Anybody?

[SSPSpyder]

Has anyone thought of or done any modifications to the dumb license plate reflector/light on the rear fender?

I am wondering if the relector could be removed, drill some holes or cut out some of the plastic behind the reflector, stick it back on, and let the light shine through, making it a tail/license plate light?

:dontknow:

 

[NancysToy]

I have lamented this afterthought since the start. Looking at the construction of the thing, it would have been easier to make a red lens, and build this as a taillight/brakelight combination. It certainly would have added needed visibility. Lacking that, I added Hyper-Lites on each side of the reflector. The added brake/taillight is a nice addition. The internal socket is small and odd, so you would have to build something to convert it for a brakelight. Removing the red reflector, cutting out some of the housing, then gluing the reflector back on could do some good, as you would have a taillight, but a replacement lens would be better, since then the light would also be visible to the sides and top. BTW, needs a shiny reflector inside to do any real good. Just drilling it out would add minimal visibility. Maybe NMN can come up with a nifty LED to replace the red reflector.
-Scotty

 

[Magic Man]

Maybe NMN can come up with a nifty LED to replace the red reflector.
-Scotty

Thanks Scotty!

Like I don't have enough on my plate already! LOL! :shocked:

We have been thinking about possiably doing something like this as Lamonster asked the same questions just last week.

The problem is the whole light will have to be redesigned housing and all and incorporate a license plate light too.

Scotty, as you know from having it off, the reflector is also used as the screw point for the outer cover. Removing it also means loosing your screw point to hold the cover on so yet another hurtle to overcome here. :banghead:

We are not sure if enough people want this mod to invest in the R&D, tooling and large mold cost to make such a light?

If there is, let's here from you! :dontknow:

If there is enough of you, then it makes more sence to invest in such a project? It always helps if we know people want such an item in enough numbers to justify the investment to help us decide to pull the trigger on things like this. :thumbup:

MM

 

[BeRight]

Thanks Scotty!
If there is, let's here from you! :dontknow:
MM

I'll cast the first YES PLEASE vote

 

[SSPSpyder]

MM - how about a rectangular red lens, same size and shape as the reflector, with LEDs imbeded in it, and 3M tape to affix it to the reflector?

With all of the tail/brake light options you guys have come up with:2thumbs: maybe simpler is better this time - this one needs to just be a tail light with a 2 wire tap into the existing wiring inside the dumb stock one - no reinventing the wheel, so to speak.

Just a thought. Worth 1.5 cents.

 

[NancysToy]

MM - how about a rectangular red lens, same size and shape as the reflector, with LEDs imbeded in it, and 3M tape to affix it to the reflector?

With all of the tail/brake light options you guys have come up with:2thumbs: maybe simpler is better this time - this one needs to just be a tail light with a 2 wire tap into the existing wiring inside the dumb stock one - no reinventing the wheel, so to speak.

Just a thought. Worth 1.5 cents.

I will certainly agree with Magic Man that the existing light assembly is overly complex, and would be expensive and difficult to replace in its entirety. Still, I would buy one if it were available. I do like your idea of a stick on replacement for just the relector. I was thinking much the same thing myself. I like my Hyper-Lites, but they look too "add-on". A single large LED assembly here would be preferable. I would add a brake light function. Running the new wire for the brake light to the fender was not difficult, nor was drilling the housing for the wiring to pass through. Just thinking out loud here, certainly not trying to second guess the wizards at NMN.

...for real style, the LEDs could be placed in the form of the Spyder "Y", With a plain looking lens cover that had a "Y" light up underneath. Of course then we would have trademark infringements. Nifty custom touch, though.
-Scotty

 

[SSPSpyder]

Scotty -
why would it be infringement?
It's the 25th letter of our alphabet.
Don't tell me the Canadians trademarked/copywrighted our language when I wasn't looking! :yikes:

 

[NancysToy]

Scotty -
why would it be infringement?
It's the 25th letter of our alphabet.
Don't tell me the Canadians trademarked/copywrighted our language when I wasn't looking! :yikes:

You could be right, but their special shape may make it eligible. They may have only trademarked "Y-Factor". Who knows? It would sure look cool to have your "Y-Factor" light up, though.
-Scotty

 

[steven888]

license plate mod

I have puled off the light and put on the replacment license plate bracket that mounts under the seat. Also added an LED license plate frame. As far as the remains of the fender I cut and reshaped the bottom of the fender. I still need to paint the fender and some other parts over the winter. I can tell you that the fender being shorter shows alot more of the tire. All around it looks alot better and cleaner.

 

[SSPSpyder]

:nopic:

 

[fred]

licence plate light reflector mod

MM - wanting to look at this has been on my list as well; i was hoping to just drill out a hole, play with a reflector/lens and let the light shine thru; guess this is not doable after reading an earlier thread

i'd be interested in LED's to replace the refector

 

[SSPSpyder]

I was thinking something similar to the round LEDs NMN has for the turn signals in the Triple-Play kits but rectangular to cover/replace the stock reflector, leaving the license plate bulb the way it is.

 

[Dragonrider]

Well, mine fell off when the gofer went to put gas in it for delivery.. the second one seems to be stuck on tho.. Love to have it flash with the brakes...

 

[NancysToy]

I have modified her spyder SE5 rear l/p reflector with LED pucks. I did the same thing with the reflector on my GL1800 a while ago. I could use the $10 per unit puck, 2 required, on the wing because their intensity equaled the running lights. I point this out because...

I had to use the $20 per unit 1.25", 2 required, on the spyder because I had changed all the rear to the high powered LEDs from NMN. I think it looks better with all the lights on the rear being of equal brightness. I also used the 3 wire which has low, high and ground. Low for running light and high for brake light. I am using a temp set of 1 inch super white... you do not want to use super white through the red lens. It looks orange/pink. I have a set of red enroute which should be here tomorrow.

I used a dremel to cut to round holes in the black plastic in the box. Exercise caution to do this part of the task. You do not want to damage the red lens. It is a good idea to leave a strip of black plastic from the top of the fixture to the bottom where the screw hole is, I left about a 5/8" width, this will re-inforce the red lens to prevent it from cracking.

I wanted to take it out but I could not get the glue/sealant to release. I soaked it in alcohol but that did not help. It also appears to have a snap in lip molded on the black plastic.

Since I was running a dual circuit puck I ran three 16 ga wires, red, black, green, in spiral wrap using the same general path as the l/p bulb wires. You could use 18 ga with the LEDs because of low current draw. I had 16 ga available at the time. If you are changing the l/p bulb to a LED at the same time and only want a running light you can use the same wires as the plate light and a less expensive LED puck. I never want to over load a circuit and I want both brake and running so I ran new wires for this purpose.

For running light and l/p light only use just one of the super bright red pucks in lieu of the light plate bulb.... cut the round holes in the black plastic. This will light the plate and put light out of the two holes. I tried this but it looked unbalanced so I went the 3 light system.

I change most of my small battery systems to LEDs to lighten the loads on the battery and charging systems. It also adds a much brighter, chrisper brake light and turn signals.

If anyone needs any other information that I might have let me know. This site has helped me many times :2thumbs: and I want to reciprocate.

Wow! I thought about this type of mod, but never looked at it too closely. You have convinced me that the HyperLites added to each side of Nancy's reflector were a much easier way to go. When you get it finished, we'd like to see some pics.
-Scotty

 

[Spyderjuice]

We are not sure if enough people want this mod to invest in the R&D, tooling and large mold cost to make such a light?

If there is, let's here from you! :dontknow:

MM[/quote]

I'm in for this change also.

In fact I sent an email asking if one was in the works but no reply so I assumed no interest. I suggest something much less thick with a "faux frenched-in" look. The thinner the better.

Juice

 

[Mo Lee]

Here's what I did to mine, if they ever complain about how well it lights the plate I have plan for some bolt lights. I like the way it fits the curve of the fender and the two LEDs look like Spyder eyes.

 

[NancysToy]

It looks like your hyper lights would fit nicely "inside" the reflector housing.:thumbup:

The license plate light housing is a stinker! It has an oddly designed bulb holder that divides and takes up much of the space inside. There was barely room for the "black box" that runs the HyperLites. Right now, about all that will cram in that space is in there, between the wiring, bulb, and tiny black box electronics.
-Scotty

 

[wyliec]

Magic,

I'm in and I have no suggestions; I'll let you do all that.


Mo Lee,

Nice job.

 

[Smylinacha]

I'm just gonna chop mine right off where the plate is and stick a side plate on it.

 

[4leafpat]

License Plate light

Put me on the "will buy" list too. I have been thinking about what to do with that "tombstone" on the fender!
Pat