I Had A Brain Fart!

[86er]

I had a great brain fart the other day!

Some others may have already thought of and done this; Maybe even posted something about it that I read and forgot about. So it may not be a new idea.

 

I have been having trouble with the tail light fuse on my 86 blowing. I put a new fuse in and unplugged the headlight fuse (so as not to drain the battery) and left the tail light on for ten minutes, then ten minutes with turn signals on. The brake and turn signals ore on a different circuit. During this time I removed the seat and wiggled/inspected wires, pulled the bulbs out and replaced them, wiggled everything. Fuse wouldn't blow! I finally found that the last time I did an oil change, I didn't secure the wires on the lights I put on the lower chin fairing and as I rode, the wind or bumps pushed the positive wire (which is tied to the front L running light, which in turn is on the tail circuit) into the header pipe and burned through it and shorted it. Just sitting there it was fime, but when I started moving it shorted! I love it when I find a definite electrical problem!

 

OK, none of that was the brain fart, but if you're still with me, here it is: One of the things first genners are looking for is more light in back. As I had the tail light cover off I realized that the beveled edges around the base of the bulbs is painted silver but not real shiny. I got a piece of aluminum foil, cut it to fit, made the appropriate holes, put it on and pressed it into the ridges; then I pulled it back off, sprayed the dull side with adhesive and put it back in. I then used a soft parts brush to make sure it was well pressed in. It made a noticeable difference in the light output!

 

Here are some pics but they don't really show the difference. Sorry, I can't seem to get them any larger!?!

 

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/01.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/02.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/03.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/04.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/05.jpg

 

 

 

[stardbog]

so Where is Brain Fart :confused24:

[86er]

The Brain Fart was to use the shiny foil to better reflect the light through the red lens, Dan!

 

[Dano]

Brain farts--- finally fired the bike up tonite(!!!!!!!!!!), noticed battery and a fluid light was on. Was checking the oil level, voltage at the battery, the famous white wires, ALL that good stuff. Pulled out the manual, went to the right chapter, started reading, then looked at the icon descriptions-----:bang head::bang head:----- fluid light was for the hydraulic fluids which I have not put in yet, and the battery light was cause I just installed a new sealed AGM battery without the lead!!!!!!!!! How many times in the past few weeks have we gone over this in the forums?!?!?!?!?!? How many times did I read those posts?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

I'm just glad she started right up after sittin' on the bench for the last 4 months!!!!!!!

 

Dan (Big Dummy!)

Edited May 29, 2008 by Dano
sp

[Marcarl]

I had a great brain fart the other day!

Some others may have already thought of and done this; Maybe even posted something about it that I read and forgot about. So it may not be a new idea.

 

I have been having trouble with the tail light fuse on my 86 blowing. I put a new fuse in and unplugged the headlight fuse (so as not to drain the battery) and left the tail light on for ten minutes, then ten minutes with turn signals on. The brake and turn signals ore on a different circuit. During this time I removed the seat and wiggled/inspected wires, pulled the bulbs out and replaced them, wiggled everything. Fuse wouldn't blow! I finally found that the last time I did an oil change, I didn't secure the wires on the lights I put on the lower chin fairing and as I rode, the wind or bumps pushed the positive wire (which is tied to the front L running light, which in turn is on the tail circuit) into the header pipe and burned through it and shorted it. Just sitting there it was fime, but when I started moving it shorted! I love it when I find a definite electrical problem!

 

OK, none of that was the brain fart, but if you're still with me, here it is: One of the things first genners are looking for is more light in back. As I had the tail light cover off I realized that the beveled edges around the base of the bulbs is painted silver but not real shiny. I got a piece of aluminum foil, cut it to fit, made the appropriate holes, put it on and pressed it into the ridges; then I pulled it back off, sprayed the dull side with adhesive and put it back in. I then used a soft parts brush to make sure it was well pressed in. It made a noticeable difference in the light output!

 

Here are some pics but they don't really show the difference. Sorry, I can't seem to get them any larger!?!

 

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/01.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/02.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/03.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/04.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/TMagEnterprises/Extra%20Junk/05.jpg

 

 

 

Makes good sense to me, thanks for the idea.

Carl

[Hagmaster]

Outstanding idea, and cheap too, going to try it out tomorrow.

Thanks

[Eck]

Todd,

Great idea, and Im sure it does improve the lighting..

You might want to think about digesting a little more fiber....

[MAINEAC]

Not really sure what the layout is in the Antique Ventures tailight bezel but Construction Foil Tape.. the kind where you peel the backing paper off or some chrome rocker panel tape might work easier.