(by unnamed Ireputable Dealer)
I saw a light bar design I really liked on another custom parts makers site and decided after a week or so I had to have it. The description shows it fits my bike by name so no worries right? I get it in and the mount is no way near my bike design. I go back to the website to check the part number and I got the one listed alright, has my bike by name. I shoot an email to the customer service (it has been over two months and no response from them as of yet) stating that the mounts are way out and I cannot use this bar of theirs. I even sent them a jpeg picture showing both bars beside each other so they could clearly see the problem with the mount.
I went and looked at their return policy and it says that anything listed as "Universal" is not returnable. So rereading the description of my lightbar it reads like it is made for my bike specifically, names my bike, and then at the end says Universal... more research shows that 90% of the crap on their site says "Universal"...even the gift certificates! Go figure huh? Read the return policies before you order.
Well, it has been a few months now with that sitting in the garage and last night I decided to make it fit. I removed the JC Whitney light bar and measure this new bar up. I plazma cut the bracket off of the new bar and cut out a new mount using the JC bar as a template. Here you can see the new bracket in place on the new bar.
I couldn't find my angle grinder to save my life last night so I did not grind the edges smooth. That's okay because all this will be under the headlamp mount when I am finished. Once I got it sized and centered I tack welded two spots underneath. The bar stock I used is a bit thicker than the light bar so I left a lip on the underside. Here you can see the two tack welds...
Next was fitting it onto the bike and making sure it is centered before running a bead of weld across it.
Once I determined it was good enough for me I ran the beads of weld. I used a soaked rag and stitch welded the bar so I would not burn the chrome too much on the top side. With each small weld I would stop and cool the bar off. Here is the total damage. I did not weld the top side as I wanted the headlamp to sit flush and without the grinder I couldn't smooth it out. I wonder who borrowed it... and the $800 winch I had in the garage.
I painted the welds and new piece with aluminum paint. Could have opted for black so it wouldn't show up so much but the silver looks good enough for me. Oh yes, I forgot to mention I had to drill the two holes in the new bracket. You can't see how wide it needed to be compared to the way it came (5/16ths).
So I mounted the bar easily now and then mounted the lights. The lights have quick disconnects on the harness I make so it was easy to remove them. I am uncertain as to what I think about this bar as of yet. I like the bar, it is a really nice chunk of chrome, but I am so used to having the other lights tucked in close to the headlamp and even with it. Now they are lower than the headlamp and farther apart. I am sure I will get used to it though. If not, I can drill some new holes and move the lights in right? LOL Since these next two pictures were taken, I have straightened out and adjusted the lights.
Before and After Shots
If you see this bar online, please inform me so I can post the information on the manufacturer NOT to do business with.
Thanks for looking!
Update: I added the VTX headlight and this bar works much better with the larger light inbetween.
Gonzo
2002 Honda VT1100 Shadow Spirit "Vicious"