Just picked one of these up and thought I'd do a little review on it.

Rivco License/Turn Signal Relocator w/LED Tail/Brake Lights
Part #XV17105
Price: $80.96



Packaging:

To put it bluntly, Rivco's packaging sucks! The package consists of a piece of cardboard with the part vacuum packed to it with plastic film. This generally isn't a problem and is a common form of packaging, but Rivco uses a very thin plastic that when heated welds itself to the part. It took me over 2 hours to pick and scrape all the plastic residue off the part.

Quality:

The part is made from good steel, but the chrome plating leaves a lot to be desired. I'd say at best it's a three layer chrome plating process, and what's worse is that it appears they weld it up after chroming as the areas around the welds are noticeably scorched and dull.

Fit:

The fit seems to be pretty good, though I did have to add an extra washer between the fender and housing on the top bolt to keep it from touching the fender. Unlike the stock mustache bar, this piece doesn't have the turn signal stalks notched for the pinch bolt to lock them in place. As such, even with the pinch bolts tightened down you can still rotate the signals on the stalks with minimal effort. Will be interesting to see if they stay in place or not.

Wiring:

This is where things get complicated. The P/O of my bike had added extra run/brake lights as well as a LED taillight with integrated turn signals. As such, my wiring was already a mess.

Aside from this, wiring up this unit shouldn't be to difficult. You'll have to shorten the turn signal wires leading to the lamps due to the much shorter stalks, and you'll need to tap into the run/brake light wires if you intend to hook up the LED's.

My job was made a little easier due to the fact that two of the additional run/brake lights the P/O installed could no longer be used, so I just snipped those wires and soldered the LED wires to those leads.

Overall Opinion:

My goal was to eliminate the mustache bar and lay the license plate down against the fender. Baron's, Cobra and Rivco all offer similar kits to accomplish this, but only the Rivco has the additional run/brake LED's. The Baron and Cobra pieces are both upwards of $200, while the Rivco is just over $80.

The Rivco accomplished what I wanted, but if I had to do it over again I'd spend the extra money for the Baron or Cobra piece. I've used parts from both in the past and know their chrome is high quality, but this was my first (and last) purchase of a Rivco product. The quality is a major disappointment and proof that you get what you pay for.

The good news is that if it starts to rust (which I'm sure it will), the chrome plating is thin enough that sand blasting should be all that's needed to prep it for paint.



My wiring nightmare thanks to the P/O



Side shot showing the very poor chrome job. That's not a shadow...that's where the chrome was burnt off from welding!



Finished install. Love the new look, just wish the workmanship on the part was better.

GOOD TO KNOW, CAUSE I AM ACTUALLY LOOKING INTO THIS SAME MOD.
THANKS FOR THE WRITE UP.

Ya know it's funny, a lot of guys don't like that mustache style rear set-up. Actually I prefer it especially since I'm running the turn/brake/running mod. I like the spread it gives to the rear lights, I think it makes the bike more visible from the rear, more so at night of course. And because of the spread, with turn signal on, less likely for the person behind to mistake which way you are turning. To each their own though.

Gotta say ... I've had this product on my bike going on three years (outside, under cover in the monsoons of NYC 98% of the year) and it hasn't rusted up yet. Nor has the chrome pit like the STAR floorboard covers. I also have the license plate cover (with the anti-photo protective plexi) and didn't bother with the LEDs. I got exactly the look I was going for (no mustache w/a lay down plate) , didn't have the packaging problems - although to be fair, it was a little skimpy and, after three years, still like it and definitely think I got my moneys worth. And the pinch bolts are snug enough so the housing hasn't moved yet. Just my experience with this product.

Mr.Furious
I had the Barons unit and sent it back. If you think the turn signals were loose on your Rivco wait till you see the Baron's. I was told that I could add black electrical tape around the points where the turn signals connect to tighten them up. Sorry for what Baron's charges for their part I'm not about to add electrical tape to anything. I expect the quality to be as good or better then stock when I purchase a part. And Baron's did not meet that expectation. So I think you got a good deal for the price!!!!