[firehawk]

Does a license plate light have to be 'white'? Reason I ask is I plan on removing the license plate light and all the plastic bracketry/reflectors along with the loop that supports the bottom of the plate.

My plan is to move the plate up close to the bottom of the tail light, and to illuminate it I'd thought about drilling 3-4 holes in the bottom of the tail light lens. I'd seal the holes up with a clear piece of plastic inside the lens and just let the tail light bulbs light up the plate. Then it hit me, I'm running red LED bulbs in the tail light. Would the po po get their panties in a bunch with a red illuminated plate?

 

["Captain D"]

Click on MRF or AMA link in my signature for a link to state regulations & laws...
I use these links and post them for others to use too...

Most states require white,
D

 

["Captain D"]

State-by-state motorcycle laws

Here ya go, click on your state...

 

[Beezer]

Sorry man. I dug it up and a red one ain't gonna work:

Nonfunctioning License Plate Light – under Indiana Code 9-19-6-4, a motorist's vehicle must have a functioning license plate light that illuminates the rear registration plate with white light, which makes the plate clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of the vehicle. The license plate light must function so as to illuminate whenever the vehicle's headlamps are lighted.

 

[firehawk]

Sorry man. I dug it up and a red one ain't gonna work:

Nonfunctioning License Plate Light – under Indiana Code 9-19-6-4, a motorist's vehicle must have a functioning license plate light that illuminates the rear registration plate with white light, which makes the plate clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of the vehicle. The license plate light must function so as to illuminate whenever the vehicle's headlamps are lighted.

Ok, thanks everyone. Guess I'll have to move to plan B then.:mrgreen: Plan B is to use two LED lit plate attachment screws.

 

[Dingo.]

Buy a set of illuminated licence plate bolts, just splice into the existing wire. Or buy a white stop light.

Dingo.

 

[firehawk]

Buy a set of illuminated licence plate bolts,

Dingo.

Plan B.:mrgreen:

 

[RONW]

some bikes have a clear rectangular section (integral) on the bottom of the red taillight lens that doubles as the license plate light. Why not do a rectangular cutout since you're thinking of gluing a clear filler anyway.

 

[firehawk]

some bikes have a clear rectangular section (integral) on the bottom of the red taillight lens that doubles as the license plate light. Why not do a rectangular cutout since you're thinking of gluing a clear filler anyway.

My problem with either the holes, or a clear panel is I'm using red LED bulbs in the tail light. My understanding is using a white LED behind a colored lens cuts down on it's output thru the lens.

 

[Scared]

My problem with either the holes, or a clear panel is I'm using red LED bulbs in the tail light. My understanding is using a white LED behind a colored lens cuts down on it's output thru the lens.

I've tried both red led bulbs and white behind my colored lenses. The white put out more light and was brighter. But I have heard that before and believed it until I tried it.

 

[firehawk]

I've tried both red led bulbs and white behind my colored lenses. The white put out more light and was brighter. But I have heard that before and believed it until I tried it.

Hmm... good to know. Thanks for the tip, like you I was going from what I have read about it. Looks like maybe I'll be able to stick to Plan A then.

 

["Captain D"]

LEDs are sometimes directional, in that the light emitted shines to the rear rather than down or to the top and sides...
There are LEDs that are 360+ degrees luminence (sp) that could work for your application...
So Many options nowadays in the LEDs...

I like Super Bright . com selection,
D

 

[firehawk]

LEDs are sometimes directional, in that the light emitted shines to the rear rather than down or to the top and sides...
There are LEDs that are 360+ degrees luminence (sp) that could work for your application...
So Many options nowadays in the LEDs...

I like Super Bright . com selection,
D

That's where I bought mine. I have the Matrix 1157 bulbs in the tail light.

 

[RONW]

I'm using red LED bulbs in the tail light. My understanding is using a white LED behind a colored lens cuts down on it's output thru the lens.

Red on my '07 vt600, too. Have you considered gluing on led strip lights? Self adhesive. Available waterproof. I bought a yard of it a few years ago, but still haven't use it so don't know the actual luminosity, etc. Those you clip off the length that's needed.

 

[firehawk]

Red on my '07 vt600, too. Have you considered gluing on led strip lights? Self adhesive. Available waterproof. I bought a yard of it a few years ago, but still haven't use it so don't know the actual luminosity, etc. Those you clip off the length that's needed.

Hadn't thought about those LED strips, but if I stick with the red LED's I'll most likely go with two LED license plate bolts. I've found a pair of polished stainless steel one's on ebay for $14. I've also seen a plate frame with white LED's but looks a little bulky and I'm wanting to clean the rear of the bike up.

The plate light/reflector looks to be identical to the one that was on the Rebel, and it was one of my first projects to yank it off and mount up a catseye tail light under the fender. Since the VLX already has the tail light under the fender all I need to do is relocate the plate.

 

[Scared]

You can get those led strips off of eBay for 98 cents each shipped to your door. 98 CENTS! That's what I have on mine. Been there for two years and still work fine. If one fails, I get another for under a buck. You can get them in just about any color including white and they are super bright. It would be plenty of light for a licensed plate. I picked up some 3M body molding tape from AutoZone and stuck them on with that. I've not had one come loose.

 

[RONW]

I've also seen a plate frame with white LED's but looks a little bulky and I'm wanting to clean the rear of the bike up.

what I had in mind was sticking the LED strip on the bottom surface of the 600 tail light practically hidden. Again, I personally can't vouch for the brightness, but then as long as it does a decent job, I wouldn't think you'd get pulled over.

 

[firehawk]

what I had in mind was sticking the LED strip on the bottom surface of the 600 tail light practically hidden.

I figured that was what you two were talking about as far as mounting it. Don't know, might have to look into it as it would be simpler since I wouldn't be messing with the lighted bolts come plate change time.

 

[RONW]

Btw, how are you getting around that 'bump' on the subframe? I did some work in that area (2nd pic) and for the life of me, I just couldn't figure out why they would put that there to begin with. The wires for the license plate light don't go through it.

 

[firehawk]

Btw, how are you getting around that 'bump' on the subframe? I did some work in that area (2nd pic) and for the life of me, I just couldn't figure out why they would put that there to begin with. The wires for the license plate light don't go through it.

Yeah I agree about the 'bump' in the bracket, serves no purpose as far as I can see. Maybe to help stiffen it, maybe that subframe is used on another model?

My plan is a 4"x7" plate and I'll use a couple of stand offs to bolt through and attach to the bracket.