Change taillight on 98+ kats?

[mx916]

I love the styling of my 2000 Kat. And I mean everything from the bodywork to the rims, mirrors, directionals, headlight, etc. But the one thing I just cannot come to appreciate is the rear brake light. It just does'nt work for me. Its just too pointy and I hate to say but it looks like when a dog gets er....excited. I thought about the clear lense idea, but that still does'nt change the shape. Any ideas or pics of an alternative?
With something new and different, the Kat would be an official "10" to me.
Thanks for any feedback.

[kirk]

I believe you can swap out the rear light & fairings with the newer 2004+ tail light and fairings. It uses the dame flatter oval shaped light as the busa.

[SweetLou]

I believe you can swap out the rear light & fairings with the newer 2004+ tail light and fairings. It uses the dame flatter oval shaped light as the busa.

Well, you can, but it will be some major moding from my understanding. The newer rears have different bolt patterns, and I can't remember if something with the subframe was changed or not.

[taz]

I believe you can swap out the rear light & fairings with the newer 2004+ tail light and fairings. It uses the dame flatter oval shaped light as the busa.

Well, you can, but it will be some major moding from my understanding. The newer rears have different bolt patterns, and I can't remember if something with the subframe was changed or not.

From what I've been told about this, because I thought about doing it myself. The bolts dont line up. I dont think anything was changed on the subframe but lou is right the bolt pattern is different. At least thats what I've been told. Do a search on here cause I'm sure it was here that someone mentioned that.

[SweetLou]

Also, the undertail area may be different too then, with bolt patterns and sizing.

[taz]

here you go.. found the original post on this. hope this helps and if you decide to do the mod. please make a write-up on it with pics. let us know how hard it is and how much to expect to spend on it. i would love to do this myself as well.

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1516&highlight=fairing+swap

[KnightRider]

I love my pointy tail. Thats one of the reasons I loved the Katana.

To each his own.

I also think that on some model years, they switched to an integrated brake/turn function, so the wiring harness would have to be modded......or am I making this up.

[irenekat]

i asked about this as well. i hope someone out there can make up a taillight lense that follows the shape of the housing so its flush. jim? beek?

[WildKat]

suzuki2000's kat has a 2003 tail section on it if I remember correctly.

[zleviticus]

the pre 03 tail will not fit right on a 03-05. and visa versa. If you were to do this you would have to change the whole rear end.. Ie. the fairings, the lights AND the fender. the pre 03 fender will fit an 04 i knwo that for a fact and I assume since it fits it will work in the reverse. However the fender is about 1/2 inch off on both sides and the fairing will not bolt to it. but if you take the whole thing you shoudl be ok.

[ZukiFred]

I don't know how, But it can be done. This is my 2000 with 03-04 tail.

[The CyberPoet]

I don't know how, But it can be done. This is my 2000 with 03-04 tail.

Details, please:
what parts did you have to mod/replace/etc?

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[zleviticus]

My guess is that you would have to have the following.

The tail assmebly for an 03+ including the fender. Everything else save the wiring harness should bolt right up.

I knwo the opposite is true. I was ble to bolt up a pre 03 fender up to an 04 Kat but the tail did not fit back on completely because the rear is wider on an 04 than the bumblebee tail.

[BigCorySBFMC707]

Re: Change taillight on 98+ kats?

I love the styling of my 2000 Kat. And I mean everything from the bodywork to the rims, mirrors, directionals, headlight, etc. But the one thing I just cannot come to appreciate is the rear brake light. It just does'nt work for me. Its just too pointy and I hate to say but it looks like when a dog gets er....excited. I thought about the clear lense idea, but that still does'nt change the shape. Any ideas or pics of an alternative?
With something new and different, the Kat would be an official "10" to me.
Thanks for any feedback.

that is way too funny, i never looked at it like that but it does look like a dog with a hard on, I dont think I will ever look at my bike quite the same now. lol

[DooD]

If you do end up going for the '03+ taillight, I'd highly recommend the Clear Alternatives CTL-0018 Hayabusa Integrated LED taillight...I got one for my '03 about a month ago, and the rear end looks SO much better without any fender or signal stalks!