Fog/Spot Light Protection

[Mark Hooton]

Hi All, here`s some fog/spot light protection I have just fitted to my GSA - I don`t think it will stop any serious damage but I am thinking it will stop damage should I drop the bike or from any collision with trees/people/wobbly boxes etc.

The idea behind it is to stop expensive BMW fog/spot light replacement costs following a fall.

What do you think? Anybody had experience of damage to lights? I`ve only had the GSA for a few weeks so I am not sure if this is something worthwhile having?

I am thinking of developing this for the vendors section if I can get some appreciated feedback?

Regards,

Mark.

 

[DavidJames]

The BMW Adventure lights are prone to breaking at the slightest knock, and do come into contact with floor if you drop the bike. However, the part that breaks is only around 15GBP to replace it if I remember correctly.

 

[Mark Hooton]

Yep, I guess you are right

Thanks for that, my fears are confirmed if the bike is dropped (didn`t want to try it myself! ).

Bit of a shame if they are so fragile and an even bigger surprise that the `breaky bit` is only £15 to replace - it`s my opinion that they tend to be somewhat more expensive knowing BMW!

 

[DavidJames]

Here's a link to a thread I posted a while back:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155957&highlight=light

Looking at your photo I am not sure your bracket would help much if the bike fell over, the side looks like it could bend and then make contact with the fog light and still break.

 

[Mark Hooton]

Yep I agree

Yep I agree with you but there is no sensible way, I don`t think, that I can secure the bottom of the guard.

Its my hope that it at least affords some protection and stops easily breakable plastic from flying everywhere!

I`ll take a look at the link now.............

 

[Sniper1]

Another good looking bit of kit

Mark,
Looks good, one question.
Is there a third clip that would prevent the shroud itself from being spun into the light and doing what you are aiming to prevent?

 

[Mark Hooton]

Yep, you can`t see it though

Yep, you can`t see it though, I`ll see if I have another image...............

Aha, there we go - if you look in the top left hand corner you can just make out the third nitrile lined P Clamp

I have read the link to the other post and BMW does seem to have done something daft here. An Adventure bike with parts which break on a lay down

 

[contact23]

looks good to me , ill take me chances ...how mucho Mark?with gsa 12 instead of ukgser or maybe just holes..

 

[LBL]

where's my bling wallet

 

[Mark Hooton]

Further details

Hi guys, yes, this is only the prototype so I am afraid it isn`t for sale (or won`t be at any normal price anyway, they will be for sale but at a later date) otherwise it would be straight in the vendors section.

Once I have taken good stock of any sensible help and advice I will hope to evolve the design to a point where it`s the best I can do then - whammo - it`s in the vendors section and up for sale!

For sure I can tell you at this point:

1. The final ones will have `R1200GSA` on them because it looks horny .
2. There will also be ones made with `BMW Park Lane` on them but they deffo WILL NOT be for sale as I have a business supply agreement with them which I will of course honour. These will be exactly the same as the R1200GSA ones apart from the logo.
3. They will be made from stainless (as usual) and held on by stainless and nitrile lined P clamps.
4. There will be a short waiting list (nowt daft) as the demands on my time are increasing.
5. I expect the price to be anything from £35 to £45 for a pair depending on how the `retail` ones turn out after listening to all the kind advice.
6. I am currently wearing blue socks.

You now know everything I know (including about the socks) but if there are any other questions please don`t hesitate to ask.

I am still amazed about such delicate lights - I`ve only had the bike a few weeks and it seems mostly substantial - are there any other `weak` areas we all know about?

 

[Dawg]

Looks good, I'd be interested dependant on price.

 

[autogs]

er sorry to be a party pooper mark,but in a fall or knock wont the outside bit of the guard just bend round and push on the lamp and break the lamp in the usual place at the top mount?

but it is a bit of bling,is there any way to wrap the guard round the mounting bar to hide the p clips,sorry to be critical,i could not even begin to design and produce your stuff and applaud your efforts,your crud catcher adorns my bike.

 

[Mark Hooton]

Yeah

er sorry to be a party pooper mark,but in a fall or knock wont the outside bit of the guard just bend round and push on the lamp and break the lamp in the usual place at the top mount?

but it is a bit of bling,is there any way to wrap the guard round the mounting bar to hide the p clips,sorry to be critical,i could not even begin to design and produce your stuff and applaud your efforts,your crud catcher adorns my bike.

Yeah most likely but it should, if only a little, reduce that happening but with that said it would take some individual lamp `crash bars` to be able to take about 250kg`s of weight at that spot to stop anything being pushed onto the lamp. It`s my hope that it mainly stops `incidental` damage - for sure, the stainless guard is harder than the black plastic lamp and might survive a glancing blow from a tree - thats the theory anyway but I appreciate your point. Good point about the P clamps - the designwork and increased cost, in my mind, negates that good idea.

Personally, I like the look of the P clamps but accept its all down to personal choice. I have thought about a guard strong enough to support 250kgs before pushing into the lamp but it became daft as i am sure you could imagine!

thanks anyway for your input and I am pleased you have a crud catcher - if `owt I do that bit of kit is the best!

 

[contact23]

Send me one at 35 squid and i will beta them for you , hows that?

 

[Mark Hooton]

Errrrrm

Errrrm, that`s £35 for the pair Big Yin..............

 

[contact23]

Ill start scrapin off some dirt then...make a bit a room...

 

[mark2jag]

There will also be ones made with `BMW Park Lane` on them ........As in Central London????

If so.................


AAAAAARGGHH , Run away,expensive uncooperative rip off merchants and too, (Wouldnt even return phone calls, cnuts.) so good luck with them and lets hope they dont try and rip you off like they did with my K1300GT SE!!!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

They will look great in Tesco's car park and will protect your lights from the onslaught of trolleys

This is my opinion and Im guessing you have posted this to get a real reaction.

They look nicely made as all your gear is but a complete and utter waste of time. My GSA has been upside down more times than I care to remember and the lights have never been touched

Still, the bling factor will make them very sellable so good luck to you

 

[Mark Hooton]

Oh those trolleys

Oh those dark satanic trolleys.......................

Must take my 4x4 and collect the kids from school.............

But seriously, I am pleased to hear that your GSA has been upside down with no damage to the lights, I think that they are somewhat `at a corner` myself.

I have however heard reports where other members have not been so lucky. Not entirely sure that I would agree with the `complete and utter waste of time` theory as I would be tempted to insert a `mostly` at the beginning.

Shame to hear about the experience with BMW Park Lane, it would have been nice to hear about them really looking after forum members!

 

[Dawg]

They will look great in Tesco's car park and will protect your lights from the onslaught of trolleys

It's bling and I likes it....

If they help protect, good.
If not, then they just look nice.