Author Topic: Headlight Eyebrow  (Read 1100 times)

Offline Tomcat

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Headlight Eyebrow
« on: 24.03. 2018 23:52 »
Every now and again I see a headlight eyebrow and wonder, were they for looks or did they actually perform a function?
59 Super Rocket 

Online muskrat

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #1 on: 25.03. 2018 08:09 »
G'day Tomcat.
They'd have to be for looks (bad). You'd need to make sure the bolts are done up tight as I recon at speed (OK my speed) the wind would lift the aim.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
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Offline RogerSB

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #2 on: 25.03. 2018 10:04 »
Every now and again I see a headlight eyebrow and wonder, were they for looks or did they actually perform a function?

My much loved and travelled GF in mid 60s - so we had them back then.

1960 Golden Flash

Offline Billybream

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #3 on: 25.03. 2018 16:29 »
And we had the Cibie headlight, the rear rack, mudflaps, crash bars, really classy if you had rear ones to and the Goldie silencers (Dunstalls)
1960 Super Rocket, owned since 1966, back on the road 2012 after being laid up for 29yrs.

Offline Tomcat

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #4 on: 04.04. 2018 08:43 »
I have it on good authority that the headlight eyebrow was originally used on a sidecar headlight to stop the glare in the riders eyes. Probably turned to about 10 o'clock. From there it progressed to the motorcycle headlight for added '60's cool. 
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Offline Rgs-Bill

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #5 on: 05.04. 2018 22:06 »
  I would Imagine that if the visor stuck out far enough and the light was aimed at night on a white garage door/or wall-- for the proper height, it would focus the upper beam of light down more to the road, instead of just going up up and away, (pun intended )  Thus giving the rider better road visibility at night.  but as short as the ones that I am seeing here are, they must be purely ornamental, they are just too short to direct any light beams down, for better road visibility.

      My 2 cents worth
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Although getting a bit tougher to do ! !

Offline duTch

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #6 on: 20.04. 2018 21:13 »

 Took a while to find this, but on my way to work in the dark an hour or so ago, I had to check with my hand if the light was on.... nothing unusual, but while scheming an idea to save the wave I wondered if these eyebrow things had a bit of functional 'light bleed' as a 'lights-on' indicator..... serious  *dunno2* 
 
Started building in about 1977/8 a on average '52 A10 -built from bits 'n pieces never resto intended -maybe 'personalised'
Have a '74 850T Moto Guzzi since '92-best thing I ever bought doesn't need a kickstart 'cos it bump starts sooooooooo(mostly) easy
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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #7 on: 20.04. 2018 21:23 »
May work duTch or you could mount a mirror over the top to be dazzled by your own brilliance  *roll*
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
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Offline Black Sheep

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #8 on: 20.04. 2018 22:23 »
Scraping the depths of memory here,but I do recall the classier headlight eyebrows did have a tell-tale tiny plastic lens which lit up with some of the spilled beam when the headlight was on.
We used to wire the pilot light to stay on when the headlight was on in the hope that the extra few photons dribbling out would help us see where we were going. Not very successful.
Ah, fond memories of riding at night in snow where the engine wasn't turning over fast enough to balance the charge and the headlight would get dimmer and dimmer. Any braking would add an extra current draw as the stop light came on dimming the headlight even further. Usually just at a tricky bend. Talking of which, I fired up the A10 yesterday and the dynamo won't come on line. A delve is in order. Just as well the A7 is OK.
2 twins, 2 singles, lots of sheep

Online Ted_Flash

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #9 on: 21.04. 2018 08:13 »
For monitoring the headlight status - I use a blob of clear silicone on the edge of the glass, going round to where it's visible. Doesn't look a sore thumb.

I believe that the "eyebrows" are very effective mpg reducers, someone did a test with a Morris Minor and it reduced the mpg by about 5 miles.
Ted Wilkinson, Ramsbottom, Lancashire
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Offline duTch

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #10 on: 21.04. 2018 09:05 »

 
Quote
....I believe that the "eyebrows" are very effective mpg reducers, someone did a test with a Morris Minor and it reduced the mpg by about 5 miles....

 And that'd be the 'm' component,  not the 'p' or 'g' component... *whistle*

 I think I'll work on a tell-tale or preferably work on better lighting..

Started building in about 1977/8 a on average '52 A10 -built from bits 'n pieces never resto intended -maybe 'personalised'
Have a '74 850T Moto Guzzi since '92-best thing I ever bought doesn't need a kickstart 'cos it bump starts sooooooooo(mostly) easy
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Online Triton Thrasher

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #11 on: 21.04. 2018 11:53 »
Quote
Talking of which, I fired up the A10 yesterday and the dynamo won't come on line. A delve is in order. Just as well the A7 is OK

Just take it for a ride.  The dynamo will probably come to life.

Offline Black Sheep

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Re: Headlight Eyebrow
« Reply #12 on: 21.04. 2018 14:06 »
Tried that. Still no joy. Rain forecast for tomorrow, so a good day to investigate.
2 twins, 2 singles, lots of sheep