Light clamps for low on the forks

[D-Valk]

Greetings. I would like to mount driving light lows on the forks. This presents two problems;
1) The clamps needed should be about 52mm I.D.
2) The profile of the clamps need to be thin enough to allow the fork shield to pass over them. (And of course then should be chrome.)
Any suggestions?

-David
2003 GL1500CD

[Valker]

Have you looked at the ones that mount to the calipers? I know MotoLights has some as well as some other places. You might check Saeng.com but those are really high, but probably the best made.

[Roidfingers]

Caliper mounts. No way. Your gonna get a lot of movement with those. Every time the wheel hits bump

[Bighead]

Caliper mounts. No way. Your gonna get a lot of movement with those. Every time the wheel hits bump

No more movement than mounted anywhere else on the forks.

[MarkT]

I use on Deerslayer and Jade Rifle billet windshield clamps.  Not the best pic probably but you can see them in this pic on Deerslayer atop Pike's Peak.



Here's a much earlier shot showing the clamps

[98valk]

The rifle clamps are top notch. I have their windshield.

I had my lights originally attached to the top of the crash bar. Now I have a set of MR16 chrome lights from Walmart, $20 very bright, which are installed on the side radiator covers using the existing bolt holes that hold the covers on. I then just reinstalled the reflectors above the bolt holes/lights.

[hubcapsc]

Caliper mounts. No way. Your gonna get a lot of movement with those. Every time the wheel hits bump

Caliper mounted moto-lites are awesome, any kind of movement
you might be thinking about is no issue...



-Mike

[Roidfingers]

Was just thinking that being mounted on caliper at lower section of fork would create more bounce then upper portion. If not then that's good to know.

[Cracker Jack]

Roidfingers, you are right that anything mounted on the lower fork sections (unsprung) will see more movement and a much harsher ride that anything mounted to the upper fork section (above the springs). Whether it will be a significant factor in the life of the light bulbs, I can't say. It seems reasonable that the harsher ride would reduce the bulb life.

[Gryphon Rider]

If the idea is low and wide to produce a large triangle of light, yet mounted to a sprung part of the bike, the engine guards are a perfect mounting location.

[hubcapsc]

Roidfingers, you are right that anything mounted on the lower fork sections (unsprung) will see more movement and a much harsher ride that anything mounted to the upper fork section (above the springs). Whether it will be a significant factor in the life of the light bulbs, I can't say. It seems reasonable that the harsher ride would reduce the bulb life.

My bulbs have 75,000 miles on them. Movement? Are y'all racing
motocross at night?

-Mike "there would probably be some movement in the whoops..."

[Bighead]

Roidfingers, you are right that anything mounted on the lower fork sections (unsprung) will see more movement and a much harsher ride that anything mounted to the upper fork section (above the springs). Whether it will be a significant factor in the life of the light bulbs, I can't say. It seems reasonable that the harsher ride would reduce the bulb life.

My bulbs have 75,000 miles on them. Movement? Are y'all racing
motocross at night?

-Mike "there would probably be some movement in the whoops..."

motocross Valk I love it

[Jess from VA]

I also have caliper mount Motolights on one Valk.  You don't see any significant movement of the lights riding at night (or any more than the fairing lights, like hard bumps or dips).

And since (IMHO) they are primarily for other drivers to see you in daylight, they don't look like they are bouncing around to them either.  (Of course, if they were bouncing around, it would just be that much better visibility, wouldn't it?) (if they were mounted on the axle, then they would bounce all over the place)

They provide great separation from the headlights.  (They are very good quality, but also overpriced.)

It's easier to mount extra lights to std/tourer engine guards than on an interstate because of the pods (and the scoops).  It can be done.  You also have to make sure they do not interfere with your feet on the hwy pegs, and if mounted low on the guards, that they won't hit in a tip-over.

[D-Valk]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up going with Memphis Shades MEM9954 Fork Clamps. They may not be chrome but they are low profile and allow the fork shield and fender to pass by them during fork compression. Which means they are low, they are sprung weight, they turn with the forks, and they are closer to the front of the bike. All things I was shooting for. The inside of the clamps are lined with Aerocel's 24 mil Pro tape to add grip and prevent marring. (Not cheap and I have extra, if you want to go this route message me.)
Mounted to them are SuperBrightLed's AUX-R25C 10 watt LED lamps, 25 degree. All the hardware shown came with either the clamps or the lamps (the lamp bracket is not stainless  ). CAUTION: be sure to add washer(s) to keep the allen head bolt which holds the lamp bracket from protruding through to the fork.
Wiring would be a whole other topic.

[D-Valk]

Here are the photos to go with my latest reply. Thanks