Topic: rear wheel and tail light clearance

[riffman12]

Cross posting this from my build thread as I need to figure this out kind of quickly before I send my seat in for paint.

I have a custom seat with a custom tail light mount. I'm worried that the light is too close to my rear wheel and that the tire will hit under full suspension compression. Here are the pictures:






How can I measure this to make sure there is enough clearance?

[flybox1]

Fully compress the shocks, but IIWM, id ditch that light for something more fitting to that cool seat.  It just doesnt fit well w the design....

...and dont forget the cotter pin on that castle nut

[riffman12]

ugh you have no idea how much of a pain it's been trying to find a tail light to fit that seat. This is seriously my 4th one, and I'm still not really happy with it...I just don't know what else to do.

The reason I went with this light is because I wanted to keep the sort of vintage feel. The only other thing I can think is an LED strip, but as all the other lights are pretty original looking, I'm worried the LED will look really out of place.

Now the more I look at it I don't like it. If anyone has ideas for a tail light I'd love to hear them.

Here's what it looks like with no light:

[flybox1]

Why not a big LED to plug the ends of your frame rails...

Google search 'eagle eye led red.'

I used a small chrome version of these as license plate bolts for extra illumination.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2Pcs-10W-Eagle-Eye-Car-DRL-Daytime-Running-Backup-Tail-COB-Light-Bulb-Red-LED-/291644459056

[riffman12]

Hm that's an interesting option but I'm not sure you would be able to see them very well. The seat covers those frame ends pretty well. 

I'm once again looking at flexible LED strips.  I'm just not sure what surface to mount it.

[SKTP]

What about making your turn signals into signals and the tail/brake lights? I've seen a bunch of newer bikes that use the rear turn signals as all rear lights....maybe that requires an M-unit type system? Not sure, but it's look clean and function well

[riffman12]

What about making your turn signals into signals and the tail/brake lights? I've seen a bunch of newer bikes that use the rear turn signals as all rear lights....maybe that requires an M-unit type system? Not sure, but it's look clean and function well

I considered this, but I don't think that will fly in CA. The cops will already have enough to bug me about with the exhaust and the side plate bracket 

I think I'm going go go back down the LED route. Possibly weld a small strip of metal sheet to the edge of my seat then either stick or bolt the flexible strip to it.


From research, these seem to be the LED strips people like the most: http://www.radiantz.com/Ampd-Flex-strips-p/288.htm

Any other suggestions for an LEd strip? Biggest thing for me is I want it bright and visible - especially the difference between the running and brake light

[Chachi]

I've seen this used as slim mount under hoops and no rear fender, not sure if it would work for you or not...
https://cognitomoto.com/collections/lighting/products/license-turn-signal-brake-light-bracket

And if not the bracket, maybe just the light:
https://cognitomoto.com/products/tailight-universal-led-clear

You could use this to convert turn signals to running light / brake light / turn signal combo with red lenses:
http://www.signaldynamics.com/tri-star-xp-turn-signal-to-brake-light-and-running-light-conversion-module/

Antique plates in VA get little to no hassle and no inspection so I know it would be fine here, no idea about CA. That's how all the new H-D bikes are set up -- just two red rear lights, turn signals that function as brake and running.

[flybox1]

Good seller, lots of flexible LED strip options.
https://www.oznium.com/flexible-led-strips

You could do a double stack.  Two rows of lights.  Shape to fit your cowl contour
One constant on, and the other on with your brake switch.

[Gene]

What about making your turn signals into signals and the tail/brake lights? I've seen a bunch of newer bikes that use the rear turn signals as all rear lights....maybe that requires an M-unit type system? Not sure, but it's look clean and function well

I considered this, but I don't think that will fly in CA. The cops will already have enough to bug me about with the exhaust and the side plate bracket 

I've seen a lot of bikes - at least along the coast here in CA - that have the signal/brake/taillight combo.  You'd need to make those a bit bigger - and red - but I don't think the cops will bug you.

[Wingnut74]

I agree with Flybox - the rest of that build is way too nice for that light -tail combo. Here is an idea that worked out nicely for me on last year's build - cb360. might work for you. DCC light. ps. If you want ultra bright added tail light X-Arc bullet LEDs are unreal bright - doubles as turn signals. barely notice them until they light up, running is bright red, turn is yellow, and brake is a red flash bomb. yon can see them here on fender sides. ain't so cheap though

[riffman12]

thanks for the ideas guys. For the time being I'm going with a flexible 8" LED strip from Radiantz. I'll be sure to report back here on how it performs.

[Old Moe Toe]

Maybe one like this one? Mounted in the middle of your rear cowl.

[DaveBarbier]

I used a strip from https://www.customdynamics.com/truflex_flexible_led_lighting.htm

I have the one with three sections. Red for brake and running light in the middle with amber on the left and right for signals. It's really bright; I'm very happy with it.

Here's a picture with it off, I don't have one with it on, but I could take a few if you're interested.


Also, Revival Cycles has a video on YouTube with some good tips to installing these with heat guns. It's a fairly recent video on their channel.

[Gene]

Maybe one like this one? Mounted in the middle of your rear cowl.

Zappa Fan