Monster 696 headlight swap

18-09-2018, 06:48 AM

Hi all.

I'm rebuilding a Monster 696 (I'll maintain a build thread here) and want to put a more classic looking headlight on. The Motodemic light is coming in at £764 so that's out. I'm ok with halogen, would prefer LED, but mainly want a hassle free install.

Any ideas?

Cheers.

SunEye · 18-09-2018, 06:59 AM

I don’t think that there are any hassle free ways of swapping the standard light for a classic round one. It is not quite as straightforward as it might seem. When I was planning to do it to my M1100evo I was going to have to fabricate a bracket to hold the instrument panel and fit some headlight mounting brackets to the forks. However I bow to the superior knowledge of others who have actually done the conversion if they say it was easy.

Mossleymonster · 18-09-2018, 07:31 AM

This might be worth a punt...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/free...ceBeautifyAB=0

Pedro · 18-09-2018, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerpuk

Hi all.

I'm rebuilding a Monster 696 (I'll maintain a build thread here) and want to put a more classic looking headlight on. The Motodemic light is coming in at £764 so that's out. I'm ok with halogen, would prefer LED, but mainly want a hassle free install.

Any ideas?

Cheers.

You might want to check the updated MOT rules regarding light, non-OEM fitments can be a fail.

Luddite · 18-09-2018, 10:02 AM

One of our Flemish friends, Jan, did a conversion using a classic Monster light a few years back. This is what he used (note that, as Pedro mentioned, you couldn't now use an HID bulb like Jan, as it wouldn't pass the new MOT):

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=48727

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jan (Belgium)

here's how I've done it:

Parts I used:
- headlight of the old monster model
- U-bracket of the old monster model
- home made dashboard mounts
- Speedy moto top yoke (http://www.ducati-motorcycle-parts.c...p_03-0205.aspx)
- carbon headlight brackets
- HID light

I used the original u-bracket which is used on the old monsters to hold the headlight and dash and modified it - cut off the bottom part so you keep only the u and welded a plate in front and behind on the bottom part of the u.

I changed my top yoke for a speedy moto top yoke. as you can see in the link this has 2 points on the front side normally used to mount the dashboard of the original monster. I drilled out these mounting points and used them as a top fixing point for the u-bracket and as a mounting point for the home made dashboard mounts. On the bottom yoke there are 2 mounting points normally used to mount the headlight connector, these I used as bottom mounting points for the u-bracket.

You need to change the electrical connector of the old headlight since the new headlight uses a different type. Both use 3 wires, so it is just a matter of switching connectors. Since I was working on the headlight, installing the HID was just the next step. It has the same H4 bulb form so this is just a straight swap. The rectifier of the HID is mounted on the bottom of the dashboard mount, nicely out of view.

I hope this makes some sence, if not I'll be at the weekender in may where you can have a look.

Best regards,
Jan

Luddite · 18-09-2018, 10:04 AM

Rick, (Cobra88), just used the Motodemic mounting kit to fit an alternative round headlight, which would be a more cost-effective opton. You could PM him to see what exactly was involved.

18-09-2018, 11:18 AM

That's a nice idea.

I'm going to go with the Motodemic set up and eat the extra cost. Sticking with halogen instead of LED to keep the classic look. Never ride at night so don't care

utopia · 18-09-2018, 03:30 PM

At £764 for a headlight when you never ride at night, its tempting to suggest removing the whole thing and getting a daytime only mot.

Mark64 · 18-09-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerpuk

That's a nice idea.

I'm going to go with the Motodemic set up and eat the extra cost. Sticking with halogen instead of LED to keep the classic look. Never ride at night so don't care

How much!!!!
You've got too much money (maybe not so much now!)

Nickj · 18-09-2018, 06:55 PM

The info is

New failures

There are new failures for:

light source and lamp not compatible
daytime running lamps
front fog lamps
reversing lamps

So say having the wrong light spource in a standard light fitting could be a fail if it doesn't work. For example a HID that gives a stuffed beam pattern as the reflector is the wring shape and the lens is designed for a light source at a different height above the reflector.
A whole replacement unit wouldn't fail this as long as its was designed for purpose and has the relevant E and DOT stamps.

Flip · 18-09-2018, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utopia

At £764 for a headlight when you never ride at night, its tempting to suggest removing the whole thing and getting a daytime only mot.

You have to bare in mind that technically there is no such thing as a 'Daytime only MoT' - I believe it is actually an MoT with advisories regarding the vehicles' use during 'reduced light' conditions.

Which depending on how the plod is feeling at the time, how much the rider was taking the P15S or indeed the 'actual' road conditions/time of day etc. means there are a lot of variables and things open to interpretation as to whether or not an offence has been committed.

15-10-2018, 06:09 PM

The Motodemic light arrived today. I did a partial fitment keeping it loose as the indicators haven't been ordered (not sure what to go for). Took 10 minutes to fit.

Luddite · 15-10-2018, 10:14 PM

That's a really nice looking unit - I much prefer it to the LED versions.

As for the indicators, if you like the look of the Ducati Performance ones but not the price, have a look at Desmoworld's offerings from Germany. They do some copies that look identical but for a fraction of the price.

Have a look at this thread:

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=55912

The updated links are here:

https://www.desmoworld.com/blinker-6936-967

https://www.desmoworld.com/desmoworl...nkl.-wider-970

I've had a number of Desmoworld items - top quality and great service.

Darren69 · 16-10-2018, 03:52 AM

I have these Ducati Performance/De Pretto Moto ones for sale if any good for you? They do have 10mm threads though so maybe won't fit the Motodemic but were originally for the 696/1100 bikes.

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=52970

16-10-2018, 04:32 AM

That is a nice unit, well made and at ten minutes to fit must be well thought out, a great looking upgrade, now where did I put that letter to Santa....

18-09-2018, 06:48 AM	#1
fingerpuk Guest Posts: n/a	Monster 696 headlight swap Hi all. I'm rebuilding a Monster 696 (I'll maintain a build thread here) and want to put a more classic looking headlight on. The Motodemic light is coming in at £764 so that's out. I'm ok with halogen, would prefer LED, but mainly want a hassle free install. Any ideas? Cheers.

18-09-2018, 07:31 AM	#3
Mossleymonster Registered User Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Barnsley Bike: M1100s Posts: 238	This might be worth a punt... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/free...ceBeautifyAB=0 __________________ Always remember. Your home is at risk if you set fire to it.

18-09-2018, 06:55 PM	#10
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,189	The info is New failures There are new failures for: light source and lamp not compatible daytime running lamps front fog lamps reversing lamps So say having the wrong light spource in a standard light fitting could be a fail if it doesn't work. For example a HID that gives a stuffed beam pattern as the reflector is the wring shape and the lens is designed for a light source at a different height above the reflector. A whole replacement unit wouldn't fail this as long as its was designed for purpose and has the relevant E and DOT stamps. __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

16-10-2018, 03:52 AM	#14
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	I have these Ducati Performance/De Pretto Moto ones for sale if any good for you? They do have 10mm threads though so maybe won't fit the Motodemic but were originally for the 696/1100 bikes. http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=52970 __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

16-10-2018, 04:32 AM	#15
Moco1961 Guest Posts: n/a	Nice ! That is a nice unit, well made and at ten minutes to fit must be well thought out, a great looking upgrade, now where did I put that letter to Santa....

18-09-2018, 06:59 AM	#2
SunEye Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bognor Regis Bike: Other Ducati Posts: 589	I don’t think that there are any hassle free ways of swapping the standard light for a classic round one. It is not quite as straightforward as it might seem. When I was planning to do it to my M1100evo I was going to have to fabricate a bracket to hold the instrument panel and fit some headlight mounting brackets to the forks. However I bow to the superior knowledge of others who have actually done the conversion if they say it was easy.

18-09-2018, 10:04 AM	#6
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	Rick, (Cobra88), just used the Motodemic mounting kit to fit an alternative round headlight, which would be a more cost-effective opton. You could PM him to see what exactly was involved.

18-09-2018, 11:18 AM	#7
fingerpuk Guest Posts: n/a	That's a nice idea. I'm going to go with the Motodemic set up and eat the extra cost. Sticking with halogen instead of LED to keep the classic look. Never ride at night so don't care

18-09-2018, 03:30 PM	#8
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	At £764 for a headlight when you never ride at night, its tempting to suggest removing the whole thing and getting a daytime only mot.

15-10-2018, 06:09 PM	#12
fingerpuk Guest Posts: n/a	The Motodemic light arrived today. I did a partial fitment keeping it loose as the indicators haven't been ordered (not sure what to go for). Took 10 minutes to fit.

15-10-2018, 10:14 PM	#13
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	That's a really nice looking unit - I much prefer it to the LED versions. As for the indicators, if you like the look of the Ducati Performance ones but not the price, have a look at Desmoworld's offerings from Germany. They do some copies that look identical but for a fraction of the price. Have a look at this thread: http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=55912 The updated links are here: https://www.desmoworld.com/blinker-6936-967 https://www.desmoworld.com/desmoworl...nkl.-wider-970 I've had a number of Desmoworld items - top quality and great service.