So after reading this thread, I bought one of these things. Measured by the pound, this has probably been the most trouble I have ever had with a farkle and it is mostly (OK, all) my fault.
Things went wrong from the word 'go' when I mistakenly bought two of them from Ebay by mistake (swapped browsers mid- stream and didn't notice the 'other' one was already in my cart). I only paid for one though and sent an e-mail to the seller explaining what I did, apologizing, and asking him / her to cancel one of the lights. 'Jenny' writes back and asks me to give good feedback.
No transaction yet so where do I leave ANY feedback? We go back and forth for a couple of iterations and Jenny cancels the extra order. Great. Now I expect to wait the 10 or 15 days as it says in the ad but no, it is in the mailbox in just a few days. Yea!
I open the box and pull out the light- it looks fine, has a three pin connector on the end and the two yellow wires. Now I knew I was going to have to do some soldering and insulating to put this thing in but seeing the connector, I hope against hope that it actually fits my bike (I believe it is originally sold for a Kawasaki 600). I open the bike and sure enough- the connector fits. So I test the light even before beginning the install to make sure it works and plug it in and turn the ign. on.... the tail light is very bright, surprisingly bright but the brake light does not work. Hmmmm. In looking at the connector on the old vs. the new light, the wire colors are different in that they are solid (not striped) on the new light but the main wire colors are reversed between the tail light and brake light.
So I remove two pins from the connector, plug them back in the other way and there it is- a bright running light and a much brighter brake light.
So now I begin the actual install by taking off the top box and luggage rack. When I get the taillight and housing out, I cannot figure out how to pop open the housing to release the tail light itself.
I pry gently here and there but no soap. So finally I read this entire thread looking for the 'trick', and the other threads about this light but no one mentions anything about how to install it in the tail light housing.
Finally I look at the parts fiche and there it is- two screws hold the housing together. The screw wells on my light were absolutely full of fine road dust as was the top of the light so I never even saw the screws. That's what I get for not taking the tail light assembly out and cleaning it in five years.
I mount the new light and notice how short the wires are compared to the stock light but again, as no one else mentioned having a problem with that I assume it will reach. I put the whole thing together, the cable does reach (just) and the light still works. So I open up the wires for the rear directionals, find out which yellow wire is left, solder and insulate the junctions. Everything works great. I button up the back of the bike, the saddle, the luggage rack and the top box and walk away from the bike.... and then remember that I forgot to hook up the cruise control brake light wire to the new brake light! (#*$**$%&#&^). So now I have to go back and either open up the back of the bike again and attach that wire or find another place that is easier to get to and attach the CC brake light wire there. Unbelievable.
Even after that convoluted mess, I still like the new light. It is brighter, both running and brake light, and I think the integrated turn signals are a cool feature (not overly useful but slick looking). The light looks better with the clear cover too in my opinion. So overall I give it three thumbs up.... hey wait, it is really only two thumbs up but I was so happy with the new tail light....
Brian
