Topic: Tri-bar headlight cover

[GRock]

Hey all,
I picked up a tri-bar headlight cover (the kind they had in the '40's) and can't get it to work on my headlight because of those three lass tabs on the front of the lens. It holds the cover up off the surface and you can't get the light assembly back together. I tried to dremel the tabs off but cracked the sealed beam. Bought a new headlight (from Jerryscycles.com) that has the smaller H4 bulb inside but the convex shape of the headlight is to shallow and the cover still doesn't fit right. I didn't think this was going to be a problem at all but it is turning into a real pain in the a**! What have people used in the past? I like the look of the cover better than the integrated units plus the covers costs a fraction of the integrated units. All the sealed beams I have seen have those damned glass tabs on them. What are those things for anyway?!? I've checked the post but none of the tri-bar posts have covered this.
Thanks guys!
Greg

[seaweb11]

we like photos

[eideteker]

Instead of using a cover, why not use the real thing? - http://www.thehoffmangroup.com/autoloc/details.lasso?itemid=MUSTHL2

[GRock]

Because I think what they charge for the "real thing" is ridiculous and I like the how the cover looks better. The tri-bar is just a cosmetic thing, right? I took some pic last night, I'll see if I can't get them online tonight.

[ksmith0034]

Instead of using a cover, why not use the real thing? - http://www.thehoffmangroup.com/autoloc/details.lasso?itemid=MUSTHL2

Will this plug right into my CB750 wiring without modification?

[Duke McDukiedook]

It uses an H4 bulb, will probably take a little modifying at the wire ends to put an H4 cap on it.
Looks there is no info on wattage on the bulb included, I assume it probably is a 50/60W bulb.

[ksmith0034]

Does anyone own one of these bulbs?  I would love to see the back of it.

[ksmith0034]

Does anyone have experience hooking one of these up?

[eideteker]

Because I think what they charge for the "real thing" is ridiculous and I like the how the cover looks better. The tri-bar is just a cosmetic thing, right? I took some pic last night, I'll see if I can't get them online tonight.

Keep trying to reinvent the wheel, let me know how it goes for you.

[ksmith0034]

Anyone own one of the lights from Hoffman?

[Anti-Johnny]

That hoffman one looks like a fair deal. I just paid $30 for a super bright halogen that I am not too happy with. drats.

[ksmith0034]

I realized that shipping on the Hoffman light was $20!!!  So I bought these two on ebay for $42 shipped!  We'll see...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_rdc=1&item=330453199711&ru=http://shop.ebay.com:80/%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp5197.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330453199711%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&viewitem=#ht_1215wt_826

[Anti-Johnny]

There are a lot of guides and threads on here about switching to an H4 setup. please update when you get it and put it in. When its time to replace my light, id be interested in going this route.

[AnthonyMichael]

I have one of these and was putting it on my 750K8. It was a pain in the ass to get it in the casing because directly on the back side of the bulb are these little squarish nubs that fit into recessed nubs on the housing. I didn't notice these at first and wondered why I couldn't get it to fit snugly. Once I figured it out I realized that since there's really only one way to position it with the nubs that the actual tri bar isn't aligned properly. It's at an angle. It's like if you took the mercedes logo and rotated it 45 degrees clockwise that's how it looks. Kind of annoying to be honest.

Also those bulbs have a plastic cupping around the back that doesn't fit right into the housing so we had to dremel it off last night to make it fit.

Pain in the ass if you ask me.

[ksmith0034]

I have one of these and was putting it on my 750K8. It was a pain in the ass to get it in the casing because directly on the back side of the bulb are these little squarish nubs that fit into recessed nubs on the housing. I didn't notice these at first and wondered why I couldn't get it to fit snugly. Once I figured it out I realized that since there's really only one way to position it with the nubs that the actual tri bar isn't aligned properly. It's at an angle. It's like if you took the mercedes logo and rotated it 45 degrees clockwise that's how it looks. Kind of annoying to be honest.

Also those bulbs have a plastic cupping around the back that doesn't fit right into the housing so we had to dremel it off last night to make it fit.

Pain in the ass if you ask me.

Thanks for this insight.  Do you have any pics?

[AnthonyMichael]

Ok, this is me holding it up vertical as if it would be on the bike. See how with the nubs it's now rotated to the right?



Had to cut this to fit into the casing, other bulbs dont even have that wall


These are the nubs I mentioned

[ksmith0034]

Thanks for the pics.  Can you cut some new recesses in the housing to accept the nubs so the light sits properly?

[Cqyqte]

Those glass nubs are locator tabs that are used to postion the light in the correct orientation so the light is directed in the right manner to meet DOT specifications.  If they are not used then the light could be directed to the left into on coming traffics eyes blinding them.

[AnthonyMichael]

Those glass nubs are locator tabs that are used to postion the light in the correct orientation so the light is directed in the right manner to meet DOT specifications.  If they are not used then the light could be directed to the left into on coming traffics eyes blinding them.

Understood but I think the tabs are different for each model of bucket/bracket.

It even says on the light "TOP" and top is clearly 45 degrees to the right.


And yes I imagine you can dremel out some nobs for sure. I didn't even think of it.

[Gaither]

Somebody used to sell just the "Tri-bars" as an add-on accessory for cars - without the light. Sorry, I can't recall who. It was one of those things that almost tempted me (in the '50's) but I never quite got around to.

I'll bet they are still out there somewhere. They were fairly common on some imports - mostly on sports cars.

You might try a Goggle and find 'em.

[Anti-Johnny]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390185516681&crlp=1_263602_304652&ff4=263602_304652&viewitem=&guid=8bde40c712c0a04371a1ffe1ffd6fbba&hlp=false&rvr_id=181129721478&ua=M*S%3F&itemid=390185516681

looks a little bulky. but might get the point across.

[nomad]

Are these a true plug-n-play for the CB750's?  Or would they require a little "notching" as well?

http://cb750cafe.com/parts.php?id=46&PHPSESSID=08dc3d74eaab763d33f96382a88d55fe

[seaweb11]

Why ask here?  Just email Carpy ...........

[Anti-Johnny]

I would do a little digging. All the accessories that he doesnt make himself can be found much cheaper other places.

[nomad]

Why ask here?  Just email Carpy ...........

Because I thought there may be a chance someone here may have installed one of these and could give a quick answer... rather than bugging Carpy.  If no one here has an answer, then yes, I'll email Carpy.