WTB: 850-T headlight assembly

[radguzzi]

Well I installed a Guzzi screen on my buddy Frank's 850-T, straightened out the bent headlight ears from a left side drop, straightened out the signal stems and it all looks pretty good.  I would still replace the ears but we can do that over the next Winter...  He'd like to ride the thing for now.

Well on the way to leave it at Frank's I was admiring how well the front end had cleaned up only to look down and see that the headlight had torn away from the right side mount...     it was not like that when I left my place, the bumpy road was just enough to pop the backing nut out...

What the heck...?   Seems that when the tip over occurred the headlight shell took quite a hit and when I pulled it all back together it was fatigued just enough to allow the nut in the shell to pull through the thin shell when it was all tightened up and now we need a replacement.

Anyone out there with a complete T or T-3 headlight available...?  Prefer one with the headlight ring and in good condition.

Thanks,
Rob

[mtiberio]

can't imagine how many of these ended up in the trash due to (in the day) windjammers and (now) lack of spare rings and gaskets (although I think Harpers had them reman'd). In a couple of my recent barn finds, I have used Emgo aftermarket buckets. They have replicas for Kawasakis and Brit bikes. Some deeper than stock, some requiring fender washers to mate to stock headlight ears. The mike's XS650 site  and any of the online stores would have them for as little as $45 (no bulb). Google "Emgo Headlight", and/or check out mikesxs.net. They come in standard sizes, so old school automotive sealed beam bulbs from the local auto parts chain can keep it cheap.

[Charles in Lake Charles]

Check http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-T-3-ERA-head-lamp-shell-by-Aprillia-/261963024260?hash=item3cfe368784&vxp=mtr

[jabberwocky]

There's a guy on ebay who's been offering an NOS headlight ring for $300!!! It's been there for a while, but they're pretty dear. I've also seen ones that needed to be re-chromed go for $100. Too bad there's nothing else that looks like the original.

[Motogogo]

Hi Rob

I'll go check the condition of the bucket/ring on my 850 T parts bike today.

 J T 

[radguzzi]

Hi Rob

I'll go check the condition of the bucket/ring on my 850 T parts bike today.

 J T

Great, please let me know what you find.  I (and Frank) appreciate it.

Best,
Rob


jabber, Mike & Charles,
Yeah, sorry... I should have mentioned that I spent some quality time on eBay looking before posting here.  The aftermarkets do not make it, the Molex connectors would not be as protected as with the stock configuration.  I do know that they are getting hard to come by...

Thanks,
rd

[mtiberio]

molex is better freed from the shell. how many folks have been stranded because that POS pulled out. plug it together and wrap up with self sealing tape, the kind that fuses to itself.

http://www.amazon.com/Harbor-HAR201USC01-Silicone-Rescue-Tape/dp/B000ZTK6CI

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007Y7CKVO/

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'm sure Greg Bender could build a sub-harness to accommodate external Molex locations if necessary. Similar to the Le Mans 850 harness.

[mtiberio]

never had an issue removing the captive half of the molex from the shell and using it like a inline connector

[rodekyll]

If it's just the fixing nut that pulled out you can fix it.  Here's what I did:

I got a bucking bar inside the shell and knocked the hole back into shape.

Got a fender washer and bent it to the countour

Got a nut

Made a sandwich

Made another sandwich, this one using the nut, washer, and shell for bread and jb weld for the PBJ.

Ran a bolt through the entire business and made soup to go with the first sandwich.

touched up the paint around the hole

Ate the soup and sandwich.

installed.  I doubt the fix was noticeable once mounted.

Remember -- the nut just holds the bolt tight.  It probably doesn't even need to be fixed to the shell once the headlight is aimed.

I used the same technique to change the nuts from metric to 'mericun when I used the shell as an aux light mount.  The threads on the aux light posts were 9/16-fine.

[T in NC]

I used a Brevard headlight I got from MG Cycle and soldered  some computer terminal blocks I  had and tucked them under the speedometer.  Muck better light and with the pilot light I don't have to burn my headlight during the day..

[Motogogo]

Rob here are some pix, the chrome need some TLC, no dents ....

 

[JoeW]

can't imagine how many of these ended up in the trash due to (in the day) windjammers and (now) lack of spare rings and gaskets (although I think Harpers had them reman'd).

These buckets are hard to find and the ring and hardware is even harder. I've got a couple good buckets if that's all you really need.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Rob here are some pix, the chrome need some TLC, no dents ....

 

That's from a V7 Sport!

[flemsmith]

Did you get what you need?  If not and you still need a headlight bucket, email me.  I think I have one, not perfect, but it was serviceable off a T3.  roy

flemsmith1@msn.com

[canuck750]

These buckets are hard to find and the ring and hardware is even harder. I've got a couple good buckets if that's all you really need.

Wolfgang at Columbia Car and Cycle has the headlight rings for the V7 Sport headlight, I have bought a couple form him, I think he can get the rubber rings as well

http://www.laverda.ca/

[Vasco DG]

Can we have a pic of the required bucket from the back? I have a couple knocking about but there are several molex configurations.

Pete

[radguzzi]

These buckets are hard to find and the ring and hardware is even harder. I've got a couple good buckets if that's all you really need.

Joe,
Yup, just the bucket would do it.   

I do like rodkyll's sandwich idea and we could do that but the way this shell is torn I would just as soon replace it.

Thanks,
Rob


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J T,
If that is indeed from a V7 Sport as Charlie says, some one else will neede that and I would have to modify it anyway.

Thank you for the effort, appreciate that.
Rob

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flemsmith,
I'll let you know how this shakes out.

Thanks,
Rob

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Pete,
I am still in California, back in Maine I about three weeks.  Did not know that there were several variants of the plugs...

Thanks,
Rob