| Author | Message | ||
     Dtx |
Just out of curiousity, what has everybody done to remedy their dim low beam headlight? I am pretty sure the reflective material inside my housing is flaking away as well, since my headlight seems quite dim. Should I just buy a new low beam headlight (housing and all)? Or are there any other solutions? | ||
| Nutsnbolt |
Get inside the low beam headlight.... There is a metal "T shaped , with angles" piece in there. take it out and you will have enhanced your headlights 10 fold. I asked the same question, this is the answer i got. It was a dramatic change. So, Pop the front faring up, undo the headlight housing, open up the low beam, unscrew the plate. Put it all back together and call it a day. Good luck Ride Hard Mark | ||
| Dtx |
Interesting...I did not know about that little mod. It sounds like you are removing the part that keeps the light pointed low so that it doesn't shine like a spot light (high beam). Would this change essentially make it like two High beam lights? | ||
| Aldaytona |
It most likely would, if there was any chrome finish left.  Report the headlight finish problem to NHTSA. I urge everyone with a XBR who has had this happen already or WILL have this happen to report this important safety issue to the NHTSA today. | ||
| Dtx |
Do you think this is a recall worthy situation? | ||
| Aldaytona |
Should you as a consumer have to buy new headlight assemblies, not bulbs, to be able to drive/ride after dark? I think not. If this isn't a safety recall situation I don't know what is. | ||
| Gowindward |
The housing reflective surface degrading is a problem. From my experience they need to be replaced about once per year (12k to 15k miles for me) | ||
| Aldaytona |
I've owned dozens of bikes and cars and never had to replace headlight housings, bulbs yes, headlight assemblies no. My Shovelhead and BMW boxer have the original headlight assemblies and are like new inside, they are over 20 years old. Housings that last a year or so are safety issues, it's important we report this to the NHTSA. | ||
| Gowindward |
To report go to www.Safercar.gov "You can also report a vehicle safety issue to NHTSA online at our vehicle safety Web site: www.safercar.gov. Select “File a Complaint” within the Defects and Recalls section of the home page. The information you submit via the Web site is recorded in VOQ format, entered into our consumer complaint database, and provided to our technical staff for evaluation. When you fill out a VOQ online, you will be given the option of checking a box to authorize or not authorize the release of your personal identifiers to the manufacturer of the alleged defective product you own. Again, while you are not required to provide such authorization, doing so can sometimes help facilitate the recall process." | ||
| Dtx |
Is the housing reflective surface piece a part I can order/buy, or do you have to buy a whole new housing? If its something cheap, like bulbs, then I don't really have a problem replacing them when they wear out. (Aldaytona, I do see your point though.) | ||
| Srlorg |
I recommend not buying or fixing the same factory junk. I replaced mine with Hella 90mm & H9 bulbs from susquehanna. Very nice, you can see the dandruff flaking off the drivers head in front of you! I made a one piece aluminum bracket that makes it a bolt in operation. Its fairly simple to machine a bracket out of 3/16" alu if you have a CNC mill. Youll also need to make 4 spacers out of alu or delrin to space the plate away from the mount. The good thing is you only have to drill two 1/4" holes in the factory mount. If theres anyone with a cnc mill who hates the idea of doing the bondo mod thats been posted here before and wants to copy mine I can send the you the cad file for the plate and spacers. | ||
| Trippsta |
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| Trippsta |
Srlorg, Pm me plz I run a cnc, would love to see the print. Thanks Tripp | ||
| Tiburondriver47 |
somebody please make up a kit at a reasonable price as i'am sure they would be easy to sell. | ||
| Saintly |
Housings that last a year or so are safety issues, it's important we report this to the NHTSA. I strongly agree. Anyone with a firebolt is at risk here. Ignoring the dimming lamp can lead to less than desirable results: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/249692.html?1168327053 | ||
| Cereal |
Hey Drake, I asked Dave for just the housing before he left and he said that it is not sold separately. You need to buy the entire low beam assembly. Seems like they are trying to make money of a safety violation. I think we should try to get all of the Firebolt owners from both boards to go to that link and report it. It may have more of an impact if a couple of hundred people do it all at once. Anyone want to start a thread on the other board? | ||
| Isham |
First thing you do is file that report with the NHTSA. Then take apart the headlight, wash out the reflective material and let dry. Next get some chrome paint and paint the inside of the housing. Don't worry about it being perfect it will still work better then before. Put it back together and presto. (Message edited by isham on February 08, 2007) | ||
| Cereal |
I just became the fourth person to file a complaint for the 03. That seems low. I'm at work so I didn't have my VIN, but I think I can go back and add it later. | ||
| Gowindward |
The head lamp assembly is about $40 if I remember right. I have tried the chrome paint trick. It's not a good fix in my opinion. The chrome paint couldn't take the heat from the bulb and burned (turned brown) some. The chrome paint is also not mirror like as the original finish is when new. | ||
| Aldaytona |
I have also coated 2 sets with different metallic paints and am working on some different ideas right now. Anyone got a bad set they haven't thrown out yet, I'll pay postage. | ||
| Dtx |
Thanks for the info fellas. I will probably look into buying a new low beam headlight. | ||
| Cereal |
Might as well buy two for when it goes out again! I'm going to try the T thing. | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
Replace it with a high beam housing. I could be wrong but I think they are the same. The high beam housing puts out much better light so should help some. Ask DaveS or someone else first to make sure they are externally the same but like I said I believe they are. | ||
| Srlorg |
Heres a jpeg of the plate. Its 3/16" aluminum. The adjusters from Susquehanna snap into the holes. You drill two holes through the original headlight mount where the holes in the middle of the plate are. There are 4 triangular spacers, two on each side of the bracket. .25" high I used delrin. You can either saw off the two adjusting studs on top or leave them. They can also be screwed out but you have to heat them at the end so the stub pulls out. The two new adjusters on the outside need to be sawed off .75" shorter and slotted so they dont hit the fairing. Again, if anyone wants the dxf file Ill be glad to forward it. Heres a link 71kb is too small for an image. http://www.srl.org/forsale/bracket33.jpg | ||
| C4l3 |
Is this flaky headlight thing a problem even on the newer 06-07 models? Or just the first few years models? | ||
| Midknyte |
I gotta play devils advocate here... How many who had trouble with the coating were running regular/reccommended bulbs? (i.e. not bumping wattage, etc.) Fair question. Fess up. Curious... | ||
| Cereal |
Mine are stock. I remember a post earlier where someones stock bulbs melted through the plastic and caught something on fire... | ||
| Starter |
My bulbs are stock. I've had two housings replaced in 15,000km. | ||
| Gowindward |
I have only used 55 watt bulbs. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Stock in my XB9R and XB12R, stock in my buddies too. High and low housings have a slightly different shape, lens is the same. |
