Headlamp options?

[JasonRedbeard]

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.

[Lonerider62]

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-kit-cafe-clubman-ace-motorcycle-black-vintage-/120821915235?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D120813466070%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4962834380841392333

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

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=xs1100+headlight&_sacat=35579&_odkw=&_osacat=35579&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

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.

[JasonRedbeard]

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.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

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

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.

[tom clisham]

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.

[TopCatGr58]

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.

[tom clisham]

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.

[cywelchjr]

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.

[natemoen]

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.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

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

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.

[cywelchjr]

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).

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

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

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).

[JasonRedbeard]

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.

[bikerphil]

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.