Long story, the headlamp fell out of the bike (R90/6) and crashed to the ground. The lens broke but fortunately replacements are readily available. However the parking bulb clip disappeared and THAT part is not sold separately. If any of you kind souls have one you’d be willing to part with, I’d be most appreciative. Thank you!
In the meantime I stuffed a zip tie in there which seems to work pretty well.
I used duct tape on mine, as I couldn’t source one either.
.
.
. Owning several old motorcycles and knowing how little there is that holds the whole mess together on all of them. Plus the fact they are ALL as rare as hens teeth, I have learned that an attaching strong string is a necessary tether. Also know that you are dealing with a german maker, so ~ ~ Think Outside the Box ~ ~ ~ and VW and / or an english makers SMITHS when dealing with instruments.
BTW , if you haven't figured out by now that using tethers on most anything motocycle is essential there's still time to learn b4 you loose something else. . . . .
That tether is also needed on Craven pannier top lids, rain covers on tank bags . . another good spot for a tether are the 2 side battery covers . . . . . . .. . . . . but that's another day.
Back to bm's, I placed a strong nylon tether cord, it's about 8-10" long. , anchored to the inside H/L shell and found a strong point of attachment on the reflector ( i think I drilled a very small hole into the relay bracket tab ) - On the lens assembly is a small opening between the main H4 socket and the pilot bulb holder. That's the point of lens anchor.
https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Socket-Extension-Replacement-Harness/dp/B01J6DRS06
these can be made to work
or this from VW shop supply . . . . . . which is a small BA7 bulb as stock. BTW, you can buy a BA7 bulb in an LED configuration.
https://www.jbugs.com/product/111957357A.html
BE VERY CAREFUL which bulb holder you order a BA7 is very different than a BA9
NOW to go onward with my adaptation of something I did 6-7yrs ago, when LED Cree bulbs came out. I had to as I always do ~ ~ Think outside the box ~ ~ ~
I used a soldering iron and added about 10 -12" long - gnd & hot 12vdc, 22-24 ga 2 wires to the base of the early bulbs. No base socket on those early bulbs used on modern car dash lights. Today those base types are readily available .
Next because the bulb is small and the depth of the bmw pilot hole is 5/8- 7/8" .. . . I needed to extend the 5 lens pilot bulb further into the reflector hole to take full advantage of the light diodes. Because the fit was looser than the stock
I kept adding more hot glue and made the fit long and tight. I added a wire tether to this bulb [ also held in situ by the glue ] , So it wouldn't fall inside the socket & lens which could damage the silver reflector.
This bulb is 4 sided and 1 end lens = 5 lens. NOW they make a whole array of bulbs and I'd use a 9 lens bulb whenever I get back into the SRS fairing in the future. The new LED is a brighter color white .
So ALL but the H4 main H/L bulb are LEDs on my 1974 R90SRS
Owning several old motorcycles and knowing how little there is that holds the whole mess together on all of them. Plus the fact they are ALL as rare as hens teeth, I have learned that an attaching string is a necessary tether.
[ BTW , if you haven't figured out by now that using tethers on most anything motocycle is essential there's still time to learn b4 you loose something else. . . . .
that tether is also needed on Craven pannier top lids . .
and another good spot for a tether are the 2 side battery covers . . . . . . .. . . . . but that's another day. ]
back to bm's, I placed a strong nylon tether anchored to the inside H/L shell ( i think I drilled a very small hole into the relay bracket tab ) and found a strong point of attachment on the reflector - lens assembly. That point is a small opening between the main H4 socket and the pilot bulb holder. It's about 8-10" long.
https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Socket-Extension-Replacement-Harness/dp/B01J6DRS06
these can be made to work
or
it may be hard to see in the photo where the wire fit thru
NOW to go onward with my adaptation of something I did 6-7yrs ago when LED Cree bulbs came out. I had to as I always do ~ ~ Think outside the box ~ ~ ~
Because the stock bulb is a ~ BA7, I wanted more light and a BA9 / BA9S is the next sized bulb. Bulb technology has come a long way since I did this trick. I've now added a BA9S pilot to my 1939. All of my brit bikes have a pilot bulb.
I used a soldering iron and added 22-24 ga wires to the base of the early bulbs. this is about 10 -12" long and you'll need the 2 wire, gnd & hot 12vdc.
Next because the bulb is small and the depth of the bmw pilot holt is 5/8- 7/8" .. . . I needed to extend the 5 lens pilot bulb further into the reflector hole to take full advantage of the light diodes. 4 sides and end. NOW they make a whole array of bulbs and I'd use a 9 lens bulb whenever I get back into the SRS fairing in the future.
I added a tether to this bulb [ also held in situ by the glue ] I had to make so it wouldn't fall inside the socket. Because the fit was looser than the stock I used a hot glue gun to build up the surface ares and it is a Very Snug Fit now. This has been in service for several years without any issue.
So ALL but the H4 main H/L bulb are LEDs on my 1974 R90SRS
Advertisement
