December 17, 2024, 06:43:43

Author Topic: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.  (Read 2125 times)

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Offline Hondaman

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Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« on: August 10, 2016, 15:37:12 »
Shamelessly nicked from Stromtrooper, I thought it seemed a good idea.

Basically using the rear number plate light to also light up the rear reflector, essentially giving a second rear light but without extra wiring or adding extra lights.

Trim the inner part of the light housing WITHOUT drilling into the reflector. I chain drilled, I'm sure a dremel etc would do the job.
I also added some silver tape left over from doing the indicators to hopefully throw a bit more light.



And fitted, one with, one without flash.





On two occasions I've had a failed rear bulb at night & it's a scary experience, hopefully this will serve as a back up.
I'm not sure of the legality of this as the reflector is essentially now a light so I'll buy another self adhesive reflector for the rear.

BTW, those exposed nuts for the rear light look a prime candidate for siezing up, they are now well lubed & protected from the elements.

Offline Lincsman

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2016, 16:09:02 »
What a neat idea, I'll have to wait till mine comes out of warranty before I modify mine. Would be interesting if somebody does know the legality side of doing this.
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Offline Rusty Nuts

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2016, 16:09:16 »
Legal wise, if all your electrickery runs away and you're stood in the hard shoulder, you've got a reflector of the correct size in the correct position.
I like that, rather cunning.

Offline Pug27

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2016, 16:13:54 »
But will it still work as a reflector if all the silver shiny reflective material has just been removed? By doing this your turning a reflector into a lens so unless you have it illuminated by a bulb it won't reflect. So you'll have to get another reflector (as indeed has been mentioned) or its an MOT failure

Offline In me shed

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2016, 16:17:07 »
Would it not be easier to change the bulb to LED

Offline Rusty Nuts

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2016, 16:32:38 »
I don't think any silver was removed. The angled facets in the red plastic are what reflects the light.

Offline Hondaman

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2016, 16:35:02 »
It will still reflect without the bulb as there is no actual reflective material behind it, just black plastic of the casing.

I could use an led bulb but I fitted one quite a few years ago and the light spread was very poor. I guess the've improved since then?

Offline Steve T

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2016, 20:54:21 »
Neat  :thumb:
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Offline Yoyo

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2016, 22:07:04 »
If an MOT tester picks up on it you can stick 2 round reflectors on your number plate, used to do that on the off road bikes

Offline tallpaul

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2016, 22:12:38 »
Nice one!!
Old enough to know better, but still too young to care...

Offline Hondaman

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Re: Plate light/reflector into rear sidelight.
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2016, 16:15:04 »
If an MOT tester picks up on it you can stick 2 round reflectors on your number plate, used to do that on the off road bikes
My regular yester is quite fair with such things but I've ordered a couple of small reflectors to keep things right.