headlight upgrades

I never checked it,but have not had any problems. I ordered it with the lower wattage setup, 60/55W, would recommend you do the same.
I had previously upgraded my rectifier/voltage regulator, so not sure if that is a necessary step or not. I'm guessing not.
I have my JCW receipt in front of me: The housing(looks like your old bulb), and H4 bulb came together, part #cad139314, $17.99, plus shipping. I had ordered some other stuff too, so my shippiing cost $8.99, not sure what your cost would be. You can see the bulb yourself at jcwhitney.com

Post edited by: Wild and KZ Guy, at: 2006/07/17 10:30

Post edited by: Wild and KZ Guy, at: 2006/07/17 10:31

The headlight runs on a 10A circuit. It shares some of its power with a few other smaller lights on your turn signals and perhaps aux flashers. If you run a 60w high beam bulb, using Ohms law, you could divide 60 by 12 and figure out your bulb draws 5A which is fine for the fuse and wiring. Many of the 60/55W bulbs out there have "white" light beams and seem brighter than ordinary bulbs of the same rating. There are two types of bulbs/holders. If you have stock, you have a sealed beam. This sort of limits your choice of modern bulbs. Get a kit from z1enterprises.com that includes the H4 bulb holder, the ring and some other small parts. It takes only a few minutes to fit the kit and I think they give you a bulb. If you are not happy with the H4 bulb included in the kit, you can get a "bright white" type bulb at the autoparts store as they carry H4 bulbs of all types. H4 desribes the base (how it plugs in). You want to avoid any really high wattage bulbs which will get you close to the limits of your 10A circuit. A 90W high beam is a 7.5A draw and far too close to the limit of the circuit as it WILL eventually melt your wires or connectors. Remember, you share the circuit with a few other lamps...

Thanks for the info, does the upgrade come witht hte reflector and bulb or is itjust an adapter and bulb?

I think that one is for a car. It'd probably fit. Not sure what the difference is, maybe only the part #.
You need to click on the motorcycle tab at JC's website, and you can paste or type in (part#)cad139314 into the search bar.
The new setup will go right in, no modifications. It looks exactly like your original bulb. I guess you'd call this the reflector or housing. Then the H4 bulb fixture, about the size of...uhhh..an egg I guess, will fit into that.
When you receive the new headlight setup, beware of 2 things; DON'T touch the glass of the new (egg sized) bulb.If you do, make sure you wash your finger grease off of it with alcohol(rubbing alcohol, beer doesn't count)or it'll fail prematurely. Also, the rubber piece on the 'housing/reflector' has slots already cut in it for the bulb, even though you can't tell without closer inspection.
Overall, a nice install, very similar to replacing with an original bulb.

Post edited by: Wild and KZ Guy, at: 2006/07/18 19:31

Post edited by: Wild and KZ Guy, at: 2006/07/18 19:39

Dave,
This is the link to the light you want. Probably the round 7" is the one for you, my '78 650 used it too.

Light at JC Whitney

It's not clear in the ad, but it does come with a bulb. Easy thing to install, plug and play .

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2006/07/18 19:42

Post edited by: steell, at: 2006/07/18 20:40

try these.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-FAIRIN...0007422441QQtcZphoto

thanks guys

Old 80's honda headlight with an H4 bulb and holder. Super bright and no problems with the stock charging system and halogen turnsignals.

Post edited by: Fossil, at: 2006/07/18 22:42

Wild and KZ Guy wrote:

I think that one is for a car. It'd probably fit. Not sure what the difference is, maybe only the part #.

Yeah, thanks. I realized after I searched the JCW site again that I had been looking in the wrong section. This is the bulb I meant, and thanks for the info.
www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-B...11+600014798/c-10111
When it says the round bulb will only fit fairing mounts and not OEM headlight case (5-3/4'), does that mean that it will not fit a stock headlight case? (mine is 7' across)

Post edited by: KZ250LTD, at: 2006/07/18 22:44

www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Search?catal....x=14&searchbtn.y=13 THIS is the one..notice it says right on it, 7" round?

Hey KZ250LTD, lemme know how you make out with that..