Hi everyone,
So I recently aquired a 50cc sports motorcycle/moped. I was suprised at how rubbish the headlights are however i have no interest in trying to modify them. Instead i plan on mounting a high power flashlight somewhere on the bike that i can turn on when i get to long open sections of road where no other road users are present ( which is almost all the time here in rural Scotland ). I would like a flashlight in addition to the headlights because the headlight doesnt throw far at all, and is very dim which makes it near impossible to sea any potential dangers such as deer on the road or for spotting big pot holes of which there are many.
Even my solarstorm k2 which was only £15 absolutely destroys the bikes headlights in terms of brightness and throw and would be more than what i need for this job. The problem is it is quite heavy and you must cycle through all modes to turn it off. I was thinking on getting a budget cree xml t6 bicycle light with handlebars mounts and adapting them so that it can be attatched very securely to my bikes front forks, as this seems to be the only place where i could mount flashlight. mounting on the handlebars wouldnt be an option as this is a sports bike so there is no free handlebar space that isnt cover by the front fairing/plastic. Ideally id also like to have a switch that i can have on/near the handlebars.
I have a spare cree c8 lying around along with a pressure switch which i recon might just do the job, but i need ideas on how to securely mount it to the suspension’s forks. I can get the dimensions of the forks tonight if it will make life easier for you guys.
If you also have any other suggestions/tips on choice of flashlight, swtiches etc please feel free to share
You will not likely get much response here because vehicle (i.e. used on the road) headlights need to conform to various laws, none of the flashlights are intended to meet these laws. Head over to Moped Army and search for LED replacement bulbs in the General forum. There was some “research” done using LED bulbs intended for brake lights in the headlight of a moped with varying results. While this is not an ideal solution, the replacement bulbs at least allow you to use the factory headlight assembly (i.e. lens, reflector, etc.) and provides brighter than stock lighting. If you had an offroad bike, you would have a lot more options.
Here’s a new thread over at Moped Army on LED bulb conversions for mopeds. This may not turn out to go anywhere in the end, but at this point it sounds interesting.
I’m interested because I have a Honda C70 Passport scooter that is 6V and does not put out much light and the charging system is notoriously weak. I’d like to keep it stock looking, reduce or maintain the existing draw on the charging circuit and increase light output. I also have a Super Bronc two wheel ATV/fatwheel minibike I am restoring that is 12V, may have a decent charging system (haven’t torn into the engine, yet), but again, I’d like to maximize the light from the stock headlight and minimize the draw on the charging system.
Also seen a picatinny mount used, and a light mount with a quick throw leaver so you can slide light on and then take it off quickly. I did that on a friends lawn mower. Worked out ok.
Here are a few links to check out the idea.
I would just grab the Osram H4 premium headlight globes and whack that in. Osram and Narva make some very good globes that are about double the brightness of standard shitty globes. BUt I already know you are leaning towards an LED mod haha.
The Fenix clamp linked to above is good and rugged for 1” or close battery tube diameter lights. If you get a light with a camera tripod mounting hole then there are lots of camera mounts that clamp on standard round handlebars for bicycles and motorcycles. Google for the Electra Handlebar Camera Mount as one of the better looking ones I saw. Available on Amazon USA.
