LED headlight conversion kit.

[webbcraft2150]

Headlight threads seem to be as prolific as tire and oil threads. As most of us are reaching the age where eyesight is gradually dwindling, we search desperately for a headlight that will allow us to ride at night at speeds above that of a ice cream truck. Cycle Gear has a LED conversion kit that looks promising and affordable. Any yall tried this yet? I may pop the $60 and give it a shot. If it turns out to be crap, I can take it back. Heres the skinny on it.



About The Product


After years of research and development, Speedmetal is proud to present another bright idea in headlight design. The LED Conversion Kit provides 2.5 times the brightness of a standard halogen bulb and is designed to have an incredibly long and reliable 30,000 hour lifespan thanks to its Embedded Cooling System and Wind Cavity Construction. The LED Conversion Kit also has a unique Rocker Reflector system that helps to focus your headlight where it is needed most and sets this kit apart compared to other LED bulbs on the market.




Features and Benefits
•Powerful Cree LEDs
•Brightness 2200-2400 lumens
•Low 24 watt power consumption compared to the average standard OEM 60 watt bulbs
•Anti-glare design
•30,000 hour lifespan
•Excellent heat dissipation
•Easy installation

[IanDMacDonald]

Nope, never tried it. I do know you get what you pay for, and my headlight was $200.

[crazy steve]

The thing to remember is the OEM headlight was a pretty decent performer when new; maybe not the equal to a premium headlight like a Cibie with it's superior optics, but as good as most that were out there and better than some. If performance has degraded, it's not the lamp, it's the reflector, and putting a brighter lamp in will give you more light but also put more light into the eyes of oncoming drivers due to scatter from the bad reflector. Not so good for safety, yours or theirs....

[BA80]

The thing to remember is the OEM headlight was a pretty decent performer when new;

My eyes performed pretty well 35 years ago too but now I need more light. I hate riding after dark anymore.

[crazy steve]

Greg, I know what you mean; I don't like driving, much less riding after dark anymore (I'm older than you...). But I run into these morons who install these 'conversions' in their cars/bikes and the poor optics in their lights only makes it even harder for me to see ahead, leaving me with the choice of driving blind or turning on my high beams so I can see and blinding them. Not safe for either of us...

[donebysunday]

Y'all know I hear that, dang when you can't see where you are hit the brakes as hard as you can and still stop with both feet and bike on the pavement !!!!!

[webbcraft2150]

I ditched the OEM Stanley headlight (Windjammer fairing, round headlight) a few months ago in favor of a "clear cut" headlight. I run a 80/100 H4 bulb. Switching out to the clear cut lens provided a really good upgrade over the Stanley unit. Better light spread on low beam and the high beam is actually useable over 60mph. Both my Laverdas had high dollar Cibie, lead crystal headlights from the factory and they were a honest 100mph headlight on high beam. I went to HID's in my cage years ago and they were a dramatic improvement over the OEM stuff. I did adjust them down a bit and had the wife drive the car with the lights on toward me (yes she stopped in time) and the was no noticeable glare. I can understand the consternation with people who do light conversions and do not make the necessary adjustments. Not the case here. I know you get what you pay for and maybe these are just crap. But, Cycle Gear will take them back if that's the case. I'm gonna give it a try and see. Only thing I will be out is the time to put them in and/or put the trusty H4 back in it. Stay tuned.

[crazy steve]

...Both my Laverdas had high dollar Cibie, lead crystal headlights from the factory and they were a honest 100mph headlight on high beam..

Cibie aren't that high dollar; you can get a new lens assembly for under $100 that uses a 'standard' H4 lamp and have legal performance. The only difference it will be an automotive type lamp with a slightly different 'bias' on the low beam cut-off, which actually allows you to run the lamp a bit higher as the bias is off to the right side, not even or to the left.

This is the part that mystifies me; guys will spend $40, $50 or more for a 'conversion' that retains your old optics (which is where the real shortcomings lay) to replace the lamp with a 'special' one that when it or it's electronics fail you won't be able to pick one up at your parts store. Leaving you either in the dark, or trying to rewire the bike back to accept a normal lamp on the side of the road...

[MaximPhil]

I ditched the OEM Stanley headlight (Windjammer fairing, round headlight) a few months ago in favor of a "clear cut" headlight. I run a 80/100 H4 bulb. Switching out to the clear cut lens provided a really good upgrade over the Stanley unit. Better light spread on low beam and the high beam is actually useable over 60mph. Both my Laverdas had high dollar Cibie, lead crystal headlights from the factory and they were a honest 100mph headlight on high beam. I went to HID's in my cage years ago and they were a dramatic improvement over the OEM stuff. I did adjust them down a bit and had the wife drive the car with the lights on toward me (yes she stopped in time) and the was no noticeable glare. I can understand the consternation with people who do light conversions and do not make the necessary adjustments. Not the case here. I know you get what you pay for and maybe these are just crap. But, Cycle Gear will take them back if that's the case. I'm gonna give it a try and see. Only thing I will be out is the time to put them in and/or put the trusty H4 back in it. Stay tuned.

Thanks Webbcraft, I look forward to hearing how your LED test turns out.
Phil

[webbcraft2150]

Kit in hand. Look in product evals for upcoming test results. I will compare the oem Stanley and the clearcut lens.

And cibies can be high buck. I ate a rock and replacement was over. $130, in 1978 dollars. Regardless of cost, it was a excellent headlight.

[webbcraft2150]

Got it done. I have the Stanley headlight in it now. I have to tell ya, it's killer. Hellacious white light that covers the whole street side to side and illuminates the road 3x better than the H4. I will do a detailed write up soon as I can figure out how to post pics. Tomorrow morning will be the big test, lotsa road to cover with no street or house lights.

[skids]

Include costs and suppliers also please.

[IanDMacDonald]

I'd be curious to see the light pattern compared to an HID.

[shutchis]

Okay Mr. K, The National Inquirer wants to know...how was the road test? My headlight works great during the day, not so good at night. It's almost Christmas and Mrs Santa wants to buy me a present.

[Geezer]

Many years ago I just had to have the best and I installed a Cibie in my GT750 I was riding back then. As I recall it worked well on low beam if you were turning to the right but I was riding blind in a left turn. My brother put in an elcheapo Hella light and on low beam he had light for turning either direction...

Price doesn't always equate to the same level of performance. You can also put a brighter bulb in your H4 light for not that much money.

Years ago I put a 100/130w bulb in the H4 headlight in Guzzi I had back then. At first I didn't notice it all that much but a week later I took a ride out in the country where my brother lived and it was amazing on those unlit country roads. One interesting note, the box was labeled, off toad only. Not for use in Europe. I found that odd enough to remember because it was a Philips bulb...

Tony