3c Rubber headlight seal fitment.

Vince

Hero member
I washed my bike a couple of weeks back and later discovered 30mm of water sitting inside my headlight through the glass lens. This is my second reseal attempt; the first time I tried to replace this seal, it was quite large and appeared to cap over the glass with a U-section. This latest seal is flat and has one smooth side; the other side has 3 small lips near the edge. I lip on one edge, and 2 tiny lips close together on the other lip. How does it fit, and where do these lips sit. Pics would help a lot. I am hopeful that I don't damage this, as it's extremely expensive for what it is.
 
Like this one supposedly for the headlamp as used on later triples, the GTL and on Zane' bikes with single headlight as well as on many BMWs and on Ducatis like the Darmah - glass with the 180mm inner rim and 190 outer glass diameter e.g. Bosch 1305604017 and 018 depending on dip side?
is this the one?
Sounds like the lens should be between first two lips and reflector between second and third lip.
I've been trying to find the gasket that's more of a simple U channel around the 190mm rim of the lens that then seals against the outer of the rim and reflector but have not found the source yet - I have one example installed but it has no part number on it and have not been able to find anything similar.
 
Yes its like that first one. The one i have is 14mm wide with no built in U shape at all. I am guessing it just sits over the outer edge of glass if so what side do those lips sit on. I have found nothing on the web other than some mentions here, a pic would help a lot.The sealing i guess needs to happen between the glass and the reflector, so maybe centred over the glass edge, and then half the rubber is outside and against the outer chrome ring, and the inside bit hangs between the glass and the reflector. But the tiny lips in or out, plus either 2 lips inside or 1 lip inside. Answers on a postcard.
 
To quote an old relative, your bloods worth bottling, i searched YouTube for this last night and today and found nothing. Its so simple with a vidio, thanks greaty Mr Sock.
 
OMG, I remember struggling with this too years ago.

I’m a patient person but after pulling apart one day (during a few beers) and trying to reassemble the next day (sober) fried my brain.

Bike was a Darmah with RH headlight I was changing to a LH lens.
 
So next question for an inquiring mind, I keep hearing about left or righ glass lens, how do you tell them apart by looking at them. After 36 years of ownership be good to know.
 
There's a clear wedge, in the lens, Vince.
If it's on your right, when you're facing the headlight, it's a Right Hand Dip. Suitable for countries with Left Hand Drive cars.

If it's on your left, when you're facing the headlight, it's a Left Hand Dip. Suitable for countries with Right Hand Drive cars.

Illustrated below, mine with its OEM Right Hand Dip, which I fitted black PVC tape over to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, in the UK.

3cE front.jpg

I, eventually, fitted a Left Hand Dip lens, shown below.

2023 04 02 AGM 01 (Close Crop).jpg
 
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I couldnt wait to check even though its 10.30 pm and the shed has no light, so head torch on and drum roll please, its got the triangle on the right so its not for left hand drive countries. I rarely ride at night. But will eventualy get a Ducati type replacment. Approx $400 from Gowanlochs last time I checked. That was becuse that rivoted gadget broke off and it needs resilvering anyway.
 
Bosch part number in the glass 1 305 604 018 for UK side dip and 1 305 604 017 for those countries that drive on the wrong side of the road!
17 seems widely available and reasonably priced, 18 is expensive, I bought a used lens.
 
Bosch part number in the glass 1 305 604 018 for UK side dip and 1 305 604 017 for those countries that drive on the wrong side of the road!
17 seems widely available and reasonably priced, 18 is expensive, I bought a used lens.
Don't you drive on the 'wrong side of the road' Arancia?
 
knight mounting horse.jpg

A sword is worn on the left so that you can withdraw it easily with your right hand.
You mount a horse from the left because it stops your sword getting in the way.
Safer to mount your horse from the side of the road not used by traffic, the left.
When your motorcycle is stopped, you need to have at least one foot on the floor.
Safer to be on the side not used by traffic, which might run over your toes.
That's why the gearchange is on the right.
Unless, of course, you drive on the wrong side of the road,...
 
How about US Moto Cops getting off on the right? Cannot complain, we built every State Railway on a different gauge, the width of the track. Videotape, charging cables, different languages, even different spellings in the same language, it's a complicated world out there.
 
There's a clear wedge, in the lens, Vince.
If it's on your right, when you're facing the headlight, it's a Right Hand Dip. Suitable for countries with Left Hand Drive cars.

If it's on your left, when you're facing the headlight, it's a Left Hand Dip. Suitable for countries with Right Hand Drive cars.

Illustrated below, mine with its OEM Right Hand Dip, which I fitted black PVC tape over to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, in the UK.

View attachment 98013

I, eventually, fitted a Left Hand Dip lens, shown below.

View attachment 98014
Really wondering,in this world of LED lighting, can regular H4 headlights still be considered dazzling?

The warm glow, akin to a candle in a jam jar, can be clearly recognised from afar…

piet
 
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The warm glow, akin to a candle in a jam jar, can be clearly recognised from afar…

Piet
An accurate description of my '73 Commando's headlight, Piet.
My Laverda, on the other hand, in '76 that H4 was state of the art.
I used to love the way I could warm my hands by holding them in front of the headlamp lens while main beam was on.
Nowadays, I do run an LED in the H4 and it is, almost, too bright.

Incandescent Halogen bulb:
Headlight incandescent main.JPG

LED Main:

Headlight LED main.JPG
 
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