Author Topic: Hella FF50 installation on 1G Bandit 1200S (Read 5229 times)

ldbandit76 · « **on:** February 06, 2006, 10:11:07 AM »

I finally got my Hella driving lights installed on my '97 1200S. I had pondered mounting them below the fairing, or even on the forks, but I wanted them as high as I could get them, and inboard of the "leading edge" of the bike when tipped over. As much as I'd like to think I'd never drop my bike, history shows it's just not the case.

I mounted them on aluminum brackets I made out of 1" wide 1/8" strip stock. The brackets are mounted at the screws in the little "vents" by the headlights, and continue down to the turn signal mounts, where the signal goes through them like a bolt. This makes a very sturdy mount, since it's connected to the front subframe in two locations. It also puts the lights right next to the headlight, which is about as good as I could expect. I replaced the plastic louvers in the vents with flat spacers that fill the side, but don't have a bend. The brackets do not touch the fairing panel.

The lights are wired into my headlight relay harness (from Electrical Connection), so power comes via 10 ga. wire straight from the battery. I have the right light switched through the Hella relay, triggered by the switched circuit that powers the horn. Thus, it's on all the time. It'll be pointed towards the right shoulder of the road for deer spotting, hopefully low enough not to irritate traffic. Two lights during the day should also improve conspicuity. The left light is powered by the same line that runs the highbeam, so those'll come on together. It'll be pointed straight down the road, more-or-less parallel with the highbeam.

Here are a couple images of the finished installation:

I have a few more if anyone's interested in seeing them. I buttoned up the fairing before taking pictures of the brackets. If you're interested in copying the design, let me know, and I'll pull a panel off.

Dave

PitterB4 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:46:19 PM »

Cool!

Have any longer shots? I'd like to see what they do to the overall look of the bike.

ldbandit76 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2006, 09:54:53 AM »

Here you go:

Doch80 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2006, 09:58:27 AM »

I actually really like that look! Good job! I bet those lights bring a crap load of more light. I have a pair of PIAA's on my truck that I got from my brother after he sold his truck. They are a little more $ but you get what you pay for... a crap load more light.

Chad

Slonishku · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2006, 01:26:45 AM »

I'd really like to see more details on your brackets- I've been trying to figure out a similar solution on my '97, too.

ldbandit76 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2006, 05:18:43 PM »

Quote from: "Slonishku"

I'd really like to see more details on your brackets- I've been trying to figure out a similar solution on my '97, too.

How's this?

All I did was hold the strip stock up to the holes in the subframe, measure, mark and cut or bend.

Slonishku · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2006, 11:29:55 PM »

Thanks for the pictures- my new fuse block, heated grips, GPS, and Hellas arrive tomorrow, so I'll be keeping busy! Once I've done a little scheming, I'll likely be disassembling the fairing and taking lots of planning photos. These brackets look like a great plan!