Tech Forums > SOHC/4 Bikes
The holy grail of headlights
Mr.D:
For me the holy grail of headlights would be an LED sealed-unit that looks vintage in every way but is much brighter -- same physical look as stock (not the usual futuristic-looking monstrosity), same color temperature, same beam pattern -- just brighter - and with the benefit of less power draw.
Looked for this about 12 years ago and nothing even came close. Just had another look and surprisingly found two potential candidates:
Holley RetroBright: https://www.holley.com/products/electrical/led_lighting/retrobright/parts/LFRB135
Revival Secret LED 7" Retro Vintage: https://revivalcycles.com/products/secret-led?srsltid=AfmBOop_5m-KIA6eEi9TIKVNR6-GS6CjOeksWaIwl8OEwPpCWUHneeGI
Anybody tried either? (I know, I know, the price is insane, especially for the Holley, but I'm still curious!)
pickleknuckles:
--- Quote from: Mr.D on August 07, 2025, 09:19:09 PM ---For me the holy grail of headlights would be an LED sealed-unit that looks vintage in every way but is much brighter -- same physical look as stock (not the usual futuristic-looking monstrosity), same color temperature, same beam pattern -- just brighter - and with the benefit of less power draw.
Looked for this about 12 years ago and nothing even came close. Just had another look and surprisingly found two potential candidates:
Holley RetroBright: https://www.holley.com/products/electrical/led_lighting/retrobright/parts/LFRB135
Revival Secret LED 7" Retro Vintage: https://revivalcycles.com/products/secret-led?srsltid=AfmBOop_5m-KIA6eEi9TIKVNR6-GS6CjOeksWaIwl8OEwPpCWUHneeGI
Anybody tried either? (I know, I know, the price is insane, especially for the Holley, but I'm still curious!)
--- End quote ---
I've got the classic white Holley RetroBright. I'm so impressed w it, I'm getting a pair for my '51 Chevy and '87 Dodge pickups.
I also pitched all the LEDs from Common Motor and went w Holley RetroBright 1156 and 1157 classic white signal and brake bulbs on the Honda.
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Deltarider:
Last year I read a test of aftermarket Led headlamps. Best was the Osram Nightbreaker Led Pro. I don't know if it will easily fit in our headlights. Unlike you, I am not tempted to go for the brightest, which I consider a childish fantasy. My Philips 60/55 watts H4 Vision Plus offers me all I need. The bulb refuses to die. I have a Philips Extreme vision waiting still in its blister. In Europe we don't have a charging problem and, as I frequent British, German and French SOHC Four sites, I can assure it exists in this forum only.
It seems the more shortcomings you can list about our bikes, the more people will hold you for an expert...
I remember the Goldwing GL1100D we rode in Canada and the US in 1989. It had extra lights. Only... when I switched them on, I couldn't see any difference. What is the purpose of trying to brighten up what is bright already?!
My advice: stop drooling in fantasies developed by advertisements.
bryanj:
The holly grail back when the bikes were current was the Cibie
pickleknuckles:
--- Quote from: Deltarider on August 08, 2025, 12:25:07 AM ---Last year I read a test of aftermarket Led headlamps. Best was the Osram Nightbreaker Led Pro. I don't know if it will easily fit in our headlights. Unlike you, I am not tempted to go for the brightest, which I consider a childish fantasy. My Philips 60/55 watts H4 Vision Plus offers me all I need. The bulb refuses to die. I have a Philips Extreme vision waiting still in its blister. In Europe we don't have a charging problem and, as I frequent British, German and French SOHC Four sites, I can assure it exists in this forum only.
It seems the more shortcomings you can list about our bikes, the more people will hold you for an expert...
I remember the Goldwing GL1100D we rode in Canada and the US in 1989. It had extra lights. Only... when I switched them on, I couldn't see any difference. What is the purpose of trying to brighten up what is bright already?!
My advice: stop drooling in fantasies developed by advertisements.
--- End quote ---
That's what I like about the Holley RetroBrights, they're as bright as an H4 halogen conversion and they look totally correct for the era in the classic white color, but they have a clean crisp even pattern that doesn't have any of the hot or dim spots of sealed beams or halogens. It was designed as a complete package, bulb and reflector, to be a real solution for vintage vehicles.
Another bonus of the RetroBrights is that if the LED ever fails, it can be removed from the reflector housing and replaced for a fraction of the cost of the complete unit.
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