Author Topic: Tribar 7" Conversion  (Read 8607 times)

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Vitalc

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on: September 06, 2010, 03:52:00 am
I thought a 7" headlight would look cool and so I bought the package off our host.

I'm always surprised when you get a bagful of parts without a drawing or an instruction. I trust someone here successfully converted to 7" and can enlighten me?

There are 2 metal rings (790449), one holds the lamp and one screws on the bike. The 2 rings hinge at the bottom but I did not find a locking device, so the 2 rings don't stay together  ???

The other issue are the nightmarish W-shaped springclips. I once managed to put in 3 of those, but as soon as I fitted the unit to the bike, I heard them catapult out, I don't even know how they are supposed to go in.

(Put the old lamp back on?  right.... :-[  I should have taken pictures...I know - I thought this was going to be a piece of cake  ::)

Thanks for any suggestions, tricks or advice

Vitalc


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #1 on: September 06, 2010, 04:38:29 am
I don't have the 7" conversion but there should be one screw on the bottom that holds the outer ring to the inner.  As to the clips, they are just simply a beast to get on.  I'm sure someone here who has done the conversion will chime in soon to help.

If it doesn't sort itself out and you still want better lighting:
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,8255.0.html

Take heart, this is a good board and help will come.

Scott


Leonard

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Reply #2 on: September 06, 2010, 04:49:02 am
This might help with the W clips.
2009 Triumph Bonneville T100
2004 Royal Enfield Sixty-5 (RIP)
2001 Kawasaki W650 (going, going...gone)
http://www.romeoriders.com


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #3 on: September 06, 2010, 04:50:53 am
Also, wear goggles ;)


2bikebill

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Reply #4 on: September 06, 2010, 10:07:00 am
Either I'm just lucky or I have the knack, but I just don't find those clips to be tricky at all. Just remember which way round they go, and they clip on and off easy. Press down and in on one side to remove - you might need something like a flat screwdriver, but usually can be done by hand. Put one side under the rim when replacing, then press in the other side - down and in.
Perhaps I should set up a clip removal/replacement service for all you scaredy boys  ;)
I have the 7" Tribar on my G5 - looks fantastic and gives way more light than the stock. Very easy to fit, straight swap. The only tricky part I found was getting the new unit to stay centred in the original rim. I cut some little strips of 3mm hard rubber which I'd had lying around the place, and put them at 4 or 5 points between the new unit and the old rim. This held things centred while I put the clips in.
There is no hole in the new unit for the parking light, so you'll have to remove the bulb, tape it over and just tuck it to one side.
A couple of folk told me it would be a bit of a squeeze to cram the new unit in, but it's actually the same size as the stock unit and fits in easy, and the electrics just plug straight in the same way.
Mine is the Adjure unit, from UK supplier but same brand as NField Gear supply.
The instruction sheet (scabby photocopy) mentions an "extended bezel trim ring" which is available if there is a gap between the lamp and the rim, but this doesn't apply to the G5 - just the centreing thing as I mentioned. I'm assuming the C5 has the same nacelle...?
« Last Edit: September 06, 2010, 10:35:09 am by WillW »
2009 Royal Enfield Electra (G5)


Vitalc

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Reply #5 on: September 06, 2010, 01:25:08 pm
This might help with the W clips.

Perfect !!  Thanks,
This indeed revives old memories of replacing headlights on cars or bikes... can't remember which ones ;D


Vitalc

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Reply #6 on: September 06, 2010, 01:55:27 pm
Either I'm just lucky or I have the knack, but I just don't find those clips to be tricky at all. Just remember which way round they go, and they clip on and off easy. Press down and in on one side to remove - you might need something like a flat screwdriver, but usually can be done by hand. Put one side under the rim when replacing, then press in the other side - down and in.
Mine is the Adjure unit, from UK supplier but same brand as NField Gear supply.
The instruction sheet (scabby photocopy) mentions an "extended bezel trim ring" which is available if there is a gap between the lamp and the rim, but this doesn't apply to the G5 - just the centreing thing as I mentioned. I'm assuming the C5 has the same nacelle...?
THanks Wil,
That's great help!
Now that it is clear how to install the springs (thanks Leonard), I agree, it's more piece of cake than nightmare  ;D.

Once the lamp solidly fixed into the ring with the springs, I take the 2nd ring, hook it onto the lamp ring (at 6 o'clock) and bring the 2 rings together at the top. They now fit perfectly, and are kept together by the lip / hinge at 6 o'clock...The outer ring now ready to bolt to the nacelle.  What keeps the lamp ring from falling forward, hinging around 6 o'clock?  I'd hate to put screws through-and-through.  ???

thanks for your patience


2bikebill

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Reply #7 on: September 06, 2010, 04:18:31 pm
The screw on top (12 0 Clock) of the rear rim opens up a clip which holds it all together. Same as the original light. Should be a straight switchover - everything goes back the same way as before. All that's changed is the unit inside.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2010, 04:21:46 pm by WillW »
2009 Royal Enfield Electra (G5)


1 Thump

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Reply #8 on: September 06, 2010, 04:35:03 pm
Yea those W clips is an ordeal. This is what helped me: I put two clips in (next to each other, and a third on the other side of the indentation on the lamp. Then i placed the lamp in. Now here is the tricky part. With a screw drivier move the one clip around such that the three clips are equidistant. I only used three held at 120 degrees apart.


Vitalc

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Reply #9 on: September 06, 2010, 07:09:11 pm
The screw on top (12 0 Clock) of the rear rim opens up a clip which holds it all together. Same as the original light. Should be a straight switchover - everything goes back the same way as before. All that's changed is the unit inside.

Great!  Thanks!
I should keep in mind : things are usually engineered in a particular way for a good reason. 
I agree, pretty straight forward. I wonder if the complicated OEM construct was cheaper to mass produce than the 7"  ???

I also noticed that the indicator wires switched colors at the connector (both LH and RH side), so if you want to mount different indicator lights, check wiring first.

G5 looks a lot cooler with with a big headlight, small indicator lights and an old style sprung seat. Me thinks.
 
TIme to go for a ride.  THanks guys for the help and advice. ;D


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #10 on: September 06, 2010, 09:56:36 pm
The 5 3/4" headlight is a US only thing.  In order to meet US DOT specs your headlight must be adjustable.  So they sunk a 5 3/4" light with adjustment apparatus into the 7" original non-adjustable bezel.  The 7" is fine for the rest of the world but we're special.

There were one or two posts that I saw noting that after installing the 7" headlight it was not aligned properly, another few other notes of small wedges in the bezel to correct, but it seems to work just fine for most people.

Scott


Vitalc

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Reply #11 on: September 06, 2010, 10:56:33 pm
Scotty,
I see the point.
Amazing though, I can't imagine any headlight that is NOT adjustable.

Particularly since you can have a perfectly classic look with a 7" adjustable headlight, like my Paul Smart, or CB 750 cafe, or the Bullet continental, or any other classic inspiration

And even your monster ?

Oh well... the ride was perfect: the sun was generous, traffic hesitating, the itinerary lost, the T-shirt from RE, the helmet open...with any other bike it would have been  boring  ;D ;D


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #12 on: September 06, 2010, 11:05:49 pm
You'll notice the models you mentioned don't have a fixed nacelle like the RE and I think all have a headlight bucket that can pivot.up and down.

Scott


2bikebill

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Reply #13 on: September 06, 2010, 11:11:50 pm
I didn't know that U.S. bikes have a 5 3/4" headlight. My G5  (UK) came with a 7" light as standard, which is why it was such an easy switch to the TriBar I suppose.
2009 Royal Enfield Electra (G5)


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #14 on: September 07, 2010, 01:09:53 am
Ah!  I thought you were doing both the 7" conversion and the Tri-bar install.  Feel free to ignore most of what I said :)

Scott