tail light broken - stress cracks?

[lauramonster]

the tail light broke where you put in the screw.  The round red sleeve that it goes through is what broke where it joins the tail light. 

the chromy plastic piece ( the other screw) where the headlight sleeve matches up to it is broken (sheared)) at the depth of the screw for the tail light. 

Must mean that there's something leaning on the tail light. 
If I replace them, it'll still break until I get rid of the stress.

How do I determine if this is due to everyday riding (come on, my ass isn't THAT fat!) or just overpacking for weekend travel?

Any suggestions how to support the seat cowl so this situation doesn't happen again?

Thanks,
laura

[teddy037.2]

it's entirely possible that if you're loading up the tail, it's pressing on the light.

my bud's 750 cracked at the beer tray, not the light, and I don't think i've ever seen him w/a tailbag or pillion, so... 

[lauramonster]

No pillions.

Did pack a weekend trip.  Maybe it was my lunch the other day..

[hypurone]

Pop the seat off, there should be rub marks on the housing if it is your seat pressing down on it... otherwise, it is prob just vibrations. I went thru 3 bulbs in a month before I changed out to an LED baord. I have a tailight lens (I changed mine to clear/smoked) if you need it. tho by looking at the parts fiche you get both when you buy the reflector bucket you said is also damaged...

[mitt]

Mine broke off also, after having a tailbag on for 4 days and 1200 miles.

I wasn't sure if it was the seat loading it, or just the vibrations.  I put a piece of a adhesive foam (like for doors) on the bear tray, under the light, so it couldn't bounce as much.  Hopefully this helps.

mitt

[Munch]

No pillions.

Did pack a weekend trip.  Maybe it was my lunch the other day..

We'll need a closeup of your rear to be certain 

[lauramonster]

We'll need a closeup of your rear to be certain 

 

Thanks for the offer of the tail light, but if the reflector bucket is broken, then I'll just get both of them at once.  Since this is a part that only has to hold a light, I'm going to look at the rub marks and try to foam them in to stop the vibrations.  Model glue the reflector bucket & tail light, and if it breaks again - that's when I'll buy the new assembly.  A friend suggested longer screws.  HMMM!  I could use a good long screw

Thanks for everyone's help!!

[teddy037.2]

*cough*
good excuse for modding time...
*cough*

 

[lauramonster]

Yeah, but I want to mod it in a totally different direction.  Most ducs make a face when they hear it.

[55Spy]

  HMMM!  I could use a good long screw

Everyone has their needs...but I don't see how will that help with your taillight issue?

[teddy037.2]

Yeah, but I want to mod it in a totally different direction.  Most ducs make a face when they hear it.

I'm not saying you need to get the clear alt. lens...

lord knows if most of the mod police learned of what I have in store for my bike, I'd be shunned by the masses 

[hypurone]

I'm not saying you need to get the clear alt. lens...

lord knows if most of the mod police learned of what I have in store for my bike, I'd be shunned by the masses 

and this is bad why?   

[lauramonster]

I want to cut the seat and make it a single. Remove cowl .

Then the back to be used for storage.  Rather than being closed, it would be an open framework to match the existing frame.  The cowl balances the bike (color and design wise) and haven;t figured out the configuration to balance the rest of the bike with this mod.

Heck - I haven't found someone to cut the seat into a single.  (not looking real hard )

Hate the 'alien eyes' turnsignals.  Would like something that goes along with the above mod - cool looking LED string of lights that would not look big, but would be noticable to the zombic cagers out there who haven't had their first cup of coffee.

[teddy037.2]

and this is bad why?   

because I wanna be cool like the cool kids... 

 

[hypurone]

because I wanna be cool like the cool kids... 

 

You are and that's why you(we) were shunned by the masses!!  [moto]