my fix for headlight pod bracket flexing

[apex yooper]

You didn't have the tabs in. Installed correctly, it won't tip.

 

[170plus]

like i said in a prior post,everyone on the dealer showroom flexed real bad and i even showed the dealer and we made sure the tabs were in and they all flexed,for you guys out there that say you dont see the flex,i dont know what to tell you, if you dont ride fast at night dont worry about it,i ride fast at night and this is the reason im having the problem,if the tabs arent in correctly,the rubber seal around the front is about 1/2 inch up off the air box lid so its real obvious if that was it,i also stated before that that wasnt the problem,the bracket is flimsy and thats the problem,just like the track rubbing the shock,just like the hand warmers not working,just like the idler wheels falling apart,just like the chaincase leaking problem,just like the speedo being off 15%,just like the gt mono shock blowing,just like the mono shock adjuster freezing,just like sliders burning off too quickly,the list goes on,right now my sled is one of the fastest things on the lake that close to stock and i love it ,did i have all the troubles that ive listed ,no,but others have had problems,for those who dont think they have problems with the pod flexing try this,start your sled and aim the headlights at the side of you garage or shop or fence,whatever,with any windshield besides the low chrome ones,sit on your sled and pull the top of the windshield toward you (simulate the wind hitting it at speed),i bet the spots where your lights are shining on the wall will go up and come back down when you let go,cant be nothing else but the bracket flexing as long as your sitting still,my little fix prevents this from happening

 

[Iceman57]

170plus, I had my sled apart today and I can plainly see the flex in the bracket by just pulling up on the bracket with very little force. I believe your fix will solve that headlight problem that some are having. If people choose not to believe your fix works it’s their loss if they have a problem with their headlight. You watch, Yamaha will most likely beef up that area next year.

 

[**sj**]

yep..mine was apart today as well...I agree 100%
good fix 170

 

[ReX]

You didn't have the tabs in. Installed correctly, it won't tip.

The problem is not the tabs not being in.

170plus is bang on with his investigation and solution. All 3 of the Apex's I ride with have the same problem and the guys were always complaining.

At high speeds there's probably 50+ lbs of force on the windshield. Try sitting on your sled with the motor running at night and pull the top of the windshield towards you with your hand. I guarantee the headlight aim will go up a lot.

At first we thought it was the plastic pod itself flexing, but it is the metal bracket for just about all of the flex.

We ended up aiming their headlights to compensate (proper aim for cruising at comfortable night speeds), but a better fix would be to stiffen up the bracket. Their low beam at low speeds is just about useless now.

In addition to this the difference between high and low beam is too much, but when you add the two up the problem becomes that much worse.

 

[sobfrogg]

YUP........
When I can figure out how to get the pics out of my camera I will post what I did.
I used a 3/8 thick alum plate and rivited it to the bottom of the bracket. My plate coves the whole bracket. I cut out the middle but left 1/2 wide strip across the open area. Over kill sure but I think the whole bracket is flimsy.
If I have time I may try and fab one out of thicker alum

 

[apex yooper]

Tabs

Sorry 170. You're right, I usually don't ride at night. I'll check it out next time I do. I didn't get the tabs in once, and it did what you describe.

 

[**sj**]

YUP........
When I can figure out how to get the pics out of my camera I will post what I did.
I used a 3/8 thick alum plate and rivited it to the bottom of the bracket. My plate coves the whole bracket. I cut out the middle but left 1/2 wide strip across the open area. Over kill sure but I think the whole bracket is flimsy.
If I have time I may try and fab one out of thicker alum

someone with the right tools/machine shop should make it in a kit form!

 

[snowbeast]

Hey 170 in your first pics you mentioned you drilled and installed 4 screws,but your pics only show 2 am i missing some thing trevor?

 

[justforme]

last night i stopped mine from rising @ 80+mph.


i held it down with my hand.


i'll be making some brackets this week!

 

[Cobalt]

This is great info! I have a 2007 RTX with a medium Shield, when riding at night at even slow speeds my high beam is useless but the low beam is dead on. I had a 02 Viper behind me and when I hit the high beam it shot in the trees and I could hardly see the trail in front of me due to the shadow I created from his light behind me. I was hoping I could adjust my High beam down without affecting the position of the low beam, is that possible?????

Cobalt

 

[**sj**]

well now that's interesting...if the high is in the trees and the low is dead on the pod isnt lifting for the highbeam only? or is he liking the low in a higher position?

 

[170plus]

ya beast i just hadnt put the other 2 screws in yet

 

[markusvt]

He is fixing flexing, not tipping.

Markus.

You didn't have the tabs in. Installed correctly, it won't tip.

 

[**sj**]

fix

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

question..I've taken out the bracket and what about the dip where the tabs are located?

I was under the impression you just used a solid bar of stock....how did you account for the dip?