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[steve1911]

Has anyone here ever installed one of those "blue dots" in their taillight lens?  What kind of drill did you use to avoid cracking the taillight lens?

[JCZ]

Steve, I ran that blue dot tail light lens for a number of years.......up till about ten years ago.  I still see them in independant shops once in awhile.....but the blue dot is already inserted in the lens.  Not sure what drill they use. 

You might want to try to drill an old lens, first and just put masking tape on it.  It's plastic and not glass so I think you'll be o.k.  You might want to drill a smaller hole (a pilot hole, sort of) first.

[hd-dude]

As JC said the usually come manufactured into the lens.

FYI; They are illeagle in CA., you may want to check your state laws first.

[twincam]

Steve, I work with alot of plastics, when drilling it I use a drill bit with a sharper point then the 60 degrees I think it is for metal or wood, this will not break the plastic when it penatrats,these bits are common if you know what to look for or if you know how to sharpen a drill bit any bit will do just make the point alot sharper........ steepin the angle!!!! hope this helps Randy

[Puzzled]

twincam is it more speed or less speed plastic likes to see?

I second the sharp drill bit. The point at where the drill bit edge penetrates the back side of the plastic is where the problem arises. It grabs ahold of the plastic and wants to tear it. So I "THINK" it is more speed with a shrp bit that does the trick.

[ccr]

After seeing the Kuryakyn Deluxe Panacea™ Taillight with L.E.D. Blue Dot on John's (Rain Man - No Rain) bike in Maggie Valley, Jamey just had to have it.  He ordered it and loves it.  He used to have the Laydown Panacea™ Taillight - Smoke, and half the time I did not even know that he had his brakes on.  Same with the smoked turn signals, hard to see.  I love the new brake light, very visable, even on a bright sunny day. 
 
 

 

[CVOwner]

As JC said the usually come manufactured into the lens.

FYI; They are illeagle in CA., you may want to check your state laws first.

Yeah, the cops used to hassle us in Illinois, way back when, they'd use it as an excuse to pull us over. What can you do? It gives them an excuse.

[SPIDERMAN]

They are illeagle in CA., you may want to check your state laws first.

They're illegal in a lot of places Jim. I personally do not know anyone who's gotten hassled over them, but I know it happens. When I was flyin a 1% patch, I got stopped for just about everything on the books.

B B

[hd-dude]

Yeah, the cops used to hassle us in Illinois, way back when, they'd use it as an excuse to pull us over. What can you do? It gives them an excuse.

They're illegal in a lot of places Jim. I personally do not know anyone who's gotten hassled over them, but I know it happens. When I was flyin a 1% patch, I got stopped for just about everything on the books.

B B

There are a couple of Cities near us that the locals will pull you over for anything! Beanie helmets are the fav for them.

Back in the day I never cared, These days I do not like to give them a reason or excuse to pull me over.

[twincam]

twincam is it more speed or less speed plastic likes to see?

I second the sharp drill bit. The point at where the drill bit edge penetrates the back side of the plastic is where the problem arises. It grabs ahold of the plastic and wants to tear it. So I "THINK" it is more speed with a shrp bit that does the trick.

I run a 1/2 in bit at about 1500 rpms...... as always the bigger the bit the slower you run. you can get the bits from macmaster carr

[twincam]

here is a 1/2 in.

[twincam]

another

[steve1911]

Guys, thanks for all the advice.  I think I will try it on something other than my taillight lens for starters.  As for legality, I am in Tennessee and I don't know what the law is here, but I am seeing more and more bikes (and cars) with various lights on them, so it must be at least tolerated.  I will post a pic when I get mine done.

[SPIDERMAN]

There are a couple of Cities near us that the locals will pull you over for anything! Beanie helmets are the fav for them.

Back in the day I never cared, These days I do not like to give them a reason or excuse to pull me over.

Jim,
       Ever heard of getting stopped for having your directionals on the ends of your swingarm ( on a Dyna )  The Motorcop said California Vehice Code states 17" above the ground  - - - no chit

B B

[hd-dude]

Jim,
       Ever heard of getting stopped for having your directionals on the ends of your swingarm ( on a Dyna )  The Motorcop said California Vehice Code states 17" above the ground  - - - no chit

B B

Well he was WRONG! Its 15".
Here is the code section:

Turn Signal System
24951.   (a) Any vehicle may be equipped with a lamp-type turn signal system capable of clearly indicating any intention to turn either to the right or to the left.
(b) The following vehicles shall be equipped with a lamp-type turn signal system meeting the requirements of this chapter.
(1) Motor trucks, truck tractors, buses and passenger vehicles, other than motorcycles, manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1958.
(2) Trailers and semitrailers manufactured and first registered between December 31, 1957, and January 1, 1969, having a gross weight of 6,000 pounds or more.
(3) Trailers and semitrailers 80 or more inches in width manufactured on or after January 1, 1969.
(4) Motorcycles manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1973, except motor-driven cycles whose speed attainable in one mile is 30 miles per hour or less.
The requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to special mobile equipment, or auxiliary dollies.
(c) Turn signal lamps on vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1969, shall be mounted not lower than 15 inches.
Amended Ch. 475, Stats. 1975. Effective January 1, 1976.