Hitchcocks Forum

I decided to replace the aging headlight bulb on my '94 Bullet as it was, to be charitable, week. A direct replacement with a 36W bulb made no discernable difference so I went to my local motor factor and picked up a H4 light unit and bulb. The first problem I ran into was that the bulb connector hit the speedo cable so I "solved" this by bending the bulb blades and wiring them individually. However although there was a huge increase in light output the ammeter went straight to the minus side and stayed there when running.

I was wondering if anyone knew of an LED replacement, either H4 or better yet BPF?. When I did a google search there were a number but most appeared to be from China. Some had a heat sink which would definitely rule out the H4 for me unless there is a shallow light unit available?. I did come across a site which sold some for vintage cars but at £50 I decided to keep looking.

hi pecon,have alook at the catalogue page 74ish bulb there to suit cheers phil

A mate has just put a 6v LED headlamp bulb in his 57 Velocette Venom. Its a very bright bluish light but draws a tiny amount so he can ride with it all day without flogging his generator. Ive yet to see what sort of light it casts at night.

If you're having a problem with space behind the headlight our hosts do this deeper headlight rim that maybe of help Number 93566.

Pete at dynamo and regulator conversions does dippable ones BPF and H4. OK for day, nice bright white headlamp, but I am still testing after dark against a 36W halogen BPF

Thanks for all the replies.

Phil: I found the page you mentioned but they all seem to be halogen and I'm not sure if my system is going to struggle with one.

Simon: To be honest I don't do much (any) night riding so any improvement in daylight will work for me.

Steve T: That rim will be ideal if I have to use the new lens, looks like there will be plenty of clearance with it.

Scalyback: Just sent off a query, thanks for the link

Hmm - I hadn't realised there might be a problem with heat-sink sticking out of the back of the 'dynamo-conversions' LED and I don't think the 93566 deep headlight rim fits on my 2016 C5. A quick look on amazon turned up a 'motorcycle h4 led bulb' that appears to have a little cooling fan on the front of the unit (i.e. venting warm air towards the headlamp lens) and looks like a standard H4 at the rear. Maybe that might be worth a try.

Oh,just looked again at 'dynamo-conversions'. Their newest H4 LED headlamp bulb (with heat-sink) says 'fits MOST motorcycles with speedo in the headlight... check measurements', but they also have an older design for half the price, with flexible heat dissipation bands instead of a heat-sink, which they say 'fits ALL motorcycles with speedo in the headlight'. So I guess that's the one to go for if in doubt. Half as bright, but half the price and still brighter and whiter than standard.

I have those in Kevin the meteor minor and Tornado my bullet. Both have the earlier style cascette also used in Indian bullets.

The BPF bulbs are an exact replacement. I am still awaiting a good chance to compare a 36W halogen with the dippable LED, but I have a feeling that the LED might not be quite as good as I thought, but do await results. I should be able to go test wed. night.

Most of my bulbs (excepting two front indicator and indicator tell tale) are LED. When I switch the headlamp (+ tail, pilot and speedo light (tasty green for Tornado) I don't notice any deflection on the ammeter, which is a vast saving on the halogen headlamp which scoffs electricity like a BSA scoffs oil.(wait for the storm!). I am hoping that the LED will outdo or at least equal the halogen, as it puts significantly less load on the charging system.

I have those in Kevin the meteor minor and Tornado my bullet. Both have the earlier style cascette also used in Indian bullets.

The BPF bulbs are an exact replacement. I am still awaiting a good chance to compare a 36W halogen with the dippable LED, but I have a feeling that the LED might not be quite as good as I thought, but do await results. I should be able to go test wed. night.

Most of my bulbs (excepting two front indicator and indicator tell tale) are LED. When I switch the headlamp (+ tail, pilot and speedo light (tasty green for Tornado) I don't notice any deflection on the ammeter, which is a vast saving on the halogen headlamp which scoffs electricity like a BSA scoffs oil.(wait for the storm!). I am hoping that the LED will outdo or at least equal the halogen, as it puts significantly less load on the charging system.