License plate light | GTAMotorcycle.com

License plate light

jukon

jukon

Well-known member
Hey so I was putting on a used fender eliminator kit and hooked up the license plate light, but the light seems to be broken.

Is there a law that the license plate needs to have a light in Ontario? I'm thinking that I don't ride at night often enough for this to be an issue. Should I be concerned?
 
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm#BK116

S 62. (19) Rear lamps to illuminate number plate

The lamp on the rear of a motor vehicle or trailer shall be of at least three candela and shall be so placed that it will, at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, illuminate the numbers on the number plate, or, if provision is made on the number plate or on any attachment furnished or required by the Ministry for affixing the lamp, it shall be affixed in the position or space provided, and the lamp shall face to the rear and reflect on the number plate a white light only. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (19).

the fine would be $110: http://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/how-do-i/set-fines/set-fines-i/schedule-43/
 
there is, but I've ridden 60k km without being bothered...my plate is right under my tail light and its illuminated by it, but technically I can still get a ticket because it needs to be a white light...

I won't be adding one anytime soon though. I plugged in a car charger to the socket the plate light connected to, to power my GPS.
 
these cost only $2 each (shipping is more expensive).
cheap, light, bright, waterproof, seemingly durable and easy to install.
and they draw very little current
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-light-modules/little-dot-smd-led-accent-light/639/

led-accent-light-dot_3.jpg
 
you could also get the bolt lights. I know Royal carries them, so does cycle world.

200_7000075-MC-Boltfx-White.jpg
 
I appreciate the feedback. Any ideas on price point? I'm looking for the cheapest possible if this is something I probably won't be hassled about anyways.
 
eBay has tons of them for dirt cheap. But the china ones take like a month to get here.
 
jukon said:
Thanks. Do you have personal experience with this item though?
Click to expand...
Yes. Had one on my bike for over a season now. Bright and very unobtrusive. One is all I needed. That single LED is brighter than both the plate light bolts I had combined.




nfq said:
you could also get the bolt lights. I know Royal carries them, so does cycle world.

200_7000075-MC-Boltfx-White.jpg
Click to expand...

robmack said:
I use these on my bike:
http://www.tmart.com/Motorcycle-LED-License-Plate-Light-Blue-12V_p158632.html

They both secure the plate to the eliminator and illuminate the plate.
Click to expand...
Those license plate bolts are quite a hassle. Firstly, they're not very bright at all, with only a slice of light they project hitting the plate. Also, I've had issues with them burning out very early. One came burnt out right out of the package.

The bolts that hold them in place (at least the ones I received) are larger than the holes in the licence plate, requiring the licence plate holes be drilled out. You are also dealing with 2 pairs of wires instead of 1 pair. On my set-up, the space behind the plate was very tight, and replacing them was a PITA.

When I purchased them, they were $30 for a pair. I see the price has come down somewhat.

The single LED tab is only $2.00, however.
 
Something to remember when mounting a non stock license plate lamp is that it must shine white light on the plate, but the bulb must not be visible from the rear.

So depending on how you mount one of those led button lamps you might have to black out the rear side so it's not directly visible to the rear.
 
this is true.

on the Busa, there's a relatively flat, horizontal portion under the tail just behind the plate which made an ideal mounting spot for the tab LED.

I'll try to post a pic of it later
 
Okay, two pics. I've got both the LED and the Licence plate Lite Boltz installed (couldn't be bothered to remove them). In the first pic, I've blacked out the LED tab with a shop rag.

Also keep in mind that my camera phone has automatically lightened up the photo on white balance. The garage is somewhat darker than it appears in the pictures. I was hassled twice by the police when I only had the licence plate boltz (they thought it too dark but only gave me a warning). I've never been hassled about the LED tab.

First pic: Licence plate Lite Boltz
as you can see, it barely illuminates the plate. At best, you can describe it as an accent light.
8609725161_0f817e3ecd_z.jpg



2nd pic with the LED tab. As you can see, it is much brighter, fully illuminating the plate and does not shine the light backward but downward:
8609725141_de921cb7e6_z.jpg
 
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3 years on my GSXR 750, (i miss her) without a license plate light, pulled over for other traffic violations, plate light, never been an issue.
 
BusaBob said:
Okay, two pics. I've got both the LED and the Licence plate Lite Boltz installed (couldn't be bothered to remove them). In the first pic, I've blacked out the LED tab with a shop rag.

Also keep in mind that my camera phone has automatically lightened up the photo on white balance. The garage is somewhat darker than it appears in the pictures. I was hassled twice by the police when I only had the licence plate boltz (they thought it too dark but only gave me a warning). I've never been hassled about the LED tab.
Click to expand...

My light bolts must but of a different make or type cause the ones i have there is no question as to their effectivness on lighting the plate.

The tab light is great tho. If i had to re-do the light options again i would do that instead its much simpler.

People should be aware that the bolt lights hve very thin short paint in the *** wires and are designed with the idea of swaping out the plate in mind. I wish someone would do a redesign with thicker longer wires or some kind of harness and so that lights could be removed and replaced with the plate.
 
Considering the number of people I see on our highways with zero tail lights or sometimes even headlights on in the middle of the night and non-functional brake lights, I doubt you'd get hassled much.
 
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