1949 - 1958 Headlight

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1950HD1950
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1949 - 1958 Headlight

#1

Post by 1950HD1950 »

A correct, original 1949–1958 Headlight lens #67717-48 which was used on Hydra-Glide big twins is virtually impossible to find so there is an aftermarket alternative currently available which does not fit the headlight shell correctly due to the glass "landing pads" that are moulded into the back of the lens next to the locating tabs.

How do you guys get around this? Do you modify the headlight by removing the landing pads or modify the headlight shell, which i would rather not do?
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#2

Post by 1955fle »

Both Cimarron Cycle and Deluxe Hd Restorations sell a good quality reproduction headlight for part # 67717-48. There may be some detail difference if you are being judged, but other that that they are good.

Carl
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#3

Post by beets »

The old 6006s will fit. The new ones I see listed now are Halogen. Are these the ones that won't fit? An old auto parts store might have NOS 6006s.
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#4

Post by RooDog »

I did a Google Search for " Headlamp Number 6006" and found many NOS available, but these are automotive headlampss.
Should not the Harleys use specifically "MOTORCYCLE" marked bulbs?
Now, how many of the vendors would ship to Oz is another consideration....
Best wishes in your quest.... RooDog....
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#5

Post by beets »

I don't know of a source for motorcycle 6V headlights. I have used automotive ones in pans for many years. The beam pattern is a little different, but no problems with the electrical system.
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#6

Post by RUBONE »

1950HD1950 wrote: Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:03 am A correct, original 1949–1958 Headlight lens #67717-48 which was used on Hydra-Glide big twins is virtually impossible to find so there is an aftermarket alternative currently available which does not fit the headlight shell correctly due to the glass "landing pads" that are moulded into the back of the lens next to the locating tabs.

How do you guys get around this? Do you modify the headlight by removing the landing pads or modify the headlight shell, which i would rather not do?
Do you not like '59s??? :mrgreen:

I have used Lucas shells which allow an H4 to be used.
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#7

Post by 1950HD1950 »

1955fle wrote: Thu Feb 02, 2023 2:54 pm Both Cimarron Cycle and Deluxe Hd Restorations sell a good quality reproduction headlight for part # 67717-48. There may be some detail difference if you are being judged, but other that that they are good.

Carl
I did purchase the headlight from one of these vendors and it is causing the issue. I have attached a photo to better highlight the problem with these bulbs fitting into a stock oem shell. The "glass landing pads" on either side of the locating tabs sit against the shell face and stop the bulb from seating all the way into the shell which makes the bulb sit too far out and the retaining ring does not fit.

Also, here is an article i found on the issue https://www.harleykmodel.com/technical/ ... index.html
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guide-headlight-bulb-landing-pads.jpg
guide-headlight-bulb-landing-pads.jpg (53.24 KiB) Viewed 562 times
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#8

Post by 1950HD1950 »

***DUPLICATE POST***
Last edited by 1950HD1950 on Thu Feb 02, 2023 11:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#9

Post by 1950HD1950 »

This should illustrate the problem.
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#10

Post by 1950HD1950 »

RUBONE wrote: Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:18 pm
1950HD1950 wrote: Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:03 am A correct, original 1949–1958 Headlight lens #67717-48 which was used on Hydra-Glide big twins is virtually impossible to find so there is an aftermarket alternative currently available which does not fit the headlight shell correctly due to the glass "landing pads" that are moulded into the back of the lens next to the locating tabs.

How do you guys get around this? Do you modify the headlight by removing the landing pads or modify the headlight shell, which i would rather not do?
Do you not like '59s??? :mrgreen:
Don't mind them at all. :D

1959 - One Year Only

"Something strange happened in 1959. The 67717-48A headlamp appeared, replacing the 67717-48. It was rated at 50/40 watts, the same as Harley had previously warned us not to use! This is pure speculation, but we think Guide may have stopped producing the steel-reflector Cycle-Beam. The new glass T-3 Motorcycle bulbs may not have been in production yet. If they were, they would not fit the 1959 headlight bucket correctly due to the “landing pads” So Harley used an oddball lamp for this one year. Just what was it? We don't know. Even Bruce Palmer is fuzzy on the 67717-48A.

Could it have been the automobile version of the steel-reflector lamp with the “Sealed Beam”-marked lens. Could it have been an automotive version of the T-3? Could it have been something entirely different? We may never know, as these one-year only lamps may have all burned-out and been tossed away in the last 58 years."

Source: https://www.harleykmodel.com/technical/ ... index.html
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#11

Post by 1950HD1950 »

RooDog wrote: Thu Feb 02, 2023 3:15 pm I did a Google Search for " Headlamp Number 6006" and found many NOS available, but these are automotive headlampss.
Should not the Harleys use specifically "MOTORCYCLE" marked bulbs?
Now, how many of the vendors would ship to Oz is another consideration....
Best wishes in your quest.... RooDog....
I just checked a stash of Wagner and Lucas headlights i have but they all have the same glass landing pads unfortunately.
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#12

Post by 1950HD1950 »

For future reference or anyone that's interested, i ground off the landing pads with a dremel and the headlight now sits flush against the headlight shell face and retaining ring now fits correctly.
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#13

Post by RooDog »

I like to use H-4 halogen head lamps. (available in both 6 & 12 volt) They do not have the landing pads, only the locators and fit flush in the HL housing....
...RooDog....
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#14

Post by Hogey »

Also i know its not OEM but in OZ we need low beam to dip to the left.
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Re: 1949 - 1958 Headlight

#15

Post by RooDog »

That's easy enough. Get an OZ approved Head lamp... No worries...
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