11" headlight?

[El Zorgot]

Hi all- I am working on a custom motorcycle that has a sort of scrambler look to it. I need a GIANT headlight. Yes, it has to function, but the size is mainly for looks. I see lots of 9" options but I need something bigger. I figure as long as I can get the reflector and front glass, I can work around the mounting, type of bulb, etc.

Does anyone have any ideas? Stage light? Locomotive? Search light? UFO?

Thanks!

 

[LXCam]

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[yhprum]

Suzuki gs1100e series circa 1982 through 1984 had ten inch diameter headlight. I had one for 24 years and never got cut off once, it was so visible to other drivers on the road.

 

[Marsim]

Commercial aircraft landing lights. Not too expensive, but may be too bright for road use.

 

[El Zorgot]

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Great find, thank you! You know, it is so funny and that is why the forms are so helpful.. I have searched eBay a bazillion different ways and never come across that product. For another person it comes up immediately.

 

[El Zorgot]

Suzuki gs1100e series circa 1982 through 1984 had ten inch diameter headlight. I had one for 24 years and never got cut off once, it was so visible to other drivers on the road.

Whoa... that would be a real go-to solution. I will look into that. Thank you!

 

[Steve W.]

Suzuki gs1100e series circa 1982 through 1984 had ten inch diameter headlight.

Whoa... that would be a real go-to solution. I will look into that. Thank you!

Just so you don't get disapointed, ... the measurement across the HOUSING was about 10", but the glass lens itself was only 9".

.

 

[inphx]

one up on cam

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[Stuart in MN]

Suzuki gs1100e series circa 1982 through 1984 had ten inch diameter headlight. I had one for 24 years and never got cut off once, it was so visible to other drivers on the road.

They were the largest motorcycle headlights I can think of, at least for bikes built in the last 40 years. There may have been antique bikes with larger ones but they wouldn't be nearly as effective. (That era of GS1100 was one of the best looking bikes ever, in my opinion.)

 

[bwringer]

Suzuki gs1100e series circa 1982 through 1984 had ten inch diameter headlight. I had one for 24 years and never got cut off once, it was so visible to other drivers on the road.

Yep, these were just about the biggest and take a standard H4/9003 bulb. They've been known as a popular custom upgrade for years and have become very difficult to find intact.

The measurement depends on where you measure, but the glass on these was 9", whereas the usual round headlight on most Suzukis, Kawasakis, etc. of the era is 7".

There are plenty of 9" round off-road LED setups out there, many with assorted effects, built-in turn signals, interesting patterns, etc.

 

[mike93lx]

A project worth doing is worth doing right

19-Inch LED Searchlight - Carlisle and Finch

Our largest LED light, the 19-inch LED searchlight provides high-intensity power while also remaining an eco-friendly option.

carlislefinch.com

 

[El Zorgot]

Lots of awesome replies! Thank you!

 

[egdede]

Post a picture of your project when your done.

 

[WildBill]

one up on cam

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I really want to mount this in my shop in a functional setup. Like above a workbench.

 

[El Zorgot]

Post a picture of your project when your done.

Will do. It won't be for a while as I have to figure out a few things with the instrument cluster and stuff. Plus time in general. I always like to plan ahead.

 

[El Zorgot]

Gentlemen!!! Much thanks for the help. The various suggestions were helpful in that it made me aware of other routes to take. The aviation light suggestion led to looking into that and learning that they measure their lights in 1/8" increments and they call them PAR for "parabolic aluminized reflector". So I would be looking for a PAR 96. No luck but I did find a 12" parabolic aluminized reflector.
Then the suggestion of the old car led me to look for reproductions and such but I *think* I found a source for a 12" round fluted front glass.
The rest of the unit I should be able to figure out and fab. It is some months away, time wise, but I will try to post some photos.
Thanks again!

 

[cvairwerks]

One thing to keep in mind, is that most of the larger aviation lights are 24 vdc and pull a heck of a lot current.....they are generally 250 watt and larger bulbs.

 

[El Zorgot]

One thing to keep in mind, is that most of the larger aviation lights are 24 vdc and pull a heck of a lot current.....they are generally 250 watt and larger bulbs.

Yeah, I will be using a standard automotive bulb. Maybe LED, maybe HID . . . but 12v.

 

[Marsim]

I hooked a nose gear light from a 737 (not sure of the series) to my truck awhile back for the hell of it. I don't remember the voltage or amp draw, but it worked fine. I would not run it without the vehicle running. The newer replacements are led, so the older surplus stuff is pretty cheap.

 

[El Zorgot]

I hooked a nose gear light from a 737 (not sure of the series) to my truck awhile back for the hell of it. I don't remember the voltage or amp draw, but it worked fine. I would not run it without the vehicle running. The newer replacements are led, so the older surplus stuff is pretty cheap.

Nice! Where did you get it and how big was it?

 

[lolaetype]

Here is a 11 incher for not a huge amount.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[El Zorgot]

Here is a 11 incher for not a huge amount.

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Nice find! Thank you!