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  • #1

    Headlamp options?

    Some of you already know that I picked up my first XS about a week ago. She's in full touring trim, but I decided to pull the fairing and trunk to slim her down a bit for the time being. This leaves me in a situation with the headlight. The factory bucket is still there, but I see nothing for a bulb to mount/rest against and I'm not quite sure what there should and shouldn't be inside the bucket. The wiring has been hacked on a little bit as well.

    So my questions are: Does anyone have any pics laying around of what the inside of the headlight bucket should look like? And since I only have half a headlamp anyway, are there upgrade options out there that I could look into? Any random/miscellaneous info would be great.
    My Special is as old as I am.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    When I got my 80 SG, it was in the same situation as your bike, although it did have the headlight brackets still in place behind the faring. I decided to go the route of a totally new light/signals/bracket package. it worked out well. There are other options but I figured I could cobble up something or start from scratch.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/headlight-ki...34380841392333
    Can't beat the smell of gas & oil

    Comment

    • #3
      Oem

      If you want to go stock, all the parts are out there and cheap if you watch for them I will say, as my bike sits outside now They hold up well

      http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=....c0.m270.l1313

      Originally posted by JasonRedbeard View Post
      Some of you already know that I picked up my first XS about a week ago. She's in full touring trim, but I decided to pull the fairing and trunk to slim her down a bit for the time being. This leaves me in a situation with the headlight. The factory bucket is still there, but I see nothing for a bulb to mount/rest against and I'm not quite sure what there should and shouldn't be inside the bucket. The wiring has been hacked on a little bit as well.

      So my questions are: Does anyone have any pics laying around of what the inside of the headlight bucket should look like? And since I only have half a headlamp anyway, are there upgrade options out there that I could look into? Any random/miscellaneous info would be great.
      1979 XS1100 Special (Mad Max, OEM) Current
      1980 XS1100 Special
      1990 V Max
      1982 KZ750 LTD Twin
      1986 700 FZR Yamaha Fazer (faster then expected)
      1979 XS750 Special (my 1st Special)
      1974 CB750-Four



      Past/pres Car's
      1961 Catalina 389/1970 Torino GT 351/1967GTO 12to1 comp./ Roller cam/ T-10/ 456 gear/Tri-power/1967 GTO 400, 1969 Camaro, 1968 Z28, 2001 BMW M Roadster 0 to 60 in 4.5 sec. Jaguar XK8

      Comment

      • #4
        Mine has the brackets and bucket still there, with a mess of wiring inside. Stuff has been twisted and taped for the fairing harness and that doesn't make me happy.

        I also already have a set of stock turn signals from ebay to put on it. Found them on my porch when I got home from work.

        I'll go stock with the headlamp if there aren't any reasonably-priced upgrades available. I just figured since I'm having to buy parts anyway, I might as well buy better ones.
        My Special is as old as I am.

        Comment

        • #5
          Bulb

          The bulb is about the only thing that is an upgrade from OEM IMHO I bought this super blue from mikes for 9 bucks and love it Many buy the silver star, but 4 X more $$$, so i am happy with this one
          http://www.mikesxs.net/products-77.html#products

          As to the wires, i would inventory them (colors, type of ends, etc) and post a photo so members can tell you what you have to do

          Originally posted by JasonRedbeard View Post
          Mine has the brackets and bucket still there, with a mess of wiring inside. Stuff has been twisted and taped for the fairing harness and that doesn't make me happy.

          I also already have a set of stock turn signals from ebay to put on it. Found them on my porch when I got home from work.

          I'll go stock with the headlamp if there aren't any reasonably-priced upgrades available. I just figured since I'm having to buy parts anyway, I might as well buy better ones.
          1979 XS1100 Special (Mad Max, OEM) Current
          1980 XS1100 Special
          1990 V Max
          1982 KZ750 LTD Twin
          1986 700 FZR Yamaha Fazer (faster then expected)
          1979 XS750 Special (my 1st Special)
          1974 CB750-Four



          Past/pres Car's
          1961 Catalina 389/1970 Torino GT 351/1967GTO 12to1 comp./ Roller cam/ T-10/ 456 gear/Tri-power/1967 GTO 400, 1969 Camaro, 1968 Z28, 2001 BMW M Roadster 0 to 60 in 4.5 sec. Jaguar XK8

          Comment

          • #6
            Look on EBAY for the lite!

            Look on ebay. search under xs1100, Then xs850, then xs750.
            Look for a complete headlite with the chrome ring still attached.
            Any of those above will work with your bucket.
            Often the 750 or 850 item will be cheaper.
            Tom Clisham

            Age is relative YOU WON"T GET OLD TIL YOU SELL THE BIKE
            _____________________________________________

            '78xs1100E ,all stock & original GONE TO WISCONSIN

            '80 SG Vetter fairing,hard bags,trunk,fork brace,
            stock headers with fishtail mufflers,black & beautiful GONE TO ARIZONA

            79SF lowered,jardine 4/2 exhaust,pod filters,drilled rotors,fork brace, bar hopper

            79SF 1 owner,8000 miles, restoring to completely original ( I hope) GONE TO FRANCE

            Comment

            • #7
              Hey there Jason, and Lon/OEM,

              If you have the actual mounting rim that secures the reflector chamber to the headlight bucket, then there IS a newer alternative....whether it's a special or standard...forgot to check your profile/signature!

              There are CLEAR LENS conversion reflectors so you can get a NEW shiny and bright reflector vs. an old dingy oem. There's a tech tip on how to get a housing/reflector for the rectangular style using some car housings that can hold the newer bulbs...that have little tabs and such! The clear lens kits are readily available in the 7" round Special style that will fit in the OEM bucket.

              Here's a couple of photos of my 81SH with the newer reflector housing and clear front lens!





              And then when you put in the nice strong H4 bulbs, you'll get even more light down the road and not scattered all around due to the old OEM fresnel/prism style front lens.

              T.C.
              T. C. Gresham
              81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
              79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
              History shows again and again,
              How nature points out the folly of men!

              Comment

              • #8
                wiring

                Forgot to mention: When checking ebay light parts, also try to find 1 that still has the little short connector for the light attached to it. They often do, & if you don't have 1 it'll cost you another $10 to get 1.
                Tom Clisham

                Age is relative YOU WON"T GET OLD TIL YOU SELL THE BIKE
                _____________________________________________

                '78xs1100E ,all stock & original GONE TO WISCONSIN

                '80 SG Vetter fairing,hard bags,trunk,fork brace,
                stock headers with fishtail mufflers,black & beautiful GONE TO ARIZONA

                79SF lowered,jardine 4/2 exhaust,pod filters,drilled rotors,fork brace, bar hopper

                79SF 1 owner,8000 miles, restoring to completely original ( I hope) GONE TO FRANCE

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by XS1100_OEM4ME View Post
                  The bulb is about the only thing that is an upgrade from OEM IMHO I bought this super blue from mikes for 9 bucks and love it Many buy the silver star, but 4 X more $$$, so i am happy with this one
                  http://www.mikesxs.net/products-77.html#products

                  As to the wires, i would inventory them (colors, type of ends, etc) and post a photo so members can tell you what you have to do
                  It would be interesting to see that super blue next to a silverstar to see which is the better. Really just to see which is the better of the two. I say this because only if the super blue is as good or better than the silverstar would I pay the less for it, as I'd rather pay more for better than less for less if you know what I mean. But if it's just as good or slightly better (and I'd want to do a comparison of how it lights the road) then I'd be willing to go for it.
                  Cy

                  1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
                  Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
                  Vetter Windjammer IV
                  Vetter hard bags & Trunk
                  OEM Luggage Rack
                  Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
                  Spade Fuse Box
                  Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
                  750 FD Mod
                  TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
                  XJ1100 Front Footpegs
                  XJ1100 Shocks

                  I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I am surprised Steve hasn't been here yet to talk about the Cibie reflectors .

                    Haven't used them myself but others swear by them. New materials with new prism and reflecting geometry=more light where you want it.
                    Nathan
                    KD9ARL

                    μολὼν λαβέ

                    1978 XS1100E
                    K&N Filter
                    #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                    OEM Exhaust
                    ATK Fork Brace
                    LED Dash lights
                    Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                    Green Monster Coils
                    SS Brake Lines
                    Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                    In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                    Theodore Roosevelt

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Silverstar

                      The silverstar might / must be better, I don't have one to compair mine too All I can say, is that the light this one makes is way better then the H4 that was in my bike. I don't do much / any night ridding, just once in a while. But I wanted to be seen by all the prospective Mom's on their cell phones in their 5,000lbs bike crushing (and me crushing) machines and 9 bucks is what a dbl qtr pounder extra value meal at Micky Dee's cost

                      Originally posted by cywelchjr View Post
                      It would be interesting to see that super blue next to a silverstar to see which is the better. Really just to see which is the better of the two. I say this because only if the super blue is as good or better than the silverstar would I pay the less for it, as I'd rather pay more for better than less for less if you know what I mean. But if it's just as good or slightly better (and I'd want to do a comparison of how it lights the road) then I'd be willing to go for it.
                      1979 XS1100 Special (Mad Max, OEM) Current
                      1980 XS1100 Special
                      1990 V Max
                      1982 KZ750 LTD Twin
                      1986 700 FZR Yamaha Fazer (faster then expected)
                      1979 XS750 Special (my 1st Special)
                      1974 CB750-Four



                      Past/pres Car's
                      1961 Catalina 389/1970 Torino GT 351/1967GTO 12to1 comp./ Roller cam/ T-10/ 456 gear/Tri-power/1967 GTO 400, 1969 Camaro, 1968 Z28, 2001 BMW M Roadster 0 to 60 in 4.5 sec. Jaguar XK8

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by XS1100_OEM4ME View Post
                        The silverstar might / must be better, I don't have one to compair mine too All I can say, is that the light this one makes is way better then the H4 that was in my bike. I don't do much / any night ridding, just once in a while. But I wanted to be seen by all the prospective Mom's on their cell phones in their 5,000lbs bike crushing (and me crushing) machines and 9 bucks is what a dbl qtr pounder extra value meal at Micky Dee's cost
                        Holy cow man! I thought the dlb qtr pounder extra value meal was expensive here! Even large size it's not that much here . Of course brutus is happy that I don't get those very often anymore . I'm working on getting down to less than 50% of the bikes weight (dry).
                        Cy

                        1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
                        Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
                        Vetter Windjammer IV
                        Vetter hard bags & Trunk
                        OEM Luggage Rack
                        Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
                        Spade Fuse Box
                        Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
                        750 FD Mod
                        TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
                        XJ1100 Front Footpegs
                        XJ1100 Shocks

                        I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Yea

                          Yea, they get 2 bucks for a lg fry and more then that if you get lg shake with your combo i might have been thinking chicken combo, they get almost 5 bucks for a chicken club
                          Originally posted by cywelchjr View Post
                          Holy cow man! I thought the dlb qtr pounder extra value meal was expensive here! Even large size it's not that much here . Of course brutus is happy that I don't get those very often anymore . I'm working on getting down to less than 50% of the bikes weight (dry).
                          1979 XS1100 Special (Mad Max, OEM) Current
                          1980 XS1100 Special
                          1990 V Max
                          1982 KZ750 LTD Twin
                          1986 700 FZR Yamaha Fazer (faster then expected)
                          1979 XS750 Special (my 1st Special)
                          1974 CB750-Four



                          Past/pres Car's
                          1961 Catalina 389/1970 Torino GT 351/1967GTO 12to1 comp./ Roller cam/ T-10/ 456 gear/Tri-power/1967 GTO 400, 1969 Camaro, 1968 Z28, 2001 BMW M Roadster 0 to 60 in 4.5 sec. Jaguar XK8

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Tom...if that "short connector" you mentioned is a 3-wire jumper that connects the bulb to the wiring harness, I have that.

                            T.C. ...a nice, clear, bright headlight is exactly what I'm after. Yours looks GREAT. I don't have any kind of retainer or trim ring though....just the bucket shell and wiring. Can you point me to a site where I can take a look at the conversion you're talking about?

                            Also...everybody's talking about reflectors and bulbs. Are these things set up with a separate housing and halogen bulb cartridge? Or is that the conversion T.C. is talking about? I thought everything was sealed-beam back when these were new.

                            Nate: you're speaking my language now. Got a link to those? Google isn't cooperating.
                            Last edited by JasonRedbeard; 12-17-2011, 08:27 PM.
                            My Special is as old as I am.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by JasonRedbeard View Post
                              Are these things set up with a separate housing and halogen bulb cartridge? I thought everything was sealed-beam back when these were new.
                              Yes they have a seperate housing and H4 halogen bulb. The 78's were the last year for the sealed beam on these particular bikes.
                              2H7 (79) owned since '89
                              3H3 owned since '06

                              "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                              ☮

                              Comment

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