Headlight bracket

[lakecountrydave]

Has anyone used this the headlight bracket from Mike's XS (Part #09-0013 or Part #09-0020) on a Special with stock turn signals?

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-77.html#products

[dbeardslee]

Unless I'm mistaken, XS11's have 37mm forks, so the 35mm variety probably won't work. The adjustable ones might, but I don't know for sure.

[fredintoon]

Has anyone used this the headlight bracket from Mike's XS (Part #09-0013 or Part #09-0020) on a Special with stock turn signals?

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-77.html#products

Hi Dave,
like Doug sez, maybe. The wraparound band will be ~1/4" further open as it's stretched around a 2mm bigger fork tube so you'd need a longer bolt and perhaps need to bend the end tag round a bit.
The Tomassellis would work with a piece of inner tube replacing the rubber bushings and the cast ones would work by being bored out to 37mm diameter but they'd be kinda thin-walled.

[lakecountrydave]

Thanks guys! I have seen similar "universal" mount brackets at several internet retailers, and assumed that they were all the same. My bad I can use Fredintoon's advise and use a longer bolt, or purchase a set that goes up to 38mm which many of the sets I've found say they are for.

The part that I was originally questioning is if the 11mm hole is large enough to use with my turn signals. I have a 79 Special with the rectangular ends and grommet between the stalk and mounting bolt. Unfortunately, my bike is in my buddies garage in WI while I am now living in IL so I cannot measure it. Maybe, I was actually lucky as I never even thought that the fork tubes would be an issue. I intend on using my stock headlight bucket if that makes a difference.

[lakecountrydave]

Never mind! I do not know what I was thinking. I realized that my turn signals are in my box of freshly painted parts. They don't have a rectangular end on them. I think that there is a grommet with a rectangular hole on it that is used with the rear turn signals. Just a guess, but I kind of recall needing a new one as one is ripped. I will have to look next time I gaze upon my mostly disassembled bike. Thank you guys for your help I sure am glad that you brought up the possibility of a problem at the other end (forks).

[DGXSER]

Hey Dave,

Watch on Fleabay and you can pick up a set of the stock headlight ears with the gromets and proper rubber gromets and metal caps for not alot more than you would pay Mikes XS for those pieces (factoring in shipping).

I just got a pristine set for my project bike. I got them for $15 with $8 shipping.

Now a word of advice if you never installed them before, loosen the top triple tree retainign bolt and pinch bolt so the top tree will raise up to let them slip into place. Could save you about 30-45 minutes and quite a few swear jar penalties!! DAMHIK.

[lakecountrydave]

DGXSER,

Thanks for the good advise. I had know idea that you could install the ears without removing the top triple tree. Unfortunately, I think need to pull it off to install the name plate cover thing. I took to long painting he frame and other parts. So, I had to rush putting her together enough to transport her to my buddies. Wish me luck on not destroying the fresh paint on the triple tree

Now I need to decide aesthetically which looks better. The black universal or the stock chrome?

[DGXSER]

I just finished the entire process with my project bike. I had the forks out completely so I had loaded them in thinking I could get the ears/ brackets in with both triples in place. It did not work well for me like that. I loosened the bolt and pinch bolt as stated and let the top tree float up to get the brackets in place, then slid the forks up.

You definitely need the cover on before the brackets though, they sit on it. Good luck with it!