Headlight lens protector. Anyone use one?

Ned in Utah

Ned in Utah

Joined
Apr 8, 2017
Messages
177
Location
Utah
Bike
1994 ST1100
During our Canada trip last month, a truck spit a rock at me and broke the glass lense on my headlight. Fortunately the light continued to work and I was able to find a replacement on e-bay that's aready installed. They aren't cheap, or easy to intall!

So I ordered a clear lexan headlight lense protector. It came with four 3/8 inch square velcro like silican connector pads. One side sticks to the lense, the other to the protector, thern the two halves sort of stick together to keep the lense cover in place. It's designed to be able to remove it for cleaning, but I'm not sure I trust those tiny protector pads. I'm afraid a good jar from a pot hole or wind blast from a passing truck will peal it right off. So I've been thinking about sticking it on with some clear gorilla glue double stick pads Probably be about impossible to get off and it'll be tougher to clean between the two.

Anyone using a lense protector? How is your connected?
 

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Had one on both of my 1100's since 1995. Same attachment with velcro and never a problem in all kinds of winds. Saved my lens once when a large rock took out a piece of the plastic, but the lens was untouched. Bought another protector right away.

Mine was a Ventura brand protector. Had it off and on every time I clean the bike too and no problems with the velcro losing "stick".
 
I used them on all four of my ST1100 and they attached with the Velcro stick ons.
Never had a problem with them coming off if they are 'genuine' Velcro.
If you are concerned, I'd get some Scotchlock instead of gluing them on.
Two of the bikes have 'dings' in the protector which would have been cracked headlights in both cases.
They are a cheap piece of insurance for sure!
 
I’ve installed the AeroFlow headlight protector on my current bike and had one on a previous ST1300.
Followed the instructions and used the “velcro” patches that came with the protector. No issue at all with it coming loose.
Seems like relatively cheap insurance.

AeroFlow, Corp. Motorcycle Screens and Fairings

The best windscreens and air management products since '93. Reduce noise, turbulence and buffeting for both drivers and passengers. Improve your ride
www.aeroflowscreens.com www.aeroflowscreens.com
 
Bush said:
Had one on both of my 1100's since 1995. Same attachment with velcro and never a problem in all kinds of winds. Saved my lens once when a large rock took out a piece of the plastic, but the lens was untouched. Bought another protector right away.

Mine was a Ventura brand protector. Had it off and on every time I clean the bike too and no problems with the velcro losing "stick".
Click to expand...
can you post a link for that
 
etalors said:
can you post a link for that
Click to expand...

Bearing in mind, I bought mine way back in the late '90's, but this link is to the New Zealand based company (at least used to be) that supplied them to a company in the USA. Check it out for availability now.

Light-Guards

Dold Industries is a local manufacturer and importer of motorcycle parts, motorcycle luggage, and motorbikes accessories.
www.dold.co.nz www.dold.co.nz
 
Bush said:
Bearing in mind, I bought mine way back in the late '90's, but this link is to the New Zealand based company (at least used to be) that supplied them to a company in the USA. Check it out for availability now.

Light-Guards

Dold Industries is a local manufacturer and importer of motorcycle parts, motorcycle luggage, and motorbikes accessories.
www.dold.co.nz www.dold.co.nz
Click to expand...
There is nothing there for the st1300 only the st1100
 
I bought one for my 1100 as I got a chip taken out of my headlight whilst riding it home after purchasing it. Mine too is held on by the scotchlock type fittings and has been fine. Mine cost £18 from slipscreenslimited on ebay.
 
WOW!!! I just looked at that Aeroflow unit and the price! :eek1:

IIRC, my 1100 unit was $30, but that was at least 20 years ago too and not as complicated a piece as the 1300 unit.
 
Ned in Utah said:
During our Canada trip last month, a truck spit a rock at me and broke the glass lense on my headlight. Fortunately the light continued to work and I was able to find a replacement on e-bay that's aready installed. They aren't cheap, or easy to intall!

So I ordered a clear lexan headlight lense protector. It came with four 3/8 inch square velcro like silican connector pads. One side sticks to the lense, the other to the protector, thern the two halves sort of stick together to keep the lense cover in place. It's designed to be able to remove it for cleaning, but I'm not sure I trust those tiny protector pads. I'm afraid a good jar from a pot hole or wind blast from a passing truck will peal it right off. So I've been thinking about sticking it on with some clear gorilla glue double stick pads Probably be about impossible to get off and it'll be tougher to clean between the two.

Anyone using a lense protector? How is your connected?
Click to expand...
I've used one like you have for many years on a Goldwing and it's attached just as yours is. It won't fall off. It is easy enough to take off to clean the headlight itself which you have to do occasionally.
 
Those 3M velcro look-alikes are quite strong. They also hold the protector away from the headlight lens, allowing it to move and absorb the shock of a stone impacting it. Were you to solidly glue the protector to the lens, the shock would be transmitted directly to the headlight and you might end up with two damaged pieces of plastic - the protector and the lens. Mine has not moved (except when I take it off to clean both sides of it and the headlight) in the 3 or 4 years that I have had it. Just put a pair on my V Strom, too.
 
I put a pair on in 2006 and take them off at least every 2nd bike wash. The velcro pads work well. Can't remember where I got them. Very inexpensive insurance in the long run.
 
Bush said:
but this link is to the New Zealand based company (at least used to be) that supplied them to a company in the USA. Check it out for availability now.
Click to expand...
There's no listing for a Light-Guard at that link though there are other parts listed for the 1100.

The headlight unit from partzilla.com is $376 for the 1300 and no doubt cheaper from breakers or ebay. But $95 is cheap insurance to avoid the whole problem and is transferable if not cashed in.
 
I have an AeroFlow on my ST1300. The little shop is local to me here. Very nice product but most ST owners aren’t willing to pay the $100 bucks for one he told me.
 
ST Gui said:
Where. How much All I see is a listing of parts for panniers and some pack stuff.
Click to expand...

The last item of 7 on the list - VP034 - Light guard. You don't see that? There isn't a price on anything that I could see, but there is an * which indicates it is a special order and could take three weeks to fill. One would have to email the company to get details on how to get one.
 
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