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Post by Chuckwagon on May 27, 2011 10:15:48 GMT -5
I'm sure I'm not the only one to notice that the stock rear light on a '77 and others that have a round taillight just looks wierd.
The big round light is goofy in an endearing sort of way. I grew accustomed to it and decided to keep it. What I can't get used to is how it points toward the ground... it just looks mopey and sad.
I've tried thinking about how to fix the angle of dangle so the light looks is at least level with the ground or points slightly higher. The best solution I can think of is to shim up the contact point below the light... I'm referring to the rectangular contact point or rubber pad below the light. This might require a little bending of the top tab where the whole works fits into the top of the fender, and maybe longer bolts.
Anyone else try to fix this or have another idea? I'd like to do this without drilling more holes or major modifications.
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Post by xsleo on May 27, 2011 14:25:14 GMT -5
I have noticed this myself. The looks don't bother me as much as the safety factor. If the light pointed slightly up, people behind you will see it better.
I have thought of modifing the angle by building a wedge to put between the light and the bracket. Moving the light farther forward on the fender or rebuilding the mount to change the angle.
So far I haven't found a good way. The wedge I think is the best idea. Moving the light adds holes in the fender and leaves some out in the open. Modding the mount requires cutting and welding with rechroming or a paint or powder coat.
Leo
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Post by Chuckwagon on May 27, 2011 20:35:25 GMT -5
Yes, a downcast glare doesn't get anyone's attention, but it is pretty dim to begin with, so pointing it up isn't going to help a whole lot. People around here (northeast rat race) ride your a$$ regardless... I could point a spotlight in their face... it wouldn't help. Too busy worrying about their kid's soccer game and their "smart" phone.
Anyway, I think some steel stock for a 1/2" riser under the rectangular rubber damper will do it. I'll need to enlarge the existing fender holes for larger diamerter/longer bolts and the new angle. The stock bolts are special shouldered jobs, but not long enough.
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Post by xsleo on May 29, 2011 17:51:49 GMT -5
Going LED will brighten it up some. I picked up a truck/trailer tail light at PEP Boys.
It had a 4 inch round housing with a single mount bolt. A snap ring held the light in the housing. Pop out the ring and the lense and bulb unit came right out. The lense and bulb unit are two pieces. The bulb unit fit almost perfect in the round tail light lense off the XS650.
I held the lense right side up, held the bulb unit right side up as I slipped them together. I hel them this way as I drilled from the out side of the lense back through the bulb unit.
With the lense mounting screws in place they hiold the bulb unit solid in the lense.
On the tail light you need to take the reflector off to make room for the bulb unit. Don't need it any way.
Now you hook the bulb unit wires to the tail light wires that were in the reflector. Now the bulb unit fits in where the old bulb and reflector was and is held in by the lense and mounting screws.
I also went and got some white LED's from Radio Shack. If I remember right they where 2.5 volt LED's. I hgooked 5 in series, this makes it a 12.5 volt unit. I wire this to the tail light wires inside the light and mounted them so they pointed at the license plate.
Very bright, especially at night.
This also saves a few amps for charging the battery. I also put LED's in the turn signals, saving a bit more for charging.
This amp savings more than makes up for the h4 headlight.
Leo
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