Changing indicator lenses

[Gecko]

Having acquired a set of Malky's wide tail LEDs I decided to change my stock orange indocator lenses to the clear ones. A simple task - you would think but a few words of warning for anyone trying this .

Orange indicator bulbs have the pins in different positions to standard white bulbs. This is to stop people putting white bulbs into clear lens fitments (mostly on cars). The orange bulb pins are offset . Imagine a clock face - clear bulb pins are at 12 and 6 o'clock - orange bulb pins are at 12 and 4 o'clock. You will need to carefully file off one of the pins before trying to force them into your bulb holders - best to put a dab of varnish on to make sure no moisture gets in to the bulb in case you leave a little hole.

The standard orange lense covers have a small tab which simply clicks into place on the indicator housing. The clear lense cover looks identical (at first glance) but there is a small protusion at the base of that small tab. If you try to push this into your standard housing you will probably snap off that tab. These things are as breakable as egg shells - I snapped 3 before I finally figured out what the hell I was doing wrong and after trying 4 different types of glue - nothing worked on this type of plastic - I ended up only being able to fix it with araldite. You need to file this small protusion off - just take it down to the level edge of the indicator lense and it fits in fine.

So what seems to be a simple job at first holds hidden risks for the unwary - you have been warned. The end result is very pleasing and Malky's widetail LED's look even better.

Good luck from The Gecko.

 

[Greg Masters]

If you try to push this into your standard housing you will probably snap off that tab. These things are as breakable as egg shells - I snapped 3 before I finally figured out what the hell I was doing wrong

BTDT!

For sale:
2 x orange bulbs
1 x white lens



Greg

 

[Mike Chajkin]

Unbelievable coincidence!

I fitted the Widetail and Widebrake LED's on Sunday. Felt very pleased as it all worked - until I tried to fit the clear lenses. I also broke three!

I spoke to Motorworks this morning and they told me about the 'extra' bit BMW put on the lenses. Apparently they do this to 'discourage' people from just changing the lenses - so that they can sell a complete indicator unit.

Motorworks told me that they normally put a warning on the invoice telling purchasers to remove the extra bit of plastic - of course, on my invoice there wasn't a warning! (So they'll replace 2 for me).

MIKE

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

bulbs

visit your local motor factors - they sell orange bulbs with standard pin alignment - box of 10 = £4.50
i know 'cos i've had 'em fitted for 12 months
happy flashing!!!!
Sherpa

 

[Gecko]

It's good to know I am not the only heavy handed plonker out there snapping these things

 

[Malky]

Ah guess what I just did

yes I fitted the clear lenses !!!!!!!!!!

I got them from Motoworks and also got supplied with Ring bulbs.

The bulbs fitted OK.

And thankfully many moons ago someone told me about the extra bit. So I just got the file out and went for it. Takes about 2 secs per lense once you get the hang of it.

I did 6. Yup six - 4 for my bike and 2 for the nice man who popped round to have Widetail and Widebrake fitted and the clear lenses.

Did I break one ? Well - yes. I bust one putting the damn screw in. This happened on a Jesse Pannier and BMW indicator setup. Swine just a swine - one of the features it is very hard to get a screw driver in square to the lens. End result bust the flaming lense screw post bit. This meant I had to take one off my bike to give to the very nice man. So my bike has orange/amber on the front.

So I need another clear lens.
Greg you got one still ?

They do look cool with clear lenses.
I may add to my docs to show folks how to do this. As I must admit it was not until I matched them up it became apparent where the "extra it on the tag" was

 

[Gecko]

I'll tell you what Malky - there was some right proper blue language that afternoon at my place. I couldn't believe these bloddy things were snapping all the time. First one ....OK maybe I forced it....second one - No way , I was treating it like a priceless antique .....third one - F#*kin' B@$tard B*W Cr*p....I think you get the general idea.....then I sat down scowled at my tin of beer and studied the offending object and saw the small tab that makes all the difference. Then some more F#*kin' B@$tard B*W W@#nkers exclamations for making them like that in the first place and the job was done.

Still the widetails look well cool now so all the pain has been worthwhile.

 

[David Price]

You can buy orange bulbs with the standard pin arrangement at most car accessory shops. Saves messing about filing bits off the bulbs with offset pins.

 

[Gecko]

You can buy orange bulbs with the standard pin arrangement at most car accessory shops. Saves messing about filing bits off the bulbs with offset pins.

Dave
This is what I thought - but over here I couldn't find them anywhere - even the BMW dealership only supplied the filed off pin version. Good to know however next time I'm over in the Uk mainland.

 

[Malky]

I'll tell you what Malky - there was some right proper blue language that afternoon at my place. I couldn't believe these bloddy things were snapping all the time. First one ....OK maybe I forced it....second one - No way , I was treating it like a priceless antique .....third one - F#*kin' B@$tard B*W Cr*p....I think you get the general idea.....then I sat down scowled at my tin of beer and studied the offending object and saw the small tab that makes all the difference. Then some more F#*kin' B@$tard B*W W@#nkers exclamations for making them like that in the first place and the job was done.

Still the widetails look well cool now so all the pain has been worthwhile.

Change the beer ? Of course belgium beer. That stuff could take the tag off all by itself.

Top tip to anyone not familar with beer in Belguim - great stuff loads of %age lovely - Glaswegians do care about such facts - top top tip ask the beer to take the tag off.

I do so hope you will show me a beer or 2 in June. All in the aid of beer research I hope.

 

[MikeO]

All in the aid of beer research I hope.

Were you doing a little of said research before posting......?


MikeO