Author Topic: California Vintage Taillight Conversion? (Read 8759 times)

janguzzi · « **on:** December 04, 2018, 06:55:24 AM »

Has anybody here modified his taillight to a smaller one?

I think the shape of the original one is okay but it is much too big.
Another problem is the material ... plastic ... it looks cheap.
The one they have created for the pre-series photos looked much better:

I think this V7, 850GT replica taillight/holder would look perfect on a Vintage.
https://www.guzzi4ever.de/aufbau-moto-guzzi-v7-ambassador/ambassador-ruecklicht-blinkerstange

Sheepdog · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2018, 07:59:00 AM »

I liked the taillight on the concept bike also. It reminds me of the BMW tail lights of the fifties and sixties.

janguzzi · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2018, 08:16:32 AM »

Maybe you can paint it like that (?) ...

grebmrof · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2018, 08:39:01 AM »

I thought the problem with the CalVin tailight was that the housing cracked on some of them.

janguzzi · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2018, 08:43:00 AM »

The original holder on early Vintages cracked (it was a design flaw) but later holders do not have this problem anymore.

janguzzi · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2019, 04:32:32 AM »

A user from the German "www.guzzi-forum.de" bought a CalVin tail light from someone who has "upgraded" the light with (I guess) a very thin aluminium sheet:

I like it, reminds me of this one:
https://hmb-guzzi.de/Ruecklicht-V7-Sport-850-GT-ect-verchromt

s1120 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2019, 05:58:35 AM »

I always thought these looked kinda cool....

janguzzi · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2019, 06:25:14 AM »

A similar one was used here:
http://www.motoguzzicalifornia.com/2011/07/replace-tail-light/

But then you have to change the holder and I think what Steph wrote:

Quote

Personally, because the turn signals are so large, I think the current Calvin tailight size just right.

is spot-on.
I have also learned that painting a used plastic part is not a good idea.
The paint might or will peel-off.

kingoffleece · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2019, 07:54:05 AM »

I'm quite fond of my "twins" out back.
To each their own.

janguzzi · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2019, 09:35:15 AM »

Btw. the tail light lens of the Vintage originally came from an Aprilia Scarabeo from 2000.

kidsmoke · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2019, 01:36:40 PM »

I really like the solutions shown above.

My idea was to take the model A style light, VERY robust metal case with brite LED's, and have it mirror the headlight black bucket/silver ring.

Dharma Bum · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2019, 03:28:43 PM »

Or one could go with a universal trailer light as found at PepBoys, Walmart, etal.

jim_W · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2019, 07:56:14 PM »

I think I have a tail light from a 2010 CalVin along with rear signal lights in my left over parts box.

wavedog · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2019, 12:55:51 AM »

Jim_W, sent you a pm.

janguzzi · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2019, 05:51:35 AM »

The tail ligh of the 1400 Eldorado looks very similar.
Could it be a chrome Vintage tail light which was built into the rear fender?

janguzzi · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2019, 02:45:44 AM »

My tallight got a small update

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4hr6oUktYI

Sheepdog · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2019, 09:02:36 AM »

That's a clever improvement, Jan.

I wonder if the plastic housing was an early attempt to prevent the taillight bracket from failing. In any case, I would look for something that is lighter than the stock assembly, rather than heavier.

janguzzi · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2021, 03:57:11 PM »

"My" painter told me that he is not painting older plastic parts because he could not guarantee that the coating stays in place and might peel off because of all care products that were used over the years.
I was able to find a new taillight for a reasonable price (EUR 99,95) at TLM (Netherlands) and so it was possible to paint it glossy black.
I wanted to keep the original look as much as possible and the light emitting efficiency of the "plastic bucket" is very good.

The 1400 Eldorado taillight is indeed similar but it is missing the small window to illuminate the licence plate.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2021, 04:02:55 PM »

Quote from: s1120 on January 10, 2019, 05:58:35 AM

I always thought these looked kinda cool....

[/quot
I put one those on the Cal-Vin. The original is a horrendous POS!

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Author Topic: California Vintage Taillight Conversion? (Read 8759 times)