Headlight upgrade(?)

[puskrat]

Doing that whole "asking a question someone else has probably already covered" thing again.

I've found threads, even Tech Tips, about LED signals, brake, and tail lights. I found data on a goofy "auto highbeam" switch. I haven't seen anything about options for replacing Elevener headlights with low draw LEDs. Is there such an option? Anything?

[natemoen]

A company called Trucklight makes a led headlight that matches the special as well as one for the standard. Not cheap, I think it is still around $200 for the headlight. There are a few here that have converted to it and like it.

[natemoen]

Here they are.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_1da20nff97_b

[TopCatGr58]

I guess you didn't go back and read the last reply to your Bike ID thread in the Member's Lounge, otherwise you would have seen this post.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showpost.php?p=483741&postcount=15

It will give you ideas about how to upgrade the headlight with LED's. I'm waiting for my 30 year work anniversary bonus in a few weeks, and then I'll be able to start ordering a bunch of the parts I'm going to need to do the refresh on my bike, and it will include some type of LED headlight technology, just not sure which yet....either drop in H4/9003 bulb, or total assembly like Nate talked about....but a cheaper version than Trucklite....they are actually more like the JW Speaker brand(even pricier) but Import clones, but they are rated with rather strong LED "bulbs"/lights in their assemblies equaling 4,000 lumens total RAW output. YMMV.

T.C.

[MaximPhil]

CREE seems to be the "magic" LED that lasts a long time and delivers large amounts of controlled light.
TC I think that you will be disappointed in the low cost LED as unless you are very lucky the cheap ones are cheap in both price and performance.
Phil

[IanDMacDonald]

The Truck Lite is a good headlight, but needs some lights to back it up. I have LED flood lights mounted to the bottom of the forks. I'm happy with it.

[Dbshea]

The Truck Lite is a good headlight, but needs some lights to back it up. I have LED flood lights mounted to the bottom of the forks. I'm happy with it.

I've got a set of the KC led lights on my old Cherokee. I could not have been more pleased with the purchase. Literally a night and day difference. Harharhar...

I'm considering trying them out on a special to see how they work by themselves

[puskrat]

I guess you didn't go back and read the last reply to your Bike ID thread in the Member's Lounge, otherwise you would have seen this post.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showpost.php?p=483741&postcount=15

It will give you ideas about how to upgrade the headlight with LED's. I'm waiting for my 30 year work anniversary bonus in a few weeks, and then I'll be able to start ordering a bunch of the parts I'm going to need to do the refresh on my bike, and it will include some type of LED headlight technology, just not sure which yet....either drop in H4/9003 bulb, or total assembly like Nate talked about....but a cheaper version than Trucklite....they are actually more like the JW Speaker brand(even pricier) but Import clones, but they are rated with rather strong LED "bulbs"/lights in their assemblies equaling 4,000 lumens total RAW output. YMMV.

T.C.

Cat you are correct. Thannks for pointing it out to me. I've revisted the thread several times but skimmed that post too quickly.

[puskrat]

Nate, thanks for the link. The 27450C looks like it would drop right into my fairing, but I obviously need to go measure stuff.


Ian what did you mean by backing it up? is it too dim? Unreliable?

[puskrat]

To avoid jumping back and forth in the conversations, I'll keep the lighting here: Since I'm using the transplanted Venturer body work, I don't have a headlight bucket.

[IanDMacDonald]

Ian what did you mean by backing it up? is it too dim? Unreliable?

Directly in-front of the tire, and to the sides of the tire, it'd pitch-black. I not only want to see what's down the road, but I want to see what's directly in-front of me. The Cree 6-Led floodlights get the job done! I was told on the Lost Rally, they were as-visible as FA-18 fighter jet lights

[puskrat]

Directly in-front of the tire, and to the sides of the tire, it'd pitch-black. I not only want to see what's down the road, but I want to see what's directly in-front of me. The Cree 6-Led floodlights get the job done! I was told on the Lost Rally, they were as-visible as FA-18 fighter jet lights

FA18? hmm. You say that like it's a good thing

[natemoen]

NIan what did you mean by backing it up? is it too dim? Unreliable?

LEDs are VERY directional. They need very good lenses on them to effectively disperse the light if you want good coverage.

[IanDMacDonald]

FA18? hmm. You say that like it's a good thing

Do u want to be seen? If not, get some candle sticks mounted on your bike.

[MaximPhil]

To avoid jumping back and forth in the conversations, I'll keep the lighting here: Since I'm using the transplanted Venturer body work, I don't have a headlight bucket.

Hi Puskrat,
If you slide down the linked page there are more than one option for the 5 x7 size of the "hole" in a Venturer fairing,. Your existing light should have the surround needed to mount to the "hole" or fabricate something.

A pair of low watt Halogen fog lights would throw a nice "puddle" of light immediately in front of the bike.

Phil