anyone ever use or seen one of these? www.ebay.com #120408136232
here is a direct link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHADOW-VTX-1300-1800-REBEL-250-400-STRETCHED-HEADLIGHT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQhashZitem1c08e25a28QQitemZ120408136232QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
It still has a defused lens on it.. I'd prefer to go with a clear lens if I was making a change.
i would like to make the change to a VTX housing/light but didn't want to pay $150-$200 and wondered if that was a cheaper way.
The VTX is MUCH brighter due to its reflector and lens as well as looking MUCH better. Just open up the wallet and pay for it!!!!
Unless you're just trying to get a different look than the VTX headlight, it is about as straightforward an upgrade as you can make, and like Greg says, it is a huge improvement in lighting vs the stock unit. With the stock unit, I felt like I might have been better off with a seeing-eye dog, but I have never felt like I didn't have enough light for riding at night since installing the VTX unit. It also gets lots of compliments...
I know it will definitely be an upgrade, i just like the looks over the stock one. Besides can ya blame a person trying to go to the "cheap-side" :cool:
Nope. I'm kinda fond of doing things on the cheap, too. It also took the look of the VTX headlight a while to grow on me. When I first put it on, I did not like it. From time to time, I think I'd like to put the mini-fairing back on my bike, which means going back to the stock bucket. If you can find a bulb which would place the filament at the focal point of the reflector, the stock unit should be fine.
I upgraded the bulb in the stock headlight to a halogen/blue, which did help some. But I'm leaning more toward swapping it out with a VTX instead of adding lights just so I don't have to mess with the wiring or install an aux switch I'd forget to shut off and drain the battery, etc.
But I'm also cruising the web in hopes of finding a used one...so far, not so good. I may have to just break down and pay up (or save up) for this upgrade.
Came across this webpage... interesting stuff if you're in the market for a headlight mod!
http://www.customdynamics.com/headlights.htm (http://www.customdynamics.com/headlights.htm)
I ordered the headlamp and clear lens for the stock headlight on Maggie...$58.50 after shipping.
As attractive as the VTX mod would be, I don't like the idea of the bucket putting stress on the cables. I just want to see more of what's in front of me when I'm commuting to work at 4 am. I'll report back on the results and installation.
Quote from: Damn Yankee on May 20, 2009, 07:32:16 PM
Came across this webpage... interesting stuff if you're in the market for a headlight mod!
http://www.customdynamics.com/headlights.htm (http://www.customdynamics.com/headlights.htm)
I ordered the headlamp and clear lens for the stock headlight on Maggie...$58.50 after shipping.
As attractive as the VTX mod would be, I don't like the idea of the bucket putting stress on the cables. I just want to see more of what's in front of me when I'm commuting to work at 4 am. I'll report back on the results and installation.
I would certainly be interested in knowing how it turns out for you. I considered one of those before I bought the VTX headlight, and I do prefer how they put the lamp out and away from the gauges, cables, and brake line. Does it require drilling the fork brace?
By the way, there is one other downside to the VTX light, as least in my experience: the shell did not fit together as solidly as it should have, and I had to make a gasket to eliminate freeplay at the bottom of the assembly where the reflector mates with the bucket. I was concerned that the rattling would lead to early bulb failure. I think that sloppy fit may be a "feature" of the 2002 VTX1800C assemblies P/Ns, because I noticed in comparing it with parts lists from later model years that there were some changes.
When I think about how much the MSRP was on a brand new VTX1800C, it doesn't say much for Honda's fit and finish
Waiting on the UPS man now...I'll keep you posted.
I just did the vtx headlight mod and I would never change it back its looks cool its brighter too!!
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/whitechocoalte1/SSPX0412.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/whitechocoalte1/SSPX0411.jpg)
Quote from: mtrosclair on May 23, 2009, 02:37:28 PM
I just did the vtx headlight mod and I would never change it back its looks cool its brighter too!!
Welcome to MOOT! Nice eye candy you posted! :mrgreen:
I'm going to do an intro post later tonight so stand by for more pics!!!
I would like to do the VTX headlight update on my 96. Where can I get the parts needed? Are these lights available only from Honda or can the be found aftermarket?
Thanks in advance for the help.
You can pick up whole buckets on ebay, or if you really want to you can buy new parts. Used will be cheaper!! Although it will bolt right up I recommend a bracket extension to keep it away from the speedo cable. I spent part of today extending my stock bracket, i will try to get some pictures soon!
Extended bracket topic is here... http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/forums/index.php?topic=3347.0
As promised here is the extended bracket installed and wrinkle coated!
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/whitechocoalte1/SSPX0418.jpg)
Okay, we got the package from UPS today...took off the old headlight unit, compared it with the new one and immediately noticed the new unit would NOT be compatible with the stock bucket. The newbie does not take the brackets and adjustment screws into account. Of course, the instructions say "for most AMERICAN OEMS (read: Harleys)....Unfortunately, that qualifier could not be found in the web page where I ordered the part. Awesome. :x Good thing I didn't toss the old headlight unit and put it back together. Looks like I'll be getting a VTX headlight at this point.