Got a spare Headlight? & Gilles rearset brake switch pro

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TwinNut · #1 Post by **TwinNut** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:46 pm

Q1. Just got the bike MOT'd (she passed, hooray) and found out my bike has a Euro headlight fitted. I knew the previous owner dropped the bike in a car park and must have trashed the original light. A bit odd that it hasn't been picked up before, by either me (dohh) or the MOT boys.....up shot is that I need a UK headlight, anyone know where I can find one? Checked eBastid but no joy…

Q2. Second question is on Gilles rearsets. Since I fitted them last year I've had two issues. First one is that I can't get the rear brake switch to work with them, anyone got any fancy solutions? Other problem is that the rear brake lever won't fully spring back (return) quite far enough to fully release the brake after use. It's only dragging a fraction but it's enough to stop me from pushing the bike when I get off. From what I can see I don't seem to be missing a spring or clip and have tried all adjustments I can see.......any help on any of it muchas appreciado..

Fausto · #2 Post by **Fausto** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:23 pm

I understand that a lot of Falcos were brought in on the parallel market which is what knocked the price down so much. Presumably they all have Euro headlights so yours may be the original light?

Doesn't help much I know but as you passed the MOT and can just mask off the high bit on dip beam why change it? If you do bid for one on ebay you'd be at high risk of getting another euro one.

Also just a thought that occurred to me - do HID units do away with this issue? Cheaper than a headlight unit.

D-Rider · #3 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:01 pm

Fausto wrote:
Also just a thought that occurred to me - do HID units do away with this issue? Cheaper than a headlight unit.

No.
Basically HIDs consist of 2 parts

1) The ballast (ie the electrical gubbins that crank up the voltage to power the light)
2) The discharge bulb (which just replaces the halogen bulb).

The thing that controls where the beam shines is the reflector in the headlight unit - whichever type of bulb you've got in there.

Pierre · #4 Post by **Pierre** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:04 pm

I have a spare headlight that i think someone else wanted but may have got sorted from a breakers? but I cant remember

The reflectors got a bit broken off but its rattling round inside if your good with glue

edit: found a piccy. Cant really see broken bit when its installed.

bigun · #5 Post by **bigun** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:02 am

Twin nut - the brake switch issue - when I had problems with mine, Pierre suggested using an alarm micro switch. You may be able to adapt one of them to work? They're only pennies. I don't have any experience unfortunately as I managed to source an original at my local dealer but thought I'd pass the suggestion on.

Pierre - if twinnut doesn't take yr headlight give me a shout. My bike fell over when I first got it and gouged a lump out of the headlight on a wall. Only need the plastic. Not urgent (its only cosmetic) but if noone is interested, I would be.

Cheers.

Pierre · #6 Post by **Pierre** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:24 am

*sniff*they're all dead now*sniff*

TwinNut · #7 Post by **TwinNut** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:09 am

bigun wrote:Pierre - if twinnut doesn't take yr headlight give me a shout. My bike fell over when I first got it and gouged a lump out of the headlight on a wall. Only need the plastic. Not urgent (its only cosmetic) but if noone is interested, I would be

If I take the light the from Pierre (assuming it can be repaired) you can have the plastics and what's left from my current headlight.....that do yah?

bigun · #8 Post by **bigun** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:19 am

Spot on m8, I just need the clear plastic front (the lens). No panic, like I say, its only cosmetic.

Cheers.

TwinNut · #9 Post by **TwinNut** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:38 am

The question is then: Can you convert a Euro spec headlight to a UK spec headlight by simply swapping the (repaired) reflector? Or are there more fundamental differences between the two spec’s of unit i.e. handed locations of fixings, lugs etc? Anyone successfully managed to split a headlight unit open then re-fix it back to it’s original state?...

sabestian · #10 Post by **sabestian** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:02 pm

I'll need Euro spec headlight when I move to Poland at the end of next year. Mine is 3500 miles old, scratchless.
We could swap but I'd need to get in touch with Syltiz first (he wanted to swap too). Let me know if you're interested and I'll send him a pm.

Syltiz · #11 Post by **Syltiz** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:49 pm

Hi Sebestion,

I'm looking into moving to Spain next year now... which means my EU-spec light is perfect. I dont want to mess you or TN around with ifs and maybes, so if TN is keen to do a swap with you then I think the two of you should go ahead. Once I am more sure if I am staying in the UK or going to Spain then I will get back in touch with you and see what your situation is then.

To answer TN question, from my limited research it appears that the only difference is the pattern of the reflectors behind the light, meaning that swapping out the reflectors will work. I think other than that the lights are identical.

Pierre · #12 Post by **Pierre** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:59 pm

I think styliz is right, its only the reflector thats different but by golly, its well glued in

Its a fair bet it would break if forced. Plastic lens wasnt too bad to get off though, although i'd use bigger flatter ended tools next time

Falcopops · #13 Post by **Falcopops** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:13 am

What's going on Pierre, I can;t even see a hammer in the picture. Must be getting soft ya big puff!