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Message started by ezornes239 on 09/18/14 at 20:25:39

Title: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/18/14 at 20:25:39

So my stock headlight is about to bust off. It's been cracked around the mounting point for well over a year. But it's about to finally break off. Riding home from work tonight I was worried it was gonna come off, get caught in the front wheel and wreck my black ass. It's bouncing so much it looks like a strobe light on the street signs in front of me.

I figure I'll take the opportunity to upgrade to a bigger headlight. Just wondering if this 7" fork mounted light from DCC will work with the Savage. I'm running the Ryca clip ons, so it might be a bit low, but whatever.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/6/6/6630-26-vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-customer-motorcycle-lighting-parts-7-inch-chrome-black-headlight-bucket-5.jpg

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/6/6/66-35810-vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-streetfighter-motorcycle-parts-black-universal-headlight-brackets-base_1.jpg

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/black-and-chrome-7-inch-metric-style-headlight-assembly.html

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-chassis-lighting-parts-lightweight-black-headlight-brackets-66-35810.html

Thanks for any info.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Kris01 on 09/18/14 at 20:30:59

What is the extra bulb in the housing?

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/18/14 at 20:35:15

No clue. Somewhere here will probably know. I just want a bigger light. Beef up the front end a bit hopefully. Maybe throw this on there as well.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/u/lux-machine-racer-x-7-inch-headlight-shield-2.jpg

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/18/14 at 20:48:04

Looks like the biggest issue is the line coming from the front brake master cylinder. Can that be rotated up to allow more clearance for the mounting brackets?

http://s28.postimg.org/b5iinqv4t/CAM00274.jpg

And goddarn, my bike looks dirty in the flash from the camera...

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by verslagen1 on 09/18/14 at 21:15:41

5F667D672425140 wrote:

What is the extra bulb in the housing?

Quote:

And if that's not enough for your ton-up lovin' self, how about the fact that it sports a high quality euro style glass lens and backer with one of those super cool illumination bulbs on the interior? In addition, it takes a standard H4 bulb for easy replacement.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Spamy on 09/18/14 at 21:17:49

You will probably have to bend the brackets, but it should work. I had put this one in a few weeks for months back. (quoted from another thread)

"I used this combo and I love it.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-lighting-parts-satin-black-7-inch-british-headlight-bucket-66-65068.html

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-lighting-parts-7-inch-sealed-h4-headlight-lens-66-75804.html

The bucket is metal and really well built. I love that it has the threads built in and I dont have to monkey with a nut on the inside of the bucket. The lens is glass and the H4 bulb is really bright. I comes in flat black, I threw a clear coat on it and it looks perfect gloss black now.

Really happy with it."

Links updated...

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/18/14 at 21:21:32

Whoops, our bad...

The page you requested was not found, and we have a fine guess why.

If you typed the URL directly, please make sure the spelling is correct.
If you clicked on a link to get here, the link is outdated.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Spamy on 09/18/14 at 21:31:12

Links updated above.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Dave on 09/19/14 at 03:29:48

The fork mounted headlight will most likely be fine, there will be some bending of the new mounts required to get the fork spacing and headlight width to work together. It appears you will be able to mount it at least as high as the stock headlight.

The extra bulb is a throwback to the Old School bikes. Some countries/cities required that you have parking lights whenever you parked on the street. The small bulb lit the front of the bike - while the tail light lit up the back. Our Savage has that park function - but doesn't have that little light in the headlight anymore.

I owned a 1970's car once that was imported from Germany. When the car was turned off, you could move the turn signal lever to the right or left, and the turn signals on that side of the car would turn on and burn steady (no blinking)....and when the car was turned on the turn signals functioned normal. This would allow you to park the car and turn on the lights nearest the street for parking lights. That way you only used half the power that was needed if you pulled the headlight switch and ran all 4 parking lights (and the license plate light). The US version of that same car did not have that feature.

PS...I don't think that black R/R crossing thingy will look good on your RYCA. It might look OK on a military scheme bike.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/19/14 at 13:28:49

If you all think I can make it work, I'm gonna go ahead and order it. Just don't wanna order something and it be useless. Would a smaller diameter headlight be easier? 6"?

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by scannerzer on 09/19/14 at 13:34:14

i used this type of headlamp and brackets as shown in the first pic on the trike i built ,i had to make spacers between the clamps and the lamp but it worked out nice

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Dave on 09/19/14 at 13:35:07

Measure the distance between the center line of the fork tubes, and the easiest headlight will be one that had the width at the mounting bolts close to that dimension. The headlight you linked said it was 8" wide at the mounting points....if the forks are about the same...you are good to go. You can angle the brackets in/out a little bit to account for a different width.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/19/14 at 13:45:16

Center line is about 7.5".

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Fishbulb on 09/20/14 at 07:10:21

I went with a fork mounted set up from DCC and I am very pleased. MOved to a 7" with a Hella light. I Went with the chrome larger british style bucket, well built. MUCH better light output, even without adding a relay.

I did get the medium duty brackets, and they are a bit long for my tastes. And, as others have mentioned, they required a little bending.

The shorter ones you are looking at will be better for bringing the light closer to the forks, but I think it will take a bit of a bend to get it to meet the bucket.

I Would look for some of the brackets that already have a 'step' built into them, so you don't have to bend them yourself.

Good luck!

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/20/14 at 09:47:05

I'm just gonna go ahead and order it. Wrapped some tape around the headlight and forks yesterday to keep it from bouncing around so much because I had some running around to do. But it finally snapped clean off on the way home. Literally held in place just with tape right now. I wanna get the order placed so I can have the parts by Tuesday or so. If I can't make it work, I have a buddy that owns a shop who will.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Demin on 09/21/14 at 05:20:08

Why not drill 1 hole and put a base mount light on it?Drilled the bottom tree of my '86 and mounted a custom light.
http://p1.bikepics.com/2014/06/12/bikepics-2675256-800.jpg

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/21/14 at 06:05:47

I wanna say Paladin had a light that looked like it came off of a locomotive.. I liked that thing.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/23/14 at 17:33:53

Got everything today. darn brackets are supposed to fit 35-38mm forks, but they barely work, gonna have to buy longer bolts and they don't even come close to meeting each other. Got them because they were the cheapest and I thought they'd fit, But might have to spring for more expensive ones that go up to 41mm...

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Dave on 09/25/14 at 10:26:02

I am a bit confused by Dime City's description. In one area they claim the lense is plastic, and then in their written description they say it is euro style glass lens.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/black-and-chrome-7-inch-metric-style-headlight-assembly.html

What is it........glass or plastic?

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by mpescatori on 09/26/14 at 03:58:31

635A415B1819280 wrote:

What is the extra bulb in the housing?

That "extra light" is the parking light which is mandatory in Europe.

The Savage has it as well, I believe, because if you "switch off" by turning your key up instead of down, the parking lights stay on, front and rear.

;)

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Fishbulb on 09/26/14 at 06:42:37

Why bother finding out? Buy the shell only and put a 7" Hella or Cibie H4 headlight in there.

162D2037262A31372C242936450 wrote:

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by cafecarl on 09/26/14 at 07:20:46

I bought a headlight from DCC. It was the chrome euro model I think.
The lens was glass. Since I had the wire loom apart anyway, I connected the small bulb to the park circuit as previously stated in other posts. Works fine but I never use it.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Dave on 09/26/14 at 08:43:00

5778627973647D73110 wrote:

Why bother finding out? Buy the shell only and put a 7" Hella or Cibie H4 headlight in there.

[quote author=162D2037262A31372C242936450 link=1411097139/15#18 date=1411665962]I am a bit confused by Dime City's description. In one area they claim the lense is plastic, and then in their written description they say it is euro style glass lens.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/black-and-chrome-7-inch-metric-style-headlight-assembly.html

What is it........glass or plastic?

[/quote]

I think you are really on to something here. I had a car back in the 80's that had a 4 headlight system with 4 Cibie lights with 100 Watt bulbs - plus driving lamps with 100 Watt bulbs...... and it really lit up the road.

Here is a quote from the Danial Stern site:

There are four basic differences between Hella Vision Plus DOT and a Cibie / Hella ECE/E-code lamps.

First is in the lighting pattern. For us in the US, the regulations date from the 50's. The US DOT mandates a dispersed pattern that puts a percentage of the light output UP and to both sides of the road so that overhead or roadside signs, which may not have other lighting or reflective characteristics, are lit for you.

The European standard allows all the light to go on the road - they have a law that any overhead or roadside sign has to have it's own, independent lighting or must be highly reflective. So not only is there more light on the road with your low-beams, the high-beams are more precise as well. There is also a triangle of light on the right side to light up roadside signs.

The effect is that the E-code lights actually put more light on the road for you to drive with, and offend oncoming traffic MUCH LESS because of the sharp cutoff in the lighting pattern; and all of this with the same wattage lamps as in the US. That's on low beam. Because of the DOT low-beam requirements, and the resulting lens and reflector design, it's impossible to get a good high beam.

So if you buy a 7" bucket from Dime City, and then buy a 7" Hella or Cibie headlight assembly and install a good H4 bulb.....you are going to have about the best affordable headlight that you can get.

Satin Black Bucket - $ 54.95:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-lighting-parts-satin-black-7-inch-headlight-bucket-66-65010.html

Chrome Bucket (Deep British style bucket) - $ 62.95:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-lighting-parts-chrome-7-inch-headlight-bucket-66-65040.html

Gloss Black Bucket - $ 74.95:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-lighting-parts-gloss-black-7-inch-headlight-bucket-66-65010-gbpc.html

Daniel Stern Lighting E-Code Headlight:
Hella $ 42.00, Cibie $ 78.00
http://www.headlightservices.com/Headlamps.html

That last item we need to locate....is the headlight mounting arm that works best with the Savage forks.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by arteacher on 09/27/14 at 07:19:34

This begs the question: Is the stock headlight for the European S40 E-code or DOT?

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Dave on 09/27/14 at 17:33:10

434848414D424359582C0 wrote:

This begs the question: Is the stock headlight for the European S40 E-code or DOT?

Go look at your headlight bulb....and see if it has DOT or E on it. I suspect anything imported to the US has DOT on it.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by arteacher on 09/27/14 at 17:40:16

I don't have a European bike, I have an American bike, purchased in Canada, so mine has DOT on it.
Maybe one of our European brothers could look at theirs and see?

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/28/14 at 17:25:15

http://s11.postimg.org/oktv5444j/CAM00278.jpg

http://s17.postimg.org/lo9blpllr/CAM00279.jpg

Finally got the new headlight mounted yesterday. Sits pretty far out, but I guess that's just how fork mounted lights are. Had to bend the brackets a bit, and will still probably upgrade to ones that fit a bit better around the forks in the next couple weeks. I still need to get some rubber washers to keep it tight on the brackets, they're tightened down pretty good and there's still some wiggle up and down. I have to readjust it like twice just on the way home from work. Can't figure out why it's not staying in place.

What do you all think? Might bring it a bit lower after looking at these picture.

Still gotta tap the new part for the rear turn signals and get those on and wired tomorrow.

And crappity smack that dent on the tank is nasty.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Dave on 09/29/14 at 03:56:43

Yes, it does look like your headlight is out a couple inches too far.

No....fork mounted lights don't have to stick out that far. You just haven't found the right set of mounts yet. One possibility might be to use one of the holes farther in, and trim away the excess mount for the outer holes. Since you got black mounts it would be easy to cut some off and repaint them black.

I made my own mounts out of aluminum and used the turn signal clamps for the attachment to the forks. You just need shorter arms to bring the headlight in farther.

Dave

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Dave on 09/29/14 at 04:58:54

You might be able to find a pair of brackets from another motorcycle that works. Here are a pair of Yamaha IT brackets that fit 38mm forks, and they are short.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-IT175-IT250-IT400-Headlight-Head-light-Mounting-Ears-Mounts-OEM-1977-1979-/400658969002?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d4922b1aa&vxp=mtr

Here is a list of motorcycles that use 38mm forks:

38 Honda CR-125R (81-83)
38 Honda XR-250R (84-85)
38 Kawasaki KX-80R2/R3/R4/R5/R6/R7 (92-97)
38 Kawasaki KX-125 A6-A7 (80-81)
38 Kawasaki KDX-200 A1-A3 (83-85)
38 Kawasaki KX-250 A5-A7 (79-81)
38 Kawasaki KDX-400 A1-A2 (79-80)
38 Kawasaki KX-420 A1-A2 (80-81)
38 Kawasaki KL-600A1 “KLR” (84)
38 Kawasaki ZX-600C1-C6 “Ninja” (88-93)
38 Kawasaki ZX-600C7-C10 “Ninja 600R” (94-97)
38 Kawasaki KL-650A1-A18 “KLR650[ch8243] (87-04)
38 Kawasaki VN-700A1 “Vulcan” (85)
38 Kawasaki VN-750A2-A20 “Vulcan” (86-04)
38 Kawasaki ZX-750F1-F4 “Ninja” (87-90)
38 Kawasaki ZL-900A1/A2 “Eliminator” (85-86)
38 Kawasaki ZX-900A1-A3 “Ninja” (84-86)
38 Kawasaki KZ-1000C1-C4 “Police” (78-81)
38 Kawasaki KZ-1000J1-J3 (81-83)
38 Kawasaki KZ-1000K1/K2 “Ltd” (81-82)
38 Kawasaki KZ-1000P1-P20 “Police” (82-01)
38 Kawasaki ZL-1000A1 (87)
38 Kawasaki KZ-1100A1-A3 (81-83)
38 Kawasaki KZ-1100B1/B2 “GP” (81-82)
38 Kawasaki KZ-1100D1/D2 “Spectre” (82-83)
38 Kawasaki ZN-1100B1/B2 “Ltd” (84-85)
38 Suzuki RM-125 N/T/X/Z (79-82)
38 Suzuki RM-125 D (83)
38 Suzuki PE-175 Z/D/E (82-84)
38 Suzuki RM-250 N/T/X/Z (79-82)
38 Suzuki RM-400N/T (79-80)
38 Suzuki LS-650 FG/PG/FH/PH/PJ (86-88 )
38 Suzuki LS-650 PS/PT/PV/PW/PX/PY/PK1/PK2/PK3 “Savage”
(95-03)
38 Yamaha YZ-125 H/J/K (81-83)
38 Yamaha IT-175 J (82)
38 Yamaha IT-175 K (83)
38 Yamaha IT-250 H/J (81-82)
38 Yamaha YZ-250 D/E/F/G (77-80)
38 Yamaha FZR-400 U/SUC/W/SWC (88-89)
38 Yamaha FZR-400 A/SAC (90)
38 Yamaha YZ-400 D/E/F (77-79)
38 Yamaha IT-465 H (81)
38 Yamaha IT-465 J (82)
38 Yamaha YZ-465 G (80)
38 Yamaha XT-550 J/K (82-83)
38 Yamaha FZR-600 W/WC/AC/B/BC (89-91)
38 Yamaha FZR-600 RA/RAC/RB/***/RD/RDC/RE/REC (90-93)
38 Yamaha FZR-600 RF/RFC/RG/RGC/RH/RHC/RJ/RJC (94-97)
38 Yamaha XJ-600 SD/SDC/SE/SEC/SF/SFC/SG/SGC “Seca II” (92-96)
38 Yamaha XJ-600 SH/SHC/SJ/SJC “Seca II” (96-97)
38 Yamaha FZX-700S/SC/T/TC (86-87)
38 Yamaha XJ-700N/NC/S/SC “Maxim” (85-86)
38 Yamaha XJ-700 XN/XNC/XS/XSC “Maxim” (85-86)
38 Yamaha XV-700L/LC/N/NC “Virago” (84-85)
38 Yamaha XV-700CS/CSC/CT/CTC “Virago” (86-87)
38 Yamaha XV-700 J1/J1C (97)
38 Yamaha XV-750 U/UC/W/WC/A/AC/B/BC “Virago” (88-91)
38 Yamaha XV-750 D/DC/E/EC/F/FC/G/GC/H1/H1C/J1/J1C “Virago”
(92-97)
38 Yamaha XV-1000 L/LC/N/NC “Virago” (84-85)
38 Yamaha XV-1100 S/SC/T/TC/U/UC “Virago” (86-88 )
38 Yamaha XV-1100 W/WC/A/AC/B/BC/D/DC/E/EC “Virago” (89-93)
38 Yamaha XV-1100 F/FC/G/GC/H/HC/J/JC “Virago” (94-97)

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by ezornes239 on 09/29/14 at 09:21:19

I wonder if I still have the clamps from the front signals stored somewhere.

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Xenokilla on 09/29/14 at 17:14:36

arg, stop tempting me with more things to buy!

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by DesertRat on 03/20/16 at 12:15:33

2B34213C202B3D7C7D774E0 wrote:

http://s11.postimg.org/oktv5444j/CAM00278.jpg

I just want to know where you got your clamp-on bars?

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by Dave on 03/20/16 at 15:02:07

I have some clip on bars I will sell you.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1399394334

Title: Re: Fork mounted headlight options
Post by DesertRat on 03/20/16 at 15:40:55

thanks Dave