Clear Lenses / Bulbs Problem

[Zuki Dude]

Originally Posted by nickmimi

I spoke with Bill "the manager" about the emerging problems with the lenses. He contacted Clear alternatives who sent me 4 new lenses. I was told it was a bad batch.

The thing that was really interesting to me was that cruiser customizing said they had never heard of a problem until I called. I let them know there were at least 3 people having the same problem and one of them addressed the issue in a review on their web site.

Received the new lenses tonight. Hope they work out better than the last batch.

Thanks.

[Pinhy]

well MY update is this: CC immediately sent me replacement lenses and bulbs. when they arrived a couple days ago, they were a totally different clear lens and amber bulbs. called Anthony at CC and he was like WTF? so i have to send back original melted stuff and the new ones and will get replacement correct stuff soon.

id like to get this settled before i do that though. no sense if the new ones are going to melt too.

i do know the Chrome bulbs are the 1157 and are the same wattage as the stock bulbs. the problem has to be in the plastic housing.

should i take a new set from CC or contact CA? Nickmimi you went direct though Clear Alt so your return was through them? do we know if CC has the new batch so this wont happen again? Zuki have you found out anything form Anthony?

please post any information you guys come up with so we can all get the correct replacements.

.

[blitz]

You guys are getting the 2 function bulbs for your front signals right? Since they are running lights as well as turn signals, you NEED the dual function bulbs. What could be happening is the current switching is causing the bulbs to heat up extremely almost immediately, since the heat can only disipate slowly, it's melting everything inside. I'm assuming everyone that did this to their rear turn signals have no problems on the rear, because they're not running lights also.

[Pinhy]

EDIT: yes, the fronts are the dual filament 1157's while the rears are the single filament 1156, i double checked that first thing when this happened.

OK..just got off the phone with one of the Bill's at Cruiser Customizing (not the manager) and he told me to contact CA direct (talk to Tobin) to receive the replacements. im in the process of trying to get through to them now.

also got lots of info on possible exhaust, hypercharger and power commander possibilities too. i need to find pipes i like the look of then i think i will officially have ZD too, cause i am excited abotu doing some work to my bike rather than getting a VTX1800 like i have been considering.

.

[Pinhy]

ok...one more update:

following nickmimi and CC advice, i just got off the phone with Matt over at Clear Alternatives, told him the situation and he took my info and is shipping out the new batch Clear lenses and chrome bulbs today! told me to tell you guys that are having the same problems to do the same thing.

their number is 708-293-0537. you can also talk to Tobin (he was rec. to me by CC but was not in just then so Matt helped me out easily). Just mention the suzuki-bikes forums so they know you are one of the ones having the same problems.

its nice to see companies hvaing hassle free customer service and even trusting my story to send me these without having the return or speaking with CC first or anything.

.

[blackie1491]

This forum works.

[blitz]

so, is it gonna happen again?

[Pinhy]

YES IT IS DAMMIT!!!!

i received my new arlen ness mirrors today (cause the old ones got loose and wouldnt stay in place so they replaced them free) and while i was installing i thought i would check the clear lenses.....sure enough, the plastic on the clear lense housing on both left and right is melted to the point where i cant get it to fit over the bulb!

Clear Alternatives and Cruiser Customizing need to hear about the problem with that product.

[cobra marauder]

I got the clear lenses but didnt go for the special bulbs. I just used the amber ons and painted the side toward the lens so when of it still looked clear but when on showed amber, 2 1/2 months so far no problem.

[cobra marauder]

oops.......... when its OFF it still looks clear.

[sundude]

Spoke to Clear Alternatives yesterday and they are sending me replacement lenses and bulbs along with a postage paid envelope to return the defective ones. The forum really does work!
Just remember, if the new lenses work without fail we should also pass on to others the fact that Clear Alternatives stand behind their products and fixed the problem without too much hassle.

[Pinhy]

but they dont work...mine are the "new" ones. we supposedly had a bad batch the first time.....

.

[sundude]

Oh great, so what's your next move?

[QuacktheDuck]

Just go with the amber bulbs that come with the lenses or use led bulbs and run a load equalizer so it doesn't hyper blink. Painted bulbs will heat up and melt itself and items around it. Colored bulbs have to be dyed not painted. Zero problems so far running the amber bulbs in the lenses.

[sundude]

Oh well, guess that's the plan for now. Too bad. The silver bulbs looked so cool!

[jpwM50]

I don't know how you guys can blame a hunk of plastic for your problems. Being in electronics for 23 years tells me its the silver bulbs that are at fault.

[Zuki Dude]

Originally Posted by jpwM50

I don't know how you guys can blame a hunk of plastic for your problems. Being in electronics for 23 years tells me its the silver bulbs that are at fault.

Yes, but in the end it is the plastic that deforms from the excessive heat. Since Clear Alternatives designs and sells both the lens housings and the bulbs they should be designed to work together IMO. Regardless, it seems they are standing behind their product(s).

[jpwM50]

Yes, but if you use the silver bulbs with the OEM housing, I bet the housing will still melt because the bulbs get too HOT.

[nickmimi]

My clear lenses melted using the amber(stock) bulbs before I put in the chrome bulbs. The plastic just cant stand up to the heat of any bulbs.

[jpwM50]

well crap. that blows my theory right out of the water!