[Boardingrome]

Well.... My day ended horribly... 2003 Shadow Spirit 750

I was shocked when I saw this was ABS and thought this exact thing could happen. Was just riding down the road, and noticed it was wobbling around. I recently converted to hardtail struts which im sure is somehow to blame for this i would imagine. I've had a few comments about "hows the hardtail treating you" and honestly, I was expecting much much worse. Still getting used to the feel, but I honestly like it. I can only imagine it is even better with a springer seat.

Regardless, my headlight was definitely NOT like that on me pre-ride check a few minutes before leaving work when I noticed this. GRRRR :-x

Any one have any lines on a good metal version of this bucket? It contains all the wiring connectors for hand controls, turn signals, and the headlight itself, coming out of a maybe 2.5" hole in the back of it back to through along the frame.

 

[smilie]

Well, I guess we don't have to ask how that hard tail is treating you. Sucks that it's plastic. I'd imagine my 07 is the same. I think my 02 vlx was still metal.

 

[Boardingrome]

Yeah, it was rougher for sure, but there was never any significant bumps or jolts or anything I could recollect that thought would cause this to happen. Much less anything that really stuck out as it happened and made me go "OH NO!!".

I'm thinking I might just scrap the current mount and headlight. My plan as of now is to relocate as much wiring as possible back under the tank, and to get a new mount/and headlight combo.

Any once had any luck with these fork style headlight mounts? Or have one to recommend?

 

[GB6049]

I don't think hartelling it caused that, IMHO. there are also better looking headlights and mount options out there. Check out snappylights on eBay.

 

[Doctor Dolittle]

Upgrade to the VTX headlight housing. It looks better and has A LOT more room inside the housing for the wiring. Here is a link to the part and installation process, step by step: Adding a VTX headlight - Fishman's VT750DC

 

[Boardingrome]

Thanks for the link! I some how haven't come across that vt750dc site yet.

I'm a little leary spending a hundred bucks on a new headlight setup if it's going to be the same cheap ABS, and I'm honestly not that huge on the top cowl on the VTX version. But that's just me.

Anyone know if the VTX version is the same ABS or what it's made of? If so, I think I'll be going aftermarket.

 

[Furball Zen]

Its ABS, but that stuff is tough, no way the hard tail did that. Looks like it was weak already, or someone walked by and yanked it off for you.

Although, looking at the middle pic, i see what looks like signs of melting. If you melt ABS it becomes brittle, so that could explain the snapping.

 

[Old Dad]

^ I was thinking some heat damage on the abs too. Had you added anything inside the headlight housing?

 

[Boardingrome]

Thanks for the responses guys. I did not add anything to the headlight at all. I swapped out turn signals in the front to LEDs(low heat), and used the stock bullet connectors that were also attached to the new turn signals I received. Other than that, there was just a little bit of torquing on it when I re-positioned all the wiring and replaced the headlight. I know for sure it was not a friendly neighbor, as when I did my pre-check before leaving work, still appeared fully attached( I didn't put my hands on it, so it may have been weakened already).

I cannot put my finger on anything that would have been creating enough heat to cause damage there, and I for the life of me, have no idea what could have done that. Im suspicious that it was already weakened, and there are a set of train-tracks that I have to cross on my way to work. Im wondering if maybe the jolt of the train-tracks and being newly hardtail combined, might have contributed to the destruction of my Bucket.

 

[Furball Zen]

little bit of torquing on it when I re-positioned all the wiring and replaced the headlight.

Only needs to be snug, possible you tweaked it too much. In 26000+ hard miles ive never had anything fall off or break except the little throttle body cover on the left side because the bolt was messed up.

Plus, many others have run hard tail for years with no issues.

 

[Boardingrome]

Hey guys. As always, thanks for the responses. I think I might have misrepresented myself when I said:

little bit of torquing on it when I re-positioned all the wiring and replaced the headlight

I did not remove the casing, or adjust the bolts on the headlight case at all. When I said "torquing" I mean as in when I was mashing and positioning the wiring inside of the bucket, and re-inserting the headlight back into the casing. Not adjustment was made on the brackets at all.

Regardless, I went to town with some SuperGlue, some fibered packing some, some duct, and a liberal coating of plasti-dip, to get me into a spot where I can temporarily ride my bike for the next week while I wait for a new setup. It is very ultra ghetto, and looks horrible standing still, but its working.

On a side note, I know for sure I want a black bucket now... LOL