Headlight protector attachment

[bert_is_evil]

I want to replace the ugly white velcro tape that hold my headlight protector (see pic) on with some thing a bit more subtle. Can anyone suggest anything?

[bert_is_evil]

Oops wrong forum - help moderators!

[Joni]

Its general bike related stuff... so belongs in GBR...

Consider it done!
:sunny:

[bert_is_evil]

Thanks Joni!

[Juud]

sorry can't help with the velcro, but the photoshopped helmet got me in stitches:killingme :killingme

[bert_is_evil]

Photoshop?..

[stunz]

maybe do the velcro thing again, but in black or dyed red and as one complete ring...or two strips up either side.

:Punk: (never seen Bert ride a motorcycle...)

[LilSel]

Photoshop?..

ROFL!!!!! *must spread self around before giving to bert is evil again*...

both the pic and your response cracked me up!!! haha

[Juud]

the face you put in somehow (photoshop is a picture editing program)
Love it!

Edit: oh never mind..mumble, mumble :wacko:

[Naki Rat]

How about black velcro? Your local upholsterer is a good start to source a couple of self stick dots.

[bert_is_evil]

:Punk: (never seen Bert ride a motorcycle...)

Like the song says, these are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood....

[bert_is_evil]

Hmm, a different colour/formation of velcro could work. I wonder if there is something clear I could get though? Hot glue gun it on?

[Blackbird]

Yep, I can help you. I was sick of the white velcro so found this product: http://www.fastenation.com/duallock.tmpl?gclid=CJOlw_Cdw4oCFRNGGAodNUOlkw. I can't tell you the price as I was given a gratis 3m strip of it by the 3M rep who calls in at work, but it's not expensive. It's clear and unobtrusive.

As a matter of interest, I emailed Dold Industries, the makers of the Ventura headlight protectors suggesting it to them and got a reply to the effect that the white 3M product adhesive backing offered the best adhesion and that's all they said. I've had the Dual Lock on the Blackbird for over 2 years with no prob whatsoever, so think I was just brushed off! Dual Lock is different from velcro. The micro-stalks have little spheres on both faces which inter-lock. Consequently, they don't go all furry on you after a few removals. I simply cut the strip into little pads of the right size for me and cleaned the headlamp and protector with meths to remove any polish or grease before applying them.


Hope this helps,

Geoff

BTW: I used the low profile product in their range.

[stunz]

wicked. clear dual lock...might have a use for that myself. bling!

[bert_is_evil]

Perfect! Thanks, I'll hunt around for a retailer (unless someone happens to know of one?).

[Blackbird]

There's a contact page on the 3M NZ website: http://www.3m.com/intl/nz/english/about3M/contact.html. They'll either point you in the right direction or if you turn on the charm, you might get a bit for free:Punk:

[bert_is_evil]

Good plan, I'll practise my eyelash fluttering and giggly flirting

[Blackbird]

I finally got off my bum and photographed the clear Dual Lock I use to hold on the Ventura headlight protector. Have pulled the guard off for the photos so you can see the tabs clearly. They look so much better than the furry white velcro it came equipped with and they don't degrade each time you pull the protector off. Completely unobtrusive.

[bert_is_evil]

Hey that look really good, thanks for the pic. I'm definitely going to replace my white velcro

[hXc]

Why don't you go to a signwriter, and get them to put a film over your headlight? It's completely invisible, better than that plastic shit and you don't need velcro to stick it on with.

[Blackbird]

Why don't you go to a signwriter, and get them to put a film over your headlight? It's completely invisible, better than that plastic shit and you don't need velcro to stick it on with.

Invisible yes, as good as a shield - definitely not. Simple physics.

Hey Bert, look carefully at my paintwork. You'll see a fine line round the headlight. I had clear film professionally applied to eliminate stone chips, scratches and the like. I have it over a fair bit of the paintwork and it's been money well spent.:Punk:

[et al]

You could try Scotch® Clear Mounting Tape (Cat 4010) - available from Whitcoulls etc. This is "Heavy Duty" and comes in a small roll which looks like red tape but rest assured that the sticky stuff itself is actually CLEAR. I have used this for other things and found it to be the best double sided tape you can get. Is a bugger to remove though so don't use it if you think you might need to be removing the light guard often - as I need to do for proper cleaning, so I will stick (pun intended) with the horrible white Velcro for now.

[nodrog]

3M (or sombody else that makes that stuff) do a 4mm clear film that i have seen used as headlight protectors, works very well, will be looking at getting some when my ventura light guard finally falls off due to all the cracks in it.

[The Pastor]

Why don't you just buy a new headlight when you come to sell your motorbike?

[hXc]

Invisible yes, as good as a shield - definitely not. Simple physics.My dad (MSTRS) is a signwriter and has been applying the stuff to vehicles for years, including his own. It's much better than the plastic shit that discolours and cracks when hit hard enough.

As it is a film, not a hard plastic, it will dent/chip/scratch, but it won't crack or discolour.

[vifferman]

Yep, I can help you. I was sick of the white velcro so found this product: http://www.fastenation.com/duallock.tmpl?gclid=CJOlw_Cdw4oCFRNGGAodNUOlkw. I can't tell you the price as I was given a gratis 3m strip of it by the 3M rep who calls in at work, but it's not expensive. It's clear and unobtrusive.
... and after seeing Geoff's headlight, I pulled the velcro off my headlight and cover, and got some 3M stuff too.
Advantages: it doesn't get soggy when wet, and it's much more transparent to light.

[bert_is_evil]

My bike does had some of that film in some places when I got it, I would be keen to get a bit around the front too, I guess you go to a painter to get it done?

That 3m double sided tape might be just the stuff for my tank pad that's peeling off at the corner.

I definitely wouldn't go without the protector, had to replace one of the headlights on my gsxr once and it was stupidly expensive.

[Blackbird]

My bike does had some of that film in some places when I got it, I would be keen to get a bit around the front too, I guess you go to a painter to get it done?


I got mine done by one of those automotive companies that does pinstriping and tinted windows, there should be a good range of them in the City. Only took them an hour to apply it over a fair portion of the bike. It pays to go to a professional for something like that.

[bert_is_evil]

True, I definitely wouldn't try that myself - would probably end up all wrinkled and bubbled.

[vifferman]

There's a contact page on the 3M NZ website: http://www.3m.com/intl/nz/english/about3M/contact.html. They'll either point you in the right direction or if you turn on the charm, you might get a bit for free:Punk:
After a fruitless search in the weekend looking for some Dual Lock to mount my speedo corrector under my fairing, I clicked on Blackbird's link, and sent an email to 3M. A charming young lady replied quite quickly and left a message on my mobile to say that Glue Gurus in Wairau Road stock Dual Lock. :niceone:

[Madness]

Perfect! Thanks, I'll hunt around for a retailer (unless someone happens to know of one?).

Try Packaging Products in Lower Hutt. They carry an extensive range of 3M Adhesives & Tapes.

[vifferman]

I was amazed at how few of the hardware stores stock 3M products like this, and in fact, how much krep hardware stores now stock. Like with most shops now, the trend is to stock lots of mass-produced Chinese-made 'consumer goods', and decent tools, hardware, fixings, and specialist items have disappeared from the shelves.
I can understand the trend - low cost, high markup items improve the profitability of shops, but it's frustrating all the same.

[Pixie]

Yep, I can help you. I was sick of the white velcro so found this product: http://www.fastenation.com/duallock.tmpl?gclid=CJOlw_Cdw4oCFRNGGAodNUOlkw. I can't tell you the price as I was given a gratis 3m strip of it by the 3M rep who calls in at work, but it's not expensive. It's clear and unobtrusive.

As a matter of interest, I emailed Dold Industries, the makers of the Ventura headlight protectors suggesting it to them and got a reply to the effect that the white 3M product adhesive backing offered the best adhesion and that's all they said. I've had the Dual Lock on the Blackbird for over 2 years with no prob whatsoever, so think I was just brushed off! Dual Lock is different from velcro. The micro-stalks have little spheres on both faces which inter-lock. Consequently, they don't go all furry on you after a few removals. I simply cut the strip into little pads of the right size for me and cleaned the headlamp and protector with meths to remove any polish or grease before applying them.


Hope this helps,

Geoff

BTW: I used the low profile product in their range.
Duallock is great.
Use enough of it and you need a hydraulic jack to separate it

[Pixie]

Invisible yes, as good as a shield - definitely not. Simple physics.

Hey Bert, look carefully at my paintwork. You'll see a fine line round the headlight. I had clear film professionally applied to eliminate stone chips, scratches and the like. I have it over a fair bit of the paintwork and it's been money well spent.:Punk:
99% of today's bikes have polycarbonate headlight lenses.These remain shatterproof until they are several years old and UV from the bulb ( that's why you should use a UV cut type bulb) and the sun has degraded the poly carbonate.
They still get little stone chips,though.
The headlight films are made by 3M too and are very effective.
I have 3mm Altrex brand film (3M film packaged by Altrex) from Super Cheap on the Bandit.
The soft film will absorb a lot of energy.
I have also see a few shattered Ventura protectors

[Pixie]

I was amazed at how few of the hardware stores stock 3M products like this, and in fact, how much krep hardware stores now stock. Like with most shops now, the trend is to stock lots of mass-produced Chinese-made 'consumer goods', and decent tools, hardware, fixings, and specialist items have disappeared from the shelves.
I can understand the trend - low cost, high markup items improve the profitability of shops, but it's frustrating all the same.

Many Marketing companies like Selleys repackage 3M product.
You can often tell by the backing film on self adhesive products having the green Scotch Tartan printed on it.
Holdfast have some good DS tapes too.
The strongest DS tape is 3M VHB.It is use to stick body panels onto trucks

[vifferman]

Dang.

Went to Glue Gurus today, and they'd just sold the last roll of clear Dual Lock. Wouldn't have mattered though: they sell it only per roll, and it's (IIRC) $119 for 4.5m (that's metres, not miles). :gob:

However, if enough people wanted some for their headlights, that'd be a nice little money-making proposition. Each headlight cover would need about 5 cm, so if someone bought a roll and sold it off in 10cm lengths for say $5 each, that's $225. Or alternatively, if they wanted to be a kind person and not make on the deal, sell it for $2.50.

I can't tell you the price as I was given a gratis 3m strip of it by the 3M rep who calls in at work, but it's not expensive. It's clear and unobtrusive.

And Geoff Blackbird: your 3-metre sample was worth over $60! So it's not expensive, as long as you don't have to buy it!
BTW - I thought perhaps Dold Industries may not have wanted to use clear Dual Lock as they'd have to cut it, but the helpful guy at Glue Gurus said it can be die-cut to shape, so that's not it. All in all, the Dual Lock's a better product.

[Blackbird]

Wow Ian, that's expensive and didn't I get a good deal!

However, all is not lost! The dealer in NZ that I get my Blackbird accessories from used to sell die-cut squares of Dual Lock and I presume he still does. This is his website: http://www.jaws-motorcycles.co.uk. His name is John Smith and his service is outstanding. You could email him to find out the cost. Ordering a heap at one go would presumably save on postage.

Cheers,

Geoff

[vagrant]

That dual lock stuff is great. We use it in the Hueys and Herc's to hold the armour plating in.
Unfortunatly, we only get it in black.

[vifferman]

I was lucky - I needed only a very small piece to stick my speedo corrector under my fairing, so the helpful chappy at Glue Gurus gave me a couple of small sample bits that will do the trick.

[magicfairy]

99% of today's bikes have polycarbonate headlight lenses.These remain shatterproof until they are several years old and UV from the bulb I have also see a few shattered Ventura protectors

I replaced my S40 with a brand new S50 (both Suzuki Cruisers) late last year. Had the guard on the S40, thought "I won't bother with the S50, save my self $70"
Ha Ha
6 weeks later, coming back from Wanganui races on boxing day - you guessed it - headlight got smashed (I blame BusaJims big fat rear tyre flicking up stones :angry:)
Cost $400 to replace, I duly purchased the guard as well.

[vifferman]

I replaced my S40 with a brand new S50 (both Suzuki Cruisers) late last year. Had the guard on the S40, thought "I won't bother with the S50, save my self $70"
Ha Ha
6 weeks later, coming back from Wanganui races on boxing day - you guessed it - headlight got smashed (I blame BusaJims big fat rear tyre flicking up stones :angry:)
Cost $400 to replace, I duly purchased the guard as well.
Could you claim it on your insurance under glass cover, or don't m/c policies have that?