Mounting Bar for Fog/Spot/Driving Lights for Honda SilverWing

First topic message reminder :

Hello,
I made 3 of these the first run and they sold out very fast. If you missed your chance to pick up one of these great light mounting bars for your SWing, here's your opportunity. Light Mounting Bar Places the lights at just the right hight from the street surface 29" centered. No drilling required and mounts to the scooter using the 2 lower Honda Fairing bolts so it's easy to install. Mount bar is made of 1/8" thick x 1" steel plate and is of welded construction. Finish is a generious coating of Rust-Oleum High Gloss Black epoxy enamel that is a very durable protective finish. Light mounting holes are 1/4" (6mm)

Price is $45.00 USD with a $6.00 USD shipping (Priority Mail for U.S.) or $13.00 USD (first class international).

If interested please send me a PM and I will send you the ordering information.







Sorry but light assemblies are not included with this Light mounting bar.

Thank You,

DennisB

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the reminder. I just get so busy. Information sent.

Thank You.

Finally a nice day so I can get this light bar mounted and wired...come on spring!

Joe

Due to interest in this subject, I am posting on this thread.

As stated by others, Dennis is no longer active on this forum, but there might be some interesting ideas that others want to borrow.

Great idea, I wish there were more detail on what he did, now he doesn't do anything on this site it kinda leaves this option hanging. Who ever bought these from Dennis it would be nice if some real detail pics would come on board. I know you purchased them and have a monetary investment there but it has been some time. Share and share a like there are some pretty talented people on here and may want to tackle making these again since it is important to have more lights. I posted my location but haven't tested them going down the road. If they shake all over the place because of my placement then it's no good to me. Going to test next season, in the meantime it would be a nice winter project to make his mounting bar or at least something like it. I would like to give it the old college try. Heck I am doing my seat this winter and I will share the heck out of that.

Vader,
I once sent a request to Dennis for a printed layout of one of his pieces of equipment and he politely refused to do so.  Proprietary rights I think he wanted to protect which I can understand since he was doing as a business and didn't want copies being made in lieu of ordering one from him.  I haven't looked recently but I believe looking at his pics gives one a pretty good idea of what can be accomplished.  I even considered trying one of the light bar assemblies by using nuts, bolts, washers, and flat bars.  Still on my to-do list.  Good luck.

I stopped by my local machine shop down the block and gave him a diagram and some photos of other brackets that have been made. I prefer to keep my lights down lower and not sticking out on the sides like the DennisB bracket. Maybe tomorrow I'll see what he comes up with and if it works or if we need to modify it.

Meanwhile, tonight I decided to wire in everything and put the lights under the fairing as it appears others have done so without a clearance issue with the fender. Once I have this out of the way I can always move them to the bracket as there is extra wire available and sockets that unplug. 2nd time taking the front tupperware off, went faster and didn't need the shop manual this time.  Already had a dedicated circuit run from the battery that helped but still took some time to install the relay and switch, run all the wires, heat shrink all the connectors, etc.











Put the switch under the left glove box panel area.

Since I had everything off, figured I'd go ahead and wire in an external USB port to charge phone when mounted on bars and power POV Cam.



My power feed for my power socket, USB sockets and driving lights is set-up different than most. The power cord feed wire for these has a quick connect plug so that I can plug it into a fused direct connection to the battery using the same connector as my battery tender or I can connect it to a 12V Lithium ION rechargeable battery that I store under the seat, which can also be used to start the SW if the main battery is dead.

Looks good, I like the USB socket. I think since reading these I am going to rethink how I have mine mounted. Next season is right around the corner.

bicyclenut..............I too had these same lights fitted in the same location. I actually shortened the brackets by 1/2 inch to keep the lights more compact and get them further up into the fairing but I felt the lights would still potentially be able to clip the mudguard (fender) so I managed to bend the brackets slightly and angle them further into the left and right of the fairing. This did give a wee bit more clearance on the straight ahead position of the handlebars but if turned a bit to the right or left they would still hit so I've taken the lights off for now until I can come up with another solution. I'd rather have no lights at all than have to buy a new mudguard at great cost. If I can find some suitable mild steel flat bar I might even knock up a bracket something like the DennisB one. This would be a last resort for me as I really like the position under the fairing. I mounted the switch for mine where the little square blanking plug is just below the handle bars. I just had to pop out the plug, clear some of the plastic behind and the switch just pressed it in ok. The wiring I fed from the r/h glovebox up to the switch. It looks very neat being able to utilise an existing hole and not having to drill more holes. This is the switch I used http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121485971460?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=420421873914&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Den

Vader,

This is the USB socket FYI for you and anyone interested.

Amazon Waterproof USB Socket

Awesome thank you

Here is a rough prototype of the auxiliary driving light bracket that my local machine shop made, single aluminum CNC piece, simple, yes, idea was KISS. Just need to drill holes for frame mount and light holders. Probably will add some sort of spacer as well. Looking to keep out of contact with wheel fender yet keep low and minimally out of sight, not protruding from sides of bike. Thinking will keep mounted upside down, but may look at option for higher placement with final design or alternate design. I will finish and mount within next couple days and then we will revise design as needed and he will create final product.



My local machine shop said he could probably make more once design is finalized.

Boy you are right, KISS for sure. This is actually going to be fun designing this light mount once a solution is created. Thank you for joining forces to come up with a common good design so that we can get some nice lights mounted, then we will be like the Goldwing group and nothing can stop us now..Hmm! who does this sound like

Looks good

The Aluminum prototype looks good and nice for machining but if you are gong make more, you may consider the concerns with (electrolysis) dissimilar materials. I believe it would necessitate the use of gaskets on connections ie S/W frame and lights to bar with different metals. Just a thought. Howard

If you use fiber washers with maybe no ox on it, it should be fine. I like the idea, if the Dennis bar (sounds like a place to go) still has shaking lights (LED's wont care) but fatigue on the mounting hardware will soon put an end the lights and mounting brackets anyways well it might be time to improve an already decent idea. I like challenge like that anyways. There are some good talents on this forum so I think it will be a good thing to do this. Nice winter project either way...

vader1701 wrote:

Awesome thank you

When someone offers something to the forum that you think deserves thanks you can click on the + sign on the right side of their post.

It can be for anything from a riding tip to a new product or how to find an old one. It's a quick way to acknowledge someone's contribution that you found useful.

Of course the public post of thanks like vader did is always nice. I'll bet he was told; "What are the magic words?" as a child. It is refreshing to hear children say please and thank you.

THANKS GUYS AND GALS FOR MAKING THIS A GREAT FORUM!!!

I drilled and mounted the prototype last night, it fits but will need some different hardware. Ultimately it will need to be modified or redesigned to be a final product. It appears to have resolved the issue of contact with fender on full fork travel but looks like there could still be an issue with the rare extreme fork travel on tight turns. Ultimately may have to bring lights up and out of this lower area or much farther forward to address fender contact possibilities. Was hoping for. KISS solution to keep it down lower, but may not be possible with these lights. Need to reevaluate and reengineer with this new bracket and see how can be altered to fit better. Still a work in progress.

Did ride home after dark with lights directly mounted and much better night visibility! No contact with fender in 12 mile trip over smooth and rougher roads, but did note slight contact on turn maneuver leaving work at low speed. Therefore a need for solution to move lights with this bracket/mount.

bicyclenut....Been interesting reading your post on this light bracket. As you know I've also been trying to fit the same lights at the same location and no matter how I try or what variation of bracket I've tried I've come to the conclusion that just to save causing unecessary damage I'm going to try and make a bracket similar to the DennisB one then I won't be constantly worrying if I might damage the mudguard. I'll be following your thread with interest though.

Den

Not wishing ever to tread on Denis's toes, I make the following observation:

I have one of Denis's light bars. It's been 'in storage' for about four years but last month my mechanic fitted it and mounted lights for me - they were also 'in storage'.

One of the noticeable features is that the forward-facing arms are relatively long. That means there is clearance for different sizes of lights.
Mine are quite small in diameter so there's bags of room between the top of the light and the fairing. The ones in Denis's picture are larger but there is still enough room.

I don't think I'm giving away secrets; just look at the pictures.

So after some sleep and reevaluation, this design may work after some modification. Need to shorten length of bar so it fits a bit closer to fairing with spacers and if I make mounting arms slightly longer will push up and out away from fender without looking to odd and allow to clear the fender upon turning. Will need to sit out more in line with end of nose as seen in one photo, they sit back an inch or so, as that will bring them up and out. That should allow clearance on both straight driving and turning.

Hey bicyclenut, got a question just a thought here and it may take some engineering and design maybe to max but the area above the forks/cowl (picture number 1) again also just a thought but I wonder if (big if here) if the lights could be pinched so to speak in the vent area outside of the center light. I am not sure how much room there is behind that I will have to look this over big time but the wheels are turning, man that would look so cool...

Um, there is room behind the vents. But there are short "duct" extensions behind the vents too. Also those vents are kind of used to add direct air flow to cool the Rectifier/Regulator. So you might want to not block the air flow too much.

Tim

OK, appreciate all the comments and suggestions and I am reading them and using any suggestions I can. Just a note if you joined in late and didn't follow the thread from the beginning which was really about the DennisB light bracket and then it was reintroduced as I was looking if anyone had tried mounting lights off the lower cowling mounts and had issues and from first hand experience and others there is an interference issue with the front fender. My goal was to get light lower and close to the fairing so they didn't stick out the sides and maybe almost integrated into the body. My other intention was keep the design as simple as possible so you could take it to a machine shop and they could CNC the bracket from aluminum easily and with a few pieces of hardware you could almost make your own. No disrespect to the DennisB design, it obviously worked, avoided some of the issues at hand and was a nice piece.  Problem is you can't get it anymore. Thus the reason for my "project" So here we are.

With the correct spacers and my existing prototype I think I am almost there at my goal and this is a working model that I have installed and will use until the final version is finished. I did a static test with my daughter watching and bounced the front fork up and down repeatedly and there was no interference with the fender. She indicated it maybe came within 3/4 of an inch but never hit, either straight on and with wheels turned. If it were not raining cats and dogs here today I would try it on the road as I think there may still be more fork travel than what I can do static in the garage even though I am no lightweight.

I discussed the design with my machine shop guy and we decreased the width slightly and increased the arms by about an inch.  This should allow the bracket to sit in closer to the cowling and then put the lights slightly higher allowing more clearance.  They should sit below the air intake area and not block these and may have the possibility to mount right side up (not my design goal, but may be an option).

Below is a link to a gallery with a number of photos of the latest installation.  Its a lot easier to post more this way for viewing if interested.

Light Bracket prototype

Ok the picture that I posted with the lights (using windows paint) mounted in the vent area may work. I am going to seriously look into doing this. I inspected this area and the vent just opens up into the fork area at least it does on the 2011. I took some quick pics (they are ok) of the vent and the underside showing the opening. Unfortunately I have to wait till next season which is 7 really long months away BUT! I can start whittling some idea's and maybe some drawings and measurements.






It's starring me down so I got to make the attempt.

vader1701 wrote:

Hey bicyclenut, got a question just a thought here and it may take some engineering and design maybe to max but the area above the forks/cowl (picture number 1) again also just a thought but I wonder if (big if here) if the lights could be pinched so to speak in the vent area outside of the center light. I am not sure how much room there is behind that I will have to look this over big time but the wheels are turning, man that would look so cool...

Vader,

With longer arms extending out, the light could likely be mounted above and in this area near the vents and tucked in below the center light.  

When I first looked at your photo I though you were proposing a mega-light setup with 4 lights in an array...that would certainly light the way down the road !!!

For anyone who has the DennisB light bracket...How close in to the cowling does the bar that runs across from the 2 attachment points get?  My latest installation with the spacers I used puts it down too far and it does hit the fender on front wheel braking when the forks compress. From what I've seen, the DennisB mount runs between the 2 attachment bolts but I can't tell how much of a gap there is between it and the cowling bottom.

Ya your right, that would be a lot of lights. No like a said I am seriously looking at customizing the vents to set them inside. I am not sure how that is going to work but I have all winter to deal with and brainstorm on this. I wish I was good a photoshop I would do a photo shop of the pic with the lights inside...Hmmm! another challenge. Before I know it the riding season will be back....Anyways it was noted that the small vent area was for the Rectifier etc..not so it just opens up to the forks area so that took care of that stumbling block. Gotta really think about this..

Vader,

I had looked at the vents as an option as I had seen small LED lights that would probably fit.  The unknown and problem I see if once you get them mounted in there - how would you easily move them around to get them aimed the direction you wanted and would you be able to get them mounted in a way that would easily allow you to aim them once the cowling is back on?  You wouldn't want to keep removing the cowling to adjust the lights into the right position. Certainly could not easily get a wrench in there with cowling on to adjust and tighten if mount is like traditional lights.

The one option I see is mounting a bar or bracket onto the black plastic vent piece inside that would protrude out of the vent to hold the lights.  Puts the light in same place as my prototype but like your photo with lights above. (see photo below of aluminum piece held in place on flat bottom of vent) It has a flat surface on bottom of vent, although plastic, so would have to be careful mounting or reinforce it, although not supporting much weight.  Also need to be able to connect lights when putting cowling back on, probably a connector like the headlamps/turn signal that can be plugged in after cowling is in place, otherwise need to make sure wiring is not pinched or in wrong place if just hanging loose as you try to put cowling back on while getting excess wiring in place all at the same time.



Mark aka Bicyclenut

This is why I love this site, brainstorming not one person can think of everything plus not having the ability right now to start really digging into this it's puts a crimp on thinking of those things you just brought up. Good point, even if you made a shorter bar or some method of mounting like you suggest so that aiming is dealt with with the cowl on that is a huge plus. Thank you for your input, I try not to get myself to wrapped up in somethings but this is something I want to pursue it would help a lot of other SW owners wanting extra lighting which I think is important...Got to be a way.

vader1701 wrote:

This is why I love this site, brainstorming not one person can think of everything plus not having the ability right now to start really digging into this it's puts a crimp on thinking of those things you just brought up. Good point, even if you made a shorter bar or some method of mounting like you suggest so that aiming is dealt with with the cowl on that is a huge plus. Thank you for your input, I try not to get myself to wrapped up in somethings but this is something I want to pursue it would help a lot of other SW owners wanting extra lighting which I think is important...Got to be a way.

Vader,
I lost count, but I redesigned and revised my original version so many times, on paper and I've modified the first prototype with the die grinder and dremel tool as much as I can until the machine shop spits out the next version. I even did a cardboard version tonight of latest version. My fender has become the crash test dummy as it has suffered some minor scratches and a notch from the prototype with the wrong spacers. I think I am close, I've learned from the errors and identified the areas that need adjustment. I'm sure my wife thinks I am obsessed with this, disappearing into the garage all the time and quick trip to the hardware store that becomes a stop to chat with Art at the machine shop at the end of the street. Our revised scale drawing with changes to the prototype he made Saturday afternoon has already been modified again tonight.

Completed Prototype2/Final? version of light bracket. Reduced width of bracket so would fit tight into bends of cowling better. Had issue with crossbar hitting fender on full travel so added radius and reduced size as this is only to prevent arms from twisting at mounts. Last design had interference issues in real world use, we think we have eliminated this with latest design. Have 2 back-up fix add-ons if needed. Will test Wednesday again and hope all issues have been worked out.





Images of Bracket

Now I like that bar. How thick of material is that. Pretty simple design and also you did this with the cowl on the bike? This looks really good.  Can you show more detail on how you mounted this bar on the cowl section, I know it's a prototype but this is looking really good.

Bracket made of 6061 aluminum, if I recall it is 3/16" thick.  Mounted to lower cowling attachment point that have rubber grommets in place of M6 hex bolt.  Mounted with large nylon washer, 3/4' aluminum spacer, washer and 1 3/4" M6 hex bolt.

Awesome, this is really cool, keep us posted on how it effects the ride. I wish I had a garage to work on mine like that but with the pics that you have posted and when I post the Dennis bracket it will give me time to make and prepare the light mounting for the next season. Time is on our side here to work out the details.

OK, after several redesigns and 70 miles of driving today (thanks to some unusually great weather for this time of year in Chicagoland...can you say perfect riding weather!) I am satisfied that my latest design is the final product I will be using.  Just need to aim the lights after dark and they are functional.  Did not experience any interference with fender and mount or fender and lights today.  Even put a thick piece of styrofoam on top of fender to see if anything came in contact at closer distance and there was no contact or interference.  Low speed maneuvering and high speed travel up to 70MPH over all road surfaces, some rough RR crossings and up curbs and no interference or issues.









If anyone wants one of these, my machine shop here in town can make more, he has the design set for his CNC machine and has a jig he made to produce it. It cost me $80 labor/materials plus the hardware I purchased separately to mount and I will probably upgrade this to a chrome bolt to prevent rust. I also paid for 2 prototypes and various hardware to get the right size but this was my personal project and I figured I'd probably spend a couple hundred dollars to get one custom made.  And I know the machine shop owner did not charge me for all his time in design and set-up but he is a motorcycle guy and once he saw the challenge in doing this he wanted to help me get it working. I did this to have a working functional light mount not to make money off it, but if anyone needs one, I'll work with you to get one. Mount bracket only or I can also pick-up the hardware too.  Shipping would be at cost.

Win/Win  


 Functional and they look great!!!    

You did a nice job on that, the lights look awesome.

I need to get the fog light bar for the 2013 silverwing

I think I still have one left, painted black. Need to buy hardware.

Are these for sale? I'd like one. It's an old thread but got restarted. Machine shop contact info would be much appreciated. Or I'll buy the one you have? I'm sure some others would be interested also.
Thanks.

I have lights mounted on a bar in this position. The bar is only 2mm aluminum and allows the lights to move a bit on a bumpy road. After a couple of years the mounting area is suffering a bit from fatigue and has worn through. I suggest using a decent sized bar if you are going to do this.

Just saw this light bar extension. Super cool! But I don’t know if this thread is recent or years old. It’s July 12 here 2019 but if you were still selling these I would like to buy one. If you could email me at the following email address here in Texas with what I need to do to obtain one of these I would appreciate it.
Ris10@aol.com.

Russ

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