LED lights

[Pauarc]

Has anyone fitted a LED bulb into the standard headlight on a Honda cb750k2

[Martin6]

Google Paul Goff. He's respected in classic bike circles. I'm OEM on my bikes, so not used him, but know of others happy with his advice and products.
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffyleds.htm

[Oddjob]

There’s a comparison thread I did on just that subject a year or so ago, worthwhile reading.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I think it's fair to say that generally fitting an LED headlamp bulb will result in a brighter whiter light using less current but the main & dip beam may be compromised in terms of scatter & dip cut off as per Ken's old post.

The issue is that older headlights reflectors & lenses were designed for Tungsten or Quartz Iodene fillaments so the dip cut off arrangement does not  work the same due to the difference in the point of light arrangement between an incandescent filament and a LED array in a LED type bulb.

I have found that with LED bulbs you certainly get what you pay for as a general rule. I have had what looks like a good quality LED with a decent alloy heat sink fail within a couple of days. I have also on our old WJ Jeep had some cheap LED bulbs that were branded Hogfather that had a fan for cooling last for several years until I sold the vehicle - too bulky for a motorcycle headlamp bowl.

It is my opinion that if you want  to go down the LED route it's worth buying from a supplier like Classic LED's where a warranty has some chance of being honoured - the price you pay will be almost double so you pays your money & take your chances. Interestingly some of the modern Quartz Iodene bulbs sold by the likes of Halfords Advance range  have amazing outputs but a shorter lifespan is a trade off - often typically 2 years in a car.

[taysidedragon]

Ted, I think you're referring to early LED bulbs, or cheap jobs. If you look at Paul Goff's website you'll see that the bulbs he sells now have the led's positioned in the same position as the original filaments, so the main and dip beams work as designed. 👍

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Ted, I think you're referring to early LED bulbs, or cheap jobs. If you look at Paul Goff's website you'll see that the bulbs he sells now have the led's positioned in the same position as the original filaments, so the main and dip beams work as designed. 👍

A typical tungsten fillament is what less half a mm  in diameter so no LED lamp can get close to that in terms of being a point of light for focus. Most LED replacement bulbs are made to fit a wide range of headlamp units so they must compromise somewhere I would have though. That said there has been a great improvement in dip design as you say - an LED replacement for a specific make of reflector & lenz might be what Paul Goff is selling I'm not familiar with his products or used them. Might be we need an update on Kens original tests.

I've just gone for a complete LED headlamp unit as originality in that area is not a concern for me.

[Pauarc]

So would it be better to change the complete unit any suggestions on a unit

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

If your headlamp unit is the same diameter as a 500 one then the one I used was was recommended to me by member  here Allenkelly1.
Certainly in no way original looking - gives a good light pattern - I bought the Osram LED version. There are standard & higher powered versions on e-bay. It was a straight fit into the DS 500 rim kit. Mine was replaced due to cosmetic damage and rust to the original.
It's sold as a Land Rover unit for the old Defender model with standard 7" headlights, mine was similar to this link but was marked as Osram & has the right lenz markings.
.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303960372602

[Pauarc]

Hi Ted

 Did you fit it into the head light backing looks like same size (have you a picture of what it looks like) Paul

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

On my 500.
I did not connect the indicator unit that is buit in - the Angel eyes sidelamp can be used as a DTRL if you do some creative wiring. It leaves a lot of handy spare space in the headlamo bowl.
.first mock up by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

On my 400 that I fitted with a 500 headlamp bowl.

.400 lamp change by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

This is the sidelamp/DTRO at night on my 500.
.500 Angel Eye by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[Pauarc]

Thanks Ted
Great looking bike looks like a good option
Thanks Paul

[Pauarc]

I thought I’d get the L E D light Ted used on his bike fits well decided to connect with relays in light circuit not to over load switch

[Oddjob]

If it's an LED Paul the draw will be nowhere near enough to warrant a relay.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Strictly it's like Allenkelly1 Yamaha as he put me onto them - I'm happy to take reflected credit.

Nice one - looks good with the blue hue - did you buy a high powered version?

[Pauarc]

Yes I did fitted great (just fitted relays as had them so power is straight from battery)