Dnepr - Updated Headlight Assembly
by Rich Maund
I know
you'll find this note interesting! I just spent the afternoon and evening out in the shop
working on Mir. Here's what I did:
I purchased a Chaing jaing 750 headlight assembly ( $75 plus shipping. Complete, sans headlight bulb and speedo.) I got it from Vintage Imports, 153 Route 166, Beachwood, NJ. 08722. (732)473-1426 They were featured in the summer issue of Hack'd. Great article on the BMW/CJ's the rebuild. (Blatant plug for Hack'd) One of the most interesting mags you'll find. I highly recommend them!
I disassembled Mir's stock dual coffee can assembly. Mark all the wires carefully. Remember that the Ukrainians commonly use red/orange wire for grounds!! Don't mix 'em up! The dual decaf coffee can setup for the instrument/lights is THE one cheesey thing I've never cared for on my Dnepr MT16. The Chaing unit looks like a classic BMW unit. Tear drop shaped with a small hood built into the headlamp ring. I've seen older Dneprs. This is similar to the style headlamp they used to come with! My new CJ lamp bucket came in black. Good match! The copper rivet construction on it is nice too! Hand made look!
The speedo will drop right in. No mods. Good fit too.
The ignition switch that comes with the CJ can be
used. A few minutes with a meter will tell you what powers what. If one of you gets
desperate out there, I'll open the bucket and write down where I connected everything. The
CJ switch also has a terminal for powering the solonoid on a starter. You don't need that
one on a Dnepr! The warning lamps will need their wires extended. This took the most time.
Solder and do it neatly. That'll pay off with fewer electrical gremlins! The stock
headlamp will drop right in. I used the stock headlamp as I've come to like it over the
miles. Throws a nice beam. I like the pilot lamp too. I use it all the time for a day time
running lamp! The CJ lamp is fine, but has no daytime parking lamp.
The CJ headlamp has only two warning lights. I drilled three more in a arc (half circle) placing one below the ignition switch and the other two slightly above to either side. Looks real nice! I used a conical stone on a drill to bring the holes for the Dnepr warning lamps up to size. I simply removed the CJ warning light lens's and pitched 'em. The Dnepr's are larger and better seen in daylight.
The bosses for the handlebar mounts will need a fat washer placed under them when you bolt them back on. (1/8" thick) This will make up for missing sheet metal from the old instrument housing. Lets it seat solidly.
The end result of this mod is a very classic looking instrument pod! Really lowers the look of the front end. Very graceful looking and functional. The CJ ignition switch has a nice touch in that it has a hinged metal hood that flips up to uncover the ignition key hole. I'm very happy with the style this mod has given my bike. I believe all the BMW clone bikes have their strong and weak points. The best bike would be a combination of them! When I get some film developed I'll forward soem photos of this! Here's to Biker multi-culturalism! Cheers!!
Rich Maund