Headlight Reflector

V

Vince

Hero member
While I am investigating my lack of headlight I found my reflector less than shiny. What's the go-to, resilvering or replacement? If I remember right is there supposed to be some kind of 2 legged suspended cap in the middle of the reflector or am I mistaken? I think mine fell out years ago maybe
 
I've never know anyone who "resilvered" a reflector. Where would you go for that service? I think replacement is the more practical step.
 
Got another question from the past. I used to have a rubber strip around the circumference that was somewhere in the vicinity of where the glass touches the reflector and it was in tatty shape so I replaced it with the last one available back then. Are these still used and available, are they an anti-viberation thing or a water seal for its purpose? How many W clips are correct? If I am fixing this I might as well do it right for a change.
 
Vince said:
Got another question from the past. I used to have a rubber strip around the circumference that was somewhere in the vicinity of where the glass touches the reflector and it was in tatty shape so I replaced it with the last one available back then. Are these still used and available, are they an anti-viberation thing or a water seal for its purpose? How many W clips are correct? If I am fixing this I might as well do it right for a change.
Click to expand...
Use bathroom silicone.

Paul
 
Rubber seal is still available Vince. You'll need at least 3 W-clips, I pack in as many as I can.

Re-silvering is a specialist job, rare and expensive, offered in classifieds of the Classic Car mags here. The 180mm reflector was used on /6 and /7 air head Beemers, Ducati Dramas and early Monsters. Loads of complete headlights to be had quite cheap on Fleabay, usually considerably cheaper than a new reflector, if you can find one... I'm guessing the reflector spoon is a relict of the times of the earliest H4 bulbs that did not have a blacked-out tip, which would cause uncontrollable glare for oncoming traffic. As this spoon will quickly fall off by itself when fitted to our vibrators, it is best to remove it before it trashes the reflector, all modern H4 bulbs have blacked-out tips by now. Why Bosch persevered with the spoon isn't really comprehendable.

piet
 
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Thanks, so does the rubber seal, it was like a big flat-shaped rubber O ring a bit smaller than the glass circumference cup the outer edge of the glass and reflector together. I bought one a while back but it only lasted a few months and then snapped, good info.
 
The rubber is fitted to the lens only, it is formed so it wraps around the edge smoothly. This assembly is placed in the reflector recess, the whole caboodle held together with the w-clips in the chrome rim. The seal will withstand rain and normal hand washing, it will not withstand a pressure washer! A rub with vaseline or silicone grease will help keep the rubber supple for a bit longer and inhibit tearing/cracking.

piet
 
Thanks mate, I put mine over both the glass and reflector, probably why it failed so quickly.
 
Hey Vince.

I think I've got a NOS Bosch 180mm Laverda headlight complete with rim in a box somewhere. I bought it years ago when they were a dime a dozen in case I ever crashed the bike and would need a replacement. So far I haven't.
 
If it's just your reflector that's buggered. DAM Laverda has them in stock. It comes with the 2-legged cap in the middle.
damclassicracing.com.au

76112053 Reflector for headlight Bosch (180mm)

Laverda Parts for LAVERDA Breganze and Zane models 1969 - 2000
damclassicracing.com.au damclassicracing.com.au
He also sells the sealing rubber ring.

Seems a bit pricey at $435, so it might pay to shop around. I don't know the part number to search but I think the same headlight was used in a bunch of European bikes at the time.
 
Yes Gowys and that BMW dealer in WA have them for similar money. So why are these so much cheaper? What's the difference between just a reflector and its sealing rubber for another $50 and what is in my bike now, but it's a bit tarnished. BTW do these always have those twin legs and cap thing that always brakes off, is it worth chopping them off before they damage the shinny bit?
damclassicracing.com.au

76101011.11 Semi-Sealed Beam 178mm H4 Insert (UK/JPN/AU/NZ)

Laverda Parts for LAVERDA Breganze and Zane models 1969 - 2000
damclassicracing.com.au damclassicracing.com.au
 
Just to clarify, why are separate reflectors $400 and semi-sealed beams $52 and is there an advantage between one or the other systems? This seems kind of odd.
 
The number of times we have ridden at night in the bush in decades is now 3 times from memory and all have been because of breakdown delays. The first was Doug R braking a drive chain while passing a truck on a Snowy Ride, we waited for a tow truck for his bike and lucky me the only dual seat got to pillion him 100ks to Beradale by then pitch black night, time 2 was a Chrissy party at again Doug Rs place and Marty had EI issues so we left him to get a trailer and ended up riding to Dougs at 930pm no moonlite night, my first time using the 90w130 headlight, wow it was impressive and last Sunday night. You just get stuck having to do it sometimes.
 
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