Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > 998S headlight

[geoff--9]

wondering if you can help me with this

after some evil ***** ran me off the road, and took off, i smashed my left headlight lense on a 998S, i contacted ducati and they said i can get a new lense for 75GBP, instead of getting a new headlight unit.

now, as i recall, you cant seperate the headlight unit from the lense, is this correct???

or can you replace the lense and go from there.

any hints would be great,

thanks a lot
geoff

[KeefyB]

Originally Posted by geoff--9

wondering if you can help me with this

after some evil ***** ran me off the road, and took off, i smashed my left headlight lense on a 998S, i contacted ducati and they said i can get a new lense for 75GBP, instead of getting a new headlight unit.

now, as i recall, you cant seperate the headlight unit from the lense, is this correct???

or can you replace the lense and go from there.

any hints would be great,

thanks a lot
geoff

Hmm,thet were'nt confusing the lens with the 999 unit were they?
AFAIK the 998 comes as a complete unit,...even got the bulbs in it.
It is possible just to replace the glass lens.You need a headlight unit from a dealer/breaker that is broken on the opposite side that you want.Carefully cut around the glass with a craft knife and do the same with your broken unit.(mind the glass!)
Fit the replacement glass in with some black silicone.(available from Halfords)Then wipe some more silicone around the outside join to complete the seal.Give it a couple of days to dry fully before fitting to the bike.
You may want to get yourself some headlight protectors.Not the most atractive accessory,but they do save your lights.

[the phantom pieman]

Whilst on the subject of 998s headlights , mine has gone sort of milky looking - but only on the full beam side.

Any suggestions of causes and cures ?

Cheers

[BDG]

Originally Posted by the phantom pieman

Whilst on the subject of 998s headlights , mine has gone sort of milky looking - but only on the full beam side.

Any suggestions of causes and cures ?

Cheers

My old SPS suffers from that problem, and my 996R is also starting to suffer the slight 'misting' as well.

I've tried riding round with main beam on to burn it off but that didn't work, so i'm curious as well.

[Ray]

I've always thought it was condensation of some sort, try warming the lens up with a hair dryer on reasonably warm setting. (I guess this idea is no good for you BDG )

When I have run round with the main beam on it takes forever to clear it, there just doesn't seem to be the heat needed or maybe the cooling airflow stops the glass getting warm enough?

Ray.

[antonye]

I've replaced the glass in my 748 headlight (same as 998) by getting hold of a headlight that had broken on the other side

The glass is sealed into the plastic unit by some kind of sealant. I used a sharp knife to cut round this and pull the (broken pieces of) glass out of the plastic. Once all the glass is out you can clean up the sealant off the plastic.

Make sure your new glass is clean (use brake cleaner) along with the plastic housing. I then used some silicon window sealant (in black, fiver from B&Q) and put a good dosage all the way round the plastic like glue. Push the glass into this and then add more sealant around the edge and shape it down with an appropriate tool (ie, wet finger).

Leave the end cap/bulb holder off and leave it to cure for as long as possible. You may find it helpful to put it glass down and then weight something on top to keep it under pressure and ensure a good seal.

Mine has been good for a couple of years now, without any problems.

I've been told by a mate that owns a plastics firm that the milky film on the inside of the glass is caused by the plastic "venting" gas, a natural chemical reaction. As the unit is sealed, there is nowhere for it to go so it sticks to the only other material - the glass - and forms this coating.

To get rid of it, you can remove your headlight unit and take out the bulb and lens holder to gain access to the inside of the glass. Then you can wipe the inside with a cloth (lint free is best!) or just spray in some brake cleaner or glass cleaner and wipe it out.

Again, I had the same milky problem when I first replaced my glass due to the gas venting (which is why I recommend you leave the cap/bulb off to help the gas escape) but it was easily cleaned and hasn't returned since.

Hope this helps.

[ducasa]

Geoff
I have a headlight with a stone chip on the right hand lens (the rest of the headlight unit including the the left lense is perfect) off a 998. I replaced the headlight for new (not realising you could swap the glass lens out).No bulbs or wiring. Its yours for £40 if you want it. U2U me

[BDG]

Originally Posted by Ray

try warming the lens up with a hair dryer on reasonably warm setting. (I guess this idea is no good for you BDG )

Ray.

Too true Ray

Thanks for the real answer Antonye

[Ray]

Damm, nil points for my team on call my bluff then, 1 point to Mr E

Ray.

[antonye]

<Holds out *BLUFF* card>