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xs650 > > Frank-in-Bike, Non XS parts that are Interchangeable > > Electrical and Lighting > > '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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'81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options
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xjwmx Full Member
Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 323 Location: KY '81 Special
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Posted: May 12, 2009, 8:53 pm Post subject: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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I'm going to mount a sissy bar or carrier on my '81 special. That leads to the question of what to do with the tail light, since it normally mounts on the grab bar that will be removed. While waiting for swing arm parts, I did some mocking up with ebay goods.
What should I do with the tail light? If fender end mounting, would you close up the opening in the rear of the seat? Maybe mount the light to the seat itself? Would you install the taillight -under- the carrier, or is it too obscured? I like the big double taillight for safety reasons.
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xjwmx Full Member
Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 323 Location: KY '81 Special
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Posted: May 12, 2009, 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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another...
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xjwmx Full Member
Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 323 Location: KY '81 Special
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Posted: May 12, 2009, 8:57 pm Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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close up of tail light issue
Neither of these is for this year of bike, but is the best I can find, and is easy to adapt, except for the issue of the tail light and the opening in the back of the seat.
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nj1639 Full Member
Joined: Aug 22, 2007 Posts: 839 Location: Switzerland County, Indiana
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Posted: May 12, 2009, 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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Well, I took the flying brick off and got a '78 taillight assembly. Took the license plate holder and fabbed the '78 stoplight to it. Fits the mounting holes on the special fender and puts the whole thing down lower for the earlier look. You can leave that plastic stock tailight mount on to cover the space that would or will show under the back of the seat. Oops, I guess you can't leave that plastic cover on. Could trim your seat or build some type of cover.
_________________ "Go ahead, turn the damn power and water off, I'm ready!
'83 xs650sk
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blue900 Full Member
Joined: May 17, 2005 Posts: 100 Location: Blackfoot Idaho
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Posted: May 12, 2009, 11:44 pm Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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I made my sissy bar. I just copied the grab bar mount for the light. I have pictures- I think i could figure it out how to post them.
_________________ If you want something you've never had - You need to do something you've never done. |
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HndaTch627 Full Member
Joined: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Carol Stream, IL
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Posted: May 14, 2009, 4:24 am Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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I was going to try it but went a different way, they have 4" square blazer LED tail lamps with a shine down light for a license plate. The bolts looked they would have been spaced perfectly to remove the stock license plate light and bolt right in.
before the sissy bar
after the sissy bar
_________________ 1980 XS650, 18/30 Gears
2001 Subaru Impreza RS 300WHP |
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xjwmx Full Member
Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 323 Location: KY '81 Special
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Posted: June 1, 2009, 10:41 pm Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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Will a '78 tail light / license holder assembly mount in the same three holes as the '81 license holder?
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borjawil Full Member
Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 535 Location: east lansing, MI
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Posted: June 1, 2009, 11:27 pm Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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just wondering where you found that tail light.
_________________ Fixing up a 1981 xs650 |
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blue900 Full Member
Joined: May 17, 2005 Posts: 100 Location: Blackfoot Idaho
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Posted: June 2, 2009, 12:32 am Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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I just removed the stock tail light from my 81 special and replaced it with the same light as HndaTch627 above. I got mine from Checker Auto Parts for $25. Its a Blazer - 10 led. I made a quick bracket from aluminum with a hole in it for the light. I will see about getting some pictures it turned out good and I can tell its saving lots of amps.
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nj1639 Full Member
Joined: Aug 22, 2007 Posts: 839 Location: Switzerland County, Indiana
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Posted: June 2, 2009, 5:59 am Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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xjwmx wrote: |
Will a '78 tail light / license holder assembly mount in the same three holes as the '81 license holder? |
I took the plate holder on my '83 Special and adapted the '78 light to fit, had to open the mounting holes a bit, not the fender holes but the plate holder to lamp. Otherwise you'll need the '78 fender- 3 mounting holes on one and 4 on the other.
_________________ "Go ahead, turn the damn power and water off, I'm ready!
'83 xs650sk
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HndaTch627 Full Member
Joined: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Carol Stream, IL
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Posted: June 3, 2009, 5:01 am Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options |
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blue900 wrote: |
I just removed the stock tail light from my 81 special and replaced it with the same light as HndaTch627 above. I got mine from Checker Auto Parts for $25. Its a Blazer - 10 led. I made a quick bracket from aluminum with a hole in it for the light. I will see about getting some pictures it turned out good and I can tell its saving lots of amps. | same, but i picked mine up from autozone. I didn't make a bracket for mine, used some industrial strength velcro to mount it and the connector itself provides a pretty tight fit and helped to mount it even more securely.
I was afraid the light wouldn't be able to be seen in broad daylight but it's more then bright enough.
If you look thru my post history getting rid of the 2 bulb stock tail light saved roughly 4 amps with the bike sitting still. That's a huge improvement for a bike that normally only makes 12 amps charging.
_________________ 1980 XS650, 18/30 Gears
2001 Subaru Impreza RS 300WHP |
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