Rear light advice please

[Road King Alan]

I've been thinking about changing to a side mount number plate on my
Sporty. Found this miller replica rear light on Ebay

STOP..classic Tail Light Harley Davidson...Cycle Haven on eBay (end time 20-Aug-10 11:03:02 BST)

and was wondering how the seperate bulbs for light and brake worked in terms of wiring? Would I be able to use the existing wiring?

It should be obvious I know bugger all about electrics (except that it hurts when it all goes wrong)

I will be making the side mount bracket myself so fitment there is not a worry.

Thanks

Alan

[Simon_Y]

AL

two things

1) I don't think side mount plates are legal in the UK which is why HD UK change the nighster plates from the side to the back. B4 you go too far down that route I would ask yer old uncle with the leather swimmming trunks (allegedly) up in London.

2) Regading the wiring you'll be fine there is a separtes line to the rear running lamp and another from the brake switches to the brake lamp. just make sure both have good earths you can use the same wire for this if you want. its only 12 V so it aint going to hurt!

[Road King Alan]

Thanks Simon,

I did ask my local MoT tester when he did the Sporty last month and he said it'd be fine, so long as the plate wasn't too small and was clearly visible from the rear. (though he runs a Sporty chop with REALLY loud pipes and a side plate himself!)

That said, I can always jerry-rig something up to pass the MoT if it does fall foul of an update in the advice to testers. He also said the advice he recieves from the ministry changes regularly and the folder he had containing it was the size of a hefty Yellow Pages! So much for cutting red tape eh?!

Thanks for the reassurance re. wiring too, 12 volts is 12 volts too many to pass through my 'delicate' frame! I hate electrics!

Regards,

Alan

[Paul P.]

I can't answer accurately about the legality but I do think it would be in your best interests to either have some sort of repeat light on the other side or at least ensure the light is in line with spokes and not something solid. It can be frightening to see how much the bike disappears at night on the non-plate side. (Noticed this when riding with side mount friends over the years) My one day 45 project (page 32, chapter 12, volume 6 of to-do list) is intended to have dual element bullet lights on each side and a discrete plate light (not too bright if I can get away with it!).
ps; 45 project took a great leap forward when I only just discovered the bastard whos got my frame and forks - he'll be getting a visit soon and will get whats coming to him.

[Road King Alan]

Originally Posted by Paul P.

ps; 45 project took a great leap forward when I only just discovered the bastard whos got my frame and forks - he'll be getting a visit soon and will get whats coming to him.

I guess a nice fat cheque for the storage fee eh?!

[DeuceBG]

Originally Posted by Paul P.

It can be frightening to see how much the bike disappears at night on the non-plate side. (Noticed this when riding with side mount friends over the years)

That's food for thought Paul.
I've just binned my side mount in favour of a traditionally mounted Tombstone (cos I'm very old in my ideas of what looks good etc etc) but it never even occurred to me that the other side of the bike would be in darkness and practically invisible at night.
Scary thought indeed...

[the_monster]

and it looks unbalanced eh Mr BG

[DeuceBG]

Originally Posted by the_monster

and it looks unbalanced eh Mr BG

Exactly that Mr M...exactly that...

[Paul P.]

Alan, sounds ok to me - just give me some time to stuff some cakes into your in-law Radomir.
(people, don't waste your energy trying to understand this - even Al and I don't know what we're doing)

[Road King Alan]

Originally Posted by Paul P.

My one day 45 project is intended to have dual element bullet lights on each side and a discrete plate light

I have learnt from this thread and perhaps this is the way to go. I've found some plate lights that'll do nicely but can't find any dual element bullet lights. Any ideas where these are available on a tight budget?

(Oh, and Paul. Don't feed him up too much, can't be doing with a bouncing Czech.)