Fork Mount Driving Lights

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I have always liked the Motolights for the Valk but couldnt justify spending that much on lights even though they are made well.  I found these driving lights on the internet and dont recall seeing anyone post them before so I figured I would let others know about them.  They are made by Martin Fabrication.
http://www.martinfabrication.com/Martin_Fabrication/Motorcycle_Lighting_Home.html
They were listed as a fit for the Valk.  I called the company and talked to them first.  Got the lights and they are very well made.  They come in black, chrome or black and chrome.  They include all the wires, bolts, nuts, mounts, waterproof lighted switch as well as multiple extra bolts, spacers, washers and two extra bulbs on top of that.  I was impressed with the packaging when I got them and couldnt wait to see them installed.  The site has listed them as 35 watts but now they come with 45 watt lights.  I got the standard lights, not the HID's.  See for yourself in the pics I posted.  They mount by replacing the fender bolt with one of theirs and the light mount.  No affiliation at all, but for the price I think they are a great buy.  Oh yea, Made in the USA!

[Oss]

very nice look

you have the toyo racing car tire dont you on the back?

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

No its the Yokohama A048 205/55.

[mario]

very nice.  how are you liking your IS?
thanks for the site.

[Jess from VA]

Steelers, that is a nice write-up, thanks.

My supervalk came with the Motolights and I love them, but cannot afford to add them to my other IS.

Are the mount arms metal or plastic/polymer?

Do they appear to be completely waterproof?

You refer to a fender bolt, but they look like a caliper bolt mount.

Is there a factory warranty?

Please keep us posted on how they work.

[BF]

Did you put an I/S fairing and pods on your standard?  I thought I remember reading that your were going to buy an Interstate and sell your raked out standard........or is my rememberer in the fritz again?

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Steelers, that is a nice write-up, thanks.
My supervalk came with the Motolights and I love them, but cannot afford to add them to my other IS.
Are the mount arms metal or plastic/polymer?
Do they appear to be completely waterproof?
You refer to a fender bolt, but they look like a caliper bolt mount.
Is there a factory warranty?
Please keep us posted on how they work.

Arms seem to be some type of metal, very light, maybe aluminum.
Mounting is done by replacing one of the fork lower bolts.  I have a VTX fender on my bike.  The bolt goes through bracket, through the fork lower and into the VTX fender bracket.  On stock front fenders, the bolt goes through the fork lower and then straight into the fender.  It does not use the caliper bolt, that is way too big.  I asked him about that when ordering and he said that isnt a good idea because of the movement the caliper has.  
The lights are made specifically for bikes so I would hope they are mostly waterproof.  I did ask him about a warranty and he said he stands behind his products if there is a problem.   Im not really sure on that I guess.    

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Did you put an I/S fairing and pods on your standard?  I thought I remember reading that your were going to buy an Interstate and sell your raked out standard........or is my rememberer in the fritz again?

I am selling my standard and I bought an I/S.  I switched over my rake kit and shocks and other various things that only I would like.  It would have cost me a ton more to add on a custom fairing, pods, stereo, etc.  Plus I have the trunk and bags. 

[Jess from VA]

Thanks.

[olddog1946]

When you swapped out the triple tree did you swap out the fork tubes as well?  Those polished forks look super nice..I like those small lights as well..

[9Ball]

Good find....thanks.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

When you swapped out the triple tree did you swap out the fork tubes as well?  Those polished forks look super nice..I like those small lights as well..

Yes I did.  I had too much time with polishing them and money with the Progressive springs to leave them. 

[Breeze]

Did you cut down your fenders or did you buy them like that?

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

The front fender is from a VTX and the back fender is a stock fender that is cut down and filled.

[valkyriemc]

Older thread. I like the lights but it looks like Martin Fabrication is no longer in business.

[DK]

It appears Martin Fab inventory is being closed out by this outfit:

http://www.bmwmotorcycleaccessories.com/Honda-GL1800-Goldwing-Driving-Light-Kit-Martin-Fabrication-MFAB-L1050H3-GL1800.htm?productId=150

$99.00

This link is to a kit for the GL-1800. The light & bracket to be same as the Valk kit. Can't tell about the wiring kit although adapting it should be no problem.

Can anyone tell me whether this would work w. The Valk? I called & the person I talked with didn't know.

[DK]

It appears Martin Fab inventory is being closed out by this outfit:

http://www.bmwmotorcycleaccessories.com/Honda-GL1800-Goldwing-Driving-Light-Kit-Martin-Fabrication-MFAB-L1050H3-GL1800.htm?productId=150

$99.00

This link is to a kit for the GL-1800. The light & bracket to be same as the Valk kit. Can't tell about the wiring kit although adapting it should be no problem.

Can anyone tell me whether this would work w. The Valk? I called & the person I talked with didn't know.

[98valk]

just so u know those lights are a generic made light. PIAA has same ones of course with their name stamped on them for $300. I bought same lights from pepboys for $52 in '00. They finally were put to sleep last yr., reflective material was peeling and one lens cracked. not bad for the money.
now use $20 all chrome lights from walmart that use the MR-16 bulb. This style bulb was top rated by motorcycle consumer news a few yrs back. many types of MR-16 bulbs can be bought, such as the degree angle of the spot or flood.
I have the lights mounted on the radiator sides.

[Joe Hummer]

I will weigh in on this topic because I have had these lights on my bike for a few years now.  Honestly...they are pure crap...especially when mounted to the forks.  I went through SO many bulbs before I figured out it was the vibration from the road that was toasting my lights.  I have since moved them to the crash bar and have not had a problem one with them. 

I had them replaced about a couple of years ago because the socket where the bulb sits was corroding and the lights would stop working.  I had taken them apart a few times and cleaned that area well and even put dielectric grease on them.  That didn't help. 

The replacement lights on the crash bars have been working great...mostly.  I have a problem now where one will not turn on and you have to thump the light housing a couple of times to get it on.  Once it comes on, all it good for a while.  As far as I know, it doesn't shut off while riding. 

Honestly, I wouldn't waste my money on these lights.  You can pick up cheap lights at walmart, mount them to your crash bar, and even had money left over to change the bulbs to LEDs for the money you would put into these lights.  When these lights die...I will be going that way...

Joe

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for the update Joe.

Question.  The interstate pods remove some the space available for mounting small lights on top of the engine guards up high.  Where/how on the guards did you mount them? 

I have been procrastinating getting some on my IS guards for a long time, but still plan to eventually (and planed to put them right next to the pods, if my feet won't hit them on my hwy pegs (also on the guards at 3 and 9 o'clock).  PIAA 1100Xs or maybe small leds..... spots, not fogs.

I have the Motolights on my other IS's brake caliper mount (with 35W bulbs, not 50s), and they have never burned out in years and years, but I also have to smack one once in a while to remind it to come on (never found it to be off the rest of the day or the trip).  But they are too spendy to put on the other bike.

[big poppa pump]

I have 2 sets of LED driving lights on my crash bar. The ones closer to the radiator are spot lights and throw out almost 1500 lumens per light. The ones further away from the radiator are flood lights with a 25 degree angle with 750 lumens per light. I use the spots mainly during daytime and the floods in the night.

[Brian]

I have 2 sets of LED driving lights on my crash bar. The ones closer to the radiator are spot lights and throw out almost 1500 lumens per light. The ones further away from the radiator are flood lights with a 25 degree angle with 750 lumens per light. I use the spots mainly during daytime and the floods in the night.



Are those floods from superbright leds ?

[big poppa pump]

I have 2 sets of LED driving lights on my crash bar. The ones closer to the radiator are spot lights and throw out almost 1500 lumens per light. The ones further away from the radiator are flood lights with a 25 degree angle with 750 lumens per light. I use the spots mainly during daytime and the floods in the night.



Are those floods from superbright leds ?

Yep! They are indeed from SBL.

[Brian]

I have 2 sets of LED driving lights on my crash bar. The ones closer to the radiator are spot lights and throw out almost 1500 lumens per light. The ones further away from the radiator are flood lights with a 25 degree angle with 750 lumens per light. I use the spots mainly during daytime and the floods in the night.



Are those floods from superbright leds ?

Yep! They are indeed from SBL.

I have been thinking about adding a set. Thanks for the review.

[big poppa pump]

I have 2 sets of LED driving lights on my crash bar. The ones closer to the radiator are spot lights and throw out almost 1500 lumens per light. The ones further away from the radiator are flood lights with a 25 degree angle with 750 lumens per light. I use the spots mainly during daytime and the floods in the night.



Are those floods from superbright leds ?

Yep! They are indeed from SBL.

I have been thinking about adding a set. Thanks for the review.

You won't be disappointed. They are very bright and come with a 2 year warranty as well.