Headlight...
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:32 pmJust for info.
As many of you will be aware, I've had to sort a new headlight for the bike after my recent off. First thing I did was price up a new one from David Silver which was £277+VAT (£55.44) + P&P (£15) = the princely sum of £374.44. Bollox to that.
Next fleabay. A second hand unit, with 2 broken/ plastic repaired mounting points was on at £200 BIN or best offer. I tried £150 which was rejected and I wasn't even tempted to pay more for a 12 year old damaged/repaired unit, so I took a chance and bought this-
Headlight
Risky really, but at a cost of less than £98 all in, it had to be worth a try. It's now arrived (16 days)-
The general build quility seems the similar to the original. I can't see any gaps or weaknesses that stand out. I scratched the lens plastic on the new one and the original Honda unit (across the very top edge and therefore invisible) and couldn't tell any difference in the pressure needed to mark it (for what such an unscientific test is worth)-
The lens is of the 'flat beam' type and legal here and on the continent without modification.
The rear of the unit is much the same. The small rubber vent is fitted on the new one, the adjusters are loose and easy to use and the bulbs fitted neatly, if a little more tightly than with the standard unit. I'm sure the ad said the new unit came with the bulb rubber covers, but this one definately didn't-
Finally the under side. I didn't know before, but the sidelight reflector on the standard unit is a bayonet fitted plate affair, so even if you damage your original one, make sure you FULLY strip the useful parts before binning it! The original plate slotted home without a problem and all the bulbs, rubbers and mount plate are now mounted and the unit is ready for fitting when the nose comes back from painting.
The only possible downside, is I don't know about the fit until the nose comes back. I've compared the mount points to those on my OEM unit and they look identical. Bottom line----- I have a new headlight with change from £100, and if I'd have gone to the cheapest Honda provider, it would have cost £350.
I also refused to pay £430 + VAT + P&P for a nose fairing, buying one in from Poland for £134 all in. I'll write up about that once me spray fella has given me the benefit of his knowledge
As many of you will be aware, I've had to sort a new headlight for the bike after my recent off. First thing I did was price up a new one from David Silver which was £277+VAT (£55.44) + P&P (£15) = the princely sum of £374.44. Bollox to that.
Next fleabay. A second hand unit, with 2 broken/ plastic repaired mounting points was on at £200 BIN or best offer. I tried £150 which was rejected and I wasn't even tempted to pay more for a 12 year old damaged/repaired unit, so I took a chance and bought this-
Headlight
Risky really, but at a cost of less than £98 all in, it had to be worth a try. It's now arrived (16 days)-
The general build quility seems the similar to the original. I can't see any gaps or weaknesses that stand out. I scratched the lens plastic on the new one and the original Honda unit (across the very top edge and therefore invisible) and couldn't tell any difference in the pressure needed to mark it (for what such an unscientific test is worth)-
The lens is of the 'flat beam' type and legal here and on the continent without modification.
The rear of the unit is much the same. The small rubber vent is fitted on the new one, the adjusters are loose and easy to use and the bulbs fitted neatly, if a little more tightly than with the standard unit. I'm sure the ad said the new unit came with the bulb rubber covers, but this one definately didn't-
Finally the under side. I didn't know before, but the sidelight reflector on the standard unit is a bayonet fitted plate affair, so even if you damage your original one, make sure you FULLY strip the useful parts before binning it! The original plate slotted home without a problem and all the bulbs, rubbers and mount plate are now mounted and the unit is ready for fitting when the nose comes back from painting.
The only possible downside, is I don't know about the fit until the nose comes back. I've compared the mount points to those on my OEM unit and they look identical. Bottom line----- I have a new headlight with change from £100, and if I'd have gone to the cheapest Honda provider, it would have cost £350.
I also refused to pay £430 + VAT + P&P for a nose fairing, buying one in from Poland for £134 all in. I'll write up about that once me spray fella has given me the benefit of his knowledge
stirfry...with fried lice 
