6 Volt Headlights?

[viclioce]

Has anyone tried anything like this for their Hodaka? Just curious. Wondering if it would work with the Hodie electrics?

This particular one is 60/55 watts so is it requiring more wattage than the system can put out? Victor

[matt glascock]

I'd think you'd probably get more candlepower riding and smoking a cigar. I'd guess that is for a bike with a larger generator or vintage tractor or car with a 6 volt system. I seem to recall my Hodie headlights are 35W/35W or so. On the flip-side, I bet it would never burn out.

[viclioce]

Yeah. I think the OEM headlamps are rated 25/35 watts. Trying to find something maybe in a 6 volt LED which would work, maybe? Victor

[matt glascock]

I think Paul at SH is working on exactly that.

[viclioce]

That would be great! Victor

[rlkarren]

umm... These posts will answer that question; and are still relevant. Octane lighting sells the Autopal brand.

http://www.hodakaforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=415

and

http://www.hodakaforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 4846#p4846

[Bill2001]

Thanks, Roger. I keep misplacing that link to your articles.

[rlkarren]

FWIW, I wrote the second post more than 4 years ago and I am still using the original halogen bulb. I also purchased the Beatrice lens earlier this year for my Sleeper Ace, with great results so far.

Modifying the trim ring to accept an aftermarket lens was definitely worth it for me.

Roger

[viclioce]

Thanks Roger! I think I will give at least one of these a try! Victor

[rlkarren]

Victor: Make sure you get the 6v 35/35w version.

[viclioce]

OK! Good to know! Victor

[Bill2001]

I don't ride much at night, so I've not prioritized a good headlight.
When I got the bike, both h'lite bulb filaments were burnt out. So I took the low-tech approach and did mods to install a 6v 1157 bulb. That is the brake/taillight bulb, 20w and 6w. Wimpish on high beam and barely there on low beam. It works without stressing the ancient alternator.
Alabama has a "headlight always on" law for motorcycles, and even that wimpy headlight can be considered compliant.
I plan to work on the headlight, either with Roger's plug-and-play solutions, or try to adapt a 35/35w halogen to the reflector, or adapt an LED headlight bulb conversion to the reflector. Or add external LED lights to the system.

We'll see what happens.

[Hydraulic Jack]

When trying to "adapt" one style of light bulb to a reflector system made for another style entirely, you will likely never achieve what you want. Quite aside from fitment issues, which can be mastered, filament alignment generally can't be duplicated if the bulb uses a different configuration (linear versus horizontal for just one example). That would have a lot to do with why a brake light bulb throws less light than a Boy Scout flashlight. The high and low filaments must be placed at the exact focal point within the reflector that the originals were for each filament. Otherwise light is scattered, badly focused, and usually of little use.

If you use a headlight system with a replaceable bulb, stay within the same bulb family, such as H4 exchanged with H4. Don't try to mate an H7 to an H4 reflector even if you can carve alignment notches to get it to seat. It won't give good results.

[Bill2001]

Piffle. This is what R&D is all about. The low beam is dim because it is 6 watts.

[Hydraulic Jack]

I think you are confusing reasearch and development with trial and error.