WHALE TAIL MOD

Well, someone was asking for whale tail mod info so here it is.
#1 remove seat, side panels, and tail.
#2 remove tail light assembly and completely dissassemble! All you will need is the tail light and small black bracket its mounted too.
You dont need any of the plastics and I tossed out the liscense plate light also. The tail light illuminates it plenty. I just disconnected wire and taped up.






#4 Mount that little black bracket to exhisting holes in tail.








#4 the tail lense doesnt look to nice at first because it is like 1 1/2" deep and is clear. I wrapped mine in electrical tape so light shined backwards only.



#5 Next I took a piece of sheet metal from hardware store and made a backer for the Liscense plate.
#6 Had some left over metal and bent up a bracket for the after market signals.

Looks like this!!!!



If your not too handy, just do this!!!












Happy Modding

Very elegant - I like how your lights are still very visible. Seems to me most "tail-tidying" obscures the brake light a bit too much for my taste. How does the whale tail (tm) work offroad? Do you get more mud up your back than with the original rear?

Very nice. I'm into too much mud for that but it sure looks very sleek.

Well honestly, Ive never had mud on my back. The stock tire always pancaked and wasn't aggressive enough to clean itself and spin it out.

Lets see if this puts some mud on my back

I have the edge brake light but the stock one is brighter. I ride the X and it doesn't see much mud, thanks for the writeup.

Nice write-up.

Just an FYI, depending on what state you live in, this setup may not pass state inspection. I know in PA they require a separate license plate light, even if the brake light illuminates it. Also, the turn signals have to be a minimum of 9" apart. Check local requirements where you live.

Thanks for the concern dmmcd. I live in a very small town which any atv/orv is legal to drive on city streets except the main drag. No real concern for laws here! Can take my 4 wheeler to the bar!

I like your sawing off the big ole tail modification the best, how did you mount the plate? Oh and me and some buddies are looking to head up near your way in June, damn good riding up there!

In pics 4 and 5 you can see the existing mounting holes where the bracket on the inside is. I just bolted it up to there. Eventually gonna get my Edge tail light.

Pokey, are you coming all the way up into the U.P.? Ive been looking for people to go on some rides. There are 2 HUGE orv parks owned by the state that are mostly single track within 30 miles of me. Would like to also do a couple overnighters. Let me know. could ride for years up here and not see half the U.P..