Tail-light replacement

During the Touring Twins ride the guys informed me I was down one tail-light.

The Shiver uses a dual-filament lamp with each globe running a 12V and 21V rail.
12V for tail-light, 21V for brake.

Turns out one lamp was blown on both rails, no tail-light, no brake light.

So - time to replace them (both). Yeah, one is still good, but if I'm going in there to replace the blown lamp I might as well freshen them both up eh?



Step 1
Seat comes off and 8 fixings are removed:

2 x 12mm hex bolt
2 x 10mm hex bolt
2 x Phillips screw
2 x 3mm allen bolt

Step 2 

Move the grab-rail assembly and main fuses out of the way to allow access to the tail-light reflector and lens

Step 3

The lamp housing is locked into the reflector and lens via a removable ballast.

One quarter turn to the left and the globes are free.

It is somewhat fiddly getting the ballast out - however it can be done.

Step 4

Globes replaced and tested.
Done and done.

\BitSar

Barracuda Blinkers

So - as many of you know - my rear indicators failed.......both of them......at different times, but in the same way.

It turns out that there is a manufacturing flaw and the rubber used for the expansion joint is too brittle.

After having one replaced under warranty.......and waiting ages for the part to arrive......only to have the other indicator fail.....I decided some after market blinkers would be best.

I finally got around to installing my Barraccud "Silur" LED blinkers

The indicators came with the required resistors which are used inline to keep the flash rate consistent and to ensure the dash error for blown bulbs doesn't perpetually occur.

I'm pretty happy with the results......nice and clean - nice and compact.......very bright!

Excuse the filthy bike......bloody Melbourne weather.......bah!

I may even order another set and replace the front end blinkers too for consistency.

\BitSar

Back and Blinking

After waiting ~6 weeks for the warranty claim to go through and for the part to arrive - finally - the postman brings me this!

An Aprilia OEM right-hand rear indicator.........can't see how this can be so much trouble to claim, order and post......but hell - it's here now.....time to install

I do a quick disassemble on the kitchen table to inspect how it all goes together - pretty simple.....there is no loom on the indicator itself - rather just two clips on the bottom of the lamp surround:

Get rid of the screw

Take the lamp housing and reflector apart - no problem

Now - onto the bike side.......as the wiring loom is on this end I had to disconnect the wiring at the clips while still on the bike......again, no problem - just a bit fiddly....

Then just unbolt the indicator housing and it's free!

Clip the new one into the wires, remount the reflector in the housing......replace lens and the screw......bolt back on and the blinkers are back

Done!

\BitSar