I want a pair of small diameter circular headlights to recess into my Manta Ray. (I can then increase the gap between the top of the tyre and the bottom of the headlight).

Chrome edged would be good but anything considered.

Can be second hand or new.

Not sure what the legal limit is on diameter.

Thanks.

You can get 5 inch ones or the new 75mm or smaller lights have a look at car builers solutions and stafford vehicle conponents web sites.

Might set off some thoughts?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Single-Dominator-Black-4-Small-Headlight-Motorcycle-Base-Mount-Kitcar-Headlamp-/221587766578?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3397a8fd32

Thanks Snoopy I'll check those two sites out now.

Dave DND. Thanks also for the nice looking M/c headlights steer - I guess I could ditch the backing and thus make them recessed. But I read elsewhere on this extensive 'mine of info' site that M/c head lights sometimes don't spread the light pattern correctly for car deployment so I'll opt for lights designed for the 4 wheel market.

 

A lot of the USA m/c stuff doesn`t kick over to the side for dim/dip beam, wheras most of the UK stuff does.

If buying lights, you really need to look at the lens head on to see what beam pattern it will have.

A lot of projector lights, also come under the legislation requiring self levelling and washers etc

For really small lights, look towards the quad bikes from Australia - I`ll post a link if I can find one 

Hi Hugh,

Sent you a PM,

Hope it helps

H

Excellent info.

Hadn't known about 'projector lights' but have just read up what they are and I'll add them to the possibilities although I slightly prefer the lights to look old school rather than I was trying to have the latest trendy look - great on other buggies but this Manta Ray is I think destined to stay looking a somewhat rough and not much of a follower - or setter - of fashion !

The only reason I'm prepared to change the existing lights that work is that I don't want to change the wheels that came with this buggy and as you'll know there is a design flaw in early Manta Rays wrt front wheel arch clearance.

Muchas gracias to you, Snoopy and Hunter.

For a previous project with recessed headlamps, I used classic Fiat 500 units.  I think they are 4inches diameter, and come complete with a sidelamp. With the popularity of the old 500 nowadays, it might be quite easy to get your hands on some.

If you can go up to 5in, and could put up with a 'bike unit, lightweight 'bikes from the '50s and '60s used a Lucas or Miller unit in that diam.  You could Google for Triumph Tiger Cub/Terrier or BSA Bantam headlamps.  Small diam Cibie concaves were also available at one time, but last time I looked, I couldn't find any, nor any mention of any!

Thanks Luddite.

Amused by the idea of original Fiat 500 lights as my parents had one registered E for 1967 same as my E Manta Ray.... And another trip down memory lane with mention of the Bantam.

Hunter has kindly pointed me towards ones he used that are 500mm dia lens and 65mm (2.5") dia total which worked on his CTR so when it's not lovely weather (November ?!) I will probably go down that route to maximise the wheel clearance.

Either way I hope to spot any concrete cows hiding in dark valleys !

tractors use small diameter headlight and will usually be quite cheap.try your local agri machinery dealer as your out in the sticks shouldn,t be a problem.

Interesting.

I certainly hadn't thought of buggies and tractors in the same sentence even though - as you rightly say - I am out in the sticks and tractors, rather than buggies, are two a penny.

Perhaps someone more adventurous than me will devise a buggy inspired/supplied by tractors.......

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALED-BEAM-headlamp-headlight-unit-4-1-2-for-CASE-FORD-LEYLAND-Tractors-/231187294381?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35d3d628ad

You may be on your own with mountings though.

Perhaps tractor light suppliers think farmers won't necessarilly ever fix their lights into place ?

The Herefordshire part of me really loves the idea of tractor lights on a buggy but I may stick with the 'Hunter' tried and tested 2.5" dia lights as if I'm going to have to remould/rebuild the headlight area to increase the gap wheel to body then I might as well go for the maximum achieveable by getting the smallest unit.

Again, though, thanks for the varied and practical help.