Projector lens driving light installation.

[Eveready1100]

Thought I'd better get back with the results of my experience with these lights. First up, some pics.


Side view of them lit up at night shows the glow from the bulbous lenses lighting up the whole front end of the bike.


This shot of the ground on one side of the bike. Far too much backlighting to be any use unless you have a large fairing to mask the light from your eyes.


Baseline pic of high beam without the projectors lit up


This pic shows just a slight improvement in illumination of the bank on the left side. Compared to the light from the HID headlight, definitely not worth using 100 watts of power for this tiny improvement, plus copping the reflections off the front end.

Bottom line is...........................

Sitting on the bench awaiting the replacement that everyone at the rally saw.
Not a total waste though. Am retrofitting the bulbs and ballasts to the work lights on Boris, my tractor.
Have just received a pair of 7.5 watt cree LED H3 bulbs to sick in the projectors and will fit them to Neriel's powerchair for her evening trips from her workshop to the house, so nothing gets wasted here.
Pics when that job's done, anyone??

[rasputin]

It's a original headlight ears that I'm talking about. Unlike a Standard's, that has the bracket basically coming straight out the front of the fork tube sleeve, the Specials bracket is welded on the inside (facing steering stem) and curves around to the front, where it curves again to go out to the headlight. Unfortunately, many years of having the RH fairing hanging off it has weakened these curvateous pieces of pressed tin to the point where I can move the headlight up and down about 1/2 an inch just with a firm push.
I'm thinking some short, straight supports will help my cause no end. Just got to fit them in there somehow.

I am thinking you may just need new rubbers in the headlight and one the headlight ears. I just replaced mine with brand new on the 81LH that I am working on. There is also a rubber grommet on the stabilizer for the headlight that is also readily availabe (at least here). Now that I have replaced these grommets I can shake the whole bike on the lift by grabbing the headlight. JAT

[BrettS]

Hi Errol I would love to get a look at the problem as it is hard to comprehend that it would move up and down without moving left to right or even the steel to be cracked for it to move that way up and down ??

I can suggest just a weld on each corner of the bend should strengthen and tighten the steel up. But I really want a look at it ??

[steptoe]

You need to come round and see how the bikini fairing bracket picks up the ears and supports the light,, maybe  another small  fab job

[BrettS]

Seems strange it would bend there Errol I will have a better look when I get home on the iPhone at the moment

[Eveready1100]

It's a original headlight ears that I'm talking about. Unlike a Standard's, that has the bracket basically coming straight out the front of the fork tube sleeve, the Specials bracket is welded on the inside (facing steering stem) and curves around to the front, where it curves again to go out to the headlight. Unfortunately, many years of having the RH fairing hanging off it has weakened these curvateous pieces of pressed tin to the point where I can move the headlight up and down about 1/2 an inch just with a firm push.
I'm thinking some short, straight supports will help my cause no end. Just got to fit them in there somehow.

[BrettS]

I can't see that bracket Errol, Is a stock bracket no good for that or you just don't have one?

[Eveready1100]

Still got a tad more to do, Brett. Have realised my new bracket holding my new lights is strong and flex free. Unfortunately my headlight brackets are a bit weary after supporting that big light and RH fairing so I can envisage problems with them over the bumps, so looks like I'll have to make some uprights to help hold the headlight up as well. Dunno how I'm going to do that, and keep it neat at the same time.

[BrettS]

Nice work all round Errol, Here I am thinking I can do some fab work for you so I can get some electrical work done LOL

[steptoe]

the fab job came together smartly,, almost  zactly like you said, nice and tidily  tucked away

[Jonesy]

Yep, neat job on the brackets Ev

[melbxs]

incredible job with those brackets - very impressive.

[Eveready1100]

Since I removed the Bimmer fairing from my bike, I've hardly used my case guard mounted driving lights due to the reflected glare coming of the shiny bits at the front of the bike, so they're gone now.


 ^ The way it was

Had a look around at alternatives and came up with a pair of these


 ^ A pair of 2" projector lens driving lights. I reckoned I could get them to fit just about anywhere, due to their small physical size.

I received the kit, then set about planning their installation............................. and modification.

 ^ A 50 watt HID conversion kit, complete with some extension leads to get the ballasts away from the already overcrowded under-tank area.


 ^ Yes, I've been warned! Now down to business.

Fabbed up a bracket to mount the lights just below the headlight (out front, no possible reflection from these), and another to be fitted where the toolbox lived, to mount the ballasts and act as a heat sink for them. I gave them a coat of paint and waited for them to dry so I could fit them, and waited.....................................and waited........................................and waited etc, etc.
While I was waiting, Steptoe rang and we were discussing our projects, and he suggested I stick them in the oven and bake them. A great idea in theory, but we'd gotten a brand new oven this past XSmas, and I really wanted to live for a bit longer, so I dragged out the old BBQ and cooked them on a medium heat for a bit over an hour, then let them cool off naturally.
 

 ^ Baked to perfection!

I had thought of swapping triple clamps over, so I'd have a mounting point at the front of the bottom clamps, but decided to stick with the original, and made the brackets loop around from the rear bolts, and across the front.


 ^ Much harder this way, but I'm happy with the result.


 ^ After fabbing up a modified (easy access) headlight adjuster, I bolted the lights on and they fit perfect!


 ^ rear bracket with ballasts mounted, ready for fitting.


 ^ Bracket fitted straight into the spot occupied by the toolbox. It now lives in my Gearsack bag side pocket.


 ^ test firing of the lights after finishing off the wiring.


 ^ Quite bright from the front.
Now, if it will only stop bucketing down outside, so i can take it for a test run!
I'll post the results as they come to hand.