Retrofit Question

[SRT ACE]

Kind of off-topic, but I wanted to post where all of you lighting guys/gals will be sure to see it...

I have an older motorcycle with a rectangle headlight housing (roughly 5x7); it takes an H4 bulb. I am looking to make it my first retrofit project, but had a question regarding the headlight lens:

Wouldn't the lens (with various ridges - help me out for the correct terminology) defeat the purpose of the projector retrofit by scattering the light every which way?

The headlight is pictured here

Thanks!
ACE

[Remax Realtor]

The light wont touch the lens, because the light is being projected forward. If you mount the projector far enough in the back of the housing, some light might catch the edges of the lens, but it shouldnt be enough to mess up the beam pattern. It might make the beam look wider on the road because it will reflect off the edge and back out to the side. When you are mounting it, fire the projector up and see how it looks. This is all part of the retrofit process. Lots of trial and error.

[SRT ACE]

My apologies; based on your answer I'll need to correct myself.

By "lens" I was referring to the clear plastic on the outside of the bulb. Not the metallic reflector. Instead of being completely flat and clear plastic (like SRT headlights and fog lights) it has ridges that look like they would refract the light.

[aww sheet]

it won't refract the light, but it would be as brilliant as a housing with a completely clear lens. you'll still see a cutoff and everything. try to search for an aftermarket housing for the bike, if there is one it will most likely be clear.

[lphooper03]

Depending on the projector...I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't have enough room.

You won't have an issue with light bending around your jagged headlight lense...Have you looked into a projector directly? Holy shit they are bright...Light is going to go right around those ridges.

[SRT ACE]

Quote: Originally Posted by aww sheet

it won't refract the light, but it would be as brilliant as a housing with a completely clear lens. you'll still see a cutoff and everything. try to search for an aftermarket housing for the bike, if there is one it will most likely be clear.

The bike is an 86 Yamaha Radian so there isn't a lot of aftermarket items (if any) available. I could get a generic round aftermarket headlight but it will kick up the cost. Do you know if there is anyway to make your own lens? Could I go without one (might look a little weird)?

Quote: Originally Posted by lphooper03

Depending on the projector...I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't have enough room.

I figure with my stock housing that room is going to be the biggest issue. The headlight itself is about 3.5" deep and the headlight plus the housing/bucket is only about 5" deep. What is the shallowest bi-xenon (don't want to give up high beam) projector available? In another thread I asked about the older IS250 projectors.

Additionally, could the back of the projector be exposed? That is, I have another 1-2 inches behind the headlight housing/bucket. I could cut a whole in that as necessary but the back of the projector would be sticking out and exposed to the elements.

Thanks for the help!

[aww sheet]

Quote: Originally Posted by SRT ACE

The bike is an 86 Yamaha Radian so there isn't a lot of aftermarket items (if any) available. I could get a generic round aftermarket headlight but it will kick up the cost. Do you know if there is anyway to make your own lens? Could I go without one (might look a little weird)?

this about as close to clear as i could find
550 Driving Lamp Kit Rectangle Clear Lens Upright And Pendant Mounting Incl. 2 Lamps/12V 55W Bulbs/Stone Shields/Wiring Harness/Switch/Relay/Mounting Hardware
could TRY vac-form but, it would have to be a pretty thick peice of acylic to use as a primary lens. thats the only thing i can think of and i'm not how successful you'd be going that route

[SRT ACE]

Any idea what the shallowest bi-xenon projector is? And, can the back of the projector housing be exposed to the elements?