Author Topic: Adaptive LED Headlamp  (Read 1075 times)

Offline rowan.bradley

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Adaptive LED Headlamp
« on: 06.09. 2018 18:21 »
Has anyone used an adaptive LED headlamp on a BSA A10? The leading one seems to be made by J.W. Speaker (https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/jw-speaker-8790-adaptive-led-7-headlight) and has some excellent reviews, but is fiendishly expensive. It seems possible to buy much cheaper, apparently similar ones from China, such as this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113114140772. It says it's for Harley Davidson, but since the A10 has a 7 inch headlamp shell, it's difficult to think of a reason why this would not work, maybe with a bit of adaptation. Presumably it's a 12V unit.
Has anyone tried anything like this? What problems did you come up against. and did you in the end achieve a good solution?

Thanks - Rowan


Current bike: 1958 A10 Super Rocket (in bits), purchased in 1967.
Previous bikes: M21

Offline muskrat

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #1 on: 06.09. 2018 20:40 »
G'day Rowan.
Sorry no experience with that (or any modern led). Thinking it would look weird on a BSA. You could buy 7 of the Chinese for one of the American, probably 1/10th the quality. I'd get the cheapie and if it works and looks OK I'd save up for the Yank.
Gawd I didn't pay that much for a whole bike!
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline RDfella

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #2 on: 06.09. 2018 20:55 »
HOW much? Try acetylene, it's cheaper. As I ride for pleasure, I don't ride at night anyway (nothing to see) and prices like that would only reinforce my decision. Just keep a battery charged for the brake light.
'49 B31, '49 M21, '53 DOT, '58 Flash, '62 Flash special, '00 Firestorm, Weslake sprint bike.

Online Black Sheep

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #3 on: 06.09. 2018 22:23 »
Choose a fine moonlit night and riding is a pleasure. You are missing out!
2 twins, 2 singles, lots of sheep

Offline rowan.bradley

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #4 on: 06.09. 2018 22:31 »
Thinking it would look weird on a BSA.
As far as I can see, the difference in appearance would hardly be noticeable. They could both be in a 7" chrome shell. The only difference in appearance would be a single bulb in the original light, and an array of LEDs in the new one. Why would that be a problem?

Thanks - Rowan


Current bike: 1958 A10 Super Rocket (in bits), purchased in 1967.
Previous bikes: M21

Offline WozzA

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #5 on: 07.09. 2018 00:41 »
'51 Golden Flash Plunger
'57 Golden Flash Swingarm

Melbourne
The biggest lie I tell myself is
"I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it"

Online Black Sheep

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #6 on: 07.09. 2018 07:19 »
I use LED stop/tail lights in all my bikes. Haven't yet found a good BPF LED headlight bulb but might give the H4 a try. Must have a suitable reflector kicking around somewhere.
2 twins, 2 singles, lots of sheep

Offline BSA_54A10

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #7 on: 07.09. 2018 08:06 »
The very best headlight I have ever had on the A10 was the 6V VW kombi halogen conversion.
Same globe as the Beetle but you need the Kombi-waggon flat fronted reflector to fit in a motorcycle shell.
You can even keep the original Lucas front glass.
Latter model Kombi's used a sealed beam.
The globe is the size of a golf ball but the light is excellent.
Used it in both the A 10's  and the B 40 .

Tried most of the LED replacement globes but none of them give enough light to ride at more then 5 mph.
Bike Beesa
Trevor

Offline Greybeard

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #8 on: 07.09. 2018 09:10 »
I've got some Lucas branded, (Wassell) 45 Watt 6v filament bulbs that seem pretty good.
Greybeard (Neil)
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A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline RoyC

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #9 on: 07.09. 2018 09:39 »
I've fitted the 3rd one down (NEW SPECIAL OFFER 4  'DAYLIGHTER')  from Paul Goff. It gives an excellent light.  http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/goffylighting.htm 

My bike is a 1958 A7SS
Staffordshire UK

Offline RDfella

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Re: Adaptive LED Headlamp
« Reply #10 on: 07.09. 2018 15:22 »
Reminds me of the Triton I had. Race spec Triumph 6T motor with alternator. Riding at night was good for about ten minutes, after which the lights dimmed and you had to pull over and run at a fast tickover fot several minutes to get enough charge to see again. Never knew whether to ride like a loon to get as far as possible before the light failed (bearing in mind the light was rubbish anyway) or ride sensibly and take twice as long. That and a clutch that needed cleaning every week, otherwise she wouldn't 'go over the top' fast enough to strike a light. And the Norton wideline frame that I couldn't get on with. Those were the days. Get ahead, get a BSA.
'49 B31, '49 M21, '53 DOT, '58 Flash, '62 Flash special, '00 Firestorm, Weslake sprint bike.