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How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
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The ferret Offline
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Ohio
Posts: 31,277
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #1
How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
In the old days there were two long phillips head screws that went thru the front of the lens. Remove those and you were staring at the bulb that needed replacing. Easy-peasy. Times have changed. Although not much more difficult the procedure is a bit different now.

Tools you will need:

5 mm allen wrench ( there should be one in your tool kit..it's same size as the side cover screws) or 5mm allen socket and ratchet

replacement bulb (note in this case I am replacing the stock bulb..top... for a flashing led bulb..bottom)

İmage

Procedure:

There are two allen screws in the rear of the tail light housing, 1 on each side. Both of these must be removed

İmage

if using the ratchet make sure it is set to loosen and remove screws

If using the allen wrench to loosen you turn counter clock wise

once screws are removed the whole tail light housing will pull straight out. However, it won't pull out very far as there isn't much extra wire there

İmage

Notice the light gray object in the middle of the tail light housing. This is a socket that must be turned about 1/4 turn counter clockwise in order to get it out of the housing. This is what holds your tail light bulb. So reach down in there and twist it counter clockwise as if you were looking at it head on. It's hard to describe, but you will actually be working backwards so you hand will twist to your right. Notice when you get it turned correctly 3 little tabs will line up with 3 little slots.... easily visible in this photo. Once those line up it will easily pop out.

İmage

Once the socket is removed you will replace the bulb just like you always did. Push the bulb in a little bit and twist counter clockwise to remove. Note orientation of locating pins on bulb base, 1 high, 1 low. Install new bulb noting orientation of locator pins, push and twist clockwise until it's in.

The stock tail light bulb and the led flashing bulb's bases and locating pins are the same.

Once you have replaced the bulb, you simply line up the tabs with the slots in the housing, push it in and turn 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place.

İmage

then push taillight lens assy into housing and install your two 5 mm allen screws. If using ratchet make sure it's set to tighten. if using the allen wrench you will turn to the right to tighten.

Once tightened up, turn on key and check and make sure tail light and brake light is working.

Note if using the flashing led bulb that gman found on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QNF...UTF8&psc=1

the bulb is a white led. ie: when lit up it glows white. Therefore a white light will be illuminating your license plate as it is supposed to be. It is very bright on the plate.

this is a view from the lic plate looking up at the led white bulb

İmage

with the led flashing bulb installed, when you hit the brake lever or pedal, the rear brake light will flash rapidly 3 times, them burn solid bright as normal for a brake ligh. Letting off the lever and re-applying will make it flash again then go solid again repeating the initial process. Every time you let off the brakes and reapply the flashing sequence is repeated.

Like I said the process isn't terribly difficult, takes 10 minutes max, but it's certainly more difficult than it used to be. Hopefully this tute will help anyone who wants or needs to replace that tail light bulb.

.
Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
(This post was last modified: 05-14-2020 02:07 PM by The ferret.)
05-13-2016 07:08 AM
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Rocky Offline
Been There

Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 3,397
Joined: Apr 2014
Post: #2
RE: How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
Nicely done Thumbs Up Thumbs Up
This is something I may look into. Every little bit helps.
I rarely ride at night so I'm not that concerned about licence plate illumination.

Still rockin', rollin', and ridin' after all these years
'67 BSA 441 VR, '70 Triumph Tiger 100, '02 Honda CB900F, '06 Triumph T100 Bonneville, '14 Honda CB1100A
05-13-2016 07:26 AM
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Verdecken Offline
1st Service Completed

Cincinnati (Northern KY)
Posts: 197
Joined: Nov 2015
Post: #3
How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
Thanks for the write up!! Took me about 5 minutes too. Here's a video of how it works for those interested. I'll try to get another tonight in the dark.




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05-13-2016 10:44 AM
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Nemo Offline
High Mileage

Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 924
Joined: Oct 2015
Post: #4
RE: How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
Muchas gracias. Merci Beaucoup. Domo Arigato. Muito Obrigado.

N

“It is easier for me to be forgiving of the stupid than of the evil."
EmptySea

#BLACKBIKESMATTER
05-13-2016 11:04 AM
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uscgmac Offline
Running Like a Top

Long Island N.Y.
Posts: 628
Joined: Mar 2015
Post: #5
RE: How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
I just installed mine. I wont even tell you how easy it was with my chic desiqn aftermarket fender. Two screws, take lense off, switch bulb, replace lense and screws. All of about 2 minutes. Longest part was opening the package for new bulb.

I mentioned in the other thread that tst industries make a easy to install aftermarket LED plate lamp. I dont have a link right now but you can check out Youtube or google it. They make different ones, look for the one which is made for bikes that share the brake and plate lamp all in one.

2014 CB1100
2014 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic
(This post was last modified: 05-13-2016 03:49 PM by uscgmac.)
05-13-2016 03:43 PM
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c-breezy Offline
Running Like a Top

Irvine, CA
Posts: 489
Joined: Sep 2015
Post: #6
RE: How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
Great writeup Ferret! Mine just came got delivered this afternoon so this is perfect timing, thank you!
05-13-2016 04:45 PM
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The ferret Offline
Forum Moderator

Ohio
Posts: 31,277
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #7
RE: How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
as a side note, I met my wife for dinner tonight. I rode, she drove and followed me to observe the new bulb. She felt the flashing brake light a good safety feature. She said it really caught her attention, but that I needed to slow down lol

.
Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
05-13-2016 05:55 PM
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Flynrider Offline
Been There

Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,233
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #8
RE: How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
(05-13-2016 05:55 PM)The ferret Wrote:  as a side note, I met my wife for dinner tonight. I rode, she drove and followed me to observe the new bulb. She felt the flashing brake light a good safety feature. She said it really caught her attention, but that I needed to slow down lol

Did she have any opinion about the visibility of your license plate, using the red light?

Phoenix, AZ
2013 CB1100 - Big Red
1993 CB750 Nighthawk - Tahitian Blue
05-13-2016 07:19 PM
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uscgmac Offline
Running Like a Top

Long Island N.Y.
Posts: 628
Joined: Mar 2015
Post: #9
How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
I have a before and after pic of the bulb. The running light is on, lever not depressed, brake light off and during daytime in my garage. I couldn't take a good pic of light while holding brake lever at same time.
İmageİmage

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2014 CB1100
2014 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic
(This post was last modified: 05-13-2016 10:04 PM by uscgmac.)
05-13-2016 09:59 PM
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The ferret Offline
Forum Moderator

Ohio
Posts: 31,277
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #10
RE: How To install a flashing or stock tail light bulb
(05-13-2016 07:19 PM)Flynrider Wrote:  
(05-13-2016 05:55 PM)The ferret Wrote:  as a side note, I met my wife for dinner tonight. I rode, she drove and followed me to observe the new bulb. She felt the flashing brake light a good safety feature. She said it really caught her attention, but that I needed to slow down lol

Did she have any opinion about the visibility of your license plate, using the red light?

No, it was still daylight out.

.
Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
05-14-2016 05:21 AM
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