clear alternatives integrated taillight

[007brendan]

Has anyone used one?  Has anyone fitted one to a GS500E (the F rear appears to be more rounded than my E)?

[007brendan]

bump

[Paulcet]

I think Kyle99GTP has one, on his F.

[werase643]

look for aftermarket tail light for a FZR600 or a 99-01?  R-1

you might have a better chance finding it

and it will bolt in

[adidasguy]

I have one on order. Waiting for it to arrive. Will post again after it arrives.

[007brendan]

Yeah, I gave in and just ordered one, since the price dropped $20.  Hopefully it's as awesome as it looks in the pictures.

[Eklipse]

I have one on my F. Wait, I have the regular tail light; I got it from clear alternatives, though. I think I had to sand it a little or something, but it was pretty much a direct fit.

[Esteban]

I got a similar clear, LED tail with integrated turn signals for ~$50 on eBay.  Here is a similar one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-98-HONDA-CBR-1100XX-98-02-CB600-HORNET-LED-TAILLIGHT-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b24ba479QQitemZ170495026297QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
You can see comparison pictures here:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43787.msg528042#msg528042

Overall, it was worth the money, but there are a few quality control issues (like a poor case seal and an incorrect plug for the GS500) that made it a project when I installed it.

[adidasguy]

Received it today. Took about 5 minutes to install. Looks good. Works great. All wire splices were included.

Question: Is there a requirement to illuminate the license plate? It doesn't do that like the factory red tail light did. It can be done by adding a couple small white LEDs but just curious if that is a requirement.

[pandymai]

Received it today. Took about 5 minutes to install. Looks good. Works great. All wire splices were included.

Question: Is there a requirement to illuminate the license plate? It doesn't do that like the factory red tail light did. It can be done by adding a couple small white LEDs but just curious if that is a requirement.

most places require the license plate to be lit. i know california does. as long as there's some semblance of liight to illuminate the plate, you should be ok

[007brendan]

I think nearly every state requires a license plate light, though, I doubt a cop would ever stop you for lack of one.  I've been riding around for about a week without turn signals.  Hence, the need for the integrated taillight.

[adidasguy]

Next weekend when I clean up wiring for various add-ons, I'll add a couple small white LEDS for the license - just to be safe.
I'm leaving the factory turn signals on because I believe the more you are seen - the better.
I've been behind some bikes with only integrated turn signals. It can be hard to tell which way they are signaling. It would be cool if ClearAlternatives made the turn signal LEDS go in sequence from center to right or center to left to clearly indicate which way you are signaling.

[007brendan]

So I got the Clear Alternatives light in the mail today, and it's definitely not a simple swap onto an GS500E.  The connector is totally different.  But that's not really that bad, I'll just cut the connector off and either solder it to the right connector, or just splice the wires in behind the old connector.

The real problem is the plastic piece itself.  It's doesn't even come close to bolting up to the subframe.  Only thing I can think of is cutting off a good section of the plastic on the taillight so that it mounts flush.

[007brendan]

Actually, it looks like the connector just plugs in to one of the original taillight bulb sockets.  My problem is that I have an E taillight.  Anyone want to sell me an F taillight for cheap?!

[myfirstluv]

ADIDASGUY:

Where exactly did you purchase from and what was the exact product number?

I found one on bike bandit and I'm not sure if its the right one even though it says it is.

[adidasguy]

I bought directly from Clear Alternatives.
Their part number on my invoice is: CTL-0026-2-IT  for 04-05 GS500F
Basic part number as on the box is: CTL-0026 listed for Honda 97-98 CBR1100XX, 99-05 Shadow VLX, 99-05 Shadow Spirit 1100 and 03-05 Suzuki GS500E
It comes with integrated turn signals or without. I bought it with integrated turn signals in case I wanted to do it that way. However, I chose to leave the factory turn signals on and didn't connect the integrated turn signals. I might connect them just to see how they look, but still leave the factory turn signals. There is a DOT requirement for separation of turn signals and I feel the more visible I am the better.

[ragecage23]

what do you mean by the separation? Like literally how far about the left is from the right?

[adidasguy]

Correct. For legal turn signals, there is a minimum distance between them according to the DOT. 8 inches I believe.
While you can have integrated turn signals, sometimes they are not spaced far enough apart I guess so someone knows whether you're turning left or right. Integrated is OK if they are far enough apart or you also leave the factory turn signals installed and running in parallel.

You can look up the vehicle lighting requirements for your state and the DOT.
Whether you get a ticket depends on local laws, how observant an officer is and whether they feel there is a problem. I feel it is better to play it safe and have good turn signals that meet all laws. 

What you do on your bike is up to you. I mention this as friendly advice and not what you should or should not do with your bike.

[ragecage23]

would the 8 inches be from bulb to bulb I'm assuming? I was planning on doing a integrated tail light in about 6 hours haha

I just checked with the California state laws and it said that I just have to have them. I'm not sure about how to get to the DOT's website.

[myfirstluv]

I hear ya on the separation, the only problem is that I bought the bike with turn signals in the form of running lights that aren't that bright.

I only have a small piece of black plastic below the rear fairing to mount some extending turn signals if the stalks are skinny enough.



See the peice of triangular plastic directly below the yellow turn signal.  I could mount something there if the stalk is skinny enough or have integrated signals with those yellow signals on my bike. 

Thats what I was considering, any advice is appreciated.
P.S.:  I've been riding with these guys for three years (~15k mi) and use hand signals in certain situation.