TST Industries Fender Eliminator Kit Install

TST Industries very generously sent me, at no cost, a Pre-Production version of their Fender Eliminator to install and comment on. They asked that I give an unbiased opinion of the product and that is what follows here.

They sent me a complete Adjustable Kit (also available as a fixed version, but the adjustable one allows you to adjust the angle of the license plate) , including Under Tail Panel, Plate Holder, Signal Mounts and their Stealth License Plate Light. The kit arrived partially assembled (production products will arrive unassembled) and was packed/protected very well in the box. Also came with several stickers and a small key chain.

The TST F.E. is a bit different than other F.E.’s available for the R3 in that it is a modular product. You only buy the parts that you need. For example: If you are using an Integrated Tail Light, you will only need the Under Tail Panel, the Plate Holder and possibly one of their two License Plate Lights, but not the separate side-attached mounts for turn signals. NOTE: The signal mounts use the same bolts that are used to attach the license plate.

The Undertail Panel (a molded unit with reinforcement ribbing) and Plate Holder (appears to have been CNC cut from a solid thick piece) are made from plastic (ABS, I think) and are very sturdy. All of the supplied hardware is Stainless Steel.

The Signal Mounts are made from steel and are adjustable for width, either sitting flush with the edge of the license plate or adjusted outward up to about an Inch. This could be useful if your State, Province, Shire or Country has minimum width requirements on signal spacing.

The Stealth License Plate Light is made from plastic, has 4 white LEDs in it and lights up the license plate very well. This light is made to mount on the back of your License Plate with a 3M adhesive rectangle that comes pre-attached to the Light. [NOTE: This makes the license plate bulge out slightly in the middle, but the license plate can be leveled by either adding a couple washers between the plate and the plate mount, moving the signal mounts (if used) to in front of the plate mount, or trimming the mounting tab on the light so that it attaches behind the Plate Mount and between the metal brackets on the rear of the Plate Mount, which is what I did.].
NOTE: this light is a Universal Fitment item. It wouldn't be economically feasible to make an individual light for each motorcycle model, but this one WILL FIT to ANY license plate and can also be easily modified for a permanent fitment behind the plate holder. Easy Peasy!

They just uploaded an info video on the Stealth Light a minute ago!


AND, here's the install video for the light, just uploaded by TST:


Overall the kit is a nice looking, easy to install (the Undertail Panel uses the same 4 holes from the stock rear fender) and very Minimalist-looking design.

The Signal Mounts are designed for use with TST's signals. If installing other Aftermarket signals you just have to install the mounts with the slotted side facing out to the sides to allow clearance for the signal mounting posts. [Thanks to Bart at TST for this info]

The install took me exactly one hour (the length of Radio Lab on Public Radio that I listened to while doing the install). My R3 had the Vagabond Motorsports F.E. on it already, which made it easier, so a clean install from stock would certainly take a bit longer.

Since it was a Pre-Production Unit mine didn't come with any instructions, but it was very easy to figure out and I'm sure a good set of instructions and an Install Video will be available once the Kits are shipping.....