Author Topic: Front reflector mount broke while being used as a driving light mount.  (Read 3038 times)

Offline C1xRider

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 836
  • Country: us
  • Where did all the posts go?!??
About a year ago, or about 15K miles ago, I mounted a pair of LED driving lights to the brackets that the front reflectors were mounted on.  It's a great location, but driving home tonight, I noticed when I switched my high beams on, that one light was pointing at the ground.  When I got home, I looked at it expecting to find a loose mounting screw, but instead found the top side of the bracket was broken.

Clearly it can't handle the extra (minuscule) weight of the LED lights over the long term.   :(

Just wanted to let others know, since it's a popular place to mount driving lights, and I know many are currently using it too.
--------------------   BACK UP YOUR DISKS PEOPLE!! -------------------------------
2012 K1600 GTL 8), 2010 C14 ABS, 2002 HD FXSTDI, 2000 XT350, 1998 C10, 1983 V65 Magna, 1978 HD SX250

Offline VirginiaJim

  • Administrator
  • Elite Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11365
  • Country: england
  • I've forgotten more than I'll ever know...
    • Kawasaki 1400GTR
Thanks for the heads up!
"LOCTITE®"  The original thread locker...  #11  2020 Indian Roadmaster, ABS, Cruise control, heated grips and seats/w/AC 46 Monitoring with cutting edge technology U.N.I.T is Back! Member in good standing with the Knights of MEH.

Offline chap

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 249
  • Country: ca
I mounted mine on the Canyon cage with P Clamps. I am hoping this will be a good solid mounting. The reflector bracket probably couldn't take the stress of long term vibrations.
2010 Concours ABS = Blue
2003 Concours - Red (sold)

Offline C1xRider

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 836
  • Country: us
  • Where did all the posts go?!??
I mounted mine on the Canyon cage with P Clamps. I am hoping this will be a good solid mounting. The reflector bracket probably couldn't take the stress of long term vibrations.

I already have a set mounted to my Bathroom Bars, so the reflector mount was a nice spot for the second pair.  I tried mounting them at the fender bolt with a spacer, but the wires were just a little too short.  I'll be moving them back to that location now.   ;)

You are correct about the bracket being unable to handle long term vibrations.  It looks like a sturdy bracket, and I would have expected it to last the life of the bike.  So much for that theory.
--------------------   BACK UP YOUR DISKS PEOPLE!! -------------------------------
2012 K1600 GTL 8), 2010 C14 ABS, 2002 HD FXSTDI, 2000 XT350, 1998 C10, 1983 V65 Magna, 1978 HD SX250

Offline C1xRider

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 836
  • Country: us
  • Where did all the posts go?!??
Well, I got lazy and just welded the bracket back together and painted it with a rattle can.  That was MUCH easier than rewiring the lights to remount them.  If the thing breaks again, I'll beef it up and reinforce it.   8)

In retrospect, the bracket may have been weakened by trying to adjust the lights.  It's pretty flimsy, and bends easily.

If you find yours breaking while on a road trip (away from quick repair), you can do what I did, and use a zip tie through the holes in the bracket, to hold it in place.  That's a much better option then letting it fall into the front wheel while riding down the road!

--------------------   BACK UP YOUR DISKS PEOPLE!! -------------------------------
2012 K1600 GTL 8), 2010 C14 ABS, 2002 HD FXSTDI, 2000 XT350, 1998 C10, 1983 V65 Magna, 1978 HD SX250

Offline 556ALPHA

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1284
  • Country: us
  • 2009 Candy Diamond Red
what lights do you have mounted?

Offline C1xRider

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 836
  • Country: us
  • Where did all the posts go?!??
what lights do you have mounted?

The black 4 LED 3100LM ones from 24x7 DIY.  (http://24x7diy.com/product_info.php/cPath/23_45/products_id/170)
--------------------   BACK UP YOUR DISKS PEOPLE!! -------------------------------
2012 K1600 GTL 8), 2010 C14 ABS, 2002 HD FXSTDI, 2000 XT350, 1998 C10, 1983 V65 Magna, 1978 HD SX250