Headlamp

My recently resurrected 71 Commando still has the OEM Lucas headlamp in place. Amazingly it still works. I would like to remove it and put something more reliable in its place. I cant see it really lasting much longer.
Can I put a brighter light in without changing anything? Is there a direct fit replacement that will work?
I live in Illinois and we have the light on ALL the time for safety. Suggestions? I dont want to do any wiring changes now, I just want a source for a reliable headlamp.
Thanks

45 watt Halogen drop in retrofit. Same current draw. Bright as any modern bike. My original single phase/rectifier/zener charging system keeps the battery charged with the 45W lamp on at all times. (OEM lamp was 48 watts)


http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRIUMPH-NORTON- ... 80&vxp=mtr

No modifications, just bright goodness. The single most important safety mod for a bike ridden in modern traffic, day or night.

That looks like just what I need.
Thanks

if you want to ride with a candle just leave it original.. 1.5 candles is hardly any better. Personally I proved an H4 unit will be much better. I tried what you are suggesting about 30 years ago. To my horror, a 350 yammy came up behind us and his light caused a shadow of us in his beam [ our light was on high beam too ].

FWIW in a pinch a standard 7" sealed beam (6014 or better yet H6024 halogen) fits perfectly and takes the same socket as a H4 unit, which will need to be changed in any case...but an H4 is a better choice if you ride at night, have run both on my bike. BTW, buy a HD headlight socket, some of the new standard units are poorly made and can melt...HD is below

kerinorton said:

if you want to ride with a candle just leave it original.. 1.5 candles is hardly any better. Personally I proved an H4 unit will be much better. I tried what you are suggesting about 30 years ago. To my horror, a 350 yammy came up behind us and his light caused a shadow of us in his beam [ our light was on high beam too ].

Click to expand...

??
The link to the kit is an H4 setup....
There are many choices, I have a Bosch flat face, the the kit is a good example of how easy it is, no additional current draw for fretting over.

I am running the bosch headlamp, H4 bulb with the Eastern Beaver relay kit and I cast shadows on everyone. With the headlight adjusted properly and the brights on I get flashed by other drivers cause I'm blinding them....blinding them with a 73 Commando?....what a rush. I use the commando as my daily driver and leaving for work at 5:30 AM for a 25 mile country road commute I need good lights to spot the deer and other night critters. The eastern beaver kit is easy to install although space is always at a premium. I took the switch out of my headlight bucket, put in a low charge LED indicator and put the relays in the bucket. Here's the relay link http://www.easternbeaver.com/ and they have an H4 single lamp positive ground relay kit which is what I bought.

Safety first!

Dave

MikeM said:

My recently resurrected 71 Commando still has the OEM Lucas headlamp in place. Amazingly it still works. I would like to remove it and put something more reliable in its place.
Thanks

Click to expand...

Sounds like it's very reliable as it is.