Changing out a headlight

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NorthernPete
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Changing out a headlight

#1 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Want to change out my headlight on my 82 sr250. Would like to replace the sealed beam with a led day maker. Most of them are 75w led. Would this be alright to use instead? Won't catch my bike on fire or kill battery? And it's a three prong socket on there now, would the h3 or h4 plug just plug right in?
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F

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Gummiente
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Re: Changing out a headlight

#2 Unread post by Gummiente »

LED headlights are brighter than sealed beams and H4 bulbs and draw less power. This means more illumination with much less heat; the 75W rating means that it is equivalent in illumination to what a traditional 75W light would produce. They are designed as a "plug and play" unit, so you should have no issues installing it in your headlight shell using the OEM headlight plug. It will not kill the battery or melt the wiring, as it will be using approx half the power of the stock headlight.

A word of caution about LED headlight use; the beam they produce is wide and flat and works great at night on straight roads, but when you lean the bike over into a corner the beam pattern tilts, too, which reduces visibility on the road ahead until the bike is level again.
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Johnj
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Re: Changing out a headlight

#3 Unread post by Johnj »

There's a company called Candlepower that makes a H4 Headlamp Replacement Kit for 7 inch round headlights. I think they also make the smaller size one.
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Re: Changing out a headlight

#4 Unread post by Painkiller »

I have a 2005 Swift Bar Chopper, and swapping out the big round standard headlight, for an aftermarket LED light, is one of the first mods I'd like to do.

Being a complete noob at motorcycles, how do I know if I can install it in place of my OEM one or, which one I'd need for replacement?
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Sundog65
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Re: Changing out a headlight

#5 Unread post by Sundog65 »

Gummiente wrote: Fri Jun 03, 2016 10:47 pm LED headlights are brighter than sealed beams and H4 bulbs and draw less power. This means more illumination with much less heat; the 75W rating means that it is equivalent in illumination to what a traditional 75W light would produce. They are designed as a "plug and play" unit, so you should have no issues installing it in your headlight shell using the OEM headlight plug. It will not kill the battery or melt the wiring, as it will be using approx half the power of the stock headlight.

A word of caution about LED headlight use; the beam they produce is wide and flat and works great at night on straight roads, but when you lean the bike over into a corner the beam pattern tilts, too, which reduces visibility on the road ahead until the bike is level again.
I just got an LED headlight and this is really good to know. Thanks.
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NorthernPete
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Re: Changing out a headlight

#6 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Love my led bulb. So much brighter then the stock one. Very happy that I did this!
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pchast
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Re: Changing out a headlight

#7 Unread post by pchast »

Easily blinding for oncoming traffic. Please, have a helper
ensure that your headlight aim is right.
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NorthernPete
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Re: Changing out a headlight

#8 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Yeah, I used my garage door and measuring tape to ensure proper aim.
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