taillight removal : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

arcosanti · 08-10-2003, 09:27 PM

Ok, I must be an idiot, but I can't seem to figure out how to get the taillight off. The service manual says "insert a small screwdriver into middle hole of license plate light cover. Push forward with screwdriver to release tail lamp housing retaining clip."
Easier said than done, at least in my garage. I've tried pushing up really hard, pushing the entire screwdriver towards the front of the bike, rotating or prying the screwdriver head towards the front of the bike..............
If nobody has any tips other than what the manual says, could you at least take a pic of this clip that I am supposed to be releasing? That would at least give me an idea of how I should be moving the screwdriver to release the darn thing.
Thanks in advance.............

Arcosanti

wormbase · 08-10-2003, 09:48 PM

you are looking to get the bottom of the light out first, that is where the clip is

DrHeathenScum · 08-10-2003, 11:10 PM

allow me

the forward facing edge of the light has tabs that slip under the fender and the rearward edge of the light has a spring clip that holds it in the hole.

DLEVI03 · 08-11-2003, 01:21 AM

Mine was a pain in the a$$ the first time I did it. Now i kinda got a feel for it after removing it three times. Use a flat head and be caufull not to push in to far 9you might scratch that shiny black paint under the light) as soon as you push in the clip you should be able to pull it up.

VRODScout · 08-11-2003, 05:26 AM

I'm with DLEVI03,
The first time it took me about 20 minuites of pushing and shearching for the sweet spot on that damn clip. I didn't want to screw anything up! Don't angle the screwdriver forward towards the front bike, it is more of a straight up motion. Follow the general direction of the hole in the licence plate light cover.

Scout

Max · 08-11-2003, 05:34 AM

The clip is a pain, for me it takes two minutes to remove the rear fender then I squeeze the clip with pliers and it comes right out.

arcosanti · 08-11-2003, 09:22 AM

Thanks guys, I finally got the darn thing off, and I didn't even break it. I must have gotten that clip all screwy the first time I shoved a screwdriver up there, it only came off with WAY too much pressure, a loud POP, and a few cuss words as I wondered how much a new taillight was going to cost me.
Now I need to do a search and find out how to wire up those taillights as running lights, and how to wire in my little license plate LED bolts...........

Arcosanti

DrHeathenScum · 08-11-2003, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by arcosanti
Thanks guys, I finally got the darn thing off, and I didn't even break it. I must have gotten that clip all screwy the first time I shoved a screwdriver up there, it only came off with WAY too much pressure, a loud POP, and a few cuss words as I wondered how much a new taillight was going to cost me.
Now I need to do a search and find out how to wire up those taillights as running lights, and how to wire in my little license plate LED bolts...........

Arcosanti

ground = black
run light = blue
brake light = red/yellow stripe

VRODScout · 08-11-2003, 05:47 PM

Like Dos said, it's a snap!

I wired mine into the Licence Plate lights (read running lights). Had to trace wire from connector (Blue) 'cause bothe sets of wires going to L/P lights are black. Whole thing took about 15 minuites!