Lost license plate light/ reflector = new mod

[goeasy]

Nice look!

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

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.