Magna Owners Of Texas

Public Forums => The Garage => Topic started by: guywheatley on February 19, 2009, 08:40:32 PM

Title: Let ther be lights
Post by: guywheatley on February 19, 2009, 08:40:32 PM
I started out having to fix the windshield. I epoxied back a couple of pieces that I'd
knocked off.

(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights01.JPG)

While the windshield was off, I figured I'd go ahead and install the road lights
(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights02.JPG)

OK, Here's the plan. I'll attach them to the windshield hardware.
(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights03.JPG)

Maggie sure looks strange without her windshield.
(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights04.JPG)

Here's the first one mounted.
(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights07.JPG)

You can see the cracks on the windshield. I don't think they will be so obvious once
it's back on the bike

(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights08.JPG)

Starting on the other light. Step one, drill a hole.
(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights09.JPG)

Here's the bracket mounted to the WS hardware. I may have to came back and use a
wedge shaped spacer here to direct the lights back toward the center of the road.

(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights10.JPG)

Both lights on the windshield.
(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights11.JPG)

Here they are on Maggie. They're not hooked up yet. I'll have to take the windshield
off again to wire them up. Maybe I'll even clean it before I mount it back.

(http://www.guywheatley.com/photos/maggielights13.JPG)
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: Magnum Magna on February 19, 2009, 08:57:42 PM
Very cool I like it. 

Some States have a requirement that lights need to be X inches from turn indicator lights.
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: dgc67 on February 19, 2009, 09:02:14 PM
Very creative.  You don't think the weight of the lights will be too much for the windscreen once on the road, with the wind and vibrations/bumping of riding?
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: guywheatley on February 19, 2009, 09:21:07 PM
Quote from: DG on February 19, 2009, 09:02:14 PM
Very creative.  You don't think the weight of the lights will be too much for the windscreen once on the road, with the wind and vibrations/bumping of riding?
I don't think so. It's mounted directly to the hardware right on top of the brackets mounting the screen to the forks.
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: tmds3 on February 19, 2009, 09:36:09 PM
Man what an idea,wish it had been mine. I have been trying to figure out a way to put lights on with hidden wiring, so I may have to steal your idea :lol:
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: guywheatley on February 19, 2009, 10:22:59 PM
Quote from: tmds3 on February 19, 2009, 09:36:09 PM
Man what an idea,wish it had been mine. I have been trying to figure out a way to put lights on with hidden wiring, so I may have to steal your idea :lol:
Well they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Go for it. I'd like to see pictures of yours.
I haven't exactly figured out the wiring yet. My first thought was to just tap into the low-beam line. But Charles has his behind the ignition switch, on a switch of their own. He can run them on or off as he likes, but they go off when the key is off so he won't forget them and run down his battery. I think that's what I want also. Just gotta figure out the wiring now.
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: Charles S Otwell on February 19, 2009, 11:01:14 PM
Your new lights look good. How many watts? I've about decided to fab me up a light bar for the Valk and have it chromed when I get my engine guards rechromed. We'll have to have a driving light shoot out (Magna vs Magna) to see whose lights are the brightest 8).
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: guywheatley on February 20, 2009, 08:32:55 AM
Your's will probably win. I think your Maggie has 55 watt lights. These are 45.
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: Charles S Otwell on February 20, 2009, 10:16:31 AM
Don't you mean Zilla's  :D!
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: dgc67 on February 20, 2009, 11:19:21 AM
How did you break the screen?
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: TLRam1 on February 20, 2009, 02:34:28 PM
Guy if you just replace the plastic the price is not too bad IIRC.  Good job thinking outside the box!  ;-)
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: guywheatley on February 20, 2009, 04:28:16 PM
Quote from: DG on February 20, 2009, 11:19:21 AM
How did you break the screen?
Unloading it from the bed of my pickup. It just got away from me and leaned over on the bed rails. There was some very verbose speculation on theology and genealogy
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: guywheatley on February 20, 2009, 04:32:15 PM
Quote from: TLRam1 on February 20, 2009, 02:34:28 PM
Guy if you just replace the plastic the price is not too bad IIRC.  Good job thinking outside the box!  ;-)

Yeah, That broken piece was just a few month old. I'd replaced it with a new one from J&P. Without the hardware it was around $80.00. I'll replace this one sometime, but thought I'd finish fooling around with the lights first. If I'm gonna mess around and break something else, I'd rather it be this one. In fact, depending on where I eventually mounted thelights, I might have wound up cutting the bottom off anyway.
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: Slydynbye on February 21, 2009, 03:04:59 AM
Perhaps it's time to consider a better material for your shield.
Take a look at this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDXwcgSYjws
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: dgc67 on February 21, 2009, 10:54:48 AM
Quotethought I'd finish fooling around with the lights first. If I'm gonna mess around and break something else, I'd rather it be this one
Very wise.  Sucks when we do something ourselves that messes something up doesn't it!
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: lragan on February 21, 2009, 01:47:27 PM
I really like the look you achieved with the larger lights.  Good thinking outside the box.

As for polycarb, well, fine, if you have the money.

Understand the unloading from a pickup mishap.  Only time I have ever actually dropped my bike (I put it down in a creek once, but that hardly counts as dropping it!!) was unloading from my PU at MOOTMAG 5 at Coyote Ranch. Tore the back rest, and embarrassed myself in front of everyone watching!!

So, I am riding to MOOTMAG 7, and plan to carry all I need on Maggie. :grin:
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: Slydynbye on February 21, 2009, 01:57:42 PM
Quote from: lragan on February 21, 2009, 01:47:27 PM
I really like the look you achieved with the larger lights.  Good thinking outside the box.

As for polycarb, well, fine, if you have the money.

Understand the unloading from a pickup mishap.  Only time I have ever actually dropped my bike (I put it down in a creek once, but that hardly counts as dropping it!!) was unloading from my PU at MOOTMAG 5 at Coyote Ranch. Tore the back rest, and embarrassed myself in front of everyone watching!!

So, I am riding to MOOTMAG 7, and plan to carry all I need on Maggie. :grin:

Magnas are very touchy about being loaded into and out of Pickups.
They feel you are mistaking them for Harleys and tend to kick and jump when loading.
Some have theorized that they might be trying to kill themselves rather than being mistaken for a Hardley.  Some think it is the humiliation that does it. You need to assure your Mag that this is only temporary and that you realize that she is a better bike than that.   
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: TLRam1 on February 21, 2009, 04:06:59 PM
From what I have seen National Cycle puts out a good or at least uses a good product for their shields. I have not seen this video but others I have.
Title: Re: Let ther be lights
Post by: Magnum Magna on February 22, 2009, 05:45:20 PM
Quote from: Slydynbye on February 21, 2009, 03:04:59 AM
Perhaps it's time to consider a better material for your shield.
Take a look at this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDXwcgSYjws


I am assuming it is not bullet prof, they just did not shatter it.