SG headlight upgrade
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Back to the cheap improvements: Just stumbled onto the Eiko 49111 100 watt/80 watt H4 bulb. What attracts me to it is the anticipated life rating. 800 hours for the low beam, 150 hours for the high beam. The price is competitive with the Silverstar. My shade tree reasoing on this is that the headlight circuit is protected by a 15 amp fuse meaning that the wire must have a higher rating or the wire would fail before the fuse. Using standard P=IE math says that a headlight up to 108 watts using a voltage of 13.8 is safe. The passing lights are on a different circuit. 896 bulbs are 37.5 watts and provide a bit more light at about the same price as the 27 watt standard bulbs. Compatible 50 watt bulbs are available but I haven't found any with the little black shield on the bulb tip. Without that, the filaments make a lot glare for on-coming drivers.
I have tried a NAPA 100/80 watt H4 bulb and it worked fine but died in a few weeks, hence the search for something else. The Eiko bulb is available on special order from Oreilly's and also over the net. I think next time I will try one of the net sources. Just Google the bulb number and several suppliers show up. Several of the net sources provide anticipated hours of bulb life, one thing to consider for making value judgements.
I have tried a NAPA 100/80 watt H4 bulb and it worked fine but died in a few weeks, hence the search for something else. The Eiko bulb is available on special order from Oreilly's and also over the net. I think next time I will try one of the net sources. Just Google the bulb number and several suppliers show up. Several of the net sources provide anticipated hours of bulb life, one thing to consider for making value judgements.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: NH
I recieved the 55w hi/low kit from DDM tuning. With no basic instructions it took a little longer than I would have thought for install. Loosing the positive battery terminal screw and trying to figure out how to run the power wire from the batter to the fairing without fully removing the gas tank didn't really help though.
But in the end it works and it is bright! I'll be taking the bike to work tomorrow morning around 430am so I'll see just how bright it really is.
But in the end it works and it is bright! I'll be taking the bike to work tomorrow morning around 430am so I'll see just how bright it really is.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
I recieved the 55w hi/low kit from DDM tuning. With no basic instructions it took a little longer than I would have thought for install. Loosing the positive battery terminal screw and trying to figure out how to run the power wire from the batter to the fairing without fully removing the gas tank didn't really help though.
But in the end it works and it is bright! I'll be taking the bike to work tomorrow morning around 430am so I'll see just how bright it really is.
But in the end it works and it is bright! I'll be taking the bike to work tomorrow morning around 430am so I'll see just how bright it really is.
to remove the tank on the 09-11 street glides is just 4 bolts, quick disconnect fuel coupler & then the harness underneath (easier when tank is empty)
you should be amazed over the light output tomorrow.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
+1 I did this upgrade on my SG - huge improvement for not a lot of dough! Might still upgrade to LED's if prices come down enough, but no hurry cause this iClick solution is awesome bang for the buck.
I'm using the Hella E-code headlights with Hella 80/100W bulbs. Great upgrade for little money. No problems running the higher-wattage bulbs in my old RK and current SG for 14 years.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: NH
yes you are are correct they never come with instructions but they are really just plug & play.
to remove the tank on the 09-11 street glides is just 4 bolts, quick disconnect fuel coupler & then the harness underneath (easier when tank is empty)
you should be amazed over the light output tomorrow.
to remove the tank on the 09-11 street glides is just 4 bolts, quick disconnect fuel coupler & then the harness underneath (easier when tank is empty)
you should be amazed over the light output tomorrow.
The kit I recieved looks like it was wired for two headlights. I ended up just zip tieing everything together and out of the way. But yeah for $64 shipped, you can't go wrong with this kit. Plus the bulb is suppose to be good for >3000 hours and they are pretty cheap to replace.
With the rain this morning, I was unable to ride into work. Hoping tomorrow will be nice.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
love mine too & i will install these in every vehicle from now on.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
I have the H.D. LED in black. It definitely makes street and highway signs jump out a lot further away. The $440 price tag which includes a 20% discount is expensive but it does look kewl and the performance is much better. I'm in so deep now that cost of stuff I like doesn't weigh in so much anymore.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
"As good or better for cheaper"? What you'll find with that question is lots of folks who've upgraded to lots of stuff, but few have done that and the HD LED light as well, so they have no basis for comparison. So, the question will remain unanswered, essentially.
Personally, when it comes to such critical safety-related items as headlights, I don't tend to go the bargain-basement route - the stakes are too high. I will say that since I installed my HD clear LED headlight, I notice a lot less cars pulling out from side streets into my right of way, and the thing is much brighter than the stock light. I consider it money well spent. I'd do it again.
Last edited by racklefratz; Jun 27, 2012 at 09:55 AM.