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Roderick
Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 - 08:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A few weeks ago, I got rear ended at a stoplight, waiting to make a right turn. It was a minor hit. Did not fall or anything like that. However, the tail light bracket was damaged.



The husband of the lady who hit me wanted to help, so he got a friend to fab up a new bracket.

He took the damaged bracket apart, laid it flat, and made a template. Then he used thicker alum to make a new bracket. It was lighter and felt noticeably stronger than the old bracket using steel.

I had to drill the three bolt holes about half mm to fit, but other than that, nothing else.








The maker estimated that if there is at least 10 commits, he can make it about 60-60 per unit.

Given the practically non-existent availability of this part and how many breaks, I think it is a fair investment for an alternative.

Also, maybe there could be a slight modification to the new bracket.

- The gap between the two holes is for the tail light wires. Reduce this gap by 1/4 in on each side.

- Instead of the two holes, have slits to accommodate aftermarket tail lights, given what I seen so far. You can enlarge to make holes if you need.

Roderick
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S1owner
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 09:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thats a lot of money for what this is. If its programed already it will be plams cut or water jetted in seconds.
Its a $30 part raw or a 40 dollar part coated.
Material and shop supplies is under $10.
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Upthemaiden
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 12:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Not sure if it's just my (work) computer or what, but I can't see any of the pictures. Very interested to check it out though. My original bracket cracked in two places on it's own, without the help of a car bumper. I made a new one out of a sheet of steel a few months ago. Holding up well, but doesn't have any built in side supports like the original and I definitely see why they're useful. The bracket is very stiff but the plate and taillight still shake all over the place when the bike is running. I'll probably have to pull it off and try to weld some little tabs on the sides to brace it.

That aside... I like that the guy is trying to turn his wife's rear ending of a motorcycle into a business opportunity... some people...
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Upthemaiden
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 12:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nevermind, got the pictures to work on my phone. Odd considering I've never had pictures not show up before.

Anyway. It looks good. I feel like I would take the opportunity to beef it up a bit(Edit: not saying yours, I mean if he does start making more for people, I'd consider telling him to thicken those up a bit, especially as I think the rigid aluminum might be more susceptible to cracks than steel, in my entirely non-professional opinion). Those two diagonal supports are pretty thin on the stock bracket, and is one of the spots mine cracked. I just left mine as a solid plate there and kept it a bit wider. I'm sure it's heavier than the original, but if I don't feel the difference of my stock exhaust over the V&H, I'm certainly not going to notice a little extra weight on the tail light bracket.

Side question... anyone know what that 4th hole and threaded stud is for on the frame and front of the bracket? The one that's directly next to the thumb screw for the seat?? Always been curious why it's there. Figured maybe something to do with California bikes, having some kind of canister mounted there? I notices they were on opposite sides of the two brackets pictures, but figured that wouldn't make much of a difference considering I've never seen anything there anyway.

(Message edited by upthemaiden on July 18, 2018)
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Brother_in_buells
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 01:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ken ,if you can make those that cheap then there would be people definitely interested in the buell world.

Did make a couple last year from 3mm alloy plate , all hand cut and bent and Tig welded.
But very labor intensive ,so the price tag for them would be sky high.
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S1owner
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 01:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If I get a template I have a few options.
1- getting them cut at work on the water jet. Limited to 5-10 max. Cheapest as its free accept material.
2- barn yard shop up the road good friends just set up a plasma table. I could probably get them cut out cheap depending on qty I can bend and weld them in my garage.

I would probably do steel as aluminum is brittle and does not yield and flex like steel.
I would most likely sell them raw and whom ever can paint or powder coat them

Like I said I could give options to sell flat also so someone get me a bracket or a template bracket would be best as I do not have anything to try them on.
You guys know me I dont do this to be rich I do it to help others make a little beer money and I think its fun!
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Upthemaiden
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 02:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Does the person sending you a bracket get any kind of deal on a new bracket??

I know I still have mine sitting in the basement somewhere. I planned on trying to weld it up someday when my welding skills are a bit better, but at the moment it's just sitting around. The cracks would make it a good candidate to cut up and press flat.
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S1owner
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 03:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yes I could work with someone on that
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Roderick
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 09:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Gents,

The only thing I know about metallurgy is that it is about -- metal. : )

Been a few days and no issues. So should I be inspecting the alum and where?

Am sure I can have Dave, the maker's name, to use steel instead of alum. This was his first attempt so he used some spare alum around his shop. I can talk with him about the prices for either metal. He CAD-ed out the template and can make any modifications before machining. Personally, I would use heavier steel if not alum.

As for securing the tail light on the next bracket, I have the Motodynamic integrated version, as am sure many also have. Am going to try a different mount method than the two large holes.

Anyway...I will talk to Dave again on the prices and that there are interested people and see how that comes out. But no matter who is going to make the bracket, I want another one.

Roderick
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Upthemaiden
Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2018 - 07:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You'll know if it cracks, you'll start hearing a little noise and your license plate and tail light will be a little more erratic. Doesn't hurt to take a look at it and give it a wiggle every so often. I've tail light and plate brackets for plenty of bikes. This is the first one that's ever made me have to consider how strong it needs to be to keep my plate from shaking off haha.

As far as the spot I was talking about... It was the two diagonal supports. Wouldn't hurt if they were a little thicker, since I know that's around where one of my cracks was. The other was around that single hole in the top center of the bracket.

Ken, if you decide you need it, let me know. I can box it up and send it your way.
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Brother_in_buells
Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2018 - 03:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Here are some I made last year,
http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Brother-in-Buell s/media/S1%20taillight%20bracket/WP_20160730_001_z psh9i0pku5.jpg.html

There is no need to make the cutouts exactly the same because that makes it more changes for cracking.
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S1owner
Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 - 11:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Maiden
Recieved the bracket!
Just so I am 100 percent all the bends and bows in this bracket are not supposed to be there right! Lol there are some very custom curves in this one!











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Upthemaiden
Posted on Friday, July 27, 2018 - 11:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

In rougher shape than I thought, huh? Haha. I assumed the bends in the last picture werent standard issue. I never really paid attention to the others.

I also remembered when I went to box it up that the turn signal holes had been drilled out for normal ones. Hopefully that doesnt cause you any problems. The 4 smaller holes on top were just from the plate I had riveted on top after it had cracked so disregard those.
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Upthemaiden
Posted on Friday, November 16, 2018 - 11:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Any updates on the tail light bracket project?
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S1owner
Posted on Friday, November 16, 2018 - 12:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Not uet hoping after the holidays. Its first on the work bench
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Williamscottrobertson
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2019 - 07:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I’m interested in one as well, maybe two. With the tag bracket like brother in buells made would be excellent.

The twin tail bracket is super heavy duty for what it’s worth. Two-three times as thick as the flimsy solo tail version. With extra bracing for the added weight of a passenger.





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Upthemaiden
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2019 - 08:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I agree, that looks MUCH nicer. I assumed the twin tail bracket was only meant to move the tail light further out. I didn't realize it also helped support the seat. Looking at it, it barely even looks like it moves the position of the tail light.
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Williamscottrobertson
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2019 - 08:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I think the taillight is in the same relative position. Probably because the harness wiring lengths are the same. The taillight looks like it’s tucked in further under the twin tail than the solo.
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