Hey all,

I have a 2001 FLHRI with a stock rear signal bar, this is the one that is bolted directly into the fender. On a ride out through Western IL yesterday I had to stop once a buddy pointed out that my signal bar had broken off and was dangling by wires, thankfully someone at a general store let me borrow some duct tape and I created a little sling to keep it from flying down the highway.

My question is, do I need to buy a new rear fender to get this bar to fit again? The fender is cracked on both sides where the bar is bolted in, after hitting bumps on the highway at speed it just gave up and broke off.

Are there any bullet type signals, or alternatives to the bar setup? I'm surprised Harley went with this design, the fender is made of plastic and once it starts to crack around the bar, it's done after a few hundred miles.

Any alternative setups that you guys have would be great to hear about, I'm just trying to not have to buy a new rear fender for turn signals.

Thanks in advance.

 

Plastic rear fender?

 

Plastic rear fender?

 

The OEM fender on a 2001 RK was metal, not plastic. If you have a plastic fender you will probably have to replace it. You can get a replacement rear light bar off of ebay for under $50. Two bolts hold it on, but you probably have to drop the rear wheel. Then undo electrical connections, and reverse the process to get it back on.

 

Look at my rear taillight bar. Off a 2002 Road Glide with Kuryakun lenses. Street Glide will work also.

 

My bad, it's OEM so it's metal.

The way it has cracked almost looked like plastic though. I don't think the bar is the issue, the holes that the bar bolts into have cracked to the point that the bolts just fall through and the bar dangles and points downward instead of straight.

Is there an alternative to the bar? Has anyone changed to a bullet style? I feel like bolting a bar to a metal fender that bounces around is a design waiting to fail.

 

See post above yours. Yes, I have switched to bullet style. Like the look much better than the pancakes.

 

Sorry, I missed it.

Did you drop the rear wheel to install those?

 

You don't have to drop the rear wheel to install. There is enough room to get your hands up between.

 

Thanks UltraBob, so I got both out and this is what it looks like...

Left side - https://imgur.com/D7WlDZj
Right side - https://imgur.com/np4pcY3

Those are some pretty big holes, the one on the right actually completely broke through.
If I put a big enough washer behind it, would that work you think?