G'Day
I've heard this is a very common problem encountered by bobtail fender bike owners so thought I'd make up a tutorial. This is my second tri-bar light to have the flimsy plastic tabs snap off and I wasn't gonna spend a few hundred more replacing it. I considered some of the alternatives such as the cheaper eBay ripoffs but I'm sure they would have the same problem eventually anyway. When I bought my second one I superglued washers on either side of the screw hole hoping that would strengthen it but instead it snapped above it instead of through it.
Step 1: Buy two $0.60 metal L brackets from the bracket aisle in bunnings. Make sure your fastening screws fit through the holes in them. You can see the model number of mine in the photo. Also buy some black Sikaflex 252.
Step 2: Hold the broken off tab where it broke off from and bend the bracket to meet the bend in the light. I had to flatten the brackets then ad the bend closer to the top hole than where it was originally. If you dont have your original broken tab you can subsitute for a bunch of metal washers. Once you have the bend correct apply a coat of Sikaflex to the inside and attach it to the light with the original piece. Ensure the screw holes line up and are free of obstruction.
Step 3: You can probably skip the wait, but I let that set for 24 hours before the final step: Sikaflex the fuck out of it.
It doesnt look pretty but hopefully no one is inspecting your tail light fastenings. I have actually not tested this yet, I am gonna give it 24 hours to dry before taking it for a spin, but Sikaflex has a good reputation for holding anything to anything and being reasonably vibration resistant. I will report back shortly with results.
Update:
Did about 150km today with a mix of city and country roads, the Sikaflex held well but time will tell.
