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Posted by Tecumseh
- July 27, 2014, 02:36:00 AMHere is better view of the rear showing the '51 Pontiac taillight. I purchased this excellent new piece from Speedway Motors at a very reasonable price. As I stated before, this unit is chrome STEEL with a GLASS lens! I have not got around yet to filling the mounting holes for the stock taillight that are clearly visible on the fender cause that's gonna' require bodywork and paint. However, I have additional bodywork and paint to do for the rear fender, so I'll wait to do both at the same time, no sense in setting up my spray gun and bodywork materials twice, right?
Since I removed the stock factory tool compartment, relocated the voltage regulator, cut away all the useless mounting tabs in that area below the left side cover, there is now this big void that just doesn't sit well with me as you can see in the pic below. What this now needs is a continuance of the rear fender!
So I decided to make one. I didn't want to pay the bux for a perfect aftermarket fiberglass fender, especially since I would end up cutting it apart. I first applied multiple strips of masking tape right on the fender then laid the plastic over the tapped fender. This was just for protection in case the resin was too hot for the plastic. Once all prepped I proceeded to lay the fiberglass and coat with the resin.
And here's the end result. Now comes all the ugly work of cutting, smoothing out to perfection, incorporate mounts then make a mold. I'm hoping I can get it to form to use on either side of the bike, if not, I guess I'll have to make a master for the right side as well.
Here is the end result photoshopped. This simple little subtle addition really ties up everything together in the cosmetic department for sure. Man, I can wait to get this done and out of the way so I can move on to my next custom modification!
And lastly, here's a modification must for all 800 Drifters.......
The stock location for the voltage regulator use to be down by the drive chain as you all know, a bad spot for sure, It would always get caked with chainlube and dirt! I could never understand why Kawi mounted it there in the first place. I fabricated a new mounting bracket, lengthened the harness then mounted it up front under the fork triple clamp where it stays a bit cleaner and gets better air for cooling.
Thanks all for the compliments on my previous posts, hope I can be some help! 
Tecumseh