Thread: Headlight reflectors

Any 7" headlight will fit. A decent brand will have a good reflector.


If you're running sealed beams now, you can upgrade to halogen (H4 globes) or, if you venture into the Group Buy section, LEDs.

I got a set of Narva for about $60 and a mate just got a set of IPF, I think they were about $100.

Try Repco or any of the motor parts stores, or ebay and you should be able to get something in your price bracket.

Thanks guys...I will be down the Repcos or similar tomorrow. Somebody told me that there is a modern reflector that really does the business. Don't really want to upgrade the globes and the associated relays and loom.

You can get crystal headlights which look like the modern car headlights:

I don't know if they're better than having normal lenses though.


They're available as angel lights too (in a choice of colours):

Basic idea is... the reflector surface does all the focussing and mixing and directing, hence the multi-faceted surface. The transparent lens material can be optimized for maximum light transmission only, - and keeping water out ! Before they're scratched, some better quality ones appear to have an invisible lens...

Not a new idea, but only realized recently due to available technology.

You can pick up a rea$onably priced pair on evilbay, or pay a lot more for a better set, locally.

Either should be "better" than what you're currently running.

My 85 RRC has H4 Carello's fitted,brilliant beam pattern,and I have just upgraded to Narva 60/55w plus 120% globes,which gives me good country running lights,and high beam fixes the roof mounted light brigade in their Jappo machines

cheers

Just noticed...

did you say you haven't got the 'upgraded' wiring for your headlights ?

- Whether you buy the Traxide setup (easiest) or do a Roll-Your-Own - as I did from salvaged Jap relays - it's the most economical in the long run... unless your Hi/Lo beam switch is Immortal.

It will give you a tiny improvement/noticeable brightening/whatever, especially if you're going to spend $$$$ on "+xyz %" brighter globes.

From my own experience in our family fleet, the higher the "+" the shorter is the service life. - Wiping off the fine dust on the front of a lens can equal a +30 to 50%.


Good (read:-'New') reflectors / lens is most of the battle, followed by globes.
Remember, a +200% globe will make road signage unbearably glary, never mind what it does to other motorists, especially on a damp night when the road surface acts like a mirror.

- And that's just the low beam.

Originally Posted by superquag

......

Not a new idea, but only realized recently due to available technology.

....

No, certainly not. Goes back at least to the 1930s, but was the preserve of the top end of the market until the introduction of CAD/CAM to design and make tooling for the reflectors.

Also very much a fashion thing, I seriously doubt whether having a plain reflector and figured lens will give a different result to a plain lens and figured reflector, everything else being equal.

John