Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: mikeb2411 on November 17, 2014, 10:13:32 AM
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Hey guys (and girls), I have added several "upgrades" to my bike, mainly in the way of lighting. I have 2 spots under my mirrors and had 2 LED fog lights near my front wheel. The 2 LED fogs were mounted to my reflector brackets.
A couple of weeks ago one of the reflector brackets broke, allowing the LED fog light to swing free. The light ended up being thrown back into my radiator and putting a hole in the radiator :o. I had to have the bike towed to the Kawi dealer where I had to put out some serious coin for a new radiator assembly (it was really painful) :censored:! I now have a new radiator and a radiator guard in hopes of preventing that nightmare from ever happening again!
It's obvious the reflector brackets are too weak to hold the weight and handle the constant vibration of the LED fog lights so I was wondering...those of you that are mounting LED's down low, how are you mounting them? There has to be a secure way to mount them and I was thinking about drilling through my fender to mount them but wanted to ask the group before drilling holes.
Thanks!
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It's obvious the reflector brackets are too weak to hold the weight and handle the constant vibration of the LED fog lights
Yep, you are not the first to report it breaking. But to have it take out the radiator in the process is a HUGE bummer.
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I'm thinking about machining a 1" dia. x 1.188" long post (standoff) that mounts directly to the frame where the bracket is mounted/secured and using a longer screw to mount the light to that standoff, eliminating the bracket altogether. The current screw is 35mm long. 65mm would put the light just outside the fender. The longer screw would engage the same hole the bracket uses but that way there isn't thin, weak material hanging in the wind. It should be a much more secure interface. My concern is the frame piece that it attaches to...is it strong enough to handle the load put on it by the combination of vibration and weight of the light???
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PIAA 1100x lights mounted to a fairly beefy short steel strap. Bracket bolts on with one of the brake caliper mounting bolts. Washers, longer SAE 12.9 bolt, loctite, etc.
Reflector brackets went in the trash some time ago...
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A brand new product will be introduced shortly (if it is not already out) by Twisted Throttle that will use the fender mounts to provide an aux. light mounting bracket. Give me a couple of days and I should be able to get photos for you. Of course you can also go directly to T.T. for information as well as the product.
Brian
P.S. As a matter of fact, T.T. used a particularly handsome '08 C-14 for the R&D of those brackets. Had some kind of mammal foot strung on the back of it as I remember..... :rotflmao:
Hey guys (and girls), I have added several "upgrades" to my bike, mainly in the way of lighting. I have 2 spots under my mirrors and had 2 LED fog lights near my front wheel. The 2 LED fogs were mounted to my reflector brackets.
A couple of weeks ago one of the reflector brackets broke, allowing the LED fog light to swing free. The light ended up being thrown back into my radiator and putting a hole in the radiator :o. I had to have the bike towed to the Kawi dealer where I had to put out some serious coin for a new radiator assembly (it was really painful) :censored:! I now have a new radiator and a radiator guard in hopes of preventing that nightmare from ever happening again!
It's obvious the reflector brackets are too weak to hold the weight and handle the constant vibration of the LED fog lights so I was wondering...those of you that are mounting LED's down low, how are you mounting them? There has to be a secure way to mount them and I was thinking about drilling through my fender to mount them but wanted to ask the group before drilling holes.
Thanks!
-
A brand new product will be introduced shortly (if it is not already out) by Twisted Throttle that will use the fender mounts to provide an aux. light mounting bracket. Give me a couple of days and I should be able to get photos for you. Of course you can also go directly to T.T. for information as well as the product.
Brian
P.S. As a matter of fact, T.T. used a particularly handsome '08 C-14 for the R&D of those brackets. Had some kind of mammal foot strung on the back of it as I remember..... :rotflmao:
Are you referring to these?
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/denali-led-lighting-fender-mount-kit-for-d1-d2 (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/denali-led-lighting-fender-mount-kit-for-d1-d2)
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PIAA 1100x lights mounted to a fairly beefy short steel strap. Bracket bolts on with one of the brake caliper mounting bolts. Washers, longer SAE 12.9 bolt, loctite, etc.
Reflector brackets went in the trash some time ago...
Pictures??
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No. What I am referring to are actual brackets, not just bolt extensions. Again, give me a day or two and let me see if I can get something to show you folks.
Brian
Are you referring to these?
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/denali-led-lighting-fender-mount-kit-for-d1-d2 (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/denali-led-lighting-fender-mount-kit-for-d1-d2)
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I bought spacers from Lowes and longer bolts for the fender bolts. (pardon the bugs)
(http://fartymarty.smugmug.com/photos/i-K7kNmVD/0/L/i-K7kNmVD-L.jpg) (http://fartymarty.smugmug.com/photos/i-K7kNmVD/0/O/i-K7kNmVD.jpg)
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No. What I am referring to are actual brackets, not just bolt extensions. Again, give me a day or two and let me see if I can get something to show you folks.
Brian
Here's what T.T. recommended
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/denali-led-lighting-universal-offset-mount-kit (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/denali-led-lighting-universal-offset-mount-kit)
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I bought spacers from Lowes and longer bolts for the fender bolts. (pardon the bugs)
(http://fartymarty.smugmug.com/photos/i-K7kNmVD/0/L/i-K7kNmVD-L.jpg) (http://fartymarty.smugmug.com/photos/i-K7kNmVD/0/O/i-K7kNmVD.jpg)
I plan on doing this if I ever put lower fogs on.
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I read about the thin reflector metal breaking. Bought some flat steel and simply bent them to match the reflector bracket. It is very stout.
(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac262/xsv_photos/IMG_5259.jpg) (http://s906.photobucket.com/user/xsv_photos/media/IMG_5259.jpg.html)
(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac262/xsv_photos/IMG_5261.jpg) (http://s906.photobucket.com/user/xsv_photos/media/IMG_5261.jpg.html)
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I read about the thin reflector metal breaking. Bought some flat steel and simply bent them to match the reflector bracket. It is very stout.
(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac262/xsv_photos/IMG_5259.jpg) (http://s906.photobucket.com/user/xsv_photos/media/IMG_5259.jpg.html)
(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac262/xsv_photos/IMG_5261.jpg) (http://s906.photobucket.com/user/xsv_photos/media/IMG_5261.jpg.html)
What about the right bracket, the bracket that holds the cable (has the "hooked" bend to hold the rubber grommet), how did you handle that?
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What about the right bracket, the bracket that holds the cable (has the "hooked" bend to hold the rubber grommet), how did you handle that?
The brake line runs right next to the front wheel speed sensor. (cable with rubber grommet) The wiring for the light runs right next to those other two. I zipped tied them together. The stiff brake line is not going to move and keeps the other 2 right where they need to be.
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What about the right bracket, the bracket that holds the cable (has the "hooked" bend to hold the rubber grommet), how did you handle that?
HB, what are the lights you're using? what's the output in lumens?
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HB, what are the lights you're using? what's the output in lumens?
The LED's under my mirrors are 2000 lumens but dim with my Lo Beams so the 2000 is when I use HI beam.
The fogs I mount near my front when are 1100 lumens and have a 15deg elliptical beam...great for lighting through corners.
Both lights were purchased from ADVMonster (John Sanders).
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The LED's under my mirrors are 2000 lumens but dim with my Lo Beams so the 2000 is when I use HI beam.
The fogs I mount near my front when are 1100 lumens and have a 15deg elliptical beam...great for lighting through corners.
Both lights were purchased from ADVMonster (John Sanders).
Sorry...meat to say "front wheel", not "front when"
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Sorry...meat to say "front wheel", not "front when"
LOL...definitely early! I meant to say "meant", not "meat" :o. Probably a good idea to quit typing until I actually wake up! :-[
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I read about the thin reflector metal breaking. Bought some flat steel and simply bent them to match the reflector bracket. It is very stout.
xsv, what gauge/thickness steel did you use?
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xsv, what gauge/thickness steel did you use?
1 inch wide by 1/8" thickness. I bent them, sandblasted them and just spray painted them. The next time I have something powder coated I will take them off and do it "right". :)
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1 inch wide by 1/8" thickness. I bent them, sandblasted them and just spray painted them. The next time I have something powder coated I will take them off and do it "right". :)
Sorry for all the questions but did you bend the "side tabs" too...the tabs that hold the bracket against the arm they are bolted to? I guess you could call them "wings" but they are the small bent tabs that keep the bracket from "swinging".
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Sorry for all the questions but did you bend the "side tabs" too...the tabs that hold the bracket against the arm they are bolted to? I guess you could call them "wings" but they are the small bent tabs that keep the bracket from "swinging".
No. In order to keep them from swinging and really solidify the mount I used the existing reflector bolt AND drilled a second hole lower down on the mount and through the brace behind the bracket and used a second bolt. These lights are not going anywhere.
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No. In order to keep them from swinging and really solidify the mount I used the existing reflector bolt AND drilled a second hole lower down on the mount and through the brace behind the bracket and used a second bolt. These lights are not going anywhere.
That's what I'm going to do...I liked having my lights down there. Thank you for the info...I really appreciate it!
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That's what I'm going to do...I liked having my lights down there. Thank you for the info...I really appreciate it!
No problem...good luck with the project. :)
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No problem...good luck with the project. :)
I need it. Did it once and $1300 and a new radiator later and I'm doing it again :nuts:!!
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The LED's under my mirrors are 2000 lumens but dim with my Lo Beams so the 2000 is when I use HI beam.
The fogs I mount near my front when are 1100 lumens and have a 15deg elliptical beam...great for lighting through corners.
Those numbers look high, very high. Too high, almost. Are you sure about them? Torch manufacturers like Fenix, SureFire, etc. have started using the ANSI/NEMA FL1 standard to avoid all the rubbish being claimed by noname manufacturers. To give you an idea, an old 60W tungsten filament bulb in your kitchen puts out about 700 lumens (albeit in a spherical distribution). That's about the output of an automotive/motorcycle headlight. A more modern xenon headlight reaches 2000 lumen.
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Those numbers look high, very high. Too high, almost. Are you sure about them? Torch manufacturers like Fenix, SureFire, etc. have started using the ANSI/NEMA FL1 standard to avoid all the rubbish being claimed by noname manufacturers. To give you an idea, an old 60W tungsten filament bulb in your kitchen puts out about 700 lumens (albeit in a spherical distribution). That's about the output of an automotive/motorcycle headlight. A more modern xenon headlight reaches 2000 lumen.
Those are the numbers listed for the lights on the website. Pretty risky for a company to post numbers and then to chance having someone that knows how to test the brightness to do so and call foul so I have to believe those are the numbers. The lights under my mirrors, when not dimmed, are REALLY bright! Heck, they're bright when they're dimmed! John is really easy to talk with and very helpful so feel free to call and talk with him and ask him questions...that's what I did before buying them because there are sooooo many choices out there when it comes to lights. John was the most helpful out of the several vendors I contacted.
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Those are the numbers listed for the lights on the website. Pretty risky for a company to post numbers and then to chance having someone that knows how to test the brightness to do so and call foul so I have to believe those are the numbers.
I see bogus lumen numbers on LEDs all the time now. I have to agree with Martin- I have a hard time believing a tiny auxiliary LED driving lamp is 2,000 lumens. I also see bogus wattage ratings all the time (and I have bought LED bulbs claiming to be "10 watts!" that pull about 2.5 measured. Not saying it isn't possible, but LEDs react VERY badly to heat, and high brightness LED fixtures need a lot of surface area for adequate heat sink and cooling. If not, their life is severely shortened. Would help to know which model and/or a true measurement of amperage.
Example- a Cree brand home LED fixture (A/E27) that is 9.5 watts and 800 lumens has a heat sink that is as big as most add-on vehicle LED lights I have seen. And the Cree bulbs are accurate- they produce as much light as other 800 lumen bulbs and I measured them actually pulling 9.5 watts.
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HB, thanks for the explanations, it's just what Maxtog said, so many "optimistic" claims. An LED needs to get rid of heat in order to ensure service life and, although a motorcycle is slightly better ventilated than a dining-room ;) it still needs heat sinks when pulling out 2000 lumens. Given that an LED makes 20 to 40 lm/watt, that'd mean at least 50 watts, and I'd bet that's simply NOT the case, unless you're talking about all your set up together.
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Nope...that was each pair of lights. Like I said, that is what the site claims. Who knows what the true number is but the lights work and they work well so, whatever the lumens may be, I'm happy with them. The main reason I added the lights was so oncoming and cross traffic would see me coming...not for night riding (although they do help at night). So far they seem to be working as planned!
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I was able to remount the fog lights. Machined my own standoffs and mounted them using the hole for the reflector brackets, eliminating the brackets altogether. The solution feels really solid and stable. Don't think the lights are going anywhere now!
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I was able to remount the fog lights. Machined my own standoffs and mounted them using the hole for the reflector brackets, eliminating the brackets altogether. The solution feels really solid and stable. Don't think the lights are going anywhere now!
Nice work! Looks solid.
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Nice work! Looks solid.
Thanks!
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Nice work! Looks solid.
+1!
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+1!
Thanks Martin!!
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I read about the thin reflector metal breaking. Bought some flat steel and simply bent them to match the reflector bracket. It is very stout.
XSV thanks for the pics did it this week worked out good. :D
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XSV thanks for the pics did it this week worked out good. :D
Awesome!
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I did the same as xsp did with flat stock. The first one cracked in the same place as the stock one did after 20k. Just made another set, no issues with right side breaking just left. Keep an eye on it in either case
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no issues with right side breaking just left.
The left side is the one that broke on me as well...had no issues with the right!
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What are some good under the mirror brackets?
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What are some good under the mirror brackets?
Made my own... .13" thick 6061 Aluminum Plate, bent by hand, drilled mounting holes to match the pattern under the mirror. Been on for at least 10k miles and still working great!