I have just taken the plunge and am the proud owner of a shiny new (to me) FXFBS. It appears the last owner had a tail tidy done as the number plate is sitting nicely under the rear fender but, for whatever reason, he didn't remove the plate holder. It seems to me that a few bolts and its off but when I started undoing stuff I noticed a wire that runs through the holder and goes to the light that would illuminate the nunber plate if it were there. My knowledge of anything electrical extends to an ability to change a light bulb so I thought I might ask the best course of action.

Can I just cut the wires, tape the ends and hide the excess?

Everthying is intact at the moment and the light doesn't come on. Does that mean the wires are not live?

Any advice would be awesome.

I have removed my front blinkers 1 year ago and just cut the wire and taped the ends with black electrical tape.

Just tucked the wire into a safe spot on the bars, One year on and still no problem. 

Holding my breath, I started the bike and the ABS indicator started flashing, I swore, turned the bike off and the bloody thing kept flashing. I swore more.

I then started thinking that it might have always done this so I took it around the block and the ABS indicator went off...phew!

Anyway, alls well that ends well, I have taped up the ends of the wires and cable tied them along the swing arm. I will get the dealer to check it out at the next service but I am hopeful that it’s all going to be ok.