Replacement Headlight Bulbs

[Lowndes]

Watch it, Bub. That's ME you're talking about.

That's my signature line.

 

[magneto]

Okay, all looks great, but what is the proper ‘rotation’ for optimal lighting?
I can assume Left & Right emitters will be mirror image when installed, but there is a huge difference in the lighting pattern with even a 90 degree turn of the assembly.

 

[ibike2havefun]

Okay, all looks great, but what is the proper ‘rotation’ for optimal lighting?
I can assume Left & Right emitters will be mirror image when installed, but there is a huge difference in the lighting pattern with even a 90 degree turn of the assembly.

For ST1300 installations straight up and down so that the emitters are to the sides and the wiring pigtail is at the bottom of the fan unit. Proper orientation puts the low beam shields at the bottom so that they open upward.

There are emitters on both sides of each bulb, so there is no "left" or "right" bulb.

 

[Lowndes]

There is a "flat" across the bottom of the mount on the H4 that dictates up/down and left/right on the bulb. There are also some slight differences in the LED mounting post from some manufacturers that reflect (or shield) the light pattern from top or bottom which will dictate L/R on mounting. It only fits correctly one way.

This is NOT an LED but does show the base "flat" much better than black plastic in a pic. The "flat" is above my thumbnail:

 

[ibike2havefun]

There is a "flat" across the bottom of the mount on the H4 that dictates up/down and left/right on the bulb. There are also some slight differences in the LED mounting post from some manufacturers that reflect (or shield) the light pattern from top or bottom which will dictate L/R on mounting. It only fits correctly one way.

This is NOT an LED but does show the base "flat" much better than black plastic in a pic. The "flat" is above my thumbnail:

The difference is that at least some LED bulbs can be rotated within their base, without reorienting the flat that you are talking about.

In fact, you pull the base off, install and secure it, put the boot in place, and then insert the rest of the bulb assembly through the boot and base plate. So it is easily possible to rotate the emitters without moving the base plate.

 

[Lowndes]

The difference is that at least some LED bulbs can be rotated within their base, without reorienting the flat that you are talking about.

In fact, you pull the base off, install and secure it, put the boot in place, and then insert the rest of the bulb assembly through the boot and base plate. So it is easily possible to rotate the emitters without moving the base plate.

That may be true but all of the bulbs I've installed (5 bikes, two cars, multiple bulbs and sources of LED's) have had the base/bulb connection keyed for only one orientation, either by different size tabs, different depth tabs or non-180 or 120 deg orientation to prevent this.

 

[paulcb]

That may be true but all of the bulbs I've installed (5 bikes, two cars, multiple bulbs and sources of LED's) have had the base/bulb connection keyed for only one orientation, either by different size tabs, different depth tabs or non-180 or 120 deg orientation to prevent this.

+1. the LEDs I put on my ST1100 had a bayonet style connection... only one orientation IIRC.

 

[magneto]

For ST1300 installations straight up and down so that the emitters are to the sides and the wiring pigtail is at the bottom of the fan unit. Proper orientation puts the low beam shields at the bottom so that they open upward.

There are emitters on both sides of each bulb, so there is no "left" or "right" bulb.

Got this, thanks.
The silver reflectors at bottom (straight up and down) provide the best lighting pattern for the lamp housing in my 2007 ST1300.
Looks perfect!

 

[fnmag]

Got this, thanks.
The silver reflectors at bottom (straight up and down) provide the best lighting pattern for the lamp housing in my 2007 ST1300.
Looks perfect!

Welcome to the forum.
Glad you found a good headlight for your '07.