Converting the mirror indicators for the MOT

[Adam]

Ok people in England (and Australia)

As you are aware, our stupid laws require that you have flashing side repeater lamps on the front of the vehicle.
The MOT regs state that you must stand level with the rear bumper, move 1 meter to the left and then you must be able to see either the front indicator (impossible) or a side repeater lamp.
If you have a 2002 or older model, you can buy an M3 type mirror that has Orange bulbs but none are available for the 2003.
The indicators in the mirrors (on a 2003) fit legal criteria but all indicator lenses MUST be orange. The original Red lenses will not do.

To avoid drilling a hole in your front fender for a side repeater lamp, I did this.........

1. Remove the mirror cover to access the lamp. Red lamps are Verbotten !!!!



2. Take a small drill and swiss cheese the lens. Be careful. It's easier to remove material than put it back.



3. Take a junior hacksaw blade and cut the middle of the lens out.



4. No going back now. Take various Files/Dremmel/what have you and smooth the hole out till it looks like this.



5. Take a piece of card and make a template of the hole. (This bit makes you feel a bit like Chip Foose but a lot less talented)



6. Transfer the outline onto a suitable Orange lens and draw it out



7. Hack away with your drill and saw till you have the rough shape.



8. Take your file/dremmel again and make the new orange lens the same shape as the hole in the original lens. Yes, this is the tricky part.
File, measure, file, measure. Go slowly.



9. When you are happy with the fit, glue the insert in.



10. To finish off, and remove any last traces of the red lens, I painted the outline in black paint. Looks factory



The results.........

Video of the original Red lenses (Click on image to play)



Pic of the new Orange lenses



Video of the new Orange lenses (Click on image to play)





Does it all make a difference? In my opinion No but now it is legal and will pass an MOT without having to fit side repeaters on the front.
You might be lucky and get away with the originals for your MOT. It all depends on the guy doing the test but this way it's 100% even for a VOSA pull on the side of the road.

[wwldman]

Good job...those look good!

[Shadow489]

This should go into the "How To" hall of flame. Great work Adam!

[Adam]

This should go into the "How To" hall of flame. Great work Adam!

I did post in there too Chris but I wanted to make sure that my fellow UK owners saw it just in case they want to make the same mod.
The orange lens law is only applicable in the EU.

[Shadow489]

Only in the EU? I was going to do that mod tonight to throw off some of these Houston Cops!!!!

I'm gald to hear everything is going well with your Harley across the pond!

[firemedix911]

Good job.

[HDom]

Nice one Adam, got my Mot soon so need to do that,cant work out how it passed the strict SVA test with them red,are you going to Billing NSRA?

[ianf]

Well done Adam, I had thought of trying something similar but didn't have the bottle, in case I messed up and then had to get a ne mirror. Now you have been the guinea pig and a great How to, I just might give it a try

[Adam]

Nice one Adam, got my Mot soon so need to do that,cant work out how it passed the strict SVA test with them red,are you going to Billing NSRA?

Dom, the lights are not tested for the SVA when you import a truck.
The weight technically makes it a goods vehicle so the law doesn't apply for the import. It does apply for the MOT though.
This means that you can have a vehicle on the road that has passed the SVA for importation but is technically illegal for road use under the Road traffic Act.
That's the law for you though.`

My MOT isn't due till December but I thought I'd get this mod out of the way while I had a spare day to play with.
I still haven't converted the rear lights or fitted a rear fog yet but that will be done after my trip to the States in July.
I've seen the lamps i want over there (ultra stealthy) and will hand carry them back.

Not planning on going to Billing but I will be at Gary's Picnic on July 15/16th for the racing and the RWYB.
We should have about 7 or 8 HD's and Lightnings from Rebel-V8 going along for that one. Hope to see you there.

[HD DUDE]

Great work Adam. 10/10............

[hemiuk]

Hey Adam at least you had the choice some twat drilled and fitted a pair of poxy transit side repeaters to mine wan*ers