Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

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Gowing
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#16

Post by Gowing »

6adan wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:07 am Shadowjack, I am.
Loud laugh here. Scared the dogs.
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#17

Post by pidjones »

So, I put the Chinabay LED H4 bulb in my GL1000 bucket. Fit was no problem as the back side of the bulb is the same as a halogen. This is one of the three-sided bulbs and it seems to throw much whiter light, but no more than the halogen. And, the high beam is really high - like way down the road, maybe into the trees. Haven't ridden in the dark with it yet, but seldom ride this bike at night. I did set it in the driveway at night.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
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1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#18

Post by Sidecar Bob »

The big advantage of LED headlights is that they use so much less power.
It may seem to produce more light once you get it aimed. I don't have anywhere at home suitable for aiming headlights so I usually go somewhere where there is a parking lot that is close to level and I can shine it on a wall that is 20' or more away. That can get you close but I still like to go out on a foggy night when you can see the beam in the fog to make sure it is aimed right.
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#19

Post by thompson145 »

I’m not 100% sure about country of origin, pretty sure it’s China, but I needed something locally available and found this Grote 7” sealed LED. Posting because I feel like I researched forever to find a decent and somewhat affordable option for my 76 GL1000.. Paid about $100 for it and so far have been very pleased. Put almost 2000 miles on it so far, but I guess time will tell how it holds up. Stupidly didn’t take a before picture, but here’s the after result:
D203DC0F-2148-4D6D-A6FA-C601B764597B.jpeg
D203DC0F-2148-4D6D-A6FA-C601B764597B.jpeg (261.98 KiB) Viewed 175 times
1976 GL1000

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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#20

Post by Figor »

Nice. Couldn’t tell you how my cheap Chinese one compares as I’m still waiting for the brake reservoir I ordered. From what I see with it motionless it’s no where near that bright. It is much better then what it had though. That isn’t saying much. The led that was in it was dimmer then a Harbour freight free flashlight. Literally.

Before the brake issue I was able to ride it over to my moms during the day. When I left that evening I could barely see. I couldn’t ride over twenty miles an hour. I couldn’t believe someone rode this bike with that light. I reckon if you only rode in the city it would probably be ok but I live out in the country and there’s no light out here. There was just no way I could ride with that light.

I looked at Daymakers but they were pretty spendy. A guy I work with has one on his Harley and he was following me one night. It was so bright I finally slowed down so he had to pass me. The next day I told him next time he follows me with his brights on I was going to throw a handful of roofing nails over my shoulder. He told me that was his dim light. Lol
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#21

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Bright light is great but it has to have a good beam pattern and be aimed properly. A good, well aimed headlight should light up the road well enough for you to see without dazzling other road users.
It sounds like your friend's headlight is aimed too high.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
Figor
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#22

Post by Figor »

I agree. Maybe it’s my eyes changing as I age but it seems like 90% of the vehicles coming at me have brights on. I’ll flash my brights then they hit theirs and wow like a welding arc flash. Probably just people buying led’s and not even realizing they need to adjust them. Just throw them in and go.
Last edited by Figor on Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#23

Post by CYBORG »

Figor wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:10 pm I agree. Maybe it’s my eyes changing as I age but it seems like 90% of the vehicles coming at me have brights on. I’ll flash my brights then they hit theirs and wow like a welding are flash. Probably just people buying less and not even realizing they need to adjust them. Just throw them in and go.
I agree.
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pidjones
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#24

Post by pidjones »

Figor wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:10 pm I agree. Maybe it’s my eyes changing as I age but it seems like 90% of the vehicles coming at me have brights on. I’ll flash my brights then they hit theirs and wow like a welding arc flash. Probably just people buying led’s and not even realizing they need to adjust them. Just throw them in and go.
Also a large percentage buying off-road use only bulbs and running them on the street without a care in the world.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Any luck with chinese sealed led headlight units?

#25

Post by Sidecar Bob »

FWIW, I always thought the headlights on my bikes were OK, especially when supplemented by running lights on Mr.H (this was before I added the sidecar) and a sidecar headlight on the winter machine. Especially compared to the 35W bulb-soldered-into reflector headlight my first bike came with (which I eventually replaced with a 55/60 halogen setup similar to what Honda started using some time in the late '70s).
Then my wife got a 2nd gen CR-V that had very good headlights and I decided mine weren't so good after all......
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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