Make Gl1000 Headlight Brighter?

[TheRobbie1950]

I have been away from here out of the country and I could not access this site from where I was.
I have a 1978 Gl1000 that I have been riding for some time and I would like to know if there are any headlight modifications or upgrades available to have a brighter headlight?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

[Mh434]

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=44666

These bulbs will vastly increase your lighting, while maintaining a proper light pattern...

[Stew]

If the GL1000 uses a standard round sealed beam automotive headlight you'll need an adapter housing that will let you use a standard H4 type headlight bulb, then you have a world of options such as the LEDs Mh434 provided the link for.

Sorry, I don't have a GL1000 so I don't know if it's using the old automotive type sealed beam or not, it looks like it in pictures.

Here's a link to the type of adapter housing you'll need:
https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Crystal- ... B00GF5LI96

[SnoBrdr]

If the GL1000 uses a standard round sealed beam automotive headlight you'll need an adapter housing that will let you use a standard H4 type headlight bulb, then you have a world of options such as the LEDs Mh434 provided the link for.

Sorry, I don't have a GL1000 so I don't know if it's using the old automotive type sealed beam or not, it looks like it in pictures.

Here's a link to the type of adapter housing you'll need:
https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Crystal- ... B00GF5LI96

we just had a disagreement on this recently.

My original to me 78 has a sealed beam. The parts fiche says it is a H4 setup.

I know what I have so it could be either.

[SnoBrdr]

I have been away from here out of the country and I could not access this site from where I was.
I have a 1978 Gl1000 that I have been riding for some time and I would like to know if there are any headlight modifications or upgrades available to have a brighter headlight?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

LED is the way to go.

Was something blocking the site or no internet ?

[rudolphwolven]

Very bright driving lights from China at $ 12,- each (free delivery) on my GL1000 K1.............directly connected to the current circuit; evt. with extra on/off switch........
In my situation bolted on using the oem-bolt of the orange winker .....without the use of the alu-clamps supplied with the lights......

[landisr]

Those lights look great and appear to work great, too. Could you provide any purchase information?

Thanks. Ron in AZ

[virgilmobile]

I got a much brighter headlight on my 1000 by rewiring it to a relay and #12 wire(fused) straight from the battery.

I also replaced the green ground(#18 gauge) with a #12 right to the frame.
You can use 2 relays..one for low beam and the other for high beam...use the existing wire to operate the relay.
This increased the voltage at the headlight and brightness by a noticible amount.
There was a significant voltage drop between the battery and headlight on the original wiring.

[rudolphwolven]

Those lights look great and appear to work great, too. Could you provide any purchase information?

Thanks. Ron in AZ

Hi Ron,
Available both in black or silver....2 of these lights have the same power as a passenger car's dimmed head lights..........
Picture below is head light "on" and 2x DRL's "on".........what a difference.....!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/U2-1200 ... autifyAB=0

Regards, Ruud

[virgilmobile]

If these are the same as what I just got be aware of it's features.
When power is first applied they go to Max bright...if you cycle the power off then on within 20 seconds or so it switched to low brightness..if you cycle the power again it goes to strobe flashing mode...
Very annoying having to wait to turn them off then back on and not have them strobing...If you cycle the power off and wait a full minute it goes back to high every time.
I did modify mine to shorten that timing cycle to about 5 seconds...
If you Google about modifying them there's a few ideas...Don't bother..they don't work..smoked the part suggested to use anf where to solder it on the PCB.I tried... But I did resolve the problem by discharging the 4.7 mf cap with a 12k resistor...This took away the static memory power.

[rudolphwolven]

Hi virgilmobile,
Indeed, you are right with the mode change with quick on /offs.
Thanks for your tip ref. the 12 k resistor.
However I have these lights as DRL's on both my GL1000 and a Mazda 2 car and in real life (for me) this is not a real problem.

[virgilmobile]

As long as your not quick on the switch,there great lights.
I wanted a fast switch on/off/on... thus the circuit mod.

12k to discharge the cap.

I've also designed a special switch mount for the Goldwings so it can be operated by the thumb and hand still on the grip.

Round switch holder

Front and back rectangular switches

I'm working on other switch arrangements too.
I just didn't want to take my hand off the grip and feel around somewhere for the switch...Especially on a dark windy road at 60mph.

[rudolphwolven]

very nice solutions...!
Regards, Ruud

[Fred Camper]

Like Virgilmobile said, running relays puts a good 1.5volts higher to the headlight and that really matters for halogen H4 bulbs. I suggest you wire the relay before searching out bulbs as the relays make the lighting more reliable also, sending less current though the ignition switch and handlebar wire looms.