Tail light idea

[Monkeyman]

Here's an idea I have for the back of the Nomad.

I like the tombstone tail lights mounted to the back of the saddlebags (see http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25772). What I don't like is the difference in style between the bag lights and the OEM brake light. So, here's my thoughts. Please tell me what parts of this might (or might NOT) work. I'll have a set of PH Customs chaps on the bags (mostly to cover up some "mistakes" I've already made).

Buy:

(2) Mini Tombstone tail light assemblies (LED) http://www.jpcycles.com/product/3400666

(1) Wide LED Tombstone tail light assembly http://www.jpcycles.com/product/3400521

(1) License Plate Light Kit http://www.jpcycles.com/product/3400585

(1) Run/Turn/Brake Controller http://www.jpcycles.com/product/ZZ38201

Other than misc zip ties, connectors, etc, what parts am I missing?

Here's the tentative plan.

Mount the Wide LED tail light as a brake light in place of the OEM tail light.
Mount the Mini lights on the bags (holes drilled, base sanded, etc).
Remove the Mini lights then install the bag chaps and mark the hole locations.
Punch holes in the chaps.
---Here's where I'd have 2 options.
-----Either I could mount the lights on top of the chaps or I could cut holes in the chaps and mount the light THROUGH the chaps. (I would have the edges around the holes sewn/finished professionally.)
---Which sounds better? Any problems with either idea?
Remove the OEM turn signals and mount the license plate there. I'm thinking a couple small spacers with a piece of aluminum front and back for support. I'd mount the license plate (with my chrome surround) to the bracket I made. Perhaps some piece of rubber at the bottom to reduce vibration. The tiny license plate lights would illuminate the plate making me legal.

OK. Most of you know I start out with some crazy ideas and this may be one of them. I know it won't be cheap (I can see somewhere around $300 in this.) but it would be custom. I need any suggestions about different parts to use, things to change, installation secrets, etc. If you think there's no way this would work, I'd take that, too. I'm hoping the Wide LED Tombstone tail light will completely cover the area left by the OEM tail light. I'm sure I'll have to drill some new holes, add spacers, etc but that's not really a problem.

I'm just trying to think ahead while trying to find someone to make my fairing mount.

[ragnagwar]

The tail lights will come with rubber mounting pads behind them. I would think your install would look much cleaner mounted On Top of the chaps. Everything will stay in place and look more like a custom job. Anything with a cutout looks more like a universal fit to me. JMHO.
P.S. I wish I had your ambition! Good Luck!

[fish]

I'm sure when Tim wakes up he'll comment on this for you

[cactusjack]

I say forget the bag chaps. You asked for opinions, and that's mine.

[Monkeyman]

CJ --- Normally, I'd agree but I have to hide some imperfections.

[remcbride]

Water leaking in if you mount them over chaps????

[Loafer]

Use the bag chaps, you have imperfections so make them somewhat permanent seal them good. Ragnagwar said go for the custom look, I agree you haven't anything to lose at this point. Sounds like a good project.

[ringadingh]

With all that wiring going to the sidebags it will become a pain to remove them when need be. Id forget the bag chaps as well, get the chrome rails, they look a lot better.

[cactusjack]

CJ --- Normally, I'd agree but I have to hide some imperfections.

Imperfections should be fixed, not covered up. Again, my opinion.

[cactusjack]

With all that wiring going to the sidebags it will become a pain to remove them when need be. Id forget the bag chaps as well, get the chrome rails, they look a lot better.

He just need to use a couple of trailer connectors so they will be quick-disconnect.

[Top Cat]

:zzz: Yawn, what time is it?

Good morning, first off I think my tombstone lights and the tail light look fine together but to each their own.http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/images/icons/ornwink.gif

I would forget the chaps. I like shiny paint better than a leather cover up any day. Get the imperfections fixed. Then get a set of top rails, money seems to be no problem with you anyway.

If you are instant on the chaps I would make them permanent by gluing them to the bags somehow and then mounting the lights on top of the chaps. This way dirt and crap will not get under the chaps.

As far as removing the bags after wiring I used trailer connectors.

[brote]

I like the look of these a little better than the tombstone's and believe they go with the center brake light of the nomad.
http://www.backwoodsspeedshop.com/1938-39-Ford-Led-Tail-Light-w-Chrome-Bezel-Flush-Mount-FTL383903.htm

[Monkeyman]

Water leaking in if you mount them over chaps????

I wondered about that, too.

With all that wiring going to the sidebags it will become a pain to remove them when need be. Id forget the bag chaps as well, get the chrome rails, they look a lot better.

Imperfections should be fixed, not covered up. Again, my opinion.

I would forget the chaps. I like shiny paint better than a leather cover up any day. Get the imperfections fixed. Then get a set of top rails, money seems to be no problem with you anyway.

If you are insistant on the chaps I would make them permanent by gluing them to the bags somehow and then mounting the lights on top of the chaps. This way dirt and crap will not get under the chaps.

As far as removing the bags after wiring I used trailer connectors.

I like shiny paint, too, but the imperfections will NOT buff out. I installed chrome rails that didn't fit well so I removed them and plugged the holes. THOSE are the imperfections I want to hide. I'm sure someone talented enough could fill them in and nobody would be the wiser, but I sure can't do it. If I didn't have these plugged holes to cover up, I probably wouldn't consider chaps. If I find a screaming deal on another set of bags, I'll probably get them so I don't have the holes. In the mean time, there's not much I can do to make them look good without covering them up. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know. And money IS a problem with me. I work ALOT of hours and I choose to spend my money on my bike. Some day (tomorrow, next month, next year?) my priorities may change.

[Top Cat]

I like the look of these a little better than the tombstone's and believe they go with the center brake light of the nomad.
http://www.backwoodsspeedshop.com/1938-39-Ford-Led-Tail-Light-w-Chrome-Bezel-Flush-Mount-FTL383903.htm

I considered them but thought they were ugly.
I also considered these but thought the tombstone shape matched the tail light shape better.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-Ford-Motorcycle-DELUXE-Tail-light-BOBBER-STOP-Stainless-steel-12V-Right-/330657716566?hash=item4cfcbc5956&item=330657716566&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

[Caddyman]

With all that wiring going to the sidebags it will become a pain to remove them when need be. Id forget the bag chaps as well, get the chrome rails, they look a lot better.


+1 :tup:

[Monkeyman]

I'd rather find a couple OEM tail lights to add to the bags but the few I can find seem to be pricey. I haven't looked much though so maybe there are a few out there at reasonable prices. In a perfect world, I'd have the holes in the bags fixed and do some hidden lights like Bad Dad has on their site but I'm not about to drop $1500 on it. Just because I'm spending a good deal of money on the bike right now does NOT mean I'm loaded. Quite the opposite. I'm eating peanut butter sandwiches and wearing holey socks so I can redirect my money into the bike. Believe me. Most of you have a hell of a lot more money than I ever will.

[ringadingh]

Id leave the lights off the bags for now, its something you can add anytime in the future.

[Top Cat]

I'd rather find a couple OEM tail lights to add to the bags but the few I can find seem to be pricey. I haven't looked much though so maybe there are a few out there at reasonable prices. In a perfect world, I'd have the holes in the bags fixed and do some hidden lights like Bad Dad has on their site but I'm not about to drop $1500 on it. Just because I'm spending a good deal of money on the bike right now does NOT mean I'm loaded. Quite the opposite. I'm eating peanut butter sandwiches and wearing holey socks so I can redirect my money into the bike. Believe me. Most of you have a hell of a lot more money than I ever will.

I have found that the guys who say they don't have a lot of money or cry poverty are the guys who have the money but it is in a savings account or CD or invested somewhere.
Once they put it in one of these places they consider it unspendable.:ohno:

Not saying this is you Chris, just voicing an observation.:D

[Sin City Stan]

I have found that the guys who say they don't have a lot of money or cry poverty are the guys who have the money but it is in a savings account or CD or invested somewhere.
Once they put it in one of these places they consider it unspendable.

But Tim, when you put money away it is unspendable. :yep::yep:

[Top Cat]

But Tim, when you put money away it is unspendable. :yep::yep:

Not if it is in the savings account I mentioned.:D

[Monkeyman]

I have found that the guys who say they don't have a lot of money or cry poverty are the guys who have the money but it is in a savings account or CD or invested somewhere.
Once they put it in one of these places they consider it unspendable.:ohno:

Not saying this is you Chris, just voicing an observation.:D

I'm a terrible money manager. I don't have much money in a savings account and I certainly don't have a CD. My plan for my savings account is to save it for a big project (which is what the fairing was supposed to be...NEXT YEAR). If I lost my job or had some catastrophic issue, I'd be f'ed.