This tutorial will show you how to install your custom taillights for your bagger project. These instructions are the same for installing Bad Dad's custom taillights on all Road Kings, Street Glides, Road Glides, Ultra Classics, Softails, and Metric bikes.
1) Bad Dad's 957 Lights are ideal for the side flanges of your fender or the back of your saddlebags. This tutorial will illustrate installation into the flanges of Bad Dad's Summit Fender, although the process shown here is transferable to any other project you may have.
2) Begin by cutting out the paper template found on the backside of your printed instructions. Next, use a sharp object (like a punch) to open the pilot holes indicated on the template.
3) Now you will position your template onto the fender. Make sure the template is positioned symmetrically on both sides of the fender. In our experience, using the fender's rear seat bolt hole is a great reference point to ensure proper symmetry for locating the top of the taillights.
4) With your template in place, use a marker to mark the four (4) pilot holes for each taillight.
Now you are ready to select the proper drill bits for the next steps.
5) Drill Bits. Use a 7/32" drill bit for the outside (top and bottom) holes. Use a 1/2" drill bit for the two inside holes. Make sure you drill the correct sized holes.
Caution: Do not use a punch on an ABS, fiberglass, or composite product. You will damage the product surface if using a punch.
6) Now you are ready to drill your holes. First, drill the 7/32" holes in the top and bottom positions.
7) Then drill the 1/2" holes on the inside markings you made. You should now have a total of eight (8) holes.
8) The interior 1/2" holes will serve as a pilot marking for trimming the fender for mounting the custom lights. Use a straight edge to connect the 1/2" holes.
9) Next, use a rotozip, dremel, or cutoff wheel to follow your markings and cut a straight light.
Note: The edge of the taillight bezels will hide any unevenness in your cutting. Do your best to cut a straight line, but it is not too critical that your lines are perfectly straight.
10) Now you should have two (2) long openings in the fender with four (4) individual 7/32" holes.
11) Now you are ready to install the taillights into the fender. Your custom lights are delivered assembled to show the correct assembly order. Remove the screws from each light to disassemble the light.
From left to right, you should have (1) the LED lights; (2) a custom machined red Lexan lens; (3) a custom machined clear defractor lens; and (4) the custom taillight housing.
12) Begin installation by placing the LED light on the backside of the fender flange.
13) Then place the clear defractor lens, red Lexan lens, and taillight housing on the front of the fender. Thread the screws (included) to tighten the entire assembly from the backside of the fender. Install both taillight assemblies.
14) Your taillights should now be installed. Complete the installation by either (1) splicing the taillights into your existing wiring harness or (2) simply plugging the taillights into one of Bad Dad's custom taillight harnesses (available separately).
