Anyone tried this type of rear light ?

[Roboticarm]

Hi all, I want to make some updates to my 1979 BMW R45, nothing major just a cafe racer lite, thinking of new seat, headlight grille, smaller front indicators and tidying up the rear end, one of the things I'm not a fan of on the rear is the huge rear light and rear indicators, they are easy enough to remove and I'm considering something like this mounted to the back piece where the BMW logo is. Image is not my bike and mine doesn't have that rear luggage carrier frame but imagine the rear light removed, indicator removed and then this under the BMW logo

Wondering if anyone has any experience with this type of light setup and if it's as easy to install as it sounds please ?





https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Flexible-LED...

Edited by Roboticarm on Tuesday 1st February 19:02

[KTMsm]

Yes they are as simple as they look - as they cost approx £5 just buy one and try it, they aren't that visible in daylight IMO

[conkerman]

I'm really beginning to like the look of those old airheads. That looks smashing as is.

[poo at Paul's]

conkerman said:

I'm really beginning to like the look of those old airheads. That looks smashing as is.

Have to agree. Why turn it into something else when it’s so flipping awesome looking to start with.

Standard, older bikes are money in the bank. JJ’s Speed Shed shop may charge 10k to do some contrived tanned seat no mudguard thing to these, but in reality it narrows your market down snd the bike loses a lot of value.

Your bike and all that, but standard older mundane stuff is making serious money nowadays, all I’m saying.

[black-k1]

poo at Paul's said:

conkerman said:

I'm really beginning to like the look of those old airheads. That looks smashing as is.

Have to agree. Why turn it into something else when it’s so flipping awesome looking to start with.

Standard, older bikes are money in the bank. JJ’s Speed Shed shop may charge 10k to do some contrived tanned seat no mudguard thing to these, but in reality it narrows your market down snd the bike loses a lot of value.

Your bike and all that, but standard older mundane stuff is making serious money nowadays, all I’m saying.

I've not seen a single "tarts handbag" conversion that looks as good as the original bikes.

[carinaman]

Roboticarm said:

Does that Alfa 75 have a Lancia badge on the tailgate?

[Roboticarm]

Thanks all

Just to be clear I am only planning on changes I can easily return to standard so I'd remove but keep the original lights and luggage frame, this type of light can easily be removed to allow the old one to be refitted.
The headlight grille is bolt on bolt off and the seat I'm looking at will fit the current frame. I'm not planning to chop, drill or bend anything

In general I like the style but the bike is 3 years older than I am so I would like to modernise the look a little. The bike is early inheritance, dad giving up riding for health reasons so giving me the bike so he can see me enjoy it rather than leave it I his will.

Bike is a keeper and I will ensure it can be returned to stock quickly and easily. Will aim to pass it to my kids one day

[Roboticarm]

carinaman said:

Does that Alfa 75 have a Lancia badge on the tailgate?

I took that picture from Google but looks like it might be, but of 80s badge engineering maybe

[fred bloggs]

Bear in mind if its indicators combined in the light its an MOT fail.

[Rhonda]

fred bloggs said:

Bear in mind if its indicators combined in the light its an MOT fail.

Latest BMW GS has combined rear lights and indicators as standard.

[gareth_r]

Some motorcycles have direction indicators combined with the position lamps. In these cases the position lamp does not have to switch off when the relevant direction indicator is switched on.


Mandatory direction indicators must have minimum separation distances between the illuminating surfaces of:
...
solo motorcycles - 240mm at the front and 180mm at the rear
...
There is no requirement to measure the separation distance and they should only be rejected if the separation distance is obviously incorrect.


https://www.gov.uk/topic/mot/manuals

[Roboticarm]

Thanks for the info. The bike is MOT exempt due to age, however I would of course like it to remain legal

[Pat H]

Roboticarm said:

In general I like the style but the bike is 3 years older than I am so I would like to modernise the look a little.

Yet another vote for keeping it looking standard.

One of the attractions of an R45 is the old fashioned charm that it has. That LED lamp would look out of place in my view.

Those R45/R65s are great looking bikes. One day I will treat myself to an R65LS, which are completely bonkers.