Build Diary
April 2008


1st April
One thing that surprises me about the Phoenix is that the standard STM headlights 5 3/4inch ones (Wipac S5538) there is a black surround (also a Wipac part), but (in my view) this doesn't suit the style of the Phoenix.  The original light fits behind in the normal application, so the screws and stuff are hidden.  It isn't really possible to do this with the Phoenix.



So, I put the question out (Sylva newsgroup) to try to find a solution.  Nothing was forthcoming.  The options that people go with are: no rim and use the light covers, black rim with light cover, or black rim without light cover.  None of these are that bad, but...

The earlier Phoenix used a 7inch light which had a nice chrome ring, which looks great, and this is what I want to copy. Incidentally, Ian at www.Cyanacars.com has a different solution which uses a different headlight, I am too far down the road to go for this, but it is worth considering (it also helps SVA as there is a minimum headlight height, and those lights have the dip lamp at the top, I digress...).

The outer circumference of the Wipac chrome ring is 45cm, which is slightly less than 6inch diameter.  So I did the e-bay thing., and threw some money at a part that might fit, it did (sort of).  

Above is the before (i.e. the one where I don't have the rim)


And below is with the rim.  The plan is to put covers on too, so although this isn't ideal (as Ben said "its rubbish daddy" and actually, it isn't perfect) when the cover is on it should all look peachy.  I need to find a second rim! (thats the disadvantage of motorcycle rims, they come in ones).





Another view (just because I was pleased)


I am anticipating BIG progress this month.  ;-)



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