LED Head light bulb

[tlmark]

More infomation than anything else

I wanted to upgrade the headlight to a LED not really for night riding my Bezza will probably never be out in the dark.
but for a DLR mainly because well I live in the south east of England and its full of bloody SUV's/4x4's
and they tend to drive with 2 wheels over the centre line most of time and a bright headlight does get their attention.

I'm still running 6V positive earth but as its a BFP fitting I hadn't found anything that fitted.

but when I put the bike on the bike lift and a news paper under it soak up drips
I saw an ad for LED bulb replacements. so here it is.

Its a projector type so dosent use the head light bowl in the same way it's 6V and 12V also Positive or negative earth

I can't judge it's performance yet sadly as when I fitted it I found the cowling cracked in loads of places so I got to fix that first.

but you can see how little it draws from the battery with out the engine running.

[Greybeard]

That interests me. Please will give me feedback after you are able to try it?

[Bsareg]

I bought a cheap 6v to 12v inverter from China (£5 delivered). Wired it inbetween the headlamp switch and the dipswitch. 12v gives a bigger choice of leds. Rest of bike remains 6v.

[Greybeard]

I bought a cheap 6v to 12v inverter from China (£5 delivered). Wired it inbetween the headlamp switch and the dipswitch. 12v gives a bigger choice of leds. Rest of bike remains 6v.

Did you put it in a waterproof enclosure or was it already 'potted'?

[Bsareg]

They're already potted. Been using it for over 3 years. I tried one of those leds with a lense, but didn't think much of it for night riding in rural area. Probably fine for a daylight riding light though. I converted to a reflector for H4 bulb as there is a wide choice of good leds.

[Colsbeeza]

Hi TLMark,
 Now that is interesting. Could you post details of the ad - ie source with part number?
Col

[RogerSB]

Here you are Col:-
https://www.rexs-speedshop.com/product/led-british-bpf-p36d-headlamp-bulb/

Also here:-
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collections/headlight-led-bulbs/products/bpf-p36d-437-368-370-414-led-headlight-upgrade-6-12-and-24-volt-negative-or-positive-earth-great-beam-strength-and-pattern?variant=39564853379181

Rog.

[Colsbeeza]

Thanks Roger. Looks as it may be the answer.
Col

[tlmark]

Yup that’s the one

[Alex kettle]

Sure this is the same thing  £10 cheaper

https://www.classicbikepartscheshire.com/electrical-c3/bulbs-6v-12v-c24/classic-motorcycle-led-headlight-bulb-6v-12v-applications-bpf-connection-p4656/s4724?cid=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3tH13_Xy8wIVVeDtCh0mlQYGEAQYAiABEgLazvD_BwE

[Black Sheep]

Had an interesting failure on the Enfield Bullet. Total electrical failure on the way to town for a dental appointment. Discovered just now that it was caused by an internal short in the LED stop/tail bulb. Never had a bike stop because of a failed bulb before.
Still, all my bikes have LED stop/tails and having just put a new £30 headlight bulb in the Velo am amazed at the brightness and proper beam pattern. So much better than the earlier LED headlight bulbs.

[Greybeard]

... just put a new £30 headlight bulb in the Velo am amazed at the brightness and proper beam pattern. So much better than the earlier LED headlight bulbs.

To clarify; is that one of those LED with a built-in lens?

[RogerSB]

Discovered just now that it was caused by an internal short in the LED stop/tail bulb. Never had a bike stop because of a failed bulb before.

Oh No!  Not another thing to worry about.

LEDs can cause strange things to happen. When I fitted my GP Manx I fitted all LEDs except Quartz Halogen headlight bulb (so bike, sidecar and flashers. When I pressed the footbrake to test the stop lights the pilot light came on  . Took me ages to work out how to sort it - moved an earth lead for  the sidecar lights that was connected to the frame earth bolt under the dual seat and reconnected it direct to battery earth terminal - and it was magically cured.

Rog.

[Black Sheep]

Yes, one of these ones with a built-in lens. The earlier ones I tried were a complete waste of money.

[Colsbeeza]

Alex, I noticed that only one of the 3 websites said that they come in two versions - a 4300K white colour and a 3000K yellowish version claimed to be just as illuminating but suitably yellowish to suit the era of our bikes. I have a white LED now and I don't particularly like the bluish/whiteness. I'm tempted to go for the yellow version, but unfortunately that website is also the most expensive at 30 pounds.
Col