Headlight bargain!

[bosco659]

In my local vintage motorcycle group, a member posted this find. It’s an old headlight upgrade kit that’s still available. Two 7” Koito glass lights with H4 bulbs, wiring harness, zip ties and looks like relays too. My price before tax and shipping was $24.76 Cdn from an on line dealer. Do I need any - no, so I bought two kits . Too good a deal to pass up. I’ll report more when they arrive.

I had a quick look at some US Toyota dealers and saw them for as low as $19 usd. Some eBay crazies have them listed for well over $100 plus shipping. If you’re going to do a headlight conversion I don’t think you can beat the price. Koito produces nice quality stuff.

Once I get mine and verify content and quality, if those attending the Paris Rally in June would like a kit I can order and hold it for them.

 

[jetmechmarty]

One of my bikes has that style light on it. I have to replace it because I don’t like the way it looks. Yes, I’m being picky. I’m putting an OE Koito sealed beam in it. Yes, I know.

 

[TbirdIV]

I used that kit to upgrade the lights on a first gen mazda miata, they throw a really nice pattern and put out a lot of light, even on the stock harness. Great functional upgrade. They do have a rather flat lens, so they aren't quite as nice aesthetically, like marty said.

 

[bosco659]

I guess I should have researched this more before my impulse buy. lol. Oh well, it’s only 4 lights that may collect dust in the garage. Maybe I can learn to love one on my bike and I’ll only have 3 spares

 

[zrx1100]

this deal has been going on for a year. A buddy of mine alerted me to it. the lens sticks out a bit and would not be flush with the bucket. a matter of taste.

 

[jetmechmarty]

matter of taste

Exactly. I mean to imply nothing more. I do recognize the deficiency of the stock sealed beam.

 

[bosco659]

Exactly. I mean to imply nothing more. I do recognize the deficiency

Do you just run the stock sealed beam?

 

[zrx1100]

some time ago, I went from the stock sealed beam to a 7" LED retrofit. I selected the latter such that it would fit flush with the bucket.

Now I am working to recreate the fluted glass look, but with the benefits of LEDs. For that I am going to try this lens from Mikes XS and a warm-white LED retrofit by Philips brand:

Full disclosure, my company used to make these under Philips brand, so I am biased.
A buddy of mine fit these Philips Ultinon H4 retrofits on his vintage Porsche and they look and work great.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Do you just run the stock sealed beam?

Yes.

If I know I’m coming home in the dark I will usually opt for my Eleven Special. Even though vintage, the stock light is halogen and illuminates the road ahead quite well.

 

[Grimly]

In my local vintage motorcycle group, a member posted this find. It’s an old headlight upgrade kit that’s still available. Two 7” Koito glass lights with H4 bulbs

I made an effort to find a pair of Koito headlamps from a Toyota Landcruiser, once I'd found out about them. Koito were one of the first makers to properly design a lamp from scratch using computational aids. Cibie did it too, but Koito were far cheaper.
I wasn't disappointed, it was leaps ahead of the previous lamps I'd been using on the bike, and it was easily able to cope with an LED conversion without giving off glare and scatter, although the ability of the LED unit to adjust came into play, too.

Now I am working to recreate the fluted glass look, but with the benefits of LEDs. For that I am going to try this lens from Mikes XS and a warm-white LED retrofit by Philips brand:

Philips Ultinon warm white is on my shopping list for my car. Can't stand overly white LED lighting.

 

[bosco659]

I made an effort to find a pair of Koito headlamps from a Toyota Landcruiser, once I'd found out about them. Koito were one of the first makers to properly design a lamp from scratch using computational aids. Cibie did it too, but Koito were far cheaper.
I wasn't disappointed, it was leaps ahead of the previous lamps I'd been using on the bike, and it was easily able to cope with an LED conversion without giving off glare and scatter, although the ability of the LED unit to adjust came into play, too.


Philips Ultinon warm white is on my shopping list for my car. Can't stand overly white LED lighting.

I used to use Cibie lights on all of my vintage vehicles before LED’s became affordable. I still have a like new pair for my Supra before I decided to go led.
I know Koito makes good stuff. I have a halogen shell in the XS right now but it’s a poor quality Chinese part. Hopefully the new one will be better.
I’m going to have a look at the Moto Guzzi later today to see if one will fit in there too. The factory light has a plastic lense that already has scratches from 4,000 km of riding.

 

[bosco659]

I use halogen on the XS just to keep an extra load on the charging system. With an led bulb the light is great but the voltage runs higher than I like. Maybe the fix is as simple as replacing the VRR? I’m running a PMA.

 

[zrx1100]

I use halogen on the XS just to keep an extra load on the charging system. With an led bulb the light is great but the voltage runs higher than I like. Maybe the fix is as simple as replacing the VRR? I’m running a PMA.

I have the original regulator and adjusted the voltage down

 

[bosco659]

I have the original regulator and adjusted the voltage down

Unfortunately I can’t do that. Mine is solid state, all in one,

 

[jetmechmarty]

I use halogen on the XS just to keep an extra load on the charging system. With an led bulb the light is great but the voltage runs higher than I like. Maybe the fix is as simple as replacing the VRR? I’m running a PMA.

For me, a halogen light shining through a glass lens is plenty bright to get the job done. The sealed beams on the XS650 will get me home, but I don’t often plan to ride at night even though I love night riding.

 

[bosco659]

For me, a halogen light shining through a glass lens is plenty bright to get the job done. The sealed beams on the XS650 will get me home, but I don’t often plan to ride at night even though I love night riding.

Last year I had the not so bright idea to tint my headlight yellow for better visibility for oncoming traffic. Looked cool during the day but I got stuck riding home one night and then realized it was a mistake. The yellow film I applied block much of the light so I rode home very slowly. Next day the film came off. Too bad because I liked the look. I tried a yellow tinted halogen bulb but the light was not yellow enough.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Last year I had the not so bright idea to tint my headlight yellow for better visibility for oncoming traffic. Looked cool during the day but I got stuck riding home one night and then realized it was a mistake. The yellow film I applied block much of the light so I rode home very slowly. Next day the film came off. Too bad because I liked the look. I tried a yellow tinted halogen bulb but the light was not yellow enough.

I remember the French used to require those yellow lights. Yes, I appreciate the look. The stock Koito sealed beam looks to me to be different enough these days to make it a good daylight running light.

NO LIGHT OR BRIGHT COLORED GEAR CAN COMPETE WITH A CELL PHONE OR SCREEN ON THE DASH. The headlight is for me to see road hazards like potholes and large animals. Drivers must be considered dumber than a deer.

 

[Grimly]

I use halogen on the XS just to keep an extra load on the charging system. With an led bulb the light is great but the voltage runs higher than I like. Maybe the fix is as simple as replacing the VRR? I’m running a PMA.

In the GS world, that problem's long been solved by the use of a series reg-rec.
Google SH-775 and let the words lead you...

 

[650Skull]

Back in NZ people used to have an extra set of Yellow lights attached to the front. We called them fog lights. Great in foggy weather, cuts the glare.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Back in NZ people used to have an extra set of Yellow lights attached to the front. We called them fog lights. Great in foggy weather, cuts the glare.

We used to do that as well. No more. I don’t know why.