T120 Headlight Melting Issue

[Desmo Island]

Need help with diagnosing a problem I am experiencing with the headlight on my 2018 T120.
Today after letting the bike idle in the garage for about 5-7 minutes, the plastic headlight lens started to melt. See attached picture.
Any ideas as to why this may be happening? I would hate to replace the unit only to have the replacement melt again.

 

[Vector]

That is very unusual, wow.

 

[Greyfell]

Unusual, but indicative of something overheating by one side going to ground, or a high-resistance short.

 

[shanered6]

Is it the original bulb or has someone fitted something stronger and is creating more heat ?

 

[Desmo Island]

Is it the original bulb or has someone fitted something stronger and is creating more heat ?

It's the original bulb. I will disassemble to see if I can see any indication of a short. I guess I should replace the bulb as well when i replace the light assembly just to be sure.

 

[CarlS]

I've not seen this before.

 

[Desmo Island]

I've not seen this before.

Spoke to a dealer today, and they said that they have also seen this before. Halogen bulb gets very hot, snd in certain circumstances like idling for long periods of time in closed areas (like my garage) that the assembly can overheat, and melt the front lens. They recommended that I replace the stock Halogen bulb with a compatible LED bulb which will be much cooler and should eliminate th possibility of this happening again. This was a pretty expensive start up of my bike, LOL

 

[CarlS]

I'm glad to know there is a reasonable solution. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[Cyclelife]

I'm glad to know there is a reasonable solution. Thanks for letting us know.

LED bulbs don't work properly with Halogen reflectors, you need to replace the whole unit with a LED conversion including a reflector.

 

[CarlS]

LED bulbs don't work properly with Halogen reflectors, you need to replace the whole unit with a LED conversion including a reflector.

I agree that this is the ideal way to make a conversion. However, it is not an absolute necessity in all cases. I replaced the Halogen bulb in my 2012 Tiger 800XC without changing the reflector. The lighting improved noticeably. If the reflector had been replaced with a reflector "tuned" for LED would the results have been even better? Probably.

 

[rodsridin]

The headlight lens of my 2007 scrambler is fogging up on the inside. I suspect it's from temp. I am going to replace the bulb with LED to try and stop further damage.

 

[CarlS]

Let us know if this works.

 

[rodsridin]

Let us know if this works.

Just found this and ordered. Headlight Experts

Will let you know on install.

 

[CarlS]

Very good.

 

[Desmo Island]

LED bulbs don't work properly with Halogen reflectors, you need to replace the whole unit with a LED conversion including a reflector.

Don't care about night time riding. I only ride it during the day. All I really care about is solving the melting issue.

 

[Cyclelife]

Don't care about night time riding. I only ride it during the day. All I really care about is solving the melting issue.

Just trying to be helpful

 

[Elliot]

The new T120 has what I assume is a metal heat shield rather than just a Triumph logo, in front of the bulb to protect the plastic lens . Mine fell off shortly after purchase and was a fiddle to reattach. Or alternatively switch to DRL when idling when stationary? Have you checked the price of a new DRL headlight unit !!!

 

[solomon]

That's progress. Plastic not glass lens. No, glass doesn't break, got three 50 year-olds.

 

[solomon]

alogen bulb gets very hot, snd in certain circumstances like idling for long periods of time in closed areas (like my garage) that the assembly can overheat, and melt the front lens

Wouldn't have anything to do with an enclosed space, per se. It's airflow and ambient temperature. So, stuck in traffic on a sweltering evening with no breeze, headlamp could melt. Brilliant.

 

[CarlS]

That's progress. Plastic not glass lens. No, glass doesn't break, got three 50 year-olds.

I agree 100%. Plastic is cheaper - in more ways than price.