my fix for headlight pod bracket flexing

[black700]

i put on over 1400 miles on my attak last year and no probs you just have to put the bolt's in, if there not in already it could be because the low winshield

 

[NB-NYTRO]

maybe I'm missing something.. other then two bolts that hold the pod on... Where do these other bolts go????? I was looking at mine today.. It has a little bit of flex.

Merry Christmas.

 

[markusvt]

Good job, I think you have cured the major part of the alignment issue.

Markus.

the faster i go the higher the headlights go so i fixed my headlight pod bracket so it wont flex and the headlights will stay on the ground where i have them pointed,the bracket it actually showing small stress cracks in the corners on the very outside of the front cross piece,i used a piece of 1" wide and 3/8"thick aluminum stock,cut it to length and cut the middle out where the bracket has a drop in it,drilled 4 holes and bolted it together,had to trim the bottom to clear the fuel rail in 2 small spots,i had already cut the tabs off hte back of the air filter cover to make it easier to remove and install so there were no other clearance issues,pod is very solid now,it took me about 2 hrs i'd say and $3.50 in parts,let me know what you think

 

[sobfrogg]

I took a look at mine today. After seeing where the flex is, I will have to give this a try.
I will have some free time on x-mass morning. So I wil cut a plate to mount in there.
I will try to post some pics latter.

 

[Sled Dog]

Will be nice when someone who has this done goes out and does a real world night time test.

 

[JJWickenhauser]

I haven't had this problem yet, at least not where it's been bad eneough to notice. But if I do I'll use this post to fix it. I think it looks very nice can clean. Great job!!

 

[170plus]

mrance111....i didnt notice the pod housing flexing like the metal bracket was ,when you take it apart you'll see that this is a very small crossbrace that the pods tabs lock onto,once i put the brace on and tried to get it to deflect by pulling on the windshield,the pod didnt move anymore,just the windshield flexed in the rubber mounts,the headlights aiming at my garage door didnt move,im sure i will have to adjust my aim now that its not flexing but thats the easy part now,like black700 said before about the bolts missing,mine were not missing ,they were there since new,i wish it wouldve been that easy to fix,he said he had 1400 miles with no problem,i have 3400 miles and problem seemed to be getting worse so maybe it a time thing,anyway i thought that this would help some people and im sure it will

 

[RX1 Yooper]

That's a good one. The furnace fan lifts the pod. LOL -Thanks

 

[170plus]

was in a local dealer today and tried all the new apex sleds for the pod flexing,they all do it and some are worse than others,some were lifting enough so the front rubber seal wasnt touching the airbox lid anymore,should be made a lot better than that imo,oh well mine doesnt flex now so i'll try to move on

 

[170plus]

here is an excellent pic of the headlight bracket that is giving the flexing problem,i found it on a post from srxspec on plug changing,you can see how narrow the strip of metal that the tabs are spot welded on,mid height windshield probably sticks about 18" above this bracket,thats lots of leverage on a small piece of thin steel ,no wonder it flexes

 

[87gtNOS]

strange...I thought the headlights were pointing upwards at speed because of the mono skid squating.....I will have to investigate...

 

[**sj**]

heres another pic,couldnt figure out how to put both pics on one post ?

In pulling on that cross member I can definately see the flex..catches air and lifts for sure make sense..

what did you use angle aluminum or square aluminum tubing?

 

[ROCKERDAN]

I dont think its a huge issue with the LOW shield...but i could see how the taller shield could cause probs....

typical probs when trying to reduce weight ALL over these sleds...I sometimes wish they would leave the extra 3 or 4 lbs on the sleds and make these weak items stronger...

 

[**sj**]

I agree...let us find a way to shed the 3-4 lbs if we want to...
if it's brought to their attention they' could make an adustment by making the member curve down..

again, was that angle aluminum or square tubing?

 

[170plus]

the aluminum i used was actually bar stock 1/2" x 1",its solid,probably over kill but sure is strong