350X Headlight Question. Aftermarket Options? Cheaper Bulbs For Factory Lights???????

[TennesseeATC]

Thanks for reading my post guys. I have a 86 350X and it has the factory twin headlight (which I think look awesome!!!) My problem is that I need new bulbs and they are $25ish each, so there's 50 bucks. I think I recall seeing aftermarket options in the 80's for headlights, maybe a larger sized Cibie brand for desert running?? I would like to know if there is a brighter light and maybe even a little larger one that would mount on a 350X and could run off of its electrical system. Im not really looking for jacked-up homemade junk. I would also like to know if there are any other bulbs that will fit into the factory bulb retainer and headlight housing? Also has anyone cut off the original wires and bulb retainer and installed a different one that worked? I know this will make the purest cringe but Im wanting more light and I would still be able to put it back stock if my need/interest changes. Thanks Again!

[baycitysteve]

i have like 3 or 4 bulbs i think i'll give you if you pay shipping ?? or if you have a few extra supertrapp disks by chance maybe we can just trade ??

[83ATC185S]

I use bulbs from a 2005 trx 450r, same H6M base, The PIAA's are more expensive,so I went with "tusk" brand

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-2005-2006-2007-2008-Honda-TRX-450R-450ER-Super-White-Headlight-Bulb-ATV-/280789086138?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item4160556fba#ht_1099wt_905

[wonderboy]

It sounds like you want a different setup, but maybe that is just because you think the original bulbs are so much. They aren't too bad if you go to the right place. If you don't get the bulbs from baycitysteve, there is a bulb available from most auto parts stores that pretty much matches the design and specs of the original. I got them from O'reilly (don't know if this is just a Michigan chain) for about 5 bucks each. The part number is HM202 depending on the chain you shop at (this is the O'reilly and Napa part number).

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/WLP0/HM202.oap?ck=Search_hm202_-1_-1&keyword=hm202

[TennesseeATC]

Thanks for the great ideas guys! baycitysteve, I dug through my box of "too important to throw away" items and I found 4 supertrapp disks. They were bought for my 86 XR 250R around 94 or 95 to the best of my memory. I installed all that it came with and messed around with different #'s of disks untill I found what I liked, which resulted in me having 4 left over. Do all of your bulbs work? Are you up for a swap? Thanks Again Fellas........

[brapp]

i hasve got the bulbs from tsc (tractor supply company) in the gokart and mini bike section they have them for the baja mini bikes and they are the same design and wattage as the stock 350x bulbs.

[TennesseeATC]

Thanks for the info brapp, I didnt even think to check tsc

[Doppler]

I also use the Tusk h6m super white bulbs from RockyMountainMC.com
They are much brighter than stock and work excellent!!
I bought bulbs for a 400ex quad.

[Xpress]

Just throwing it out there buy have you considered converting the bike to DC to run HID's? You can get a dual 35w low beam HID kit for $40 (+ shipping) from DDM Tuning, would only cost you about $100 total to overhaul the bike and get 3-4x the light output..

[blkstangman88]

I converted my stator to dc n added a trail tech battery n reg/rec w/ ddm 35watt 5k bulbs. Very nice setup!

[TennesseeATC]

Xpress and blkstangman88, Im interested in what you two have mentioned, but you're speaking in Latin. Can you dumb it down for me?? Im pretty handy when it comes to working on a ATC, but electrical is my weakest area. Thanks Again!!!!

[Dirtcrasher]

Get out your wallet or get the NAPA HM202? or Tractor Supply bulbs and you'll be fine. They are about 75% cheaper and work great.

If you want super bright HID's, it's gonna cost you...... And you'll have to learn Latin :D

[jeswinehart]

I converted my stator to dc n added a trail tech battery n reg/rec w/ ddm 35watt 5k bulbs. Very nice setup!

Aren't the oem and after market bulbs 12 volt already ? I know I have wasted a couple of sets of the higher dollar super bright bulbs when voltage reg got unplugged when I had 350X's.
There is another option in the works for possibly different lighting options. I am just doing the pattern piece for a buddy to make mold of. Could be used a couple different ways I suppose.
Either as a base mounting point for some modern lighting options or even as a number plate.
Not sure how they are gonna be marketed, ain't my call but I do see some options of use.
140890140891140892

john

[blkstangman88]

John. Yes the stock system/bulbs are 12v but it drops to about 8v at idle. Which is bad for hids. Standard bulbs dont care about the volt drop. U must convert the ac current to dc to be able to charge a battery. Then the battery supplys the continuous 12v.

Tennesseeatc, ill try to explain lol stock stator produces ac current, which is fine for stock bulbs. Ull need a constant 12v system to use hids. To achieve this ull need to float the ground on trailprotrailpro stator, buy n add a 12v battery along with a regulator/rectifier to achieve a constant 12v system. Then wire it in. If trailprotrailpro still interested after this lil bit of nonse let me know and ill draw u up a wiring diagram to help lol

[TennesseeATC]

blkstangman88, Yes, any help, explaining, digram you might have to offer would be great. Im not used to the terms and I havent done much through the years as far as electrical goes. I can handle it, once I understand it. If swaping out a component or 2 will let me keep existing battery and wiring and have the benefit of using brighter bulbs then Im certainly interested. I have a few questions, 1. are hid's durable and tough to stand up to rough riding? 2. is there a way to swap out the rear bulb also? (so my friends will have an idea where I went after they say go) :) 3. (here's a rookie question) whats up with the 2 tires in the middle of a sentence in a post? whats that mean? Im sure someone is about to bust me up for not knowing. Thanks Again Everyone!!

[Xpress]

I'll send you a wiring diagram tomorrow. Once you know what to do, things become VERY easy to do once it's laid out in front of you.

Should take a casual worker about a day or so to do it all, it's very easy.

[Jamezzz]

these seem pretty cheap if you still want to go with the bulb route. not sure if they will fit though?? anyone ever try these bulbs?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTORCYCLE-ATV-HEADLIGHT-BULBS-WHITE-LIGHT-H6M-35W-/260938138520?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cc1200398#ht_823wt_1396