exploded.motolight.question

[dd]

hi.
i installed a set of caliper mounted motolights last year on my 2007 R1200R.
i noticed that neither side was working yesterday.
i took off the lens, and saw that there was a lot of what appeared to be corrosion inside, and the reflector that the bulb sits in was cracked in many spots on both the left and right lights.
has anybody else encountered an issue like this, and if so, do you know what the cause is?
i am hesitant to replace the lights until i know that there isn't an underlying issue that needs to be fixed.

my gut says that some water made it inside the housing when the lights were on and hot, and turned to steam and shattered the components.
but, i can't see how any water could get in, as the lens was screwed on tight and there wasn't any water droplets inside that i could tell.

any thoughts would be welcome.
thanks.
-daniel.

[gezerbike]

You should give the folks at Moto Lights a call and explain your situation. I think your take on what happened is probably correct...What power bulbs do have in them ? I've had them tell me that I could run, and have, 75 watt bulbs but that is alot of heat in a small area and I suspect that is what clouded my lenses. Anyhow, call them up..there is free lifetime replacemant of the bulbs and I am sure they will make good on the reflectors as well.

[deilenberger]

Unless they've changed design - the reflector is part and parcel with the bulb.. comes as a unit. These are narrow angle projection lamps being used..

[gezerbike]

Unless they've changed design - the reflector is part and parcel with the bulb.. comes as a unit. These are narrow angle projection lamps being used..

Yep, they still are the MR 16 12v bulbs, wich are really designed for home use. The reflector is part of the bulb, but my take on them, and I've had 2 pairs now, is that, unlike home use, where the generated heat can escape, there really is no place for the heat to get out of the light. I think that is why thry only sell bulbs going up to 50 watt. When I ran 75 watters in my old set, it clouded the lenses and the ceramic insulation around the plug in became so brittle, it cracked on it's own. I think Moto Lights are really made more to be seen, than to help you see. Pump up the wattage to get better usable light, and the downside is you run the risk of heat damaging your lights. They are a really nice product IMHO, as long as you use them as intended.