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xs650 > > Frank-in-Bike, Non XS parts that are Interchangeable > > Electrical and Lighting > > '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options


'81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options
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xjwmx
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Joined: Oct 15, 2008
Posts: 323
Location: KY '81 Special

PostPosted: May 12, 2009, 8:53 pm    Post subject: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

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
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Location: KY '81 Special

PostPosted: May 12, 2009, 8:56 pm    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

another...


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xjwmx
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Location: KY '81 Special

PostPosted: May 12, 2009, 8:57 pm    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

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
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Joined: Aug 22, 2007
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Location: Switzerland County, Indiana

PostPosted: May 12, 2009, 10:03 pm    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

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.
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blue900
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Joined: May 17, 2005
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Location: Blackfoot Idaho

PostPosted: May 12, 2009, 11:44 pm    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

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.
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HndaTch627
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Joined: Feb 25, 2009
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Location: Carol Stream, IL

PostPosted: May 14, 2009, 4:24 am    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

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


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xjwmx
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Joined: Oct 15, 2008
Posts: 323
Location: KY '81 Special

PostPosted: June 1, 2009, 10:41 pm    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

Will a '78 tail light / license holder assembly mount in the same three holes as the '81 license holder?
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borjawil
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Joined: Feb 17, 2009
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Location: east lansing, MI

PostPosted: June 1, 2009, 11:27 pm    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

just wondering where you found that tail light.
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blue900
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Location: Blackfoot Idaho

PostPosted: June 2, 2009, 12:32 am    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

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
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Joined: Aug 22, 2007
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Location: Switzerland County, Indiana

PostPosted: June 2, 2009, 5:59 am    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

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.

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HndaTch627
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Joined: Feb 25, 2009
Posts: 57
Location: Carol Stream, IL

PostPosted: June 3, 2009, 5:01 am    Post subject: Re: '81 Special + sissy bar = tail light options

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.

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