81 GS450 LED headlamp conversion, any suggestions?

[Guest]

Anyone have any tips on if an LED headlight conversion will work on an 81 GS450? If so, what size will fit in the housing. I have read everything from 6 3/8 to 7 inches or 160-180mm... no straight answer. If anyone has done this, what kind, where to buy, size, any special instructions??

Thanks,

[Steve]

If I remember correctly, your headlight is not the standard 7" light, but I could be wrong.

If you DO have a 7" light, the conversion is easy, but not necessarily cheap.

Just open up the housing, remove the current light, drop in a Truck-Lite LED Headlight, put it all back together and wonder why you didn't do that sooner.

Not sure how many others have done this particular conversion, but several of us here is southwest oHIo have done it.

If you don't have a 7" headlight already, look for a used bucket and trim ring, along with mounting ears (the offset is different), then swap it all.

.

[OldVet66]

I would not even consider it unless you have changed over to a Series R/R or the wattage of the light you replace it with is the almost the same. Reducing a major load like that may fool a stock Shunt R/R into overcharging.

[posplayr]

I would not even consider it unless you have changed over to a Series R/R or the wattage of the light you replace it with is the almost the same. Reducing a major load like that may fool a stock Shunt R/R into overcharging.

how soon this info is lost................

[Blue Falcon]

I would not even consider it unless you have changed over to a Series R/R or the wattage of the light you replace it with is the almost the same. Reducing a major load like that may fool a stock Shunt R/R into overcharging.

already did that, had to put a new one in when I got the bike. R/R covered. Just couldn't find an old post where someone detailed the what and how they did a conversion on a GS450 LED headlight.

[OldVet66]

Good to hear you are ready for the project. Hope you find a suitable light.

[JTGS850GL]

I would not even consider it unless you have changed over to a Series R/R or the wattage of the light you replace it with is the almost the same. Reducing a major load like that may fool a stock Shunt R/R into overcharging.

Actually it wont "fool the R/R" at all. It will just burn out your stator and or your R/R. Will charge just fine until one or the other goes.

[Blue Falcon]

Took a closer look at the headlight, its as close to 7 inches as you can get without actually being 7 inches. Glad I didn't order the 6 3/8 bulb from the Suzuki dealer now lol. Checking out the 7 inch LED options on the webernet. Thanks

[Steve]

Did you measure across the glass lens or across the chrome trim ring? ?-k

The overall housing on a 7" light will actually measure about 7 3/4" across.

The 6 3/8" light will have a housing that will measure about 7" across, so it is important to know where you measured.

.

[Blue Falcon]

Did you measure across the glass lens or across the chrome trim ring? ?-k

The overall housing on a 7" light will actually measure about 7 3/4" across.

The 6 3/8" light will have a housing that will measure about 7" across, so it is important to know where you measured.

.

I got the caliper out and measured holder, housing, lens, ring, depth... got it all. Measure twice, order once.

Suzuki said I had a 6 3/8 light, measured just under 7, holder to holder right around the 7 3/4. Judging by what the parts house has and what the dealer found by my VIN....this isn't the factory set up.

[posplayr]

Actually it wont "fool the R/R" at all. It will just burn out your stator and or your R/R. Will charge just fine until one or the other goes.

Details details............

[Pb9717]

I got a JW Speaker Evolution 8700 Rev2, used, on eBay for $179 bucks and its been fantastic.( Caution...lotsa chinese knock offs out there stating they are JW's and are not)