DEAR ABBY:

[rodekyll]

Dear Abby:

I'm getting ready to do my 2nd least favorite job on a guzzi --  changing the headlight rim on an EV.  This is the 8-inch headlight with all those stupid little wire clips.  Having done this a few times (and never getting any good at it) I now understand what's going on when all those rugby players meet in a big wad.  They're trying to hold the goldarn pieces in place while the referee shoves in the clips.  It's called a "scrum" because big boys don't "scream".

Hysterically historically I get all the big parts in the rim and then chase the little spring clips around the house as they launch on their little sorties of insurrection and escape.  Often I chase one around he house only to discover that it launched INSIDE the rim business and the entire thing has to be undone to fish it out.  That clicking noise I heard in the dark corner wasn't the spring -- it was the last rat turning off the lights as it fled the ship.  Then there's that whole debate about which end goes where and what side is up on the little humpy parts of the spring bits.  I've even modified screwdrivers and my own perception of reality in my attempts to tame the beast.  Nothing helps stop the pain.

Any suggestions?

sign me

UNENLIGHTENED

[rodekyll]

While the discussion remains lively, lets expand it to your favorite trick for cleaning out the headlight reflector without disassembling it.  This one has the rubber gasket between the lens and reflector bowl, but it's got a nice seal and I don't want to disturb it.

[yogidozer]

I think there has been a typo, maybe it should be "Dear Crabby" ? 

[normzone]

I used to get a monthly horse magazine that contained a column titled " Dear Appy ".

[Chuck in Indiana]

While the discussion remains lively, lets expand it to your favorite trick for cleaning out the headlight reflector without disassembling it.  This one has the rubber gasket between the lens and reflector bowl, but it's got a nice seal and I don't want to disturb it.

If you're talking about the smoky residue from a leaking bulb.. wheel cleaner spritzed in there, swirled around and poured out the bulb hole.

[rodekyll]

If you're talking about the smoky residue from a leaking bulb.. wheel cleaner spritzed in there, swirled around and poured out the bulb hole.

It's just the normal accumulation of haze and tarnish inside.  I'd heard ammonia or vinegar might do it, too.

[canuck750]

No bright suggestions on getting the clips back in but I am curious now.... what is your least favorite job on a Guzzi?

Mine was getting the drive shaft bearing out of a Quota swing arm, took me along time to realize I had to use a ball bearing puller where the puller tangs fit in between the ball bearings and the whole plot is cranked up and out. A blind bearing puller as of no use.

[Idontwantapickle]

While the discussion remains lively, lets expand it to your favorite trick for cleaning out the headlight reflector without disassembling it.  This one has the rubber gasket between the lens and reflector bowl, but it's got a nice seal and I don't want to disturb it.

Use a soft cloth and your favorite glass cleaner. Something gentle so it won't corrode the reflector later. It helps to have long fingers, short fingers use a bigger rag. Work the rag around the inside cleaning all the surfaces then remove. I usually go back again with a dry cloth and then give it a day or two to dry out thoroughly.
Hunter

[Sheepdog]

No help with the headlight ring job. Your title reminded me of the John Prine song...
http://youtu.be/LJVFY_LX9Ik

[rodekyll]

No bright suggestions on getting the clips back in but I am curious now.... what is your least favorite job on a Guzzi?

[snip]

It's a toss up between rebuilding a u-joint and hand spooning a 6-ply tube-type tire.

Carrier bearing/circlip is a close second.  It's really special when the balls come out and there's nothing to grab.  The last time I did the u-joint/carrier bearing thing was alongside the Alcan.

But I'm amazed that nobody has a magic bullet for these headlight clips.

[rodekyll]

No help with the headlight ring job. Your title reminded me of the John Prine song...
http://youtu.be/LJVFY_LX9Ik

The man is truly a prophet of our times.  I didn't go to the youtu.be site but I was humming the song when I wrote the OP.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  The Dear appy is a column for lovers of apple losers.

  As for your headlight as well as other Guzzi problems
 the solution is use a biggahamma.

[Muzz]

Send it to your closest Guzzi dealer and let him do it......

[rtbickel]

Maybe find a different headlight at a MC junkyard?

[rodekyll]

Maybe find a different headlight at a MC junkyard?

I already did that part.  Now I need to use the good ring from the one and the good reflector from the other.

[tris]

Not tried it myself but chandelier cleaner is alleged to work


https://www.amazon.co.uk/HG-167050106-Chandelier-Spray-Cleaner/dp/B000IU3VYY

[Groover]

This sounds like one of those jobs that one someone says to you: "It really took you that long to do that?", you then really have to hold the urge to visualize them as a punching bag 

[Rotten Ralph]

Just stop riding at night!!

[Groover]

Can you use a big zip strip to hold the springs, then snip-it and slide it out once you get the assembly past a certain point? Just throwing out general ideas. Not sure what that assembly look like that you are dealing with.