General Category => Frame, Tank, Seat, Controls, Etc => Topic started by: carryall on December 13, 2017, 04:10:36 AM

Title: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on December 13, 2017, 04:10:36 AM
Anyone know if there is a headlight lens that fits/works in our headlight bucket?
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: Ricks on December 13, 2017, 05:08:51 AM
Are you looking for something different?  New lenses are available for $20 or so.

 You can also put a sealed beam in, if you want. I bought a conversion kit for that at Portland for my 3 wheel truck tribute bike.
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on December 13, 2017, 05:20:48 AM
I noticed that mine has a chip in it  Where do I get one?  Wayne carries them?
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: Ricks on December 13, 2017, 05:34:16 AM
Wayne has them, as does Carpenter Cushman.
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on December 13, 2017, 05:42:39 AM
Seems the only thing our friend Wayne doesn't have is... a computer!  LOL  Thanks Rick and, Merry Christmas!  UPDATE:  Just ordered one from Wayne.  Always nice to talk with him and check to see how he is.  Great guy!
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: butch27 on December 13, 2017, 02:01:57 PM
Always nice to talk to Wayne -on the phone OR in person. Mellow guy.
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on December 20, 2017, 12:23:26 PM
I received my new headlight lens from Wayne the other day.  He also included a cork gasket (I assume) but darned if I can figure out where it would go?  It's way too thick to fit between the lens and bucket on mine, and everything fits snug on mine without it.  Ideas?  Its about 14"L X 5/16" wide and 1/8" thick. 
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: pd on December 20, 2017, 01:05:48 PM
Paul ,

I have an OEM lens , which fits a bit loose . I was able to 'shim' the lens tight with just a single thickness of some rubberized gasket paper . I'd guess it at close to 1/16" thick , maybe half a hair more .

In rain or high humidity , I'd think about applying a thin coat of silicone between the lens and bucket , just for cheap insurance . But , it seems that wouldn't be a worry for you .

Pete . :)
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: Ricks on December 20, 2017, 02:14:01 PM
If I remember correctly, The gasket goes in on edge into the groove around the outside of the headlight reflector.  Leave the opening at the bottom, as it will let any moisture/condensation out.
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: pd on December 20, 2017, 04:11:48 PM
Here's an image from the M manual :

(https://s26.postimg.org/yrbio6m21/screenshot_27.png)

The manual gives no specific instructions .

Pete . :)
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on December 21, 2017, 06:52:24 AM
I figured out the theory.  LOL.  If your lens is loose, you'd need to form the gasket in a circle, and then use a bit of silicone to hold it in place in the groove of the reflector, then install the lens and trim ring. 
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: Ricks on December 21, 2017, 09:14:25 AM
Why do you guys make this stuff so difficult, it's just SIMPLEX!  LOL

No, glue, no drama. Just insert gasket, drop lens into place, install trim ring, Viola!

See pictures.
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: pd on December 21, 2017, 10:16:44 AM
Rick ,

Not difficult , just a bit of nerding over our 'babies' . ;)

Pete . :)
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on December 21, 2017, 10:35:56 AM
Sure...BTW, how's that engine of yours running?  LOL ::)
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: pd on December 21, 2017, 12:51:33 PM
Paul ,

My Simplex engine runs fine , as long as I start it with a drill .
The compression is still too low .
Sometime this winter I'll get a new piston and rings from Wayne . Hopefully I don't seize that one .

Pete . :)
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: Ricks on December 21, 2017, 12:53:13 PM
Sure...BTW, how's that engine of yours running?  LOL ::)

Paul, if he doesn't get that running before I retire, I'm going to have to liberate it from him a get it going!  LOL

Pete, you have 2 years, 3 months and 10 days.  You are on the clock!
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: pd on December 21, 2017, 01:26:26 PM
Dang . I'm sweating already , Rick . ;)

If I wasn't so darn stubborn about using that motor , I'd have been ticking off the miles long ago .

Pete . :)
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on February 03, 2018, 12:05:12 PM
Since I had the headlight apart, I decided to "tap-out" a couple small dents and a few deep scuffs on the trim ring and clean it up.  I know some of you "purists" prefer the rust, patina, and keeping the look of a 75yr old bike in all it's surviving glory but, since mine ISN'T, I polished it.  What a difference.  It shines like chrome now.  For others who would like to do the same, I rigged up some 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper to my buffer wheel and then finished it off with a wool buffer using Simichrome polish.  By screwing the ring back together using the screw, it made the ring much more rigid and easier to handle, thus preventing it from getting bent or caught on the buffer wheel.  Check it out.
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: pd on February 03, 2018, 03:19:17 PM
That turned out real nice , Paul .

It 'fits' your bike , to a 'T' . ;)

Pete . :)
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: oil-lamp on February 04, 2018, 10:27:18 AM
Looking good
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on February 04, 2018, 01:08:01 PM
Other than the mess associated with polishing, the challenging part was shaping a wooden dowel with the correct radius of the inside of the trim ring to get the dents out without messing it up.  Knowing how hard it might be to get a replacement if it went "south" on me, didn't help.  Anyone know if Wayne does carry or know of any replacement rings by chance???
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: Ricks on February 04, 2018, 01:13:02 PM
These rings are very common.  Wayne has them, as does any Cushman or Harley parts place.
Title: Re: alternative headlight lens
Post by: carryall on February 04, 2018, 01:20:55 PM
LOL, that would have been to easy.