For those of you out there who are intending to purchase or already have purchased the Custom LED integrated tail light for your 2009 R1, I thought that I would put together a "How To" in order to possibly help you with your install. I found that the instructions that were included in the box were severely lacking of any significant details. Their instructions quite simply state the following:
Wow, that's it!? Sounds simple enough. But then you look at your bike and find the OEM tail light like this.
![Image]()
Damn, wedged under the sub frame. That's when you may be asking yourself, "So, how the hell am I supposed to "simply" remove that?"
Well, here's my answer.
First, let's look at what parts we have here.
![Image]()
Now, let's get to work.
This is my 1st real "How to" thread. So hopefully, these instruction will help you with your install. I tried to make this as clear and articulate as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to help you out.
And if you like my how to, please rate it accordingly. Thanks.
"Installation"
"This product is designed to directly replace the factory tail light with no modifications necessary." (Here's comes my favorite part) 'Simply' remove your existing tail light and replace it with this unit. You may need to remove a mounting bracket and/or grommets from your OEM tail light and attach it to the Custom LED unit. Take note of the orientation of this bracket before removing it so you can install it properly."
"This product is designed to directly replace the factory tail light with no modifications necessary." (Here's comes my favorite part) 'Simply' remove your existing tail light and replace it with this unit. You may need to remove a mounting bracket and/or grommets from your OEM tail light and attach it to the Custom LED unit. Take note of the orientation of this bracket before removing it so you can install it properly."
Wow, that's it!? Sounds simple enough. But then you look at your bike and find the OEM tail light like this.
Damn, wedged under the sub frame. That's when you may be asking yourself, "So, how the hell am I supposed to "simply" remove that?"
Well, here's my answer.
First, let's look at what parts we have here.
Now, let's get to work.
- Remove rear seat. (key)
- Remove front seat (2 x 5mm bolts) Seriously, if you can't remove the seats on your own bike, then you should probably turn around and discontinue this install before you hurt yourself. :lol
- Remove the rear seat latch. (2 x 5mm bolts)
![Image]()
- Remove the top tail plastic section (2 x plastic push pin rivets, 2 x plastic screws-type rivets, 1 x 4mm bolt) (Note: Carefully slide top tail plastic section back and off of the bike, as there are fragile plastic tabs that you do not want to break off.)
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
- Disconnect the wires running to the rear turn signals, license plate light, and tail light.
![Image]()
- Remove OEM fender in order to slide bottom tail plastic section. (3 x 5mm bolts)
- Remove fasteners and carefully slide the bottom tail plastic section back enough to access the rear tail light. (2 x 12mm bolts holding exhaust hanger, 2 x large plastic push pin rivets, 2 x plastic screws-type rivets) (Note: Place some cloths or something soft between the exhaust brackets and bottom tail plastic section to protect plastics from getting scratched by exhaust brackets.)
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
- Remove the rear tail light. (2 x phillips screws)
![Image]()
- Remove the bracket & the rubber cover from OEM light and then install them on the new Custom LED light. Use the screws that came with the new light to attach the bracket, as they have a courser thread. (Note: The light has a customizing programmable mode and a demo mode that requires the grey wire to be grounded. If you want to equip your light with these options, you will need to mount a switch inline with the grey wire. You may want to begin this wiring sequence while the light is out.)
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
- Determine where you want to install the switch. I am choosing to place it under the back seat, on the bracket that holds the tail light. This will allow me an easy access to the switch when needed, but prevent me from inadvertently engaging it while I am riding. (Note: With the switch engaged, and the light in demo mode, all normal signaling functions like braking and turn signaling are overridden.) Run the grey wire to the switch, (kit doesn't come with a switch, but you can pick one up at Radio Shack for about $3.00) and then run a wire from the switch to a ground. (Note: I used the negative lead of the battery.)
![Image]()
- Finished light assembly should look like this.
![Image]()
![Image]()
- Install tail light back into bottom tail plastic section with the two phillips screws. (Note: Ensure that you get the tabs on the light inserted into the slots in the bottom plastic tail section.)
![Image]()
![Image]()
- Carefully reposition bottom tail plastic section back into place and insert all fasteners. (2 x 12mm bolts holding exhaust hanger, 2 x large plastic push pin rivets, 2 x plastic screws-type rivets)
- If you are not installing a fender eliminator at this time, then reinstall the factory fender. I am going to be installing a fender eliminator, so I will not be covering how to reinstall the OEM fender. (I figure if you got it off, how hard could it be to put back on.)
- Connect all the wires from the Custom LED tail light to the bike's wiring harness. The brown lead from the Custom LED tail light goes to the grey harness, and the green lead goes to the black harness. (Note 1: The installation instructions tell you to connect the blue wire and the yellow wire for the turn signals, but they are in fact brown and green.) (Note 2: I would test all connections prior to reinstalling the remaining parts back on your bike to ensure good wiring connections and ensure that the turn signals are connected properly. i.e. right turn signal blinks when trying to signal right, and vice versa.)
![Image]()
- Reinstall the rear seat latch. (2 x 5mm bolts)
- Carefully reposition the top plastic tail section back into place and reinstall all fasteners. (2 x plastic push pin rivets, 2 x plastic screws-type rivets, 1 x 4mm bolt)
- Install rear seat.
- Install front seat. (2 x 5mm bolts)
This is my 1st real "How to" thread. So hopefully, these instruction will help you with your install. I tried to make this as clear and articulate as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to help you out.
And if you like my how to, please rate it accordingly. Thanks.
