Taillight Bracket/Fender Problem

Gary Hudak

New Member
Hello everybody,
I am having a problem with my taillight and rear fender alignment on my 69 K1. When installed the bracket seems angled "Up" in the rear. The bracket is from CHP, tried two of them with the same result, the fender is genuine Honda from NEVC. Fender lined up fine, nothing had to be tweaked. I left the grommet out of the bracket for the photos. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Gary Hudak
 

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Gary Hudak

New Member
Ooooh, that could be. I have an early K1. I didn't know the brackets were different on K1's, just from K1 to K2. The frame mount is slight bent up from trying to get the taillight bracket grommet to line up. Time to bend it back down!
 

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kirrbby

Well-Known Member
I would look up a stock Honda photo for reference. Maybe from a early K1 owners manual. Maybe it is supposed to angle up a bit. More likely tho that the aftermarket bracket just missed the mark.
I might have a manual. Maybe I can find ya a pic.
 

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
The taillight mount on your FRAME looks a little funny too. It could have been a replacement...or broken off and repaired.
 

Gary

Well-Known Member
Don't be so quick to blame chp either- the alternative would be to over pay on some old rusty beat up original and try to get that back in shape. If you look at the "Honda" fender you'll also see that they are not exactly the same as an original either. Either one or both and the frame mount could be off as well- this is why you do a build before the paint goes on. Here is your picture vs a picture of my original NOS Honda parts bought in the early 90's but with the later frame mount

honda repro fender.JPG


100_2577.JPG
 

hrc200x

Active Member
Been awhile but I recall having a similar issue. I might have made it work by having all hardware in the fender and bracket loose and tightening the bolts while lifting on the parts trying to push them the direction they needed to go.
 

Gary Hudak

New Member
Kirby I don't think the frame mount has been molested. It looks too clean. The old pictures you posted show the bracket and light at an angle, closer to what I am experiencing. I am referencing other photos mainly from Paulson's ( Spelling?) book.
Gary's fender sure is different. Is the fender "bobbed", or is the hole in a different spot?? Maybe it's supposed to angle up like the old Honda manual.......
 

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
This is how the original looks...for reference.
I think if you use that CHP bracket... HRC is on to the best approach. Start with everything REALLY loose, then push/pull/tweak things as you're tightening bolts.
You could also maybe slot the mounting holes on the aftermarket bracket if necessary.

DSCF0464.jpg DSCF0460.jpg DSCF0462.jpg WP_000155.jpg
 

Gary

Well-Known Member
I would not hesitate to order, you will just have to modify it to fit- not uncommon in the reproduction automotive world. Nothing fits like OEM anyway and even if you could find them you could not afford them now. The contour of the fenders is what I don't like,I've suspected it before from looking at other pictures,but this is the first I've seen close up enough to be able to compare. Your fenders look worth saving and would be interesting to see how a new plate bracket would bolt up to an original fender
reciept 001.jpg
 
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Gary Hudak

New Member
All the frame brackets you guys picture seem taller than mine. I know mine is an earlier 69 due to the serial number, maybe that is the difference. Anyways, here are the pics of it installed. I think I will run with it.
 

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Gary

Well-Known Member
Well if your happy thats all that matters,don't think I'd worry. Here is another period picture from a brochure-
2 for off the road.jpg
 

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
Bingo!
Looks good to me. Most of the aftermarket parts are off...at least a little. They get close...probably after a LOT of hardship...then they call it...good nuff!
But you have to admit, the parts support is pretty dang good for our bikes. There are very FEW parts that you can't find for your K1. The battery box, and the triple tree-with the correct HL ears, and...about everything else is available aftermarket. You just need a frame with vin #.
 

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
Maybe if a guy or gal had one of each...a good used or NOS K1 bracket, and a aftermarket bracket...they could compare the two... measurements and pics, to find out just how they're different. That would likely be a big help in knowing what and where to tweak the aft bracket for the best result.

I, am not the guy or gal who has those parts tho. Least not currently.
 
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