For the popping, check your timing. Not sure what the history of the bike is, but if it has been a rebuild job, go through the normal tune-up process and make sure that everything is spot on. Check timing, valves, carbs to be clean, etc...
As for the head light, it is pretty normal on most of these old bikes to have a little bit of a dimmer light at idle. You should check your charging system just to be sure it is in good shape. Check the battery with a volt meter. Should be 12 plus volts with the bike shut off. While it is idling the generator doesn't produce much extra power. Rev the engine up to about 2-3000 RPM and see if there is a god increase in power (Should come up to 14 or so volts at the battery). If the charging system is working good, you should be all set. It would be a good plan, though, to go through all the electrical connections and make sure they are nice and clean. Old, corroded connectors reduce the amount of power than flows through them.