Triumphrat

REVOLT · 12-24-2007

Well, it's Christmas Eve and my wife has to work today...so my dog and I went out to the garage...started the Bonnie up...turned the fuel off...let'er run till she was out gas...drained the carbs...pulled the battery...and took care of some other winter rest items...Well...I thought, this would be a perfect time to pull the headlight bucket...and prep it for the powder coater...after fighting the bundle-up harness in the headlight...I took the bucket off and on Friday will begin shopping for a local powder coater...Any advice from those that have done it? I know I should mask off the inner lip where the headlight ring join...but is there anything else? Inside? Well...the Bonnie is resting quietly now...normally I don't do that (hibernation), but this year I have too much stuff to do in the coming months...Jan...Feb...March...are the Northwest worst weather months...pouring rain...chance of snow...so they say...chance of freezing rain...so she is better to rest, and shile she is doing so...I'll get the headlight done so she'll be ready to Rock'N'Roll come Spring...just a few months away!!!

Hedge · 12-24-2007

I masked off nothing. I just dropped the bucket off to the powder coater and he handled the rest. It went back together with no problems. Be forewarned - bringing all those wires back inside the bucket is a real PIA and forget about getting the rubber ring to stay in place while you pull that stuff back through.

This is what you do - pull all the wiring through the bucket hole and then through the rubber ring as you do it. After everything is through both the hole and the ring, connect everything. Then get your (hopefully small hands) inside the bucket and start working the ring back outside the hole until it is back flush on both the inside and outside. Then attach the headlight plug and headlight.

Good luck and have patience!

REVOLT · 12-24-2007

Thanks Hedge...

Hedge · 12-24-2007

No problem. Just remember, I told you it is a PIA but don't do what I was thinking of doing and leave the rubber ring out. It is there for a reason, to keep the wires from fraying on the metal and to help keep water out.
Stay the course and work it around a little at a time and just when you really can't tolerate it anymore you will almost be there - so re-invest yourself into getting it done right!

REVOLT · 12-24-2007

Amen to that!! I'm one of those that spend a dollar to make a dime types...I won't half arse something in the name of "getting it done"...My family makes jokes that I torture myself to get things done right...when others just get things done...I've been known to clean nuts and bolts with old toothbrushes before I reinstall them, never to be seen again...Why not? Especially if it is something that you don't plan on messing with every noe and then...

I appreciate the advise Hedge!!

D9 · 12-24-2007

REvolt,

I got so tired of messing with that got-dandruff-and-some-of-it-itchin' (say that real fast and it works) grommet in back of the headlamp I finally removed the headlamp, cleaned the whole area around the grommet and glued it back in place with black RTV silicone, wiped off the excess... now I can pull wires back & forth and it stays put... good fix for someone like me who's constantly moving wiring & plugs in and out of the headlamp...

That powdercoated headlamp is going to look good... on my list of to-do's as well... post some pics when it's done...

Cheers,

D9

Baltobonneville · 12-24-2007

I just changed the left headlight bulb on my '98 Honda Civic. It's a similar nuisance job, there is a big power-steering fluid reservoir directly behind the headlight and it's fully in the way of everything. A 5-minute job becomes an hour-long job just to disconnect the light bulb and put a new one in.

I feel your pain.

PS I used my original Bonneville headlight bulb to replace the prematurely burned-out one in the Civic. Glad I got some use from it!

sweatmachine · 12-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by D9

REvolt,

I got so tired of messing with that got-dandruff-and-some-of-it-itchin' (say that real fast and it works) grommet in back of the headlamp I finally removed the headlamp, cleaned the whole area around the grommet and glued it back in place with black RTV silicone, wiped off the excess... now I can pull wires back & forth and it stays put... good fix for someone like me who's constantly moving wiring & plugs in and out of the headlamp...

D9

man Seth, you are full of good ideas! I'm going to do this next time I take my headlight off.

D9 · 12-24-2007

Jeff...

If you do that, how about some detail shots of those cool headlight mounted LED's...??? Would be great to see a shot or two looking into the headlamp & from right above... I love headlamp mounted indicators... such a clean look ... done right IMO there's no better place for indicators than in the headlamp... another of those "wonder why they didn't do it that way" details...

Cheers,

D9