Headlights

[angus]

Is there an aftermarket headlight that can fit the gs,I've bought a few from local breakers and the don't fit because of the clocks.I'm putting it on 80 550L.Any links would be great

 

[cowboyup3371]

The Truck-lite LED headlight will work fine but you'll need the larger bucket from a non-L bike plus the headlight ears.

 

[bwringer]

The L models use a smaller diameter headlight; a 7" headlight will hit the instruments.

Dime City Cycles sells several smaller side-mount headlight assemblies. For example:
https://www.dimecitycycles.com/chrome-5-3-4-inch-old-school-side-mount-bates-headlight.html
https://www.dimecitycycles.com/vint...retro-chrome-mini-bates-headlight-410312.html


Same at Cycle Recycle II:
https://newmotorcycleparts.net/electrical/lighting/head_tail_light/head_light.html

The above all take H4 bulbs, so you can swap in whatever bulb you prefer. I use H4 LED headlamps in all my vehicles, but I don't know of a complete LED assembly that will fit the smaller diameter.



Honestly, buying a used headlight assembly hardly ever works; it's very hard to find one that's not damaged or badly corroded. New ones aren't all that expensive.

 

[angus]

Would 5" or even 6" fit loads local on eBay and cheap

 

[bwringer]

Whoops, sorry, missed that you are not in the US.

You can move the mounting ears in and out, so you have some latitude to make slightly different sizes fit.



As one reference point, I have a 650GL headlight assembly on my KLR650 (long story short: deer, broken leg, rebuild as naked).

Anyway, it measures 7-1/2" inches at the widest point, and the mounts are about 6-1/4" to 6-1/2" apart (hard to measure without dismounting). There's a sort of "scoop" or cutout on the top rear so it will clear the instruments.

If the headlight you're considering doesn't have that scoop at the rear, then you may need to look for a smaller diameter or find one with a scoop.

 

[angus]

Just bought this 1.Item number 173378662598 off eBay UK it's a 5" was cheap enough.

 

[cowboyup3371]

The L models use a smaller diameter headlight; a 7" headlight will hit the instruments.

Umm Brian, not so for every bike. Charmayne's 81 550L is wearing a Truck-lite with the 7" bucket

Charmayne Riding by Scott Baker, on Flickr

Charmayne Windshield Side View by Scott Baker, on Flickr

Charmayne Windshield Front View by Scott Baker, on Flickr

The turn signal was drooping in this picture but has been fixed

 

[bwringer]

Umm Brian, not so for every bike. Charmayne's 81 550L is wearing a Truck-lite with the 7" bucket

Good to know! I had this notion in my head that all the "L" models had smaller chrome buckets.

 

[Steve]

Good to know! I had this notion in my head that all the "L" models had smaller chrome buckets.

They do. I think Scott's comment was referencing your statement regarding the "scoop" in the bucket. :-k

Scott has changed out the smaller chrome bucket on Charmayne's bike to a 7" bucket to hold the TruckLite.

I have also done the same for Mrs. Steve's 850L. I have a 7" bucket on there to hold her TruckLite.

For those that are contemplating this upgrade, be aware that you also need to change the mounting ears, as they have a different offset for the wider bucket. If you don't change the mounting ears, the headlight bucket mounting points will be splayed out for the wider bucket, which will place your front turn signals at a strange angle.

.