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961 headlamp glass

Submitted by russell_pitcher on Fri, 12/08/2016
Forums
Modern Nortons

I was riding on a newly surfaced road and a granite chip punctured my headlamp lens.

The bike is a 2011 Cafe Racer with a 175mm headlamp.

Norton no longer supply that lamp and have no spares.

They suggested a complete headlamp replacement, together with part of the loom.

They were unable to give me a price without raising an invoice.

The lens is plain glass.

Has anyone had a similar experience and know where a replacement glass can be obtained?

The original lamp is from a Chinese supplier, Jute.

Russell

Submitted by graham_leblond on Sat, 13/08/2016

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Hi Russell I am not sure if the following link will help but Jute products have been used by triumph specialists for years. The link takes you to the requisite page for replacement glass. I am not sure if they are a direct replacement but a call direct to them would probably sort out your problem. Regards Graham

http://www.triumphparts.gbr.cc/search.php/jute

Submitted by richard_woolnough on Sun, 14/08/2016

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isn't there something in EU regs that stipulate an availability of spare parts for 10yrs after the ceasation of manufacture? kind regards

Submitted by ian_cordes on Sun, 14/08/2016

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If headlights are no longer available, does that mean that if one breaks, the bike is technically a write-off??!!

Submitted by russell_pitcher on Sun, 14/08/2016

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Previously richard_woolnough wrote:

isn't there something in EU regs that stipulate an availability of spare parts for 10yrs after the ceasation of manufacture? kind regards

I did mention this to the Norton spares dept. It fell on deaf ears.

They no longer supply that headlamp but the later model fits.

It does not, however, have the chrome bezel which makes it less attractive in my view.

Submitted by david_cooper on Sun, 14/08/2016

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Since you say it is flat glass...have you tried a local glass supplier? I assume it is toughened glass but surely that's not a problem?

Submitted by russell_pitcher on Sun, 14/08/2016

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Interesting thought.

i doubt it's that simple. The glass is plain meaning that it has no "lenses" included to focus or direct the light.

i can't tell if it's flat as it's now in pieces.

I'm following the Triumph route.

Russell

Submitted by david_cooper on Mon, 15/08/2016

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Hi Russell.Obviously I don't know how that one was designed. But until a few years ago headlights had simple parabolic reflectors to project the light forwards in a 'perfect' parallel beam. Then the lens at the front was optically complicated to form the beam into the required pattern with cut-off etc.But nowadays all the focusing is done by computer assisted designed reflectors which have their own super complicated 3-D shape, and the glass (usually polycarbonate on cars) is there for aerodynamics, and keeping the dirt of the reflector. So optically they are simply flat even if they look strongly curved. So when you look inside a modern headlight you can see the contents (the bulbs) perfectly clearly and they don't shift optically when you move your head from side to side.Obviously a 'proper' light will be guaranteed to have the correct material properties (whatever they are).I am surprised Norton uses glass. Polycarbonate plastics are almost universal on cars - and they change from clear to being smoky after about 10 years of UV light. My old car needs new lamps because the old ones are going milky white. Pretty much all are over about 10 to 12 years old are losing their headlghts (which I think is an unacceptable design flaw!) But they are lighter and less likely to chip.Good luck on the hunt!

Submitted by ian_cordes on Mon, 15/08/2016

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A note on polycarbonate lenses, as a little aside from the main thread. When they go milky, which as you say, they will in time, don't buy new ones. 'T' cutting them restores their clarity. This was a tip from an MoT tester, which works.

Submitted by roger_johnson on Thu, 18/08/2016

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Previously russell_pitcher wrote:

I was riding on a newly surfaced road and a granite chip punctured my headlamp lens.

The bike is a 2011 Cafe Racer with a 175mm headlamp.

Norton no longer supply that lamp and have no spares.

They suggested a complete headlamp replacement, together with part of the loom.

They were unable to give me a price without raising an invoice.

The lens is plain glass.

Has anyone had a similar experience and know where a replacement glass can be obtained?

The original lamp is from a Chinese supplier, Jute.

Russell

Hi Russell, the glass is slightly domed [outwards] and does have directional flutes.

Roger

Submitted by jason_coupland on Mon, 05/09/2016

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Hi I have a headlight protector fitted to my mk11 cafe racer. I bought it off eBay as from a company called Slipstream. I know it's too late for the original headlight but might be worth considering when you get a replacement.

Jason

Submitted by russell_pitcher on Tue, 06/09/2016

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Update..

A forum member kindly offered to sell me a glass and reflector but it was set up for continental dip.

The glass is bonded to the reflector.

The Triumph lamp (also by Jute) fouls the ignition barrel and is wider at the fitting lugs (200 mm v 185 mm)

There are lamps on eBay from £12! including bulb to £50 but have the wider fitment.

Purchased complete headlamp from Norton, through the ever pleasant and helpful Karen, for £155 incl. VAT

Cheap way to repair roads, expensive for the road user.

Thanks for all the interest, Russell

 


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