I am planning to get a light bar, and leaning towards the F&S, but it looks like it might be alot wider than the stock bar. Can anyone tell me how they look, and if I have better options? I don't want turn signals hanging out into the next lane :???:
F&S Light Bar for 1500FI
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Only thing I can offer is this: I picked up a National Cycle Light bar - got a real good deal on ebay - but it isn't very versatile. Installation is easy enough, but not much room for depth adjustment. Also, ifyou decide to change the angle of the road lights, it's pretty involved.
I like the NC bar, it looks good and does its job, but it's not a panacea.
I like the NC bar, it looks good and does its job, but it's not a panacea.
I have the F&S lightbar (still needs installing) and just went out to the garage and held it in place and it matches the same width as the stock turn signal lights.
To me...it is a nice looking light bar. At each end it is rounded (curved) and the chrome looks good. There is a switch on the top so you can switch the lights on and off seperately if you want.
Let me know if you want pictures?
One of these days....I'll get to installing it.
To me...it is a nice looking light bar. At each end it is rounded (curved) and the chrome looks good. There is a switch on the top so you can switch the lights on and off seperately if you want.
Let me know if you want pictures?
One of these days....I'll get to installing it.
I want pics Whistle, a lightbar is my next mod and all the pics on Kawa's site are less than informative.whistle clean said:I have the F&S lightbar (still needs installing) and just went out to the garage and held it in place and it matches the same width as the stock turn signal lights.
To me...it is a nice looking light bar. At each end it is rounded (curved) and the chrome looks good. There is a switch on the top so you can switch the lights on and off seperately if you want.
Let me know if you want pictures?
One of these days....I'll get to installing it.
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Some things to consider when buying light bars
when I bought my 2001 1500 vulcan classic I had the (F & S) light bar installed. It looks great and is no wider than the original turn signals because the turn signal hang below the bar. Now I like the bar, but then the following year I decided I liked the look of the chome wind shield lowers ( thought they would look cool) I found out that chrome lowers will not fit behind the F & S light bar if I had a National Cycle windshield. So if you want chrome lower windshields it won't fit with F & S light bars but will fit the National Cycle light bars.
Kazoorider
when I bought my 2001 1500 vulcan classic I had the (F & S) light bar installed. It looks great and is no wider than the original turn signals because the turn signal hang below the bar. Now I like the bar, but then the following year I decided I liked the look of the chome wind shield lowers ( thought they would look cool) I found out that chrome lowers will not fit behind the F & S light bar if I had a National Cycle windshield. So if you want chrome lower windshields it won't fit with F & S light bars but will fit the National Cycle light bars.
Kazoorider
I have F&S light bar on my 1500FI - check the website below for pics. I also have lowers, use the Memphis Shades lowers, they are adjustable up and down the forks. Memphis Shades P/N for 1500 FI is MEM9891. Drawback is that the hardware is brushed aluminum - can make it chrome-like with Flitz.
i didn't like the signals on the outside of the lightbar either. wound up going with f&i billet lightbar for more chrome and having the signals under the running lights. the dealer had to do some mods to make it fit with a windshield (someone at cruiser customizing said that this involved using 3/4" spacers and longer bolts). have not added lowers yet but have seen pics with lowers and this lightbar installed. you can check out pic of my bike at www.cruisercustomizing.com/yeti1. i did easily wire the lightbar on my magna and will look and see what wires the fi1500 is hooked up to if you need info. soldering connections with shrink tubing worked great on my other bike. mine is hooked up thru the running light circuit and adds alot of extra visibility.
if you order the F&S lightbar it should come with everything you need to hook it up. just pull the headlight and tap into the parking lights circuit. if you plan on running a set of lowers then you will probably end up with a Nomad lightbar. mine sticks the directionals out to the side to clear the lowers. not my first choice, but once you see it you can see why it was necessary.
Yep, Whistle, I did install my F&S light bar myself. It IS the bar for the FI, very important to fit correctly. And it just clears my Memphis Shades Fats windshield. As far as tips: just follow the factory instructions - they went as detailed including electrical. I did NOT solder any connectors, used the clamp-on connectors supplied and have had NO problems... I did apply a little electrical tape to avoid loose connectors banging inside the housing...other than that, it was easy. I just wish the on/off switch was on the left side instead the right side - if I forget to turn the light bar on and I am already going down the road, I have to take my hand off the throttle to turn them on.
On another note, I have burnt out both original 25W factory bulbs since installation (been about 15,000 miles or so since installation). Take care not to touch the halogen bulb, skin oils will cause the bulb to overheat and blow prematurely. If you do touch them, clean them off with a rag moistened with isopropyl alcohol - the cheap stuff at CVS or Kroger pharmacy (also called "rubbing alcohol").
Cheers!
On another note, I have burnt out both original 25W factory bulbs since installation (been about 15,000 miles or so since installation). Take care not to touch the halogen bulb, skin oils will cause the bulb to overheat and blow prematurely. If you do touch them, clean them off with a rag moistened with isopropyl alcohol - the cheap stuff at CVS or Kroger pharmacy (also called "rubbing alcohol").
Cheers!
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