Mist inside the headlights

[Mihalis fjr]

I noticed today mist inside the headlights behind the front headlight clear plastics,not on the reflectors or anywhere else.

I know what caused it..I keep the bike under of an old frame of an old tent covered by a transparent plastic sheet with two openings left and right for passes some air.This thing is inside my open garage without a door under of my home.

I use it because i have five cats and i want to protect the bike from their nails..

Well,the last week fall heavy rain and the water went inside the garage on the cement under of the bike and remain there for about a week until evaporate it.I could not to take out the cover because as I said ''the cats''

So,for many days inside the tend the humidity was really high.Even the windshield was misty from the moisture.

Ι Wonder HOW THE HECK the moisture went inside the headlights and caused the mist on the lens..???!!!

From what i see the headlights are sealed and the only way is the hole for the bulb,where there is the protective rubber cover.

My questions are,has nobody noticed this inside his headlights?How the moisture went inside?Is there somewhere a hole on the headlights to goes out the moisture?I know,if i will remove the bulbs,with a hairdryer or with compressed air,or even with a vacuum cleaner the mist will disappears.

I did a short ride and the most mist disappeared from the bulbs heat..

I have never noticed this problem in my bike from when i bought her at 2003..

 

[mcatrophy]

Headlights aren't sealed. Yes, there are rubber bits round the bulb opening, they'll probably prevent water pouring in, but they're not air-tight.

 

[Ignacio]

Well,the last week fall heavy rain and the water went inside the garage on the cement under of the bike and remain there for about a week until evaporate it....

From what i see the headlights are sealed and the only way is the hole for the bulb,where there is the protective rubber cover.

They are not sealed. There are two vents to the headlight units. Usually, it's not an issue, but it sounds like under your tarp that has standing water underneath creates an environment of maximum humidity and condensation. I'd rethink your strategy in some way to reduce moisture overall.

 

[bluesdog]

Cats, you say?

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Headlights aren't sealed. Yes, there are rubber bits round the bulb opening, they'll probably prevent water pouring in, but they're not air-tight.

Well,the last week fall heavy rain and the water went inside the garage on the cement under of the bike and remain there for about a week until evaporate it....

From what i see the headlights are sealed and the only way is the hole for the bulb,where there is the protective rubber cover.

They are not sealed. There are two vents to the headlight units. Usually, it's not an issue, but it sounds like under your tarp that has standing water underneath creates an environment of maximum humidity and condensation. I'd rethink your strategy in some way to reduce moisture overall.

Cats, you say?

Thanks for your quick replies!Ignatio,yes i must do something for this problem in my garage..A door will solve this problem.

As about the cats,they saved many times the wires from the mice and from their homes inside the air filter..

Anyway,he or her in the photo is really beautiful!!

Thanks again!I got my answer.

 

[RadioHowie]

Cats, you say?

I've got a 42 pound tom cat that could take that down in about 15 seconds, eat it for lunch and not even spit out the bones.

 

[MrZappo]

My first impression is that the protective measures you have taken in relation to the cats are worse for your bike than the cats are.

If the humidity was high enough to coat the windshield and fill the headlamps with a coating of condensation, there is a lot going on. Firstly, the humidity is very high and (in addition to that), the area is experiencing large temperature swings causing condensation.

Which also means that any surface that is colder then the dew point will get covered with a coating of water. The headlamps and windshield are plastic so they don't "hold on to" the cold very long so will be less affected by condensation.

Other places that have a large thermal mass that is slow to change temp will get the bulk of the condensation .. Anything metal like say an engine or an exhaust system. Or, the inside of a gas tank if not filled to the brim ...

Whatever the case, I strongly recommend that you get a breathable cover at the very least ...

As it stands, as your bike sits, the engine internals (that are not coated in oil) will become coated with water and will rust almost immediately ... It is not nearly as much of an issue if ridden every day to boil off the condensate but if it sits for a week at a time, it will be problematic.

 

[RossKean]

+1 ^^^

Electrical connectors and brake rotors too!

I have heard of people keeping a 75 watt incandescent light bulb operating under the bike. With the cover on, the temperature is more likely to remain above the dew point.

 

[bluesdog]

Cats, you say?

I've got a 42 pound tom cat that could take that down in about 15 seconds, eat it for lunch and not even spit out the bones.

Actually, Zepplin likes cats. He and your tom cat would very likely team up and go after the mice, rats and gophers

 

[mcatrophy]

Quote from your Owner's Manual, in the Care and Maintenance section:

Washing, rainy weather or humid climates can cause the headlight lens to fog. Turning the headlight on for a short period of time will help to remove the moisture from the lens.

So I guess your humid micro-climate is nothing exceptional.

 

[MrZappo]

+1 ^^^
Electrical connectors and brake rotors too!

I have heard of people keeping a 75 watt incandescent light bulb operating under the bike. With the cover on, the temperature is more likely to remain above the dew point.

Guys with expensive airplanes in hangers do this all the time ... They put a small shop light in the engine compartment and cover the whole thing with a blanket ... It keeps the engine above the dew point and helps to stop corrosion ...

I learned a long time ago ... Do what guys with planes do ... They are generally smart people and have a lot more to lose. A small engine for a cessna can cost $40,000 ... If they use shop lights, it is for a good reason ...

 

[Big Sky]

Cats, you say?

I've got a 42 pound tom cat that could take that down in about 15 seconds, eat it for lunch and not even spit out the bones.

Howie, around these parts we call them bobcats.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

My first impression is that the protective measures you have taken in relation to the cats are worse for your bike than the cats are.
If the humidity was high enough to coat the windshield and fill the headlamps with a coating of condensation, there is a lot going on. Firstly, the humidity is very high and (in addition to that), the area is experiencing large temperature swings causing condensation.

Which also means that any surface that is colder then the dew point will get covered with a coating of water. The headlamps and windshield are plastic so they don't "hold on to" the cold very long so will be less affected by condensation.

Other places that have a large thermal mass that is slow to change temp will get the bulk of the condensation .. Anything metal like say an engine or an exhaust system. Or, the inside of a gas tank if not filled to the brim ...

Whatever the case, I strongly recommend that you get a breathable cover at the very least ...

As it stands, as your bike sits, the engine internals (that are not coated in oil) will become coated with water and will rust almost immediately ... It is not nearly as much of an issue if ridden every day to boil off the condensate but if it sits for a week at a time, it will be problematic.

First time happened this all these years!Usually the humidity is pretty normal in my area.

Τhe problem caused from a huge storm where i have never seen all these years.The water went inside the garage in the floor.The floor is simple cement that absorb the water like a sponge and remain there until evaporate.It took about a week to evaporate and today i noticed the mist inside the headlights.From 2003 i use this tent,cover and i had never a problem until this storm.Also all these years i have a carpet with plastic coating under of it,under of the bike in all this area to protect it from any humidity from the cement.Also i have cut two vents in the plastic sheet in the upper area.I hope that this extreme humidity for one two weeks didn't cause another problem to connectors,engine,etc...

 

[RadioHowie]

Cats, you say?

I've got a 42 pound tom cat that could take that down in about 15 seconds, eat it for lunch and not even spit out the bones.

Howie, around these parts we call them bobcats.

My guy's name is Jones, not Bob.

He's got claws like Wolverine from the X-Men. He once opened up a 13 inch long, 1 inch deep gash on his veterinarian's right leg when he was unhappy during a particular visit. Required stitches. I laughed my ass off!!

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Quote from your Owner's Manual, in the Care and Maintenance section:

Washing, rainy weather or humid climates can cause the headlight lens to fog. Turning the headlight on for a short period of time will help to remove the moisture from the lens.

So I guess your humid micro-climate is nothing exceptional.

I have never noticed this paragraph in the manual.Τhanks for the reminder!

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Cats, you say?

I've got a 42 pound tom cat that could take that down in about 15 seconds, eat it for lunch and not even spit out the bones.

Howie, around these parts we call them bobcats.

My guy's name is Jones, not Bob.

He's got claws like Wolverine from the X-Men. He once opened up a 13 inch long, 1 inch deep gash on his veterinarian's right leg when he was unhappy during a particular visit. Required stitches. I laughed my ass off!!

Howie,can we see a photo of your cat?

 

[bluesdog]

Cats, you say?

My guy's name is Jones, not Bob.

He's got claws like Wolverine from the X-Men. He once opened up a 13 inch long, 1 inch deep gash on his veterinarian's right leg when he was unhappy during a particular visit. Required stitches. I laughed my ass off!!

Howie,can we see a photo of your cat?

As long as Jones doesn't mind having his picture taken

 

[Spud]

Yet again, *u**y interfering with man's riding endeavors.... (I couldn't resist..apologies for my sexist joke)...

 

[MrZappo]

My first impression is that the protective measures you have taken in relation to the cats are worse for your bike than the cats are.
If the humidity was high enough to coat the windshield and fill the headlamps with a coating of condensation, there is a lot going on. Firstly, the humidity is very high and (in addition to that), the area is experiencing large temperature swings causing condensation.

Which also means that any surface that is colder then the dew point will get covered with a coating of water. The headlamps and windshield are plastic so they don't "hold on to" the cold very long so will be less affected by condensation.

Other places that have a large thermal mass that is slow to change temp will get the bulk of the condensation .. Anything metal like say an engine or an exhaust system. Or, the inside of a gas tank if not filled to the brim ...

Whatever the case, I strongly recommend that you get a breathable cover at the very least ...

As it stands, as your bike sits, the engine internals (that are not coated in oil) will become coated with water and will rust almost immediately ... It is not nearly as much of an issue if ridden every day to boil off the condensate but if it sits for a week at a time, it will be problematic.

First time happened this all these years!Usually the humidity is pretty normal in my area.

Τhe problem caused from a huge storm where i have never seen all these years.The water went inside the garage in the floor.The floor is simple cement that absorb the water like a sponge and remain there until evaporate.It took about a week to evaporate and today i noticed the mist inside the headlights.From 2003 i use this tent,cover and i had never a problem until this storm.Also all these years i have a carpet with plastic coating under of it,under of the bike in all this area to protect it from any humidity from the cement.Also i have cut two vents in the plastic sheet in the upper area.I hope that this extreme humidity for one two weeks didn't cause another problem to connectors,engine,etc...

Humidity and condensation will not cause a major problem in two weeks. I was mostly talking about long term ... If you ride it regularly the condensate will burn off ... And it happens to some degree to everyone unless you park in a heated garage or live in a dry climate ..

Either way, I did not intend to say that you are doomed ... Only pointing out that condensation over the long term is bad and you would do well to avoid it as much as possible ...

If you park in a moist area and the temperature cools and warms a lot, engine internals will rust ... Unless you ride fairly often ...

You should be fine. Just get on the road and enjoy that bike ... A running engine is a happy one ...