DIY lower your headlight
Posted 31st December 2008 at 18:50 by Sporting Lad
Here's an easy and inexpensive way to lower your stock headlight if you have a classic eyebrow and don't feel like messing with your lower triple clamp or flipping your light upside down and wotnot.
It's really a variation on the popular "Xena mod" for instrument location, except upside down. I was just fooling around in the shop today, and I saw this in my mind's eye and said, 'Why not give it a try?' It worked.
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/50...Dec_08_004.jpg

My version integrates a bracket used to move the headlight forward 1-1/2" to accommodate my Rifle Roadster fairing, but I can't see any reason why you couldn't do as I did, but without the bracket. You'd need to run the bolts in from the underside, since it's the upper part of the triple clamp that's threaded. Go now and examine your own for confirmation.
I used the same "long" 2-1/2" x 1/2" sockets (Craftsman ) that I'd used for my (earlier) version of the original Xena mod (when I ran drag bars).
All I've really done is extend the bolts suspending the light using the sockets as sleeves or spacers. Now, admittedly, the arrangement looks a bit... spindly
but, when you tighten that sucker down, it's as sturdy as all get out, i.e. it's
rock solid! I used nylocks for nuts. As with all H-D attachments,
check regularly for tightness. "WARNING: Failure to do so may result in injury or even serious death."
I'm not sure if I'll keep it this way (I'm forever rearranging things). Lowering the light does expose a lot of that messy wiring which would need to be tidied up some. But if you don't like your OEM light in its existing location, here's an easy way to lower it. Of course if dropping it 2-1/2" is too much you could always use std length sockets, or even tubing cut to your needs.
And here's the rest of the pics:


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It's really a variation on the popular "Xena mod" for instrument location, except upside down. I was just fooling around in the shop today, and I saw this in my mind's eye and said, 'Why not give it a try?' It worked.
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/50...Dec_08_004.jpg

My version integrates a bracket used to move the headlight forward 1-1/2" to accommodate my Rifle Roadster fairing, but I can't see any reason why you couldn't do as I did, but without the bracket. You'd need to run the bolts in from the underside, since it's the upper part of the triple clamp that's threaded. Go now and examine your own for confirmation.
I used the same "long" 2-1/2" x 1/2" sockets (Craftsman ) that I'd used for my (earlier) version of the original Xena mod (when I ran drag bars).
All I've really done is extend the bolts suspending the light using the sockets as sleeves or spacers. Now, admittedly, the arrangement looks a bit... spindly
but, when you tighten that sucker down, it's as sturdy as all get out, i.e. it's
rock solid! I used nylocks for nuts. As with all H-D attachments,
check regularly for tightness. "WARNING: Failure to do so may result in injury or even serious death."

I'm not sure if I'll keep it this way (I'm forever rearranging things). Lowering the light does expose a lot of that messy wiring which would need to be tidied up some. But if you don't like your OEM light in its existing location, here's an easy way to lower it. Of course if dropping it 2-1/2" is too much you could always use std length sockets, or even tubing cut to your needs.
And here's the rest of the pics:


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