Mounting auxiliary lights using OEM directional clamps

[Itinifni]

Howdy all,

I was looking to add some auxiliary lighting but wasn't interested in the usual light bar for a couple of reasons. I like the looks but they're a bit too common for me.

I shopped around for P clamps but didn't find much, the problem is the diameter of the Valk's fork tubes. I know they must be out there because I see the photos here of lights mounted to the fork tubes, maybe using windshield mounting hardware?

I decided to go with mounting via OEM front directional clamps. Should fit with no problem and look appropriate for the bike right? Well 1 out of 2 ain't bad.
It turns out the fork tube diameter is slightly larger below the lower triple-tree than it is above, it's also tapered.
I had to make a few mounting templates to find the right mounting location where the lights wouldn't hit the radiator at full lock but eventually I found the sweet spot.
After that it was a simple matter of using a dremel to open the directional mounts a bit and making the brackets out of 3/16" aluminum plate to mount two lights to each stalk.

To keep the wiring simple I powered both sets of auxiliary lights off my smart switch (great product by the way). I'm using an LED headlight bulb that draws 2 amps high or low beam, the auxiliary lights are 1 amp each so the combined load on high or low beam is only 4 amps, well within the capacity of the smart switch. Lights are also switched so either or both pairs can be turned off if I want.

I don't know if anyone else has used directional clamps for light mounts but I haven't seen it done so I wanted to post it as another option.

Matt

[Valkorado]

   Nice job, looks really professional.

[Brewer]

Can you post a link to the lights you used?

[Itinifni]

They're available at https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/mini-auxiliary-lights/2-round-10-watt-led-mini-auxiliary-work-light/1386/ in chrome, red and black.
Also available on Alibaba's wholesale site but I don't see them on the retail site https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/mainstream-moto-lighting-products-IP68-12v_60362407516.html?spm=a2700.7724857.0.0.9vWtw3

The housings are nicely machined with good plating, hardware is stainless. Waterproofing is fair due to thin O rings but that can be easily fixed.
Though they're advertised as having Cree XM-L LEDs mine came through with XM-L2s which is a plus. They're under-driven at only 700 lumens per light (confirmed output) but not bad.

The biggest issue is the beam profile. I got the 25 degree lights which is the tighter of the two but it's really a flood light. Not great for low beam or fog lights due to the wide output pattern and not tight enough to throw very far (I only measured 5400 cd).

This winter I'll re-work the lights with new optics and drivers, 10 degree spots for the high beams and elliptical optics for the low. I was really just looking for housings I could work with and these fit the bill.

For the time being I sanded down the TIR optics on the high beam lights, 320grit, 600, 1500 followed by Novus 2 and 1, tightened up the pattern quite a bit though I haven't measured the cd yet.





Matt

[mauigts]

Nice job, looks good. I too have some Cree LED lights mounted and there great for my night time riding on unfamiliar mountain  roads. Do you have a source for those mounting brackets. I made mine, but they are not as nice as yours.

[Bighead]

Seems he stated he made the plates that are mounted to OEM turn signal fork clamps.

[Itinifni]

Bighead is correct, the clamps are OEM directional clamps and the I used 3/16" aluminum stock to adapt the light to the clamps.
Here are a couple of preliminary attempts, when using these the lights hit the radiator at full lock turn.


Once I had the general shape correct I filed and polished.

Also got my elliptical optics installed this week.

[mauigts]

Thanks. I missed that in your post. I made separate brackets just below the oem clamps, also aluminum. I'll have to have another look when back at the bike and  combine them as you did for a cleaner look