1980 XS 400 Headlight

[randy]

The stock headlight is a sealed factory-only job, no bulb replacement, you've got to buy the whole assembly with the ring. What a PITA. A $55 PITA!

I know a few of you guys have this bike. Tell me, have any of you found a work-around for replacing the headlight? Maybe a 650 light or an aftermarket one that accepts the turn signals??

Oh, as you may have guessed YES, I did finally get one of these, it's for my sister-in-law's 40th B-day!

[wessdogg]

1980 XS 400 Headlight

I don't know of a possible way to just change the bulb. You could try checking ebay. I know a seller whom is parting out a xs400 that I bought a head off of last week. If you want that seller just let me know!

[randy]

Wesley,

I know I can just buy a new bulb, ($55!!) but I'm looking for long-term alternatives. For instance is there another model headlight bucket that will fit the XS400? If i can find one that takes the halogen H4 bulb, that woud be a good alternative.

Say, a late model 650 Special, maybe? Has anyone tried this?

[mro]

Hi randy

Had read somewhere

Guy cut out back of stock bulb and then fit a H4 into it. I did a search here but did not come up. May not of done it right or could have been another forum.


mro

[GNEPIG]

.. it's been a while but i think i remember putting an 1100 Special bulb in my early 80s 400 Special, it's also the same as the early 80s 650s, trim ring and all. even the buckets looked alike.

[jetmechmarty]

I just had a look in my garage where the XS1100 and XS650 are parked side by side. The headlights and buckets are completely different, BUT they are the same size. Does the XS400 have the same size headlight as the XS1100?

The XS650 uses a sealed beam headlight. There are several XS650 vendors that offer a replacement headlight that converts it to a replaceable lamp like the XS1100. The same assembly applies to vintage Triumphs.

I think my XS1100 light will fit in the bucket of the XS650. Does this help you at all?

[randy]

Marty,

That's what I'm going for! Now, if someone could post the measurements ear-to-ear of the 400 and the 650, Therein will lie my answer.

I know they both use the same signals/stalks just don't know the width of each.

BTW, the bike is being shipped from MO, so I can't measure the 400 for a couple of weeks! AARRGH!

[jetmechmarty]

The XS650 lamp is 7 inches in diameter. There appears to be almost 9 inches from ear to ear. Now you have a little more, but still not enough.