Anyone try this "headlight mesh" to 'reshape' their headlight?

iplante · February 3rd, 2013, 02:12 PM

I was thinking of trying something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/330868146189...84.m1423.l2648

and use it to give my headlight a more "modern" shape. What do you guys think? What I like about it is that light still passes through.

EsrTek · February 3rd, 2013, 02:51 PM

Doesn't look to me like it reshaped anything, just merely a way to make it blend into bike's color. Headlight tinting if you will, and not that great looking in any of those example pics in link.

Reyno2ac · February 3rd, 2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EsrTek

Doesn't look to me like it reshaped anything, just merely a way to make it blend into bike's color. Headlight tinting if you will, and not that great looking in any of those example pics in link.

It looks like you're dressing you bike up in lace...

CZroe · February 4th, 2013, 09:31 AM

I have the Lockhart-Philips green headlight mesh that I will be putting on a pregen, but I have a slightly different idea. I overlaid the J/K "newgen" and F "pregen" headlights and traced the outline of both. I then bought a fairing that covers the headlight completely, which I will paint black and blend with the windscreen (also painted black).

I will overlay my trace on the fairing and cut out the area that the two light designs share, which will result in a funny shape-BUT I'M NOT DONE! I will then use green paint, vinyl, or headlight mesh to extend the shape beyond the cutout so that the green area completes the shape of the J-bike's headlight. Of course, that will still look weird if the cut-out is not also green to blend, so that's where the headlight mesh comes in to play. I have seen clear green tint that I may combine with the mesh to make it more consistent.

I have another fairing with no headlight hole that I plan to actually mount a J-bike's headlight in, but it is cracked so I intend to hide the crack with the same mesh.

I'm going to use green vinyl or more mesh to make a false windscreen shape after I blend the old windscreen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EsrTek

Doesn't look to me like it reshaped anything, just merely a way to make it blend into bike's color. Headlight tinting if you will, and not that great looking in any of those example pics in link.

Wrong mindset. You use shaped cuts to continue the color of the fairing and leave your custom shape UNcovered.

The illusion is blown during riding, but you are blinded by the light at that point. For example, one thing that exacerbates the blocky-shaped headlight is the straight line formed from where the windscreen meets it with no fairing in between. On a green bike, a bit of green across the top solves that. With a clever shape you can also add a curve to the headlight.

iplante · February 4th, 2013, 10:52 AM

My bike will soon be VW Fahrenheit orange to match my car.

I have two options:
1. Buy BLACK mesh and cut a better shape
2. Buy WHITE mesh and spray paint it orange (more $$$, since I have to buy the rattle can of that color)

I'm not sure which would look better.

CZroe · February 4th, 2013, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplante

My bike will soon be VW Fahrenheit orange to match my car.

I have two options:
1. Buy BLACK mesh and cut a better shape
2. Buy WHITE mesh and spray paint it orange (more $$$, since I have to buy the rattle can of that color)

I'm not sure which would look better.

Third option: Buy GREEN and match the fairings.

Anyway, headlights get hot and the automotive paint may not hold up. Also, applying after painting may not work so well as the paint probably isn't meant to be flexible.

Good luck!

iplante · February 4th, 2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

Third option: Buy GREEN and match the fairings.

Anyway, headlights get hot and the automotive paint may not hold up. Also, applying after painting may not work so well as the paint probably isn't meant to be flexible.

Good luck!

Ha! But I want my bike to be orange like my car!

Thanks for the tip about the flexibility. I didn't think of that. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do now

CZroe · February 4th, 2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplante

Ha! But I want my bike to be orange like my car!

Thanks for the tip about the flexibility. I didn't think of that. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do now

Hmm. You could get an orange mesh as close to the VW orange as you can then get a pint of paint computer-matched to the mesh. Mix that with your VW paint to get an "in between" color that you paint your upper fairing with. Paint the rest with the straight VW orange color. Next, make a fade into the headlight area orange using the spray you already planned to get. The expense and effort are ratcheting up, but the orange mesh will no longer stick out and the overall bike will seem to match the car.

Yeah, I'd probably try spraying the mesh first.

choneofakind · February 9th, 2013, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplante

I'm not sure which would look better.

This would look better. Leave it square

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=119789

iplante · February 9th, 2013, 07:06 PM

Ha!

Maybe I'll try it one of these days. I'm just a bit poor right now

February 3rd, 2013, 02:12 PM	#1
iplante I ride like a granny Name: Isabelle Location: Minneapolis Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250R - EX250F Posts: 521 Blog Entries: 1	Anyone try this "headlight mesh" to 'reshape' their headlight? I was thinking of trying something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/330868146189...84.m1423.l2648 and use it to give my headlight a more "modern" shape. What do you guys think? What I like about it is that light still passes through. __________________________________________________ WANTED for 88-07 Ninja 250: Corbin Gunfighter & Lady seat

February 4th, 2013, 10:52 AM	#5
iplante I ride like a granny Name: Isabelle Location: Minneapolis Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250R - EX250F Posts: 521 Blog Entries: 1	My bike will soon be VW Fahrenheit orange to match my car. I have two options: 1. Buy BLACK mesh and cut a better shape 2. Buy WHITE mesh and spray paint it orange (more $$$, since I have to buy the rattle can of that color) I'm not sure which would look better. __________________________________________________ WANTED for 88-07 Ninja 250: Corbin Gunfighter & Lady seat

February 9th, 2013, 07:06 PM	#10
iplante I ride like a granny Name: Isabelle Location: Minneapolis Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250R - EX250F Posts: 521 Blog Entries: 1	Ha! Maybe I'll try it one of these days. I'm just a bit poor right now __________________________________________________ WANTED for 88-07 Ninja 250: Corbin Gunfighter & Lady seat

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February 3rd, 2013, 02:51 PM	#2
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	Doesn't look to me like it reshaped anything, just merely a way to make it blend into bike's color. Headlight tinting if you will, and not that great looking in any of those example pics in link.