Lost license plate light/ reflector = new mod

[AntelopeSpyder]

On our trip to the coast Labor Day weekend I lost my license plate light/ reflector. I was kind of surprised because just the liens was gone not the whole light. The screw was still in the light. Any way I had been thinking about replacing the reflector with a tail light anyway. I just wasn’t going to do it this soon. So here are some pictures of how it turned out.
Old Light

New Light.

Tail light.

Stop Light

Where I got it.
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=WLAERFF0AUJQDQFIDYECM4WAVAP AUIV0?store=&skuId=212942&mmy=

This is the first time I dealt with DinnisKirk.com but I was impressed. They sent a return shipping label and UPS postage in the package in case I needed to return it. There is a restocking fee if you send it back, but they pay the postage.

[Spyderjockey]

On our trip to the coast Labor Day weekend I lost my license plate light/ reflector. I was kind of surprised because just the liens was gone not the whole light. The screw was still in the light. Any way I had been thinking about replacing the reflector with a tail light anyway. I just wasn’t going to do it this soon. So here are some pictures of how it turned out.
Old Light

New Light.

Tail light.

Stop Light

Where I got it.
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=WLAERFF0AUJQDQFIDYECM4WAVAP AUIV0?store=&skuId=212942&mmy=

This is the first time I dealt with DinnisKirk.com but I was impressed. They sent a return shipping label and UPS postage in the package in case I needed to return it. There is a restocking fee if you send it back, but they pay the postage.

I had the very same exact thing happen to me. I already bought the new reflector with license plate light, which is the only way you can get the reflector. I wish I had seen your post before I bought the replacement. I really like the way it looks on your Spyder. I had looked at some led lights but coulen't find any thing like what you have. Nice look!

[pjp623]

Mine kept shorting out so I replaced only the light fixture with an led, but I like your solution better.

[MarkLawson]

I like!

[fastfraser]

Nice mod.

[SpyderWolf]

That is another nice looking option.

[RoadHammer]

Very cool, I like it better than how it looks stock.

[Baytown]

I purchased one of these last week after reading this thread. I'm in Australia, and we have to have a ridiculous reverse light fitted due to the reverse capability of the bike. Effectively, its a cheep trailer light, and needs a bracket twice the size of the US spec machines.Denis Kirk had the new light delivered to me in 5 days which was fantastic service.

My question is do you need to reinforce the rear of the mounting holes for the new lamp assembly? I'm just concerned as the mounting threads aren't that heavy.

Thanks for any advice from the people who have mounted this assembly.

Best wishes from Oz.

Ken

[docdoru]

I purchased one of these last week after reading this thread. I'm in Australia, and we have to have a ridiculous reverse light fitted due to the reverse capability of the bike. Effectively, its a cheep trailer light, and needs a bracket twice the size of the US spec machines.Denis Kirk had the new light delivered to me in 5 days which was fantastic service.

My question is do you need to reinforce the rear of the mounting holes for the new lamp assembly? I'm just concerned as the mounting threads aren't that heavy.

Thanks for any advice from the people who have mounted this assembly.

Best wishes from Oz.

Ken

welcome
The problem with vibrations: back fender brackets http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...8&postcount=13

[mooneych]

I had the reflector fall off and the screw was gone. What was irritating was having to spend $40 for the whole assembly (including wiring). I replaced the reflector and dipped the screw in silicone before installing. If it comes off again, I'm going to pursue the above mentioned method. Good job!!

[LDFIREWORKS]

[Some Guy]

I had the reflector fall off and the screw was gone. What was irritating was having to spend $40 for the whole assembly (including wiring). I replaced the reflector and dipped the screw in silicone before installing. If it comes off again, I'm going to pursue the above mentioned method. Good job!!

I did the same thing, plus I used a longer screw and a washer so the screw head is over the top of the whole (instead of inside) so it has more surface area holding it on.

[SpyderWolf]

My question is do you need to reinforce the rear of the mounting holes for the new lamp assembly?

welcome

No, you don't need to worry about reinforcing the holes as there is a sheet of metal behind there that will hold nicely. I put a Cat Eye tail light on mine, and actually had to drill new holes in order to mount it.

[mooneych]

I did the same thing, plus I used a longer screw and a washer so the screw head is over the top of the whole (instead of inside) so it has more surface area holding it on.

Hmmm, good idea. I didn't think of that. Thanks!!

[Baytown]

Thanks for the info fellas.
I fitted mine today, and it looks a lot better than the OEM attempt.
2 issues: I thought in the photo on this thread that it came with a white LED for the Licence Plate. Nope, only red, so I now need to fit some white LED bolts to the number plate so I don't get pulled over by the boys in blue.

Also, I drilled in line with the existing bolt holes from the OEM set up, which unfortunatly is about 2 - 3 mm a bit low, and have a little more of the wiring cut out on show than the example from Antelope Spyder in this thread, how ever most would'nt know.

Thanks again for the tip, and best wishes from Oz.

Ken
P.S Denis Kirk parts service was first class!

[GaryTheBadger]

On the Dennis Kirk site, search for LED Taillight and you get 217 results

[Raptor]

Thanks for the info fellas.
I fitted mine today, and it looks a lot better than the OEM attempt.
2 issues: I thought in the photo on this thread that it came with a white LED for the Licence Plate. Nope, only red, so I now need to fit some white LED bolts to the number plate so I don't get pulled over by the boys in blue.

Also, I drilled in line with the existing bolt holes from the OEM set up, which unfortunatly is about 2 - 3 mm a bit low, and have a little more of the wiring cut out on show than the example from Antelope Spyder in this thread, how ever most would'nt know.

Thanks again for the tip, and best wishes from Oz.

Ken
P.S Denis Kirk parts service was first class!

Yeah man, that looks nice. I just lost my license plate lens on Friday. Stupid piece of junk just fell off. I'm gonna do this. Nice job Ken!

[wyliec]

Yeah man, that looks nice. I just lost my license plate lens on Friday. Stupid piece of junk just fell off. I'm gonna do this. Nice job Ken!

You want my lens? I have a different set up now.

[Blinc]

Wyliec, can I have it if still available?

Mine fell off yesterday, POS.
My buddy was riding behind me, we were chatting through our G4's and he says "oh man, did you see that reflectore that almost hit me!", so we both laughed about it thinking it was from the car in front of me or just flew up from the ground. Got home...dang, it was mine!

If anyone is doing the mod and has an extra, can I have it??

[patIreland]

looks great,i lost mine last week will go for that thanks

[goeasy]

AntelopeSpyder, does the light have white LEDs along the bottom for the license plate? How did you illuminate the license plate so the friendly people with guns and badges don't have you sign something?

[tfjunkie]

yep....lost mine for the 3rd time,,,,,$40.plus for a whole assembly when all is needed is the plastic..... ( 2 to 5 usd ).....going to aftermarket.

I did talk to the company...................sorry thats just the way it is .

[wildbill6565]

Thanks about the new light. Just ordered two. My AND the wifes!

[NancysToy]

yep....lost mine for the 3rd time,,,,,$40.plus for a whole assembly when all is needed is the plastic..... ( 2 to 5 usd ).....going to aftermarket.

I did talk to the company...................sorry thats just the way it is .

There is a cure for this (other than replacing it with something else. There are two causes for the loss, either the screw comes loose or the screw boss in the cover breaks. Both situations can be improved by the owner.

The problem with the screw coming loose is caused by the fact that it screws into just a thin metal tab, it does not bottom out, so the threads never seat, and there is a gap between the tab and the cover, so the screw can't be tightened firmly. There are also very few threads to hold it. Loctite will not work because it will crack and damage the plastic lens...leading to loss anyway. Before replacing the cover, put a blob of RTV silicone over the screw hole on the tab. Replace the cover and the screw, and let the assembly cure overnight. No more loose screws!

To address the broken cover issue, it needs reinforcement. Because of the gap between the cover and the screw tab, if the screw is tightened excessively, the bottom of the screw well cracks, and eventually breaks out, losing the cover (which was trashed anyway) and leaving the screw in place (or so loose it falls out later). The use of Loctite will accelerate the cover failure. I used a two-pronged approach to reinforcing the cover. First, I cut a piece of styrene plastic (or acrylic) from the hobby shop, large enough to cover the bottom of the well on the inside of the lens. The bottom of Nancy's well was cracked out, so I cut another piece to fit inside and replace the one broken out, but if your well is intact or just cracked, you won't have to do that. Glue the reinforcing piece(s) to the cover using "model airplane cement". I prefer the liquid MEK variety, but any solvent-type plastic cement works well The liquid variety will also cement together any crack in the lens. Let this dry overnight, then drill a screw hole through it to match the original hole. When you replace the cover, use a tiny washer on the screw to spread the screw load. You may have to grind a small washer down to fit if you can't find the right diameter. Use a stainless steel or aluminum washer if you can find one. The washer also lets the screw turn without binding on the lens, potentially cracking it.

If you want to go a step further, a few small, discrete spots of silicone placed over the seam between the cover and the bezel will provide a secondary defense against either problem. They can be cut with a razor knife or razor blade if you ever need to remove the cover to replace the bulb. By taking these preventative measure, you can assure that you won't be losing your license light cover again. Like everyone, I wish that BRP's design was better (or better yet, an additional brake light /taillight). It is pretty easy for the owner to improve on it, however, and well worth the effort.