Browsing articles from "August, 2011"
Aug
29

How To: Install a Cycle Visions Eliminator Tail Light Assembly

By Chris Trausch  //  Uncategorized  //  1 Comment

Previously we installed a Cycle Visions Eliminator Tail Light Assembly on an ’08 Fat Boy but what we forgot to do was document the process. In this Iron Aces Blog, we’ll walk you through the entire installation process on the Iron Aces Speed Shop ’08 Road Glide, adequately named “Tigger”.

Tools Used:

  • Phillips Head Screwdriver
  • 1/2″ Box Wrench
  • 3/16″ Hex Head
  • 5/32″ Hex Head
  • Bike Polish

Before Shot:
Here you can see the relatively stock set-up. We previously swapped out the factory brake light for a smoked laydown style with LED which wasn’t bad looking, but it wasn’t great either.

Before

Step 1:
Let us start by removing the seat so we can access the main wiring harness for the fender lights.

Step 1

Step 2:
Now that the seat has been removed, disconnect the main wiring harness to the fender lights.

Step 2

Step 3:
Plug the wiring harness provided by Cycle Visions in-line with the main fender wiring harness.

Step 3

Step 4:
Once both sides of the in-line wiring harness have been attached, plug the load equalizer (included) into the wiring harness. As a side note, stock turn signals are designed to blink twice as fast as normal when a bulb is burned out to alert the driver. Since the Cycle Visions Eliminator utilizes LED lights that require less power than traditional bulbs it’s possible that the lights may blink twice as fast (or not at all) because the bike thinks that their is a light burned out. Because of this, a load equalizer is used.

Step 4

Step 5:
Now lets move on to the back of the bike and remove the rear tail light using a phillips head screwdriver.

Step 5

Step 6:
Once the tail light is removed, disconnect the wiring harness.

Step 6

Step 7:
Disconnect the wiring harness from each turn signal then remove the tail light assembly using a phillips head screwdriver.

Step 7a

Step 7b

Step 7b

Step 8:
Using a 1/2″ box wrench, reach up behind the fender and remove the two bolts that fasted the turn signal bar. FYI…this can be a pain in the ass if your hands are larger than a childs.

Step 8

Step 9:
Take this time to clean up the rear fender. Might we recommend some Protect All Polish, Wax & Treatment. Sorry, we couldn’t resist the product placement but seriously, this stuff is great!

Step 9

Step 10:
Attach the Cycle Visions Eliminator baseplate to the fender using the supplied mounting hardware. Start with the phillips head screw, then the 3/16″ hex head from behind the fender. To make this process easier, we recommend cutting down a spare hex wrench to fit between the tire and bolt.

Step 10a

Step 10b

Step 11:
Once the baseplate is securely fastened, plug the wiring harness from the license plate frame into the factory fender wiring harness.

Step 11

Step 12:
Once the harness is plugged in, attach the frame from the back of the baseplate using the supplied 5/32″ allen head screws. Once again, to make this process easier we recommend cutting down a spare hex wrench to fit between the fender and baseplate.

Step 12

Completed!
As you can see, the Cycle Visions Eliminator gave our Road Glide a cleaner, more streamlined look. In addition, the Eliminator is equipped with a built-in pulsing module that quickly pulses all LEDs on the unit three times before fully illuminating when the brake is applied…a great safety feature. While riding, the Eliminator remains illuminated red then when the turn signals are used, the left or right LEDs switch from red running lights to flashing amber signals.

One thing to note that is not documented in this installation is that the Eliminator comes with a Cycle Visions Eliminator License Bracket (CV4812) which eliminates the rear license plate bar on FLH models. Since we use this bar for a luggage rack, we opted to not include this but you do have the choice to remove it and clean up the rear fender area even more if you wish.

After

Enjoy and ride safe!