That Pesky 8" headlight

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Abstruse1
Posts: 41
Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2015 10:31 am

That Pesky 8" headlight

Post by Abstruse1 »

My '75 R75/6 has an 8" headlight, meaning that I can't use the many good, easy to obtain (and inexpensive) reflector assemblies -- all of which seem to be 7" -- and the various lights for them. My bike's light is a bit cloudy -- can't tell if it's the inside of the glass or the reflector. The 8" parts I've found are either new and very expensive or used and sorta expensive.

One solution is to replace the bucket with a standard 7" bucket. Or are there conversions from 8" to 7"?

What's the best way out of this situation?
Abstruse1
Dallas, USA
Blonds aren't the only airheads.
khittner1
Posts: 508
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:46 am

Re: That Pesky 8" headlight

Post by khittner1 »

The best solution is to get happy with your OE headlight. Take the lens and reflector off and clean the inside surfaces. Pop the headlight off of the bucket, remove the headlight connector from the bulb, remove the bulb without touching its glass capsule, take off the half-dozen wire springs that hold the trim ring, lens, and reflector together,and the bits are ready for cleaning.

Back in the day, airhead headlights were the league-leader for lighting up the night roadway. If your night-time armadillo-spotting needs require an increased light output, there are plenty of high-watt, white-blue replacement bulbs that will brighten things up beyond legal limits. If that still isn't enough, there are various LED driving lights that can be added to your bike without generating a big current draw. No need to mickey-mouse a smaller headlight onto your bike, particularly when your bike's main power distribution board would need to be relocated in the process.
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