.

got part #s?

I drilled a hole through a 3/8 bolt with a drill press. Tapped both sides.

Hollow bolts: part no. ZZ33106 (jpcycles.com)
http://www.jpcycles.com/productdetail.as..."Hollow%20Bolt"

"Chrome Turn Signal Spacers" (various part numbers)
http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.asp...tric&page=1

I bought the spacer assortment. You can go with 3/4" but I went 1" so I could still have room to slip a bungie cord end between the turn signal and license plate.

Friar John has the quickest solution. I cut and retapped and it was worth it but if you don't have the tools and never plan on needing them again just buy the hollow bolts and chrome spacers. Before disassembly of the posts a little heat will help the threadlocker loosen it's grip a bit where they screw into the license plate housing and use blue loctite when you reassemble. Good luck!

mike

I would still go for the stainless spacers from the hardware store, no chrome to go bad.

in that case get hollow bolts there too. the ones they hold lamps together with. and the skinny nuts.


mike

It's important to check the fresshness date on your chrome pieces when you buy them.

Here's what I did. 1st, took the turn signals off, used wood on the face of the vice and mounted the signal head to hold it. Then used both nuts that held the stems on, on one stem as a lock nut setup to get the stems out of the housing. Went to Ace Hdw. Bought 2 1 in chrome spacers. I think I found the lamp pieces at Lowes that was 2 inches long and I bought 8 nuts to fit them. used lock tite double nutted each end for mounting.

awesome! Thanks to all...you gave me some great options!

If you use the threaded hollow lamp rod look around there are some cool machined metal parts that will thread onto it, might make a really cool stem and be different than anyone else.

Folks,
I ordered the parts from JP as described above by FJ and found the light mounting bolts to be ok if I was mounting the singel wire Kury lights but with our oem wiring they didnt work so well. Namely due to inside diameter. I drilled them out and all seemed well till I tightened the nut and the stem broke.
So...I wound up using the spacers (which are really nice)and went to the hardware store and got some lamp rod. More room for wiring
Here are a couple pics...
It was easy. I did have to drill tthe threads out of my oem lights but cest la vie! Some red loctight and I am good to go.
Again...thanks for the help and suggestions!

Ooh, lamp rod is a much better idea. Probably cheaper, too.

There are some clever ideas here, I may have to do this now

I have some that have been shorted if you will send me your factory stem I will send you this if you are interested send me a PM . Thanks man!

I just shorten my stems today at work. It worked out very well.I like the look alot better, having the signal closer to the plate.Took longer than I thought it would though. First one any way...Thanks people.

I want to try this using the lamp rod and spacers. Did y'all have to tap either your headlight housing or the license mount to accept the lamp rod?

I recently searched high and low for a lamp rod the same thread as the rear turnsignals and could not find it. Found the same diameter, but wrong thread, did not want to tap the turnsignal housings and went another way.

Hollow bolts and chrome spacers (.75" or 1") from J&P Cycles. They're smaller than the stock turn signal holes so you just bold them through with a nut on the inside.