Headlight rim clips install??

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Hobot

Hobot

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Oct 19, 2005
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Need some hand holding on assembling the clips that hold reflector to mount ring. I've done this prior a few times with Norton parts, short squat wire clips but this time I was sent long legged wire clips that have confused me. I don't know if these are the right ones or if only long clips are what is supplied now and need modifying or just plain Forcing. Factory clips have ~1/2" long legs that spread with reasonable force to trap ring but new ones have ~1" long legs and once one is inserted it shoves reflector too far to one side to even begin to get another clip started. Original clips have legs already spread pretty wide but new one are less spread which makes their extra length even more impossible to fit. Please advise as able.
 
I've had to bend them out to make them fit right and they took it OK and still had enough spring to hold the reflector OK, even after having bent them a bit in and out to get the fit right....they don't seem as brittle as most springs and will take some tweaking OK in my experience.
 
Thanks bluto then I'll follow your lead and try to clip snip and spread till holding ok.
 
Hey hobot, I ALWAYS change out the Lucas Headlamp with the "generic" sealed beam Hi/Lo units; on all my Brit bikes. I buy my rim clips from "mikesXS" They work great using a good set of needle nose pliers. Not too hard to put in at all. And, you don't have to trim them, just install and they are nice and tight. Hope this helps ... :D
 
I love it, if you can't buy Norton parts, Use Yamaha XS 650 parts. I own both bikes, I do the same.
 
Ok XS650 connections is useful info. I'll try the nip and tuck method with what i've on hand, if too stressful for me I'll check on MikesXS. In this case the clips are for plain Jane '72 Trixie, I want to keep as no brainer straight forward p/n ordering as practical. I've found about the world best seal beam for m'c's for Ms Peel but just halogen bulb upgrade should be fine for Trixie as a base line to compare Peel mods against. i used to love to ride at night now I'm too afraid to be caught out near dusk.
 
bwolfie said:
I love it, if you can't buy Norton parts, Use Yamaha XS 650 parts. I own both bikes, I do the same.
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You can buy greenhouse clips for about £2 for 20 I use those and they work fine. :D
 
I also just learned of 'green house clips' cool. Will attempt to diddle the long ones but only so much swearing then I'll toss em and try this suggestion. I've done my time of bodges and remaking stuff so only want ease of assembly from now on.
 
SS greenhouse clips as bragging rights? Who'd of thought.
I got the over long clips to work by some test fitting then smashing them all down to spread enough to center lens, then stuck one leg under rim lip and stretched the other leg to fit under lip and stay put. One clips adjusted to spread i felt guilty it went to together so easy. Implies I did it wrong or something else will make me pay for my small sense of mechanic success.
 
Don't install them backwards. I wasted a week trying to figure out why my headlight would not go back together until I realized I had the damn clips in backwards. :oops:
 
Coco said:
Don't install them backwards. I wasted a week trying to figure out why my headlight would not go back together until I realized I had the damn clips in backwards. :oops:
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Now that's what I call honesty :wink:
 
I think I got mine in correct but honestly not sure yet its been so long since seeing an intact one from the inside. If it falls out on THE Grit I'll not tell.
 
I don't understand the difficulty. Every workshop has a couple of these spring clips in the corner or up in the rafters. You just have to look for them ! :)
 
Oh ok I wondered where my way ward spring had gotten too as sure wasn't anywhere I looked for them with head downward : (
I did think to order one extra this time and ruined my first attempt to adjust to fit so still good to go on the remainders.
 
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