Another Truck lite Install
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Another Truck lite Install
Finally, I dropped the $189.00 and had Eastern Performance ship out a truck-Lite phase 7. No issues with Eastern, it arrived when they said it would.
Removing the OEM head lamp is straight forward, right up until you break off one of the retaining ring tabs while cleaning it. So, out comes the JB weld to replace the shitty single spot weld holding the tab on. Upon assembly, I was surprised that it took 5 full turns of the vertical adjuster to get the light properly adjusted.
Doing research prior to the purchase, I read a number of complaints about cornering at night and the light not scattering enough to see very far into the corner. They were right. The best feature of the LED is also it’s Achilles heel. The light beam is very linear in that it cuts off abruptly to keep from scattering light everywhere. Going into a curve like a ramp, it tends to cut off 6-10 feet earlier than the old halogen. That’s not really the issue. The light cuts off so abruptly when you're leaned over, it looks pitch black just beyond the end of the light so it’s a bit unnerving at first. Fortunately on the FLH, you’ve got the passing lamps to compensate for this phenomenon. That and the fact that there aren't any curves in FL other than ramps, this won't be much of an issue.
On the FLH, you have to use Harley’s frenched trim ring to completely cover the light housing otherwise you have the last ź inch of the light assembly exposed beyond the stock trim ring. If I didn’t already have it, I wouldn’t have blown 50 bucks on it. Form follows function with me. That 50 could go toward moto lights. Besides, it really doesn’t look that bad.
Considering these issues, it’s still one of the best investments you’ll make for your bike. The increase in viewable area is incredible. What used to be a dimly lit road shoulder is now as bright as what’s in front of you giving you a lot more reaction time when something wanders toward the road. Properly adjusted, you can see 30+ feet further down the road more clearly and you’re not getting flashed from oncoming cars on a 2 Lane road. This is all before you hit the high beam. You may as well have a switch to turn on the sun! I put a beating on the high beam switch the first night….. the amount of light is so unbelievable you have to turn it off and on repeatedly just to grasp the enormity of it all! In my testing, I've found that when properly adjusted, you can ride on a divided 4 lane road with the high beam on and no one is flashing their brights at you. Don't do this on a two lane road, oncoming traffic will be flashing you from 50 yards. Besides, you're likely to burn someone's retina!
I"m going with the fuelMoto bulbs for the passing lamps. EDIT: after reading the reviews of these bulbs, I'm looking elsewhere. Ultimately, I'll problaby have to bight the bullet and buy the passing lamps.END EDIT. I won't drop another 200 on passing lamps just so they match because, quite frankly, when the bike is on the side stand, the headlight doesn't look that great when it's turned off and I don't see what it looks like when I'm riding it!
Happy Motoring!
Removing the OEM head lamp is straight forward, right up until you break off one of the retaining ring tabs while cleaning it. So, out comes the JB weld to replace the shitty single spot weld holding the tab on. Upon assembly, I was surprised that it took 5 full turns of the vertical adjuster to get the light properly adjusted.
Doing research prior to the purchase, I read a number of complaints about cornering at night and the light not scattering enough to see very far into the corner. They were right. The best feature of the LED is also it’s Achilles heel. The light beam is very linear in that it cuts off abruptly to keep from scattering light everywhere. Going into a curve like a ramp, it tends to cut off 6-10 feet earlier than the old halogen. That’s not really the issue. The light cuts off so abruptly when you're leaned over, it looks pitch black just beyond the end of the light so it’s a bit unnerving at first. Fortunately on the FLH, you’ve got the passing lamps to compensate for this phenomenon. That and the fact that there aren't any curves in FL other than ramps, this won't be much of an issue.
On the FLH, you have to use Harley’s frenched trim ring to completely cover the light housing otherwise you have the last ź inch of the light assembly exposed beyond the stock trim ring. If I didn’t already have it, I wouldn’t have blown 50 bucks on it. Form follows function with me. That 50 could go toward moto lights. Besides, it really doesn’t look that bad.
Considering these issues, it’s still one of the best investments you’ll make for your bike. The increase in viewable area is incredible. What used to be a dimly lit road shoulder is now as bright as what’s in front of you giving you a lot more reaction time when something wanders toward the road. Properly adjusted, you can see 30+ feet further down the road more clearly and you’re not getting flashed from oncoming cars on a 2 Lane road. This is all before you hit the high beam. You may as well have a switch to turn on the sun! I put a beating on the high beam switch the first night….. the amount of light is so unbelievable you have to turn it off and on repeatedly just to grasp the enormity of it all! In my testing, I've found that when properly adjusted, you can ride on a divided 4 lane road with the high beam on and no one is flashing their brights at you. Don't do this on a two lane road, oncoming traffic will be flashing you from 50 yards. Besides, you're likely to burn someone's retina!
I"m going with the fuelMoto bulbs for the passing lamps. EDIT: after reading the reviews of these bulbs, I'm looking elsewhere. Ultimately, I'll problaby have to bight the bullet and buy the passing lamps.END EDIT. I won't drop another 200 on passing lamps just so they match because, quite frankly, when the bike is on the side stand, the headlight doesn't look that great when it's turned off and I don't see what it looks like when I'm riding it!
Happy Motoring!
Last edited by BoonDock_Saint; Jan 3, 2016 at 10:26 PM. Reason: update
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I love lots of light on my bikes and did the Trucklight 7 a while back I love it and the cornering light is a non issue for me. I live in the Sierra foothills and ride twisty roads all the time. After a year I finally went with the passing lamps too and they were a massive improvement over my PIAA equipped ones. Another benefit is less heat and amp draw.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 39
From: Central Florida
Yeah the passing lamps make a big difference in the volume of light to the sides. Without them I agree the beam is a bit narrow.. Overall I've had mine for about a year now and very happy with the improvement over stock and price!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 705
Likes: 18
From: Huber Heights,Oh
Originally Posted by BoonDock_Saint
Finally, I dropped the $189.00 and had Eastern Performance ship out a truck-Lite phase 7. No issues with Eastern, it arrived when they said it would.
Removing the OEM head lamp is straight forward, right up until you break off one of the retaining ring tabs while cleaning it. So, out comes the JB weld to replace the shitty single spot weld holding the tab on. Upon assembly, I was surprised that it took 5 full turns of the vertical adjuster to get the light properly adjusted.
Doing research prior to the purchase, I read a number of complaints about cornering at night and the light not scattering enough to see very far into the corner. They were right. The best feature of the LED is also itÂs Achilles heel. The light beam is very linear in that it cuts off abruptly to keep from scattering light everywhere. Going into a curve like a ramp, it tends to cut off 6-10 feet earlier than the old halogen. ThatÂs not really the issue. The light cuts off so abruptly when you're leaned over, it looks pitch black just beyond the end of the light so itÂs a bit unnerving at first. Fortunately on the FLH, youÂve got the passing lamps to compensate for this phenomenon. That and the fact that there aren't any curves in FL other than ramps, this won't be much of an issue.
On the FLH, you have to use HarleyÂs frenched trim ring to completely cover the light housing otherwise you have the last Âź inch of the light assembly exposed beyond the stock trim ring. If I didnÂt already have it, I wouldnÂt have blown 50 bucks on it. Form follows function with me. That 50 could go toward moto lights. Besides, it really doesnÂt look that bad.
Considering these issues, itÂs still one of the best investments youÂll make for your bike. The increase in viewable area is incredible. What used to be a dimly lit road shoulder is now as bright as whatÂs in front of you giving you a lot more reaction time when something wanders toward the road. Properly adjusted, you can see 30+ feet further down the road more clearly and youÂre not getting flashed from oncoming cars on a 2 Lane road. This is all before you hit the high beam. You may as well have a switch to turn on the sun! I put a beating on the high beam switch the first night .. the amount of light is so unbelievable you have to turn it off and on repeatedly just to grasp the enormity of it all! In my testing, I've found that when properly adjusted, you can ride on a divided 4 lane road with the high beam on and no one is flashing their brights at you. Don't do this on a two lane road, oncoming traffic will be flashing you from 50 yards. Besides, you're likely to burn someone's retina!
I"m going with the fuelMoto bulbs for the passing lamps. I won't drop another 200 on passing lamps just so they match because, quite frankly, when the bike is on the side stand, the headlight doesn't look that great when it's turned off and I don't see what it looks like when I'm riding it!
Happy Motoring!
Removing the OEM head lamp is straight forward, right up until you break off one of the retaining ring tabs while cleaning it. So, out comes the JB weld to replace the shitty single spot weld holding the tab on. Upon assembly, I was surprised that it took 5 full turns of the vertical adjuster to get the light properly adjusted.
Doing research prior to the purchase, I read a number of complaints about cornering at night and the light not scattering enough to see very far into the corner. They were right. The best feature of the LED is also itÂs Achilles heel. The light beam is very linear in that it cuts off abruptly to keep from scattering light everywhere. Going into a curve like a ramp, it tends to cut off 6-10 feet earlier than the old halogen. ThatÂs not really the issue. The light cuts off so abruptly when you're leaned over, it looks pitch black just beyond the end of the light so itÂs a bit unnerving at first. Fortunately on the FLH, youÂve got the passing lamps to compensate for this phenomenon. That and the fact that there aren't any curves in FL other than ramps, this won't be much of an issue.
On the FLH, you have to use HarleyÂs frenched trim ring to completely cover the light housing otherwise you have the last Âź inch of the light assembly exposed beyond the stock trim ring. If I didnÂt already have it, I wouldnÂt have blown 50 bucks on it. Form follows function with me. That 50 could go toward moto lights. Besides, it really doesnÂt look that bad.
Considering these issues, itÂs still one of the best investments youÂll make for your bike. The increase in viewable area is incredible. What used to be a dimly lit road shoulder is now as bright as whatÂs in front of you giving you a lot more reaction time when something wanders toward the road. Properly adjusted, you can see 30+ feet further down the road more clearly and youÂre not getting flashed from oncoming cars on a 2 Lane road. This is all before you hit the high beam. You may as well have a switch to turn on the sun! I put a beating on the high beam switch the first night .. the amount of light is so unbelievable you have to turn it off and on repeatedly just to grasp the enormity of it all! In my testing, I've found that when properly adjusted, you can ride on a divided 4 lane road with the high beam on and no one is flashing their brights at you. Don't do this on a two lane road, oncoming traffic will be flashing you from 50 yards. Besides, you're likely to burn someone's retina!
I"m going with the fuelMoto bulbs for the passing lamps. I won't drop another 200 on passing lamps just so they match because, quite frankly, when the bike is on the side stand, the headlight doesn't look that great when it's turned off and I don't see what it looks like when I'm riding it!
Happy Motoring!
everything matching.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 14
From: london,ont,canada
have to agree the passing lambs was hard to swallow [price wise] but glad I did it . with all three lights , its like driving my car. was very pleased with the results and I also like things to match
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
BTW, you can find them on eBay as low as $163 shipped. Here's just one example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRUCK-LITE-2...1TS-jw&vxp=mtr
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 5
From: Central Calif
Doing research prior to the purchase, I read a number of complaints about cornering at night and the light not scattering enough to see very far into the corner. They were right. The best feature of the LED is also it’s Achilles heel. The light beam is very linear in that it cuts off abruptly to keep from scattering light everywhere. Going into a curve like a ramp, it tends to cut off 6-10 feet earlier than the old halogen. That’s not really the issue. The light cuts off so abruptly when you're leaned over, it looks pitch black just beyond the end of the light so it’s a bit unnerving at first. Fortunately on the FLH, you’ve got the passing lamps to compensate for this phenomenon. That and the fact that there aren't any curves in FL other than ramps, this won't be much of an issue.
Happy Motoring!
Happy Motoring!
The HD Daymaker is terrible for cutting off the light in the corners -- yes I have ridden with it.
The TL is a great light.
Last edited by OwnerOfHarriet; Dec 19, 2015 at 10:56 AM.
