Lighting upgrade - done right
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Lighting upgrade - done right
Emailed www.danielsternlighting.com (DS) and took his advice. Very pleased. 07 RKC.
Auxilary lamps - Replaced halogen bulbs with amber sealed beam units (snipped off bulb connector and soldered spade connectors). DS claims new units provide 40 degrees of light instead of 11, plus I think the amber is just more noticeable. Not sure they do much to night lighting (except more noticeable) but the stock units were next to worthless. Could hardly tell if they were even on. Cosmetically, I like the amber up front. A little different. DS gets $26 a piece for these (Wagner 4415A) and I've since found them cheaper. Not sure if much price difference after shipping.
Headlamp - Per DS (and I'm a believer), much more than the bulb, the biggest limiting factor is the stock reflector/lense optics. Just adding wattage (or bluer or whiter or whatever) isn't the answer. He sold me Cibie E-code reflector/lense assembly ($75) and Osram 70/65 heavy-duty bulb ($22). The difference from stock is amazing. The E-code setup has a great distinct low-beam cutoff and the high beam absolutely lights up the night. Install is easy. Biggest problem was figuring out how the H4 bulb comes out (you push in on those little tabs, not pull out). Duh. He provides instruction on proper aiming.
Just my opinion...Forget about the the easy-fix bulb replacements (SilverStar, SuperWhite, SuperBlue, whatever) and do it right. I've got about $150 bucks in this. Cheap compared to most chrome. If it helps with one dummie - or deer - it's well worth it.
I have no affiliation with this guy. I heard of him here. (One more example of this darn forum costing me money!)
Pic below. Note the lenses are no longer just clear. I don't like the different shades of amber, probably getting smoked or clear turn signals lenses. Otherwise, looks good to me. And kind of a retro look on my Classic.
For what it's worth...[/align]
[IMG]local://upfiles/8883/4CD5090CC98048F89A8A509FE995DD88.jpg[/IMG]
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
From: SW Florida
RE: Lighting upgrade - done right
I* put Daniel Stern Cibie Lights and HID upgrade on my Jeep.. European stuff.. We're backwards here in the states when it comes to lighting..!! Someone makes a small HID pac for the HD with fairings..
RE: Lighting upgrade - done right
Didn't realize they made a euro-spec reflector for the FLH headlights. Thought just for the Road Glide. I may have to try this upgrade. IMO the passing lamps don't do a damn thing. Glad I didn't spend money on them. Might actually take them off and sell them.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa, Ok
RE: Lighting upgrade - done right
Hey any chance you could get some pics of it at nite. Id love to see how the new setup works without the passing lights.
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Stage I
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
Ran across 3 of the Euro spec (#68995-01) Road Glide headlight housings. What are those things going for ? Can't find them really any more, so I expect it will be expensive.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
For those with standard 7" headlights, the Hella E-code is about half the cost of the Cibie (****. See'-bee-ay). Both have an excellent reputation. Add the 80/100W bulb and you have a bargain lighting upgrade:
Hella E-code headlights
Hella 80/100W bulbs
Hella E-code headlights
Hella 80/100W bulbs
