Headlight Cover Removal SilverStar?

[comanche91]

I have to replace the front turn indicators and need to pull off the headlight rim and lens to get to the wiring insdie. It's an 8" dia. headlight. There is a Phillips screw on the bottm edge of the rim but loosening it does nothing. Hw do I get it apart? Do the two side mounting screws hav to come out also? It does not appear to be rusted and I don't want to damage anything. Thanks!

[djsbriscoe]

Hi,
I think you might have to prise the rim away from the headlamp shell by gently using a screwdriver. I'm just guessing here as Ive never owned a silver star but I'm assuming it's similar to an ETZ251 which is of the same era.

David.

[comanche91]

Thanks for the reply David, but the ETZ251 looks headlight differently in the few pics I could find. I've attached some pics of what I have:

[DAVID THOMPSON]

in the above picture there are 2 rivets or holes and a slot below the screw
i think it is similar to some older hella lamps
and you use a flat screwdriver in the slot
and bump up and out ....get help = some one to catch the lens
as the thing is spring clipped in and your pushing on the spring clip
when you bump it
loosen the screw first of course
after you get it out you can see if screw is an adjustment or holds it in....
after install

dave

[comanche91]

Hi Dave;

Gave it a try and no-go. It won't budge and I don't want to force anything. It feels like when I insert a small flatblade screw driver up thru the slot it hits the nut inside the housing that is on the Phillips screw. I can push it up a bit, but the ring won't come off. AAAARG! I've been looking all over the net for tips how to do this. The lens glass is stamped w. Bosch p/n 1 305 604 017 which translates to a Bosch 7.5" (191mm) H4 headlamp. I had an old R60/5 BMW years ago that I think used the same headlamp assembly. Do any other MZ models have the particular headlight? Gotta get this apart as my signal lights are broken.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

i went to the work shop the 1971 r75/5 still had its headlamp installed it looks same as your picture
except no screw
i placed a flat screw driver between chrome ring and lamp bucket at the center bottom
and twisted and it was hard mind you
but it came off and its a metal spring clip of sorts
the last time this head lamp was apart was about 1996 or 97
and this helps as i was planning on starting to take it apart any way for the building of the
r 75/2 project bike
dave

[comanche91]

Dayem, how many bikes do you have Dave? I'm a member of the vintage BMWs forum too, and as I remember the R60/5 I used to have had a similar Bosch headlight unit, but I don't remember if it had a bottom ring screw or not. It must be internal corrosion between the ring and the shell, as I'm sure this lamp hasn't been apart since 1995. I lowered the headlamp and applied a little PB Blaster around the ring and will let it sit overnight and try again in the morning. Good to know the ring popped off on your BMW . Hopefully I can get the ring to break w/o breaking anything else.

[comanche91]

Well Dave and David, you were both right. I let it soak overnight w. a little PB Blaster and got a thin-bladed screwdriver twisted in there and it popped right off after loosening the screw about 5 turns. Zero rust inside, I just wasn't using enough whoop-a$$ torque on the screwdriver. Thanks very much.

[edec]

Comanche, I have the same headlight on my Guzzi and had the same problem as you. My highbeam is burned out and I wasn't sure how much pressure to use prying on the ring. I'll give it another go soon.
Thanks for posting, Ed

[comanche91]

Comanche, I have the same headlight on my Guzzi and had the same problem as you. My highbeam is burned out and I wasn't sure how much pressure to use prying on the ring. I'll give it another go soon. Thanks for posting, Ed

You're welcome Ed. Glad I can give a little back to the forum after all the help I've recieved so far. More to come. Stubby 3" long flatblade about 3/8" wide, ground down just enough to get a good bite in the seam, then rotate/twist apart about 1" from the lower center on each side back and forth until it pops loose. This Bosch housing also has provisions for the city light too that I'll wire in.