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MR2 headlight Fitting.(complete now)

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:37 pm
by kiwi k
Could not find a guide and members are asking about the ease of fitting a MR2 headlight unit.

I bought 2 crystal MR2 headlight units, have heard mk1 units fit (mine should be).

And here is hopefully an easy step by step guide.

This is how the front view looked like before swap.
Kat MR2 h-light.JPG
To gain access to light you must remove fairing which is held on by 5 screws/bolts, gently remove side panels by pulling outwards which then reveals the rear fixings, then remove 2 more fixings underneath lower front of fairing and last fixing situated just behind screen area. then pull fairing forwards to remove from bike revieling headlight and frame.
Kat MR2 h-light 01.JPG
Now the fairing is removed you can see the headlight is secured by a metal frame secured by 2 small phillips screws at bottom, mine were rusty so wire brushed threads but 1 i had to cut a slot into it to remove, once screws are out pull frame out from bottom.
Kat MR2 h-light 02.JPG
Then lift frame upwards off the 2 top lugs, my light then stayed in situ.
Kat MR2 h-light 03.JPG
I then seperated the headlight bulb plug and pulled out the side light bulb, take care not to drop the light unit.
The unit is now free and i placed beside Crystal unit for comparison.
Kat MR2 h-light 04.JPG

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:54 pm
by kiwi k
The only difference i could see was the four raised seating points on the back were slightly deeper than on the original metal unit.
Kat MR2 h-light 05.JPG
I then measured with a vernier gauge the original thickness of mounting to compare against new unit.
Kat MR2 h-light 06.JPG
As can be seen the new crystal unit is wider.
Kat MR2 h-light 07.JPG
I then scribed all four mounting points.
Kat MR2 h-light 08.JPG
After this i held the new light unit up against the headlight frame in its final position.
Kat MR2 h-light 09.JPG

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:21 pm
by kiwi k
Will add the rest tommorow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:45 am
by bobster
will you be drilling a hole for the side light bulb? Or does it have one already?

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:43 pm
by kiwi k
bobster wrote:will you be drilling a hole for the side light bulb? Or does it have one already?
All will be revealed in part 2 Bobster :D

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:30 pm
by Kryten
This has got all the hallmarks of an article for "The Pride" ;)

For the benefit of the non-forum members of the club, obviously.

Looking good 8-)

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:33 pm
by callyboy
As is Johnr's petrol tank rust removal technique using a cement mixer ;)

Pete

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 2:46 pm
by kiwi k
Carrying on from yesterday ;)

Whilst holding the lens in situ i took a pencil and marked thru from the back, giving me 4 clearance marks on the seating lugs.
Kat MR2 h-light 10.JPG
I then placed the Old unit and new unit lens down to mark the location for the side light bulb (in this i have allready removed the rubber grommit.
Kat MR2 h-light 13.JPG
You will now see i have 4 pencil markings on the seating lugs and a + for the hole for side light gromit.
Kat MR2 h-light 14.JPG
I then got out my hacksaw, and proceed to cut off the excess material from the seating lugs.
Kat MR2 h-light 15.JPG
After cutting off excess i filed down all 4 areas's to form a smoother seating point.
Pictures shows only 1 corner but you get the idea :roll:
Kat MR2 h-light 16.JPG

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:15 pm
by kiwi k
I then got out my drill (cordless or electric) and proceeded to drill a 3mm pilot hole, which i then used a 13mm drill (exact hole size in original unit) to open up hole for rubber grommit.
*Have heard sidelight bulb is not required but i wanted to keep it*
Next i blew out all the swarf with my airline.
Kat MR2 h-light 17.JPG
I now had a complete modified unit, to which i installed the sidelight bulb grommit (fairy liquid applied) and then installed a brighter uprated headlamp bulb, then fitted the rubber boot (note the slot or hole goes to the bottom for drainage)
Kat MR2 h-light 19.JPG
Now having a complete ready to fit light unit i did exactly that, firstly push fit the sidelight bulb into grommit then locate headlamp unit and push on main headlamp wiring plug.
Kat MR2 h-light 20.JPG
Now the unit was back in its frame i got hold off the light retaing frame, and proceeded to slip it over the 2 top securing lugs and then push lower part over bottom off light.
Kat MR2 h-light 21.JPG
Then picking up the 2 screws i proceeded to tighten them up with my screwdriver.
Kat MR2 h-light 22.JPG

Re: MR2 headlight Fitting.

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:24 pm
by kiwi k
Now light was secured into frame i checked to make sure all lights worked ;) After that i then refitted the fairing and TA DA All done.
As can be seen its a lot cleaner and brighter looking.
But i can not say how crisper and brighter light i have achieved as yet to test it in the Dark :roll:
If i get time i'll try get pictures tonite to show difference :oops:
Kat MR2 h-light 23.JPG
Now please Note this was all based on believing i had Mk1 MR2 light units, but not having seen Mk2 units i can not say what the difference is :!:

If you think or know off an easier way off doing said modification please comment and i will ammend post :mrgreen: