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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Headlight mod /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1235847201 Message started by diamond jim on 02/28/09 at 10:53:20 |
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Title: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 02/28/09 at 10:53:20 I'm just about finished with raising the headlight. I've got a few things to tighten and I still need to run the wires into the headlight housing. The wires are more than long enough plus another 4" probably. I removed the turn signal mounts then put them back on but backwards. That way the flat part, or what is normally the outside part of the clamps where the turn signals mount, is facing to the front. The chrome support brackets were cut from some heavy chromed steel brackets that I got at the Chrome Shop on my way to Atlanta that I mentioned in the other posts. I've added another support in back that goes between the back bottom of the light to on of the bolt holes that holds the cable support. I used acorn nuts on the front for a more finished look. http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/headlightcompare.jpg |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by serowbot on 02/28/09 at 11:40:45 don't know if you're heading that way,..but it creates a nice space for a good size toll bag under the headlight.... normally, they'll rub the fender on a front end dive.... |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 02/28/09 at 11:46:27 I hadn't thought of that but it's an excellent idea. Cool! I can raise the light up and down by loosening the turn signal brackets and a slight modification to the rear support. I could put one on and adjust the height of the light so they fit just right together. |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/01/09 at 21:08:49 All done. I dig it. Raised the headlight about 6" and forward about 1.5". Also, I didn't paint the inside of the horn black. In looking through my parents garage the other weekend I found a black horn identical to ours. It's been in the garage there for a while. It came out of a '78 Datsun 280Z I had in high school! Same lettering on it and everything. I just swapped out the inner ring. http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/S4021599.jpg http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/S4021595.jpg |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 05:29:45 I added a bracket to the risers for rear support of the light. It doesn't really need it but it makes it even more solid than the stock mount setup. A threaded rod with rubber bushings allows adjustment of tension for the rear light support and minimize any vibration. http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/S4021612.jpg http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/lights.jpg Tonight I'll look at mounting the small tool bag up under the headlight. |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by SimonTuffGuy on 03/02/09 at 05:52:30 Very cool! What are the benefits of raising the lights? Simply asthetic? |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 06:08:38 Pretty much. I think it gives a different personality to the front end. Some may not care for it. I like it. Plus the rear support for the light adds some stability to the risers. The risers didn't have much flex before but even less now. Some people have mentioned problems with riser flex with aftermarket risers when you get to 6" or taller. My setup now is no different flexwise than with the stock dragbar risers. The hardest thing was finding the longer riser bolts. Those risers use 1/2"x20 thread bolts. You can find up to 4" long bolts at some hardware stores. I had to order my 5 1/2" bolts online. |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by serowbot on 03/02/09 at 06:55:21 I kinda' like it,...and I kinda' don't..... :-? Makes your fork look longer,... kinda' like that,... and kinda' don't... Excellent planning, documenting, execution, and result.... Definitely suits your bike, and makes it stand out... If I didn't know you did it, I might not notice,...and I'd just wonder why your bike has a different stance than other Savages... and I enjoyed watching the process,...Thanks... Serowbot |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 08:16:45 Like you, I both liked it and didn't like it. But it grew on me. It puts more mass higher on the front end which kind of gives it a slightly different look in my opinion. I think ultimately it would look better with more of a teardrop shaped headlight than the stock round one. I think the round one looks too much like a chromed railroad crossing warning light! Over the past few days I have set it to different heights, looked at it, left to grab a bite or play with the kids, returned to look at it again, readjust it again and so on. Being mounted on the turn signal brackets, I can slide it up and down. From it's current position it can go up another 1.5" or down to maybe 1/2" lower than stock setup. Each position I tried I both liked from some angles but then not from other angles. The exact position it's at now was selected by my 10 year old daughter. I got her opinion while raising and lowering it in 1/2" increments. The current position was her favorite. She doesn't know a lot about bikes but knows what she likes! |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by Savage_Amusement on 03/02/09 at 14:09:24 I think with an added tool bag up there it would be very natural. I only find it odd when seen from an angle. Front on I like it a lot. Not bad work my friend! |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by verslagen1 on 03/02/09 at 14:31:54 Hmmm, with the light waaaaay up there, there's room for a tour tank! ;D |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 16:16:23 I'm working on the tool bag this evening. I'll post pics later. I'll ride with it for a few days. If I find I don't completely like it where it's at I'll lower it and inch, ride a few days and so on. |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by Savage Eddie on 03/02/09 at 16:46:30 i love it! the illusion of longer forks looks awesome! cant wait to see the bag attached. |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 19:23:56 With the tool bag and black drag bar. I definitely like it better with the tool bag. http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/3-15.jpg http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/1-19.jpg http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/S4021623.jpg http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/S4021620.jpg http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/2-16.jpg |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by Savage Eddie on 03/02/09 at 20:55:18 perfect! filled in the gap perfectly and looks awesome! im also thinking about mounting the bag below the skull if i have room below the jaw. thanks for the updated pics |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by serowbot on 03/02/09 at 21:12:21 I'm likin' it.... but it needs more bag..... that ones a bit dinky in that space... Geez!,.... am I picky or what?.....not my business really, just my 2 cent's.... I like what you're creating overall,.... and nobody's bike should be right for anyone but them.... ...... and their daughter, of course.... :) ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 21:20:38 I've got this other tool bag in the garage that I think I'll try. http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/S4020176-2.jpg It's slightly larger and doesn't have the slanted front. |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by serowbot on 03/02/09 at 21:30:35 Yeah!,... sounds cool!... I took another look, and I think that will make a difference for me... 'course others will always like something else.... We could have a poll.... dis way?,.. or dat way?.... ;D BTW,... I just put the bar-end mirrors on mine,... like'em a lot!.... might post some new pics soon.... ;) |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 21:33:47 3B2D3A273F2A273C480 wrote:
Cool beans. Which ones did you go with? |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 21:40:48 I edited the pic and made the tool bag larger. Yep, I need a bigger tool bag. http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/toolbag.jpg |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by serowbot on 03/02/09 at 21:49:32 666B636F6D6C66686B6F020 wrote:
;D These,.. says they're for Harley, Victory... but they don't fit 1".... I stuffed some heater hose in the hole.... nice quality though... thought my arms might be in the way, but no, the view is excellent.... http://www.hktuning.com/PF/Mirror_Black.jpg |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/02/09 at 22:07:53 That means you don't have the stock drag bars then. I'm trying to remember what your bike looked like. Anyhow, those are the same ones I used. I was impressed with the quality as well. It's amazing how much you can adjust those. I took 2 strips of excess leather from the yoke of some other saddlebags and used that around the retaining screw things. If you are like me you'll carry the two allen wrenches with you during the next couple of rides and adjust them just to experiment. I usually ran with the bar end mounts horizontal, either pointing forward or backwards. Those mirrors are slightly convex. It may not look like it but they are. One thing that stinks is that the screws that hold the mirror head to the little curved stem (with the round ball on the other end) are held on my phillips head screws that are put in from the inside before the glass is put on. http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh128/russ_diamond_jim/S4021344.jpg The screws do not have any locktite but they are in there very good. One of mine started to rattle after about 2 months but that's most likely because I messed with it so much. I'm certain that had I just mounted them and left them alone there wouldn't have been a problem. But by design the screw can only back out maybe 1 turn before the head hits the foam adhesive tape on the back of the mirror. Jamming a small piece of foil in between the arm and mirror head to where it was hidden fixed that rattle for good. I highly recommend them. |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by Mortation on 03/03/09 at 18:09:43 4B464E4240414B4546422F0 wrote:
Thats that you have in place of the side panels under the seat? Is that custom? |
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Title: Re: Headlight mod Post by diamond jim on 03/03/09 at 20:07:38 Mortation, yep. They are side covers. They cover the air filter. Welcome to the site. |
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