Headlight upgrade options

[KYWinger]

:beg: Trying to decide on the best and/or most cost effective option to upgrade the headlight on my '83 Aspy. My research indicated 4 options:

1) most expensive option:
Cibie H4 & H1 headlamps—5.75” round
Buy Them Now
H4 high/low beam, convex (domed) lens: $77.95/ea
from https://www.danielsternlighting.com


2) Sylvania H6024ST SilverStar 65-Watt High Performance Halogen Headlight, Pack of 1 by Sylvania
$19.99
from https://www.amazon.com

3) bulb only options:
H4 bulbs
A)
These 2-filament bulbs with P43t base are for high/low beam headlamps and Cibie BiOscar fog/drive beam lamps. Fun facts: The H4 was the world's first 2-filament halogen automotive bulb. It was introduced in Europe in 1971, and was used in many millions of European and Japanese headlamps starting in that year, but wasn't legalized in the US (where it was designated HB2 or 9003) until over two decades later, in 1992!
60/55W Ultra High Output Plus 50 (Narva Rangepower+50*): $19/ea
from https://www.danielsternlighting.com

B)
Sylvania H4ST BP SilverStar 60-Watt High Performance Halogen Headlight, Pack of 1 by Sylvania
$17.99
from https://www.amazon.com

I'm thinking the Cibie lamp is too much money....or is it?
I'm guessing the Silverstar 6024 will give me the benefit of 30 year newer technology in reflector design at a modest price.

Whatcha all think?????

.

 

[n2ppn]

HID upgrade about 35 bucks from eBay includes bulb and ballast... only down side is that you lose the high beam as the dual beam lamps won't fit into our existing headlight housings without hitting the fairing... I worked around that by using my driving lights (also HID upgraded) for my hi beams (along with a little bit of wiring work to keep the headlight on during hi beam operation) and when I throw it into hi beams, I put out over 105 watts of HID light!!! (most auto HID lamps are 35 Watts each)

MUCH brighter (order a 3600K bulb for less "blue" color) and fits existing housing in fairing!!!


Rich

 

[89-300ce]

Do a little reading at https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/for ... n-Lighting
I personaly would avoid HID.

I ended up buying three of these
https://store.candlepower.com/fco7h4mohebd.html
Excellent pattern and cut-off. I used one in the bike and two in an old Scout.
I installed these bulbs https://store.candlepower.com/90h4hbxtpo.html
They are stock wattage so won't tax your charging system
I ended up removing my Hella projector driving lights because they really didn't add anything anymore. I'll end up putting those on my boat.
Lights are not all created equal. The glass, reflector, accuracy of bulb mount are all critical. I cheaped out and bought some Depot lights for my Benz because the Bosch would have cost a fortune and although they look nice the light they throw is un-even with a fuzzy cut-off. You really have to see lights side by side to appreciate the difference construction makes.

 

[89-300ce]

Sorry John,
I just checked my own link to find the light is no longer available.
If you've read through the Daniel Stern site then you already know what counts.

 

[dan filipi]

Bummer, I would have liked to get one of those new reflectors. Mine looks ok but I can see where the reflective film has come off.
Got another source hopefully?

 

[89-300ce]

Bummer, I would have liked to get one of those new reflectors. Mine looks ok but I can see where the reflective film has come off.
Got another source hopefully?

Try here.

https://theskylightguy.com/products-page ... ersion-kit

There is a bit of info on these headlights as well.

 

[dan filipi]

That'll work :thanks:

 

[kah92340]

I replaced mine about 2 years ago with the bosh and it made a great difference from the old reflector. This is where I got mine, I ordered over the phone and they broke up a pair and sold me one. https://www.busdepot.com/0301600118
They're actually motorcycle lights so the beam has some extra illumination to the right to help you see the side of the road better.

 

[bcassel]

I did the 6024 option a year or so ago. Real good decision. Better light pattern due to improved optic technology, reduced amp draw over the halogen bulb choice (I'd already changed that out) and ease of replacements available.

 

[n2ppn]

Uhhhh, I might be mistaken, but all the data I read on those two websites compared SEALED beam headlights to H4 Halogen (removable bulb) Reflectors...

Sealed beam headlamps DO NOT have removable bulbs in the back of them henceforth the name "sealed beam"... As far as I know, the GL1100's ALL had H4 Halogen lamp headlight reflectors installed in them as OEM...

The optics of the reflector unit (determined by the patterns in the front glass and the shape of the reflector behind it) or "headlight" are all pretty much the same once you go from sealed beam to H4 style headlamp assemblies...

There may be subtle differences such as a few more ridges and prisms in the different manufacturers glass fronts, but unless you go from a 55/90 Watt lamp to a 90/110 Watt lamp, you won't see a major difference in light output between different manufacturers of H4 style headlamps...

Now if your reflector is all corroded and lost it's reflective coating, then you will definitely will see a difference replacing the old headlamp with a new H4 one.... (admittedly for about 25 bucks for a new one from either vendor, is a good deal if you need a new one)

Since our GL's are so limited on extra wattage to run things like headlamps, I opted for the HID upgrade to reduce the load on the alternator and gain more CANDLEPOWER from my H4 OEM headlamp assembly... I use 35 watts of power to get all the light I need to see and be seen...

Rich

Just my $0.02 worth