Improving Le Mans 1000 headlight.

[bigbikerrick]

Hello Folks, the square headlight on my 85 LM is pretty poor. It has a silverstar ultra bulb, and relays for a good power supply, but the reflector/housing send out a really crappy pattern. Have any of you found a solution? I rida alot at night, especially in the summer ,when the desert temps are high in the day time, and thought I would explore any improvements to the existing light before adding external LED lighting. Ive read its the same light housing as a fiat 127 , and those are available, but I dont think any different than what I have. What have you all done?
Thanks Rick.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

When did you get a Le Mans 1000? I'll be following this thread, so I'll have ideas for my own "Mk.4". Edit: just looking at photos of the original and one for a 127, replacing the reflector/lens unit might help with the light pattern.

Original:


Fiat: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/231501460759?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

[SED]

Just installed a Hella H-4 in my LMIII and very happy with it.  It had a Sylvania Silverstar, but the Hella is far better with the 50-60 watt bulb.  The light is still slightly yellow, but it throws lots of light down the road and it has the Euro cut-off where a little light is scattered to the right to illuminate signs.  This is the low+high lamp for 4 headlight cars.  They are available from Jegs and other places for about $50.

My V50 Monza still has the original set-up that the LMIII was built with (sealed-beam lamp with power run through the switch and no relay) and it is like a candle in comparison! 

[bigbikerrick]

Thank you, Charlie  about 3 weeks ago, I picked up a nice red 85 Le Mans from a forum member in Buckeye Arizona. ( Old MXdog61) its a great bikethat actually is better than the photos show. It runs like new,and is very fast....reminds me of my old V 11 sport. I sure have been enjoying tinkering with it.It was such a pleasure buying a bike from a fellow Guzzisti that lovingly cared for it, and gave me a bunch of "extras" with it. below is a link that will take you to the old ebay auction for the bike, with some photos. I need to take a few pics myself to put on here.
Rick.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Moto-Guzzi-LEMANS-1000-LMIV-/262079920764?nma=true&si=SDrDQDQPof0tCEdjV1Md2thdO%252Bk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557   

[bigbikerrick]

SED, does that Hella H4 have the same 4 plastic mounting clips on all 4 corners, like the oem lamp?  It sounds like it may project a better light pattern on the road.
Thanks for the info!
Rick.

[bigbikerrick]

Just installed a Hella H-4 in my LMIII and very happy with it.  It had a Sylvania Silverstar, but the Hella is far better with the 50-60 watt bulb.  The light is still slightly yellow, but it throws lots of light down the road and it has the Euro cut-off where a little light is scattered to the right to illuminate signs.  This is the low+high lamp for 4 headlight cars.  They are available from Jegs and other places for about $50.

My V50 Monza still has the original set-up that the LMIII was built with (sealed-beam lamp with power run through the switch and no relay) and it is like a candle in comparison!

SED is this the headlight you installed?
Hella 003177871
Thanks Rick

[Chuck in Indiana]

Nice lemon, Rick.. 

[oldmxdog61u]

Glad you are enjoying the lemon, remember our deal... see you at cottonwood and datil!  Post up some pictures too! I miss the red beast! However, i love the sport 1100 ... see you in the wind soon rick!

[MGPilot]

Fwiw, I read a test of headlight replacement bulbs. Not surprisingly, the biggest limiting factor was the refector. Similar wattages threw the same amount of light, just with different tints. Based on this you'd need a new reflector or a higher wattage bulb to get a significant improvement.

[salsaman1964]

I had a Lemans 1000 a few years ago with a cracked lens and a Fiat 127  slotted straight in as a direct replacement. However you will need to drill a hole for the parking light. A simple task if you're careful.
Regards

[SED]

SED is this the headlight you installed?
Hella 003177871
Thanks Rick

Actually bought Hella 003177801 (2 lights) as I wanted a second one for the Monza.  Pretty sure it's the same.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Hella/288/003177801/10002/-1

Clips on the corners where the reflector seats in the aiming tray are steel. 

The Hella and sealed beam both have a detent around the margin of the lens for the stainless trim that holds the lamp in the aiming tray.  The sealed beam seats in the trim with its lens projecting a 1/8" or so through the trim.  The Hella's lens is slightly rounder and slightly taller so does not project through the trim.  The trim still fits snugly over the outside of the lamp and holds it securely in the aiming tray.  From 18" away the only visible difference is a small gap at the corners from the slightly rounder shape. (does that make sense?)

Also the connectors on the H4 bulb and sealed beams have different order (ground on top on one and on the side of the other as I recall).  The Hella kit comes with a dual plug to make the change, but I just swapped the terminals in the stock plug to the correct configuration.
Cheers,
Shawn

[bigbikerrick]

Glad you are enjoying the lemon, remember our deal... see you at cottonwood and datil!  Post up some pictures too! I miss the red beast! However, i love the sport 1100 ... see you in the wind soon rick!

I am looking forward to attending those 2 events, Bruce. I cant wait to ride the Le Mans up in the mountains....
Rick.

[bigbikerrick]

SED... RE;"The Hella and sealed beam both have a detent around the margin of the lens for the stainless trim that holds the lamp in the aiming tray.  The sealed beam seats in the trim with its lens projecting a 1/8" or so through the trim".

on my 85 LM, there is no trim ring that goes around the margin of the lens, it is held in place by the 2 adjusters that clip on the plastic clips, and one additional mounting point, on the third clip. one of the mounting points on the 4 corners is left vacant. could the design be different from the  LM  mk 3 to the mk 4 ?
Thanks, Rick.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Le Mans III and Le Mans 1000 use different headlight setups, at least in the US. US model III used a sealed beam IIRC, the 1000 used a reflector assembly with replaceable bulb.

[SED]

Le Mans III and Le Mans 1000 use different headlight setups, at least in the US. US model III used a sealed beam IIRC, the 1000 used a reflector assembly with replaceable bulb.

Ah - thought they would be the same...  apologies for any confusion.

[Tobit]

You have the relays just as I added on my LMIV.  Find a 55/100 watt halogen lamp.  Made a world of difference.  Also, the three-point mounting system lets the assembly bounce a lot.  Secure it with zip ties.  They'll leave enough give to allow for the adjustment lever to work.

Tobit

[bigbikerrick]

Le Mans III and Le Mans 1000 use different headlight setups, at least in the US. US model III used a sealed beam IIRC, the 1000 used a reflector assembly with replaceable bulb.

Oh Wow, Thanks Charlie, for clearing that up, now it all makes sense to me.  Yea my LM 1000 has a replaceable bulb setup. I think there is another Hella housing  that may fit.

 
Thanks Tobit for the tips!  I have admired your bike for a couple of years now, and reading your enthusiasm for the Tonti Le Mans helped solidify my decision to look for a nice LM IV.  I have not ridden any of my other 3 Guzzis since I got the LM!  The higher wattage bulb, I was trying to avoid, since it seems the charging system is barely adequate on this machine. I had to upgrade the charging system on my Cal II, and am thinking this LM has the same system as the Cal II.  I want to run all led bulbs except for headlight to help with that.

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips!
Rick.