60s Bonneville Headlight Color Temperature

Discussion in 'Bonneville' started by Guillermo salinas, May 3, 2020.

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  1. Guillermo salinas

    Guillermo salinas Well-Known Member

    Aug 17, 2019
    161
    93
    Azusa
    What was the headlight color temperature that the Bonneville's had in the 60's? I'm trying get my 2014 T100 to look as vintage as possible. How about earlier years?
     
  2. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
    2,575
    800
    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
    Can you explain?
     
  3. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

    Jul 7, 2018
    3,627
    1,000
    MID DEVON
    I assume that you're talking about the colour temperature of the light output from headlight dip and main beams?

    If so, what you need to remember is that most of the early-through-mid-sixties (and possibly later) motorcycle headlights used standard, prefocus, tungsten incandescent bulbs, mainly 55/40 watts output. By today's standards they were barely capable of lighting the front mudguard, let alone much of the road ahead! I exaggerate for humourous effect - but not by a great amount.

    Remember, too, that the dynamo was still in use into the early sixties and its output was fed to the headlight through relatively poor wiring and a number of connections each adding its own value of current resistance.

    The introduction of halogen bulbs and alternators in the mid to late '60s saw a massive improvement in the quality and quantity of light provided from headlamps, though many were still relatively low wattage at 35/35 watts. All in all the colour temperature of the light output would have been very much more towards the yellow, rather than white, side of a spectrum.

    If you REALLY want to make your headlight look more classic period you could try something like these :-

    https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32556789637.html

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/GoldVision-Yellow-55W-12V-2pcs/dp/B005BP5I7E


    They look like they should show a more yellow'ish light output than the bright white of 'normal' halogen bulbs.

    I would be VERY careful about riding unlit streets or country roads at night, though. :eek:
     
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