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[Puzzled]

I saved this from the Road Glide Groups. It was posted some time ago and comes up every now and than. Quite simply it is the Euro reflector conversion making our dual headlights a lot brighter. I thought since the Road Glide population is growing here there may be some interest in it.

My hat's off to Nasty of the VNV MC. I did exactly what he said, and
it worked perfectly. I don't know how he figured all this out, as the
parts mentioned are pretty obscure and nobody knows what you're
talking about. My local dealers thought I was crazy. Euro
headlights? Because the original thread went so long, I am recapping
as promised.

My headlights on my 2005 were not good, and got progressively worse as
the reflective material on the headlight reflectors started coming
off. The dealer said that I was using my high beams too much (I was)
and it's not covered under warranty. $200 for a new assembly, please.
Then I read Nasty's thread about the Euro headlight assembly for the
RoadGlide. Because Euro laws allow headlight beams to have different
patterns than US, the light tends to be more focused and put a little
more light in that dark spot directly in front of you. I have no
affiliation with either of the companies mentioned. Buy the stuff
anywhere you want. I will say both of the companies mentioned treated
me right.

Step 1. Purchase the Euro-style headlight assembly from Zanotti HD in
Butler, PA. http://www.zanottim otor.com/ . Part number is 68995-001.
Retail is $198.00, Zanotti sells it on the internet for $134.08. A
huge savings, and I had it within a week - even though they did not
have it in stock. Faster and cheaper than my local dealers.

Step 2. Get some decent bulbs. Decent bulbs are important, but they
won't compensate for the goofy light pattern on our stock lights. I'd
say both are equally important. I went to
http://www.danielst ernlighting. com/. and ordered 2 Osram 70/65W H4
bulbs. There's some great headlight research on his web site, you
should read it. The bulbs were $22/each. You might want to ask him
which bulb is right for you, based on your type of riding. You have
to be careful that you don't get a bulb too hot. And, there's a
compromise between intensity and longevity.

Step 3. Put them in. Pulling that fairing off is not the end of the
world, neither is it a whole lot of fun. It took me over an hour to
get the job done. I recommend reading your shop manual before pulling
it. There is a small "pilot light" that for some reason is on the
Euro light assembly, I guess to provide some light in the event of a
total headlight failure. There were two wires hanging on the stock
harness, the connectors matched, so I hooked it up. Looks kind of cool.

Conclusion. Best money I have spent on my Glide. I was seriously
considering some aftermarket driving lights - but no more. Not
needed, and this retrofit was cheaper than a good set of driving
lights. The low beam difference is incredible. It's better than my
high beams were. Not as high, I am not lighting up the trees. But, I
can see just as far down the road and that spot directly in front of
the bike is neither too bright nor too dark. The high beams are
incredible as well. It's better than the projector headlights on my
new Dodge pickup. It's like having a great set of Piaa driving lights

[Twolanerider]

Sounds like the euro-spec reflectors combined with HID bulbs would be about the best one could do right now.

[Puzzled]

The guys on the Road Glide Group who have completed the conversion seem to really like it. Good bulbs such as the PIAA's seem to work very well with the Euro reflector. I can only imagine what the HID's add light wise.

[Twolanerider]

The guys on the Road Glide Group who have completed the conversion seem to really like it. Good bulbs such as the PIAA's seem to work very well with the Euro reflector. I can only imagine what the HID's add light wise.

I used to have excellent night vision.  Then I turned 40.....

That and our lights being so bad to begin with made me fall in love with HID lights .

[Puzzled]

I would say that is funny however I just turned 40!

I find myself using a lot more light to work in the garage and at work.

I guess it is time for HID lights in everything.

[RobertinArgyle]

I did that conversion last month.  It is a HUGE improvement in lighting up the road!  Ranks up there with Traxxion forks and Bitubo shocks as a must have upgrade...

[icybay]

I tried that part number (68995-001)  at Zanotti's and Chicago HD and it didn't return a match. It is the right number or is it discontinued? Sounds like a good bang for the buck.  What is the Road Glide Group that is referred to?

[Puzzled]

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/roadglide/

[Puzzled]

Use part number 68995-01, there was one to many 0's in the part number. $134.08 at Zanotti's.

[icybay]

Thanks, got it coming my way.

[porthole]

What is different about this headlight? There was no picture available.

1 bulb - 2 bulbs?

Work with the HID kits?

I am not real impressed with my HID light, and the high bean (not "really" a high beam) is even less useful.

[RobertinArgyle]

The only difference between the Euro assembly and ours is the geometry of the reflector behind the two bulbs.  The euro reflectors throw a much better pattern of light down the road.  Hope this helps...

[icybay]

I received the following response from Daniel Stern regarding the lamps:

Don't use the 85/80 in that application.

In a twin-H4 motorcycle headlamp system like yours, my usual recommendation is as follows:

Put an Osram 70/65w H4 bulb in the right headlamp compartment (as you sit on
the bike facing forward, *your* right side).
http://store.candlepower.com/64205.html

In the left, put a Narva Rangepower+50...
http://store.candlepower.com/naraulhiou60.html

...with a re-usable clip-on selective yellow balloon
http://store.candlepower.com/clyeba.html

This combo gives the best overall improvement in day and night seeing and conspicuity (ability of other road users to see and identify you as a motorcycle and not do stupid stuff in front of you).

Please order bulbs via direct links given above.

Best DS

[Twolanerider]

...with a re-usable clip-on selective yellow balloon
http://store.candlepower.com/clyeba.html

Got any idea what the little yellow glass balloon really gains?

[BillH]

I asked the same question.  This is the reply I got from Daniel Stern:


> What does the "re-usable clip-on selective yellow balloon" do?

It causes the light emitted from that side of the headlamp to be a bright
yellow color. You stand out in traffic in a sea of all-white lights, which
makes it a lot easier for motorists to recognize you quickly and
accurately as a motorcycle, for better safety. The yellow filter does not
remove significant light from the beam.

FWIW

Billh