I just got a deal on this set off HD leather teardrop saddlebags:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444218228 5&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309112879&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309112879&bmUID=1145566205350&bmLocale=en_US.

According to HD, this requires relocation kit #68485-04 to move the turn signals from the stock position back to the last bolt on the fender. I've seen a few of these kits for the same year and model as my bike that, according to the catalog, do the same thing.

What confuses me a bit is:

1. This part number isn't even listed in the online catalog but the other relocation kits are however if I call a dealer they tell me they don't have it but can order it but they can't tell me what it contains.

2. What could possibly be in this kit that warrants the $79 price tag when other kits cost $29? Aren't we just moving the turn signals back a bit and plugging the hole left behind in the fender mount? Other kits claims to be doing this and barely seem to be providing much more than bolts.

I guess I'm just trying to confirm what this kit contains to be sure I'm getting the right thing. I don't want to order something that also includes the hardware mounts for the bags (which I already have).

I thought the more expensive kits moved the signals to the license plate area. I just put one of those kits on mine for the lesser price. I'm not sure of the part no. but they make changes to them all the time. The new kit might cover later models too and you pay for all the model types because they give you hardware to fit them all. HD should be able to tell ya though, try another dealer.

This is what I put on the back of my '06 Roadster ...
http://xlforum.net/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/6708/cat/500/ppuser/4565
Was made for a Road King but fit my fender real well.

Mine went on the fender each side of the taillight

This is what I bought for my 04
http://www.greatbikegear.com/images/product%20pix/TSDNALD-lg.jpg

http://www.greatbikegear.com

Cost around $75 if I remember correctly Easy install

does anybody know of an inexpensive method for moving the turn signals to the fender?

does anybody know of an inexpensive method for moving the turn signals to the fender?Drill two holes in the fender and move the turn signals to the new holes.

Gazza

Drill two holes in the fender and move the turn signals to the new holes.
Gazza

Gary, you are right...and I thought about it because I didn't like the 'long stalk' look of the factory kit. Then I saw Hoowasat's set up. Just what I had envisioned. Scored the mount, new, on eBay. Not sure I will actually relocate the signals, but I have a good-looking cast mount if I decide to.

Kim

This is what I put on the back of my '06 Roadster ...
http://xlforum.net/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/6708/cat/500/ppuser/4565
Was made for a Road King but fit my fender real well.
Looks great! How much and how hard to install

Looks great! How much and how hard to install

HD part #68615-04 ... about $136.00. Layout & drill mounting holes, and a couple holes for the wires. No splicing ... plugged right into my '06 taillight. The only thing extra I had to buy were a couple rubber grommets for the wire-holes.

I have finally recieved the kit and finished the work of relocating my turn signals back to the last hole on the fender support so I can mount my teardrop bags. Let me impart some of the information that I have gleaned from this process.

First, attached is a picture of what HD Relocation/Hardware Kit #68485-04 contains. This is what $80 buys you. Out of all those parts I only needed the two chrome relocation pads, the two 4-1/2" bolts, four of the washers and the two thick washers (used as spacers). For my year of Sportster I only needed 25% of what this kit contains.

Second, one or more people at HD need their asses kicked for those instructions. They attempted to consolidate the mounting instructions for all years from 1994 to 2003 as they apply to 4 different HD saddlebags that require this kit. They failed! The result was 12 pages of some of the most confusing directions I ever read from HD. I read through a couple of times with a highlighter trying to isolate just the parts that applied to my year and, in the end, they still weren't all that helpful. The instructions I really needed could have been consolidated onto 1 page.

Here are the important things I learned about this process that aren't really covered in the instructions:

1. Jack up the bike. They don't tell you to do this but you'll need to disconnect the shocks and you'll need that clearance around and above the rear wheel for routing wires and holding parts.

2. Unless you have the correct pick tool for removing and reinstalling the multi-lock amp connectors (where the end of the turn signal wires connect inside the taillight assembly) don't bother with it. You'll just risk messing up the connecter. I found the stock turn signal wire wasn't long enough to be properly re-routed using the clips inside the fender well (which keeps the wire away from the wheel) anyway so I ended up cutting and splicing in about 3-4 extra inches of wire. This made it properly route in the fender well and reach the taillight assembly without stress on the connectors.

3. As part of this process for years 1998-2001 you have drill out the threaded portion of your existing turn signal housing. When they say you need a 13/32" drill bit - they mean it. A 3/8" bit is ... well ... 1/32" too small. There is a bushing with a shoulder that needs to slip into that new hole and that size matters. Also, use a drill stop on your bits to prevent the bit from pulling through and tearing up the light bulb socket inside. I used a bench-mounted vise to hold the housing while I drilled. You're not drilling aluminum or something soft so take your time, start with smaller bits and work up to 13/32" and use your drill stops.

I hope this helps somebody else.

Yep, that's what I figured. They added more parts to fit more years. That's why the price went up. Your process and parts was similar to mine and you layed out some good tips. The instructions were like some kind of drug sobriety test, I thought. :laugh

Here are the important things I learned about this process that aren't really covered in the instructions:

1. Jack up the bike. They don't tell you to do this but you'll need to disconnect the shocks and you'll need that clearance around and above the rear wheel for routing wires and holding parts.

Very true. This was the only way that I could complete the job.

2. Unless you have the correct pick tool for removing and reinstalling the multi-lock amp connectors (where the end of the turn signal wires connect inside the taillight assembly) don't bother with it. You'll just risk messing up the connecter. I found the stock turn signal wire wasn't long enough to be properly re-routed using the clips inside the fender well (which keeps the wire away from the wheel) anyway so I ended up cutting and splicing in about 3-4 extra inches of wire. This made it properly route in the fender well and reach the taillight assembly without stress on the connectors.

Actually you can do this with a paperclip or tiny flattip screwdriver. Same method can be used to remove handcuffs (don't ask me how I know).

The instructions are very confusing and I have created a how to paper which is available in the downloads section that covers at least the 02 and 03 model.

So, this weekend I moved my turn signals again. This time all the way back to the license. I decided to do this for a couple of reasons. I was entertaining getting detachable side rails for my sissy bar/luggage rack and I hate the way the HD docking kit (http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444183785 5&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309164752&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309164752&bmUID=1177947664430&bmLocale=en_US&CART_ITEM%3C%3Egrg_ast_id=2534374309164752&CART_ITEM%3C%3Egrg_folder_id=2534374309164752&CART_ITEM%3C%3Egrg_grh_id=8727923308563964&CART_ITEM%3C%3Egrg_id=3126256&CART_ITEM%3C%3Egrg_sku_id=1689949372090057&CART_ITEM%3C%3EqtyDesired=1&CART_ITEM%3C%3EqtyReceived=0&CART_ITEM%3C%3Estatus_cd=A&CART_POSITION=1&CART_LIST=GIFT_REGISTRY_LINE_ARRAY&QTY_UPDATE_RETURN_PAGE=%2Fwishlist%2Fwl_listing.js p) looks with the signals still on the fender struts (I have since realized that the detachable side plates won't fit quite right with my Corbin seat). Mostly, I was disturbed to see that the very expensive chrome relocation pads that come in the $79 H-D relocation kit (that lets you to move the signals to the back bolt on the fender) were falling apart after a year of being on the bike. I never cease to be amazed at how much $$$ H-D is happy to charge you for absolute crap. Anyway ...

I already had a layback license plate (not from H-D) and I wanted to adapt to what I already had so I bought the H-D turn signal relocation kit (http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444222817 9&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474395672741&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395672741&bmUID=1177947793914&bmLocale=en_US) for Dynas and '04-later XLs. Again, it takes a lot of audacity to charge $75 for a chrome tube and some tin. I drilled the layback license plate frame to accommodate the chrome tube, moved the signals and rerouted the wires. While doing this work I also had a chance to fix a few other things in the same general vicinity on the bike: the wiring for one of the signals was barely attached in the molex connector; the pop rivets that hold in the bulb socket for one of the signals had fallen apart and the socket was no longer held in place within the housing; etc. As is typical, this simple project ended up taking several hours to finish but it was the kind of maintenance work that I wouldn't have otherwise handled until things started failing. Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the results and thought I'd share.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/tstoeckel/Motorcycle/LicenseTurnSignal-side.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/tstoeckel/Motorcycle/LicenseTurnSignal-rightangle.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/tstoeckel/Motorcycle/LicenseTurnSignal-rear.jpg

nice job. i kinda did the same thing. bought a dyna convertible turn signal bar on ebay for about 5 bucks. i like the looks of the signals back there.

nice job. i kinda did the same thing. bought a dyna convertible turn signal bar on ebay for about 5 bucks. i like the looks of the signals back there.

i made one from lowes using a piece of threaded rod. i don't have any pics right now, bike is in the shop. maybe this weekend. anyway... i took a light with me to find the right thread bought a 2' rod then cut to fit. it was easier than i thought. to dress it up, just wrapped it in black electrical tape, also helped with the mounting. i know my description isn't the best, but if someone would like pics, pm me and i will try do post some this weekend.
p

i made one from lowes using a piece of threaded rod. i don't have any pics right now, bike is in the shop. maybe this weekend. anyway... i took a light with me to find the right thread bought a 2' rod then cut to fit. it was easier than i thought. to dress it up, just wrapped it in black electrical tape, also helped with the mounting. i know my description isn't the best, but if someone would like pics, pm me and i will try do post some this weekend.
p

I tried to send you a pm sometime ago, but I'm not sure you got it.
I would like to know more about how you did this and how you like it...
Thanks

Here's a question:

My bike came with the HD turn signal relocation kit installed. I'm trying to install easy brackets, but the screw holding the cover plate for the old turn signals has a large acorn nut type end, which is too long to allow the brackets to seat on the studs. When I tried to remove it, it just spins. There doesn't seem to be a nut on te back... I fear that the nut is inside the chrome fender strut and that I'll have to take the whole thing off to get this piece off.

Anybody have any other ideas?

I answered my own question - had to take the whole trim piece off and remove the bolt.