Hitchcocks Forum

Hello, this is my first post, please be gentle!

A few months back after passing my motorcycle test aged 29 I purchased my first motorbike, a used 2011 Bullet Electra EFI, under the guise of commuting but also as an entry point to the wonderful world of motorcycles and I have loved every wind and rain lashed second of it!

Due to a failure of the tail light I need to replace the unit. After consideration (with a mate, in the shed over an ale obviously) I am going to take the opportunity to slim down the rather bulky and in my opinion unsightly tail light / indicator cluster.

My main query is that I am considering buying smaller indicators and moving them back to sit above the rear shock mounts. To my mind there are two obvious options for doing this. The first would be would be to drill a hole for the indicators in the large steel plate above where the rear shock is fastened (just below the saddle) or the second option would be to weld a tab on just behind the area I just described for the indicators to be mounted on.

Just wondered if anyone has had an experience or thoughts on this matter before I crack out the drill!

Thanks for any help / pointers would be greatly appreciated!

George

I have used the small LED indicators sold by Hitchcocks, you will need the LED converter they sell as well. I have mounted these on home made small brackets bolted to the rear number plate I made from steel plate. Yes you could mount them on the suspension brackets either using home made neat brackets or weld on a bracket. Welding a bracket would obviously need a local repaint. The suspension mount can be drilled, it used for a sidecar mount bolt so would be strong enough for indicators. At the front I used the existing brackets.

A couple of problems here;
The lamps will not be so visible as the "opposite" side one will be obscured a lot more than when in the original position.
Won't they get in the way of any pillion passenger's legs?
Are there any legal problems with fitting them so far forward?
I would get your smaller lamps and offer them up in various places before getting the drill out.

Well, firstly can anyone tell us the minimum distance either side of centre line that indicators need to be for law/mot?

Just found this;
The precise position and angle of visibility of direction indicators are not part of this inspection, but they must be on each side of the longitudinal axis of a solo machine. If a side car is attached, the indicators must be on opposite sides of the combination.
So it looks like you can put them anywhere as long as there's one each side front and back.

I fitted this subframe which had brackets for attaching whatever indicators you like.

Hi guys---------- these will comply with those requirements that PETE F has listed }-------- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Matt-Black-7- ... Motorcycle -------- I know this to be true as two of my friends have 1960's BSA B40 Army Despatch riders bikes with these fitted and have been through a recent MoT with no probs... They are, after all, either side of the longitudinal axis.... Helps to keep an old bike looking the part and remain legal.

----------forgot to say--- Hello PETE (Staffs) MBR?? ----nice bit of sub-frame there. From our hosts or A.N.Other supplier ??