Can generic sealed beam headlights be purchased?

Hey guys, a few days ago I dropped and smashed my headlight. The yamaha dealer here wants my left arm for a new one. I've been looking online and for an official yamaha one it's still pretty steep. I've found one website that has a generic one for the xj650, but they are out of stock, and who knows if/when they ever will get any.

I was wondering where you guys have purchased them from, and since sealed beams are relatively common, can generic ones be found in certain stores?

 

That's cheap, usually they want the right arm, LOL

Yes, you can find a 7" sealed beam at just about any auto store. I think the GE number is 6024, but any 7" round light with three prong connection will work.

HOWEVER, that is for a car, not a motorcycle. While it will work, you're better off getting a motorcycle headlight instead of the auto headlight. Motorcycle lights are more vibration resistant. Same auto store should be able to order you a light lots cheaper than the dealer.

Chacal (xj4ever) also has the replacement, I think it was $12 when I looked it up a couple weeks ago.

 

Look into getting a headlight with a replacable halogen bulb. They are much brighter then seald beam bulbs. Check with Chacal on those, if he does not have them I have seen them on EBAY and at online motorcycle parts stores for a little more than a sealed bulb.

 

Ya i havent seen those ever. sounds alot better

 

The replacement shell, at least for a DOT approved one, will run you 40 to 60 bucks, xj4ever has them for right around $50. They use a replacement bulb (H4) just like the newer cars do.

 

and how does the wiring change?

 

It doesn't.

But it better be in good shape. As long as your wiring is up to snuff, they're plug-n-play.

The H4 upgrade is WELL worth it. I have them in both of my Secas (all 3 actually, since the 650 came with one stock.)

I have the Hella "high performance" one that Len carries in my '81, and it lights up the world almost as good as my '08 VW, which has the best headlights I've ever experienced. On high beam, you've got a good 1/2 mile of damn-near daylight. It's great. HIGHLY recommended, if you do ANY night riding.

I have a way-too-expensive Candlepower brand "SuperBlu" in the '83; it is also bright as all get out plus it has that irritating blue caste to it that pisses you off so bad when an oncoming Audi or Mercedes won't dim 'em.

If I had it to do over again, I'd just run the Hellas in both bikes. Although the irritating blue is pretty cool, it doesn't justify the extra $$. It's no brighter.

BOTH are 4X brighter than stock, seriously.

If you want a stock Yamaha sealed beam, I'll mail you one but you gotta pay postage. I've got a couple I'll never use.

***NOTE: If you DO upgrade to a Halogen, be sure to follow the aiming instructions that should come with it. Aim is much more critical than with a sealed beam. (I wonder if the neighbors have ever figured out what those strange tape lines on my garage door are for...)

 

LOOKY what I found: (Forgot I had it in the 'bucket.)

Hella H4 in my grubby paw on the left; CandlePower SuperBlu installed in the bike.




BOTH are light years better than stock. Pun intended.

One more important note: These are both motorcycle specific reflectors and bulbs.

If you look closely you can see "MOTORCYCLE" cast into the CandlePower unit, across the bottom of the lens.

 

LOL at fitz about the "irritating" blue. I HATE to meet those things in the night

 

Me too. But then again, I'm on a MOTORCYCLE. I want to be seen; and I really don't care who I piss off in the process.

But like I said, the Hella works SO WELL for the money, I'd be happy running them in both bikes.

Highly Recommended. Either one.

 

Fitz that's not a "grubby paw" that's the hand of a man that works with with his hands.

 

hey thanks guys. one more question, my headlight assembly (that i felt like dropping) was seperate from my bike when i bought it, so I am missing the bolts/screws that hole the chrome housing into the chrome mount (sorry if i am using the wrong words. either way they hold the chrome ring on, two screws at the bottom of the ring. what dimensions are they? i can go to a john deer dealership here and they will likely have them (they had the screws that hold my master cylinder down), but i'd have to have some sort of measurement for them.

 

I got my headlight assembly on ebay haven't road with it yet as the bike is still waiting on paint but Metalbob had the same one before he upgraded to LED and liked it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=

 

You may find that the Bezel Frame Backing Plate which has locating "Tabs, notches, and cut-outs" which accept and position the Sealed Beam, might need to be altered to accommodate some Sealed Beam Headlamps.

If the Beam is sold as a "Road Lamp" or "For Off-Road Use" you may find that it cannot be positioned to allow the Locking-Placement Ring to:
a) Fit
b) Fit ... with the Screws and Threaded-holes to line-up.

You can get Stainless Allen Cap Screws to replace the missing fasteners that hold the Chrome Rim to the Bucket.

You can get them for the Master Cylinder, too.
Metric Section / Stainless / Cap Screws

 

hey, that's sweet looking......what kind of watt output do the sealed beams give out in comparison to 60/55W or 100/55W? can a factory alternator handle these bad boys?

 

sweet, what measurement would the cap screws be? i know they are metric, but that's about it.

 

MOST will tell you to stay away from 100w some won't.

Bare min upgrade to the non-sealed H4 with a bright white bulb. The ebay link above is the same one I have. Its a good cheap assembly. Talk the seller into a free extra bulb if he's still doing offers.

 

Anyone seen those $15 H4 upgrades on eBay? I know it's about the pattern too, but could it be good enough for the price?

Ok, so I can't seem to find them again, but I'm pretty sure I saw them somewhere!

 

The link is on page one of this topic.

The seller offers DOT, euro and diamond pattern.

They are OEM brand autopal kits. For those on a budget they are worth it.

 

-Your original stock sealed beam was a "motorcycle" 40W/50W.

-You can get a replacement 50W60W "motorcycle" sealed beam, Len carries them.

-The halogen upgrades I recommend are motorcycle specific modular systems that use a 55W/60W H4 halogen bulb, again motorcycle specific, and are "plug-n-play" as long as all of your wiring is up to snuff.

-Automotive or "universal" application headlights are OK, but you'll get much better lighting from a motorcycle-specific reflector and bulb. And it should be a one-time investment, (the reflector anyway) as long as you don't drop it.