Although the OEM fender is...
Although the OEM fender is functional, it’s not the most attractive. The blinkers are bulbous and the taillight is precariously hung below the exhaust. Fear not, we’ve got just the fix.
Oftentimes it’s the simplest things that transform what was once mundane and forgettable into a point of admiration. Take, for instance, the tail end of the 2007-present Honda CBR600RR. The front of the bike is as perfect as they come thanks to sleek lines and a small face, but the backside is both blessed and cursed. To its credit the underseat exhaust is trick, but it’s hampered by a bulky fender that sports massive blinkers and a taillight that resides below the exhaust. If you haven’t paid attention to the modern CBR600RR rear, the taillight floats nearly a foot beneath the seat.
SSB regulars might remember the mild makeover this ’07 600RR received in 2011, and following a warm reception we decided to bring it back for a few additional upgrades. After the owner received several tickets for a cheap eBay fender eliminator that was hardly visible he returned the rear to stock. But after several months of rocking the factory flap it was time for a fix. TST Industries had the ultimate answer for the CBR600RR (and other models) with its integrated taillight and fender eliminator. But unlike other companies that rework a factory taillight simply by adding built-in blinkers, TST Industries got clever with an unused portion of the OEM tail section. The rearmost portion of the fender is utilized with a replacement taillight that is available in clear or smoked. Forget the low-hanging stock unit, TST Industries tucks its light into the tail.
1. Start by removing both...
1. Start by removing both seats and the tail section, followed by the exhaust.
2. The TST Industries taillight...
2. The TST Industries taillight requires the stock inner fender to be trimmed. No worries, the detailed instructions make it easy.
3. Mount the TST unit in the...
3. Mount the TST unit in the rear cowling and install the pair over the modified tail section.
4. Note the plug-and-play...
4. Note the plug-and-play OEM wiring for a bonehead-simple install.
TST Industries fender eliminator...
TST Industries fender eliminator 5. After removing the battery, a power drill makes quick work of the few holes needed to securely mount the fender eliminator to the underside of the battery box.
TST also designed a fender eliminator that mounts to the underside of the battery box for an undercover setup. To make matters easier, the fender eliminator installed in minutes and the integrated taillight comes with factory-style connectors for a plug-and-play process.
Since OEM accessories are always a sure fit, a Honda Accessories seat cowl also entered the mix. This high-quality piece installed in minutes and further pushed the CBR into the realm only exotic bikes call home. The cowl sports cool features like an adjustable speed hump and a variable-height design.
6. The plate is safely tucked...
6. The plate is safely tucked under the fender for a stealthy look with a nice LED plate light to keep it legal.
7. The cowl is height adjustable...
7. The cowl is height adjustable with the supplied washers in case the fitment needs to be tweaked. In our case the back mounts needed two washers per side to bring the rear of the unit level with the tail.
8. The seat cowl brought the...
8. The seat cowl brought the rear-end revamp full circle. Also note that the speed hump on the cowl is adjustable for a custom-tailored fit.
9. The tidy tail looks as...
9. The tidy tail looks as good at night as it does in the day. The integrated unit is so clean it should have come this way from Honda. Here’s a shot of the taillight and the blinker simultaneously illuminated.
10. A little bit of work and...
10. A little bit of work and a small amount of cash went a long way.
After no more than an hour, the back end of this CBR was transformed from a stocker to a rocker. What’s left is a tail so sharp it looks like it’s from the racetrack–this is how the CBR should have come from the factory. This month’s install is further proof that even minor mods can make a giant improvement.
TST Industries Fender eliminator
$23.99
TST Industries LED plate light
$9.99
Next Month: Speedometer error got you down? We’ve got the fix.