Naked Headlight Bracket Question

[ticktock]

Hi all,

This is a pretty dumb question, but I have to ask. I just purchased these to mount a new headlight:

41mm - 43mm Steath Headlight Brackets Streetfighter Fork Café Racer Motorcycle | eBay

I thought I'd just be able to split the rubber bushing, open the clamp up, and wrap them around the fork. The problem is they are almost impossible to open and close!

Do people really expect you to remove the forks to mount some headlight brackets? Only reason I bought them is because they were cheap. I couldn't find any other ones in 43mm that were decent for less than $180. I could design my own, but sending them off to a machine shop for milling and finish would be $200+.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[visions]

remove the top triple clamp, not the forks

 

[QwickFliCk]

i put on a clamp similar to that on my friends gsxr. its easy just jack the bike up while on its center stand, remove the front wheel and calipers and unbolt the pinch bolts on the upper and lower triples and they slide right out :thumbup:

 

[ticktock]

Thanks for the help gents. Just looks like a bit more work!

 

[4drfocus]

Another option is a 2-piece clamshell bracket, which is what I used for my 50mm forks, bought them from CNC (cool n' comfy), they're a UK company, got my set of four stainless steel 50mm clamps for $54 USD, they don't have them listed on the site so you'll have to send them an e-mail, here's the site Home - Cool n Comfy: Superbike performance - Touring comfort., or you can call them @ 07894 900 971 ask for Matt.

 

[ticktock]

In case anyone wants to know, I went with these:

MOTORCYCLE UNIVERSAL HEADLIGHT FORK TUBE BRACKET KIT | eBay

For $30 you can't go wrong, and I save myself a lot of hassle. Just have to give them a coat of paint and they'll be perfect.

 

[red_rock_beetle]

or cut the rubber in two

 

[ticktock]

or cut the rubber in two

The bracket was made of such a thick sheet of steel that it was impossible to even bend it open to wrap around the fork without deforming it significantly. Cutting the rubber was the easy part.

 

[lastlaugh]

Could you post a pic of them on the bike? What headlight do you have?

 

[ticktock]

Could you post a pic of them on the bike? What headlight do you have?

I haven't done the conversion yet, but when I do I'll post pics. Waiting until the riding season ends before I start tearing at everything.

I wound up purchasing different brackets which I will need to modify, and I have a custom Honda Sonic type headlight.