Topic: 1974 Honda CB550 Easy Headlight upgrade ideas?

[davidru2]

Looking to get more light from my bike, I also use them during the day.  Any ideas on an easy fix to add a halogen or other better light upgrade from the original?

Thanks

[Duanob]

Easiest and cheapest is an H4 halogen lens and 60/55W bulb, motorcycle specific of course. Better light and less expensive than most original replacements. You can get one for about $40 delivered if you shop around. I've bought a few off of ebay. Just plug and play.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

http://cognitomoto.com/collections/lighting/products/h7-led

This is a much better and brighter mod - and draws less.

[turboed13b]

http://cognitomoto.com/collections/lighting/products/h7-led

This is a much better and brighter mod - and draws less.

A good h4 headlight is much better than that. That beam pattern is horrid.

[Deltarider]

I recommend H4 halogen 55/60 Watts in a good reflector like Hella, Bosch, Cibié or Maréchal. Best bulb by far is the Philips X-treme Vision Moto. If you're concerned about draw (I am not) you could choose the Philips Ecovision that performs better (and lives longer) than a standard 55/60 Watts halogen but draws 20% less. If you ride in daytime only, Led could be an alternative. For night riding I do not recommend Led, that is: not before I've seen test results that suggests they're better in every aspect. Brightness in itself means nothing. 

[DaveBarbier]

I have that LED bulb that's linked above. It performs just fine at night. I'm very happy with it. I wouldn't say it's better than the H4 I had previously but that's more likely the fact that, in my case, the bulb is in a cheap reflector. And it's awesome that it draw such little power. It says something like 20/30 but on the actual product it says something like 18 watts.

[rddcw]

I don't know what size the Headlight bucket is on your 74' 550, but on my 74' CB 750 K4, I used a Stock headlight assembly off an 80' Goldwing that was a Perfect fit in my bucket. Was fitted with a H4 55/60Watt bulb.

[Chachi]

Not to debate H4 vs. LED... but the actual manufacturer of the LED bulb that Cognito sells also offers a dual-sport version with cut-off. The version Cognito sells is for off-road with no cut-off.

Off-road, no cut-off (Cognito):
http://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/3600-Lumen-LED-Headlight-bulb-for-DirtbikesDual-Sports_p_97.html

Dual-sport with cut-off:
http://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/3800-Lumen-H4-LED-Headlight-bulb-_p_83.html

[Deltarider]

I don't know what it is, but the Led lights I've seen so far, all seem to have this somewhat milky, foggy kind of light.

[turboed13b]

Not to debate H4 vs. LED... but the actual manufacturer of the LED bulb that Cognito sells also offers a dual-sport version with cut-off. The version Cognito sells is for off-road with no cut-off.

Off-road, no cut-off (Cognito):
http://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/3600-Lumen-LED-Headlight-bulb-for-DirtbikesDual-Sports_p_97.html

Dual-sport with cut-off:
http://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/3800-Lumen-H4-LED-Headlight-bulb-_p_83.html

Blinding other people is only a small part of the equation.

If you are on a budget I would follow Deltarider's advice.

I have the most up to date led projectors from major manufactures and they are good but the technology isn't there to surpass even the most mediocre HID setup.

Now these manufactures spend millions if not billions on these led lights and are barely better than halogen tech. Now do you really think a led on a board that was made in China is really better than a good halogen setup?
 

[78whiteorbs]

I saw those on,gulp, dime city cycles website and they where like over 300$ No freaking way.....

[78whiteorbs]

I saw those on,gulp, dime city cycles website and they where like over 300$ No freaking way.....

Scratch that $390 . http://www.dimecitycycles.com/black-7-jw-speaker-model-8700-evolution-2-led-headlight.html

Oh my, anybody here wanna admit to.buying one??? The price is remarkable. Gotta know.if.thats same as the conversion.

[78whiteorbs]

Sorry to triple.post but wait.theres more! For.$390 get "the best headlight.money.can buy" and it comes with a plastic lens?! Madness I say. Who has one?

[turboed13b]

I saw those on,gulp, dime city cycles website and they where like over 300$ No freaking way.....

Scratch that $390 . http://www.dimecitycycles.com/black-7-jw-speaker-model-8700-evolution-2-led-headlight.html

Oh my, anybody here wanna admit to.buying one??? The price is remarkable. Gotta know.if.thats same as the conversion.

I was actually talking about led projectors pulled from cars but if you really want to try those headlights out I sell them for cheaper. They are not the same as putting a led bulb in a reflector housing. These use a combination of projectors to create a single beam.

Jw speaker is the OEM for the Harley daymaker except Harley still uses the older models. So if you want to check one out in person you can probably go to one of their dealerships.

Also most headlights now are made out of polycarbonate plastic because it is lighter/stronger/optically clear.


I just qouted someone $1200 for a led retrofit for their car if you think $400 for lights is expensive. LED headlight technology is still in their infancy so you really have to pay to play. I am sure in a few years good led setups will be a lot cheaper.

[78whiteorbs]

I saw those on,gulp, dime city cycles website and they where like over 300$ No freaking way.....

Scratch that $390 . http://www.dimecitycycles.com/black-7-jw-speaker-model-8700-evolution-2-led-headlight.html

Oh my, anybody here wanna admit to.buying one??? The price is remarkable. Gotta know.if.thats same as the conversion.

I was actually talking about led projectors pulled from cars but if you really want to try those headlights out I sell them for cheaper. They are not the same as putting a led bulb in a reflector housing. These use a combination of projectors to create a single beam.

Jw speaker is the OEM for the Harley daymaker except Harley still uses the older models. So if you want to check one out in person you can probably go to one of their dealerships.

Also most headlights now are made out of polycarbonate plastic because it is lighter/stronger/optically clear.


I just qouted someone $1200 for a led retrofit for their car if you think $400 for lights is expensive. LED headlight technology is still in their infancy so you really have to pay to play. I am sure in a few years good led setups will be a lot cheaper.

My 40year old bikes can wait :-)