fog lamps

[Jabrown]

I have a question for everyone that has installed fog lamps. Have any of you just not put on the many aftermarket brackets to mount fog lights too and just drilled a hole for the mounting point up under the fairing where there is a plastic lip in front of the radiators near the turn signals? Just curious, because those brackets seem like they kind of put the lights in a similar spot, and I know I said they were plastic but they seem to be sturdy enough for the job.

[petevandyke]

My current set of PIAA's came with custom mounts that set them about 8" down, my only recommendation if you're gonna' put your aux lights right into the "tupperware" is that you reinforce the plastic with a strip of that drilled/perforated sheetmetal (the pieces that are about 1/8" or less thick, an inch wide) and long enough to go all the way across the whole front end to spread the weight load, and use bolts and nuts to secure, not just the metal screws through the plastic.

Even though the lights themselves aren't heavy, when you're riding at highway speeds, it's going to put some strain on the plastic as the air hitting the lights puts force on the screw attached to your fairing "nose" which will eventually tear it otherwise...$.50 at home depot vs. whatever it would cost to have that repaired would probably be a good investment.

(also, I wouldn't suggest mounting the lights IN the "nostril" of the front end, those lights get damn hot, and having toasted my hands more than once, I can imagine they have the potential to do some unintended custom plastic work if too close to the fairing tupperware)

just a thought


P

[Jabrown]

I agree that it should be reinforced, I wasn't talking about the nostril part though...underneath that and to the sides. I have warmed my hand on lights before too. Kinda nice until you touch one on accident and burn your hand.

[lexlan]

I mounted a pair where you are talking about and the first time the bike bottomed out, the lights hit the fender on both sides causing bad scratches.
New fender: $285.00.

[Jabrown]

interesting thought I never thought about that. I will consider everything first before I begin to mount anything.

[usmctpdog]

I used the same brackets that came with my Wallyworld ($15) fog lights when I replaced them with the HELLA 1001 chrome fog lights for conspiquity.


Had them in about a year now and no problems.
i

[tobiwan]

Mounting Bar (long version) from raffy www.motogear4you.com with PIAA HID LED lights

They are 36 watts each and through a misunderstanding in the order i received two sets. I mounted one above and one below the bar. they are great. they really light up the sided of the road. do not seem to bother the on coming cars neither those I am overtaking. follower a LEO on my way to work recently without any undue attention.
Not the case with the www.saeng.com Nightcutters I have mounted below which are only used on the Interstate when there are no close cars in front.

They really really light up the night

[was]

I have a question for everyone that has installed fog lamps. Have any of you just not put on the many aftermarket brackets to mount fog lights too and just drilled a hole for the mounting point up under the fairing where there is a plastic lip in front of the radiators near the turn signals? Just curious, because those brackets seem like they kind of put the lights in a similar spot, and I know I said they were plastic but they seem to be sturdy enough for the job.

Sorta like this?

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12708&stc=1

The little bracket came with the $19 lights. I took it off the light, turned the bracket around, marked the attachment point on the plastic shelf, drilled a hole, secured the bracket with a small bolt, washers, and a lock nut, attached the light to the bracket, and hooked it up. It is very secure, IMHO, but note that these lights have plastic housings and probably are quite a bit less heavy than lights that have aluminum housings.