Cracked headlight lens *grumble*

[lewellen]

So I did my walk-around this morning before starting to ride.

Right there, centered top-to-bottom and about halfway to the left-hand side (when sitting on the bike) is a nice, big, inch-long crack in the headlight lens. *sigh* And I didn't even ride behind a gravel truck or on a dirt road recently.

First question: Who's a good source of OEM parts, again?

Second question: Anybody know of a good protector for headlight lenses? Either as a pre-made part or a film or something. (I've made 'em myself out of plexi, but it ain't pretty....)

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[celticus]

A year or so ago I noticed the same thing. I bought a headlight cover from a company in Austrailia and have had it on ever since. I did not replace my lens and have had no problems so far. Just a fissure I guess not letting in any bad stuff. I will try to find out who the supplier was and let you know.
Mark

[mogu83]

Here's the link to the Australian headlight protector: http://www.amhp.com.au/amhpshop/product ... cts_id=543

They seem to be the only place to get the cover. The post to the US was about $20. I bought one, it's well made and conforms perfectly to the shape of the R1200Rs headlamp.

[deilenberger]

Actually - one of the US windscreen makers (Aeroflow comes to mind) - now sells one. Considering the value of the dollar and shipping costs - it might be considerably less $$. I'd remember what company it is - except I have the one from Oz already.

[BobbyLeBout]

http://www.ceebaileys.com/othermodels/index.html

and

http://www.webparts.com/mgfg.php?series ... del=R1200R

[lewellen]

Thanks for the help, folks.

The US maker is indeed Aeroflow, and here's the link to the R12R guard:

http://www.aeroflowscreens.com/R1200RHLC.htm

From what I can tell, it looks functionally identical to the Australian version.

The price is a little higher from Aeroflow, but one wouldn't pay int'l shipping and it should get here faster.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[Bill Stevenson]

How much does a new OEM lens cost?

[lewellen]

How much does a new OEM lens cost?

Looks like $137.43 from MAX BMW (http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/ ... spid=49569)

The Aeroflow cover is around $70 ... figure on the order of $80 - $85 with shipping and CA taxes.

At that difference I'd really consider just replacing the headlight ass'y, except that the cover is easier to install, and it can be re-used should the crack grow worse in the future.

It's also less likely to break if / when I drop it on the floor, as I have an unfortunate habit of doing with bright, shiny expensive things....

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[johnnydee]

Couldn't you just buy some 3M clear plastic stone chip guard cut to fit and glued on?
John

[Bill Stevenson]

Way back in my dissipated youth, we used to put a purpose built metal wire mesh screen over the headlights of our rally cars to protect the lenses. The problem I see with any sort of plastic cover such as the ones herein is that a certain amount of light is diffracted by the extra layer of plastic. While probably not a big loss when new, but of course over time that plastic is going to get frosted by the road grit that hits the lens with the inevitable further deterioration of the available light on the road. There are no perfect solutions for this problem, but a cover made of coarse wire mesh screen like the ones described above might be worth considering. Does anyone know if these are still made? If so, can you provide a source?

Thanks,

Bill

[mogu83]

Way back in my dissipated youth, we used to put a purpose built metal wire mesh screen over the headlights of our rally cars to protect the lenses. Does anyone know if these are still made? If so, can you provide a source? Bill

You mean like this:_________

A picture of my MotoGiro bike after a hard days work.

I don't think you can buy them in your local auto parts store anymore, but I picked up a pair (for spares) on E-bay last week for $10. I just made a quick trip to the garage and holding the screen in front of the R1200r headlight it looks like it would work. Worth a try if you don't mind the look.

[lewellen]

Couldn't you just buy some 3M clear plastic stone chip guard cut to fit and glued on?
John

Hi, John,

I thought about that, but there are two issues.

The first is simply that the headlight has a rather complex shape, and it might not be trivial to get it on properly.

The other is that I've not been able to find a pre-cut source for the R1200R, and the price of a "custom" kit (e.g. sheet, and do-it-yourself) is around $50 from what I was seeing.

At that point, I'll just buy the cap....

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[mogu83]

Actually now may be a good time to buy the unit from Australia. When I purchased mine the exchange rate was 1 dollar US equaled 1.18 Australian. How 1 dollar US will get you around 1.50 Australian. That's a nice discount.
BTW: It was at my door in about a week after I ordered it.

[deilenberger]

Couldn't you just buy some 3M clear plastic stone chip guard cut to fit and glued on?
John

Been there, tried that (BTTT) - several times in fact. The complex shape of the R12R headlight (it's not round, and it's not a simple curve) ended up in failure both times. So I gave up and bought the Ozzy one slightly used from a member here (I think..)

It works. Cost was reasonable, and it took about 30 seconds to install. There sometimes is something to be said for things that work right out of the box.

[deilenberger]

http://www.ceebaileys.com/othermodels/index.html

Unfortunately - the CB one will not fit. That is for a flat 7" headlight. The R12R headlight is anything but flat..

[BobbyLeBout]

Thanks Don. I was ready to order one. The other link does provide great pricing for parts.
01 HEADLIGHT INSERT LV / RHD 1 63-12-7-696-399 $118.81

[mvk]

A couple of months ago I also noticed two cracks in the lens so I ordered the Oz one from AMHP. It arrived and I was not entirely happy with the edge finish - not terrible by any means but I could see the cutting marks although they had been smoothed over to a certain extent. I shot off an email to AMHP not expecting any response. One hour later my phone rings and it is one of the owners ringing from interstate. She apologised, said I was the first person to complain but that I could have my money back including postage, but if I wanted to keep it, she would send me another, free of charge, when they did their next batch with improved cutting techniques. Well, when I picked myself up off the floor, feeling rather foolish, I thanked her profusely.
Last week the new protector arrived as promised and it looks very sweet indeed. I have not put it on yet because I don't even notice the imperfections on the old one at all any more. (But no you can't have it because it was sent to me in good faith and I will eventually use it)

I guess I would say, if the price is right considering the current exchange rate, buy one from here, get a great product and support a dying breed -the honest, ethical, fair dinkum (*) small business owner.

As much as I like the clean uncluttered look of the RR this is the best option I have seen and from where I sit can't see it anyway!
Michael

(*)http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/txt/s2009675.htm

[lewellen]

Actually now may be a good time to buy the unit from Australia. When I purchased mine the exchange rate was 1 dollar US equaled 1.18 Australian. How 1 dollar US will get you around 1.50 Australian. That's a nice discount.
BTW: It was at my door in about a week after I ordered it.

... and I sent the order to Aeroflow about 10 minutes before I read this...

Such is life. I'll post more when it gets here and is mounted.

Cheers,

- John L.

[Bill Stevenson]

Harry,

Yes just like that. Now all I have to do is find one. BTW, if it were going on my R1200R, I would paint it either silver or black before mounting it. That red looks fine on your MotoGiro though.

Thanks,

Bill

[Graf]

...ordered an Australian one today.....$69 AUD...after the exchange rate $46.06 shipped to California.......not bad...
alex