I just installed a VTX headlight on my 3rd generation Magna. Cosmetically is looks good but I'm concerned about the cables behind the light. The VTX housing is bigger and pushes deeper into the forks.
The speedometer cable is pushed over a little but since it's on the fork it will never move while turning.
The throttle cables are another issue however. They contact the back of the VTX case and since they connect to the bike, they move when the handle bars turned. So they are going to rub on the back of the light.
Now that the throttle cables rub, either the light or the cables are going to wear. Since I commute on this bike it's going to see alot of turning and consequently rubbing.
Has anyone else experienced this? Did you re-route the throttle cables above or below the housing?
I know that most people that have done the VTX complained about the same thing but if I recall they just let them rub anyway. You will have to watch how you re-route the throttle cables or they will bind and cause the throttle not to return properly. Now might be the time for new longer stainless steel cables :wink:
Some folks are making a small offset mount to push it forward a little. On my Super there mod needed it fits like a glove.
Jesse - where did you purchase the headlight?
Chris, I just joined a VTX forum and submitted a post for wanting to buy a used headlight assembly for a 2002 VTX 1800C. A customizer had one he had taken off a bike. He gave me a much better price than buying it new. Even on-line OEM resellers the light assembly was going to cost around $250 to $280.
If you want one, I'll leave my post on the forum and let you know if anyone else contacts me. However if I can't work out something I like with the cables, I may be selling mine. :)
Greg and Jim, the more I look at it the more I think a bracket to move the light out is the best solution. That way I don't have to mess with custom cable lengths and re-routing. I'll try it like it is for awhile just to make sure that I like the look before I go through the trouble of making a bracket.
Jesse - That would be great (leaving the post up). Thanks! And, if you choose not to keep the light, you've got a customer - I already have the longer steel braided cables, so hopefully I will like the setup ok. Thanks, again!
I have the ONLY parts needed listed on the MOOT main site under the tips and tricks page, when I did it a couple years ago ordering parts from www.partsfish.com it only cost me like $210-225 if memory serves me correctly.
Quote from: GregCothernI have the ONLY parts needed listed on the MOOT main site under the tips and tricks page, when I did it a couple years ago ordering parts from www.partsfish.com it only cost me like $210-225 if memory serves me correctly.
I used that list and quoted both partsfish (now powersports) and the other site listed in the instructions. That's where my $250 to $280 number came from. I got my used light for half that though, and since my bike isn't new I didn't have a problem with putting a used light on it. Plus I'd be a little frustrated if I had paid that much for a new assembly only find out that I still had to get longer cables or build some kind of bracket. :) But that's just me. I've gotten a little tired of projects that keep getting more expensive and time consuming than originally planned. I think I used all my patience up on restoring a 1963 pickup from the frame up (including 3 months of sandblasting in the summer). he he.
Quote from: chrislarueJesse - That would be great (leaving the post up). Thanks! And, if you choose not to keep the light, you've got a customer - I already have the longer steel braided cables, so hopefully I will like the setup ok. Thanks, again!
Will do, Chris. Or if you want to quote the parts new, let me know what you get but I'm pretty sure it was $250 and up.
I'm not sure longer throttle cables will solve the problem unless you have enough length to actually re-route them well above or below the light housing. If you can't do that then the longer cables my actually be put in more of a bind. I will try to take a picture for you some time when I can get my hands on a digital camera.
Quote from: GlovebergNow might be the time for new longer stainless steel cables :wink:
Jimmy can you get them where you trim to fit? I was going to go with Dave Dodge because he has exact length bolt on replacements or he can do custom lengths for just a few dollars more. But in this case I don't know I could determine the proper lenth without running the cable first and then trimming, because it make take one or more attempts to find a good path.
Jesse have you tried to re-route the cables a little? Usually you can gain some extra length.
I agree on the if you can find it cheaper used LoL, I cant believe the prices have went up that much this quick.
Greg, I think trying to re-route the existing ones is a good idea. If I can make it under the pointy part of the light then I think I'll be good. I'll check the service manual and see how I am supposed to disconnect the cables. I've never had to do that yet so I don't know how. I'll keep everyone posted.
Oh. And the prices I was quoting also included shipping. I just remember that I went on-line filled up my cart with the list from "tips and tricks" and then made a mental note of the price range so I could try to beat it with a used one. As a bonus, albeit minor, my used light even came with a working bulb. :)
It looks like I may be using a bracket extender to move my VTX headlight out from the forks. I was contacted by someone off the VTX board. He wants to fabricate a custom headlight bracket for his VTX and needs a stock bracket so he can keep riding his bike.
Since I bought a complete used headlight assembly I had the bracket he needed and offered to give it to him if he would make my bracket extenders. He thinks it's a good deal for both of us, so I'll be sending him a sheet metal pattern with my VTX bracket and hopefully I'll be in business.
If it works well I'll keep the pattern for other Mootsters. I plan to make it cover the entire sides of the current bracket so it doesn't look like some bolt-on jury rig.
I'll keep you posted.
Any hits on the VTX headlight request?
Did your fabrication work?!?
Nothing yet. I added another post to it saying that I needed another headlight so that it would show up as an updated post.
I was supposed to pull my bracket off this weekend but ended doing birthday things for my mother. I will pull it off next weekend and cut the template for sure.
I've ordered some OEM parts online from a parts supplier in Texarkana, Tx. and they seem to be the least expensive I have found. Texas buyers have to pay sales tax of course, but their standard shipping to the Houston, TX area is usually only 2 days. You guys in the N. Tx area might be overnight. The parts for the VTX headlight that Greg bought from Ron Ayers add up to $269.57 and Texas Honda Direct's price was $226.43. A savings of $43.14. Their website is www.hondaparts-direct.com
(sorry I don't know how to make this a link. I don't know any more about computers than I do super magnas)
When I bought my setup it was only $212 and some change. Prices seem to have gone up quite a bit since then. Taking into consideration that I bought mine late summer of 03 if memory serves me.
Greg,
I'm sorry if I sounded like I was trying to undercut your deal, prices have definitely increased since '03. some since yesterday. I took your numbers and researched the prices. That's a tremendous help. There are a lot more parts you could buy if you didn't know what was needed. The VTX look is growing on me. Did you say an additional bracket was not needed for your 87 super? If not, I shouldn't need one for my 88.
Thanks to everyone for uour willingness to help a fellow magna owner. I'm proud to be a member of such an elite group.
It fit the super as a bolt on, of course that is if you slightly bend the tach/speedo bracket up some hehehehe. But cant tell it in the slightest LoL.
Just as an update. I read on a forum today where someone got all the VTX headlight parts for $220 from www.servicehonda.com
Hope this helps anyone else out there.
Good timing! I just looked at this post again this morning, checked with partsfish ($285) and was going to start looking around for better prices... again! Sweet!
Yes. I haven't been able to find another used VTX light. Looks like I got lucky with mine. Bam Bam down in here in Houston picked one up from a moto wrecking yard for about $80 though. So you might want to try that route.
OK, I'm the one who posted on the other forum about the headlight for $220. It was actually $236 to my door, and took from June 30th to tomorrow to get it. I'll have it tomorrow. That's pretty good, I believe. I've also had very good communication with them. Anyway, does anybody have any directions/suggestions on putting it on? I'm riding in a poker run on Saturday and would love to have it on for the ride. Thanks.
I don't have directions but we had one put on a bike at the wrenching session last week. It only took about a half hour to do.
It took me a little longer than 15 minutes, but probably the best mod so far in my opinion. Can't say enough about Service Honda from Indiana. They were great. Can't wait to see the reaction of the other riders tomorrow. BTW, I would have some suggestions for others doing this if they're interested, like taking apart the stock light first to see how things are put together in it before starting to assemble the VTX light. I also used a zip wire tie to pull the speedo cable over about 1/4 inch so it didn't touch the light.
BTW, I've heard a lot of Magna riders complain about the helmet lock. You can probably see in my pic that I made a short cable out of plastic coated steel cable and ferules and bought a small padlock to lock it up. It works great. Both my wife and I can lock our helmets together, one sitting on her seat and one on the backrest. I don't think it's too obtrusive.
Steve
Does anyone know the type of bulb used in the VTX headlight assembly? I've tried searching for it but have been unsuccessful. I also wanted to make sure that this is a direct bolt on Mod more or less for the 3rd Gen Magnas.
Bill, honda parts direct is actually part of McKinnon Honda in Texarkana, nice folks, turning out to be a really good dealership.
Justin, you can use the stock Magna bulb in the VTX housing.
Rod...
I was curious about the bulb because i was hoping to run a PIAA Super Plasma headlight, but if it takes the stock bulb i guess ill just have to put some running lights on.