H4 bulb holder

[Knowledge]

I've seen a few conversions using modified H4 lamps in Lambretta headsets, but is there an option where a complete (unmodified) H4 lamp can be fitted?

If not, why not?

(Or can you but the H4 lamp-holders?)

[coaster]

It depends on the make of the lamp holder Martin but I don't think I had to do anything to the lamps in LiS or the Jet, I just needed to cut some slots in the metal surround part of the holder for the 3 tabs on the lamp to sit in. The hole in the plastic part needed opening up a fair bit as the H4 base is bigger. Here's some pics from when I did mine several years ago, ignore the method of retaining the holder, I made a proper clip for it after the photos were taken.










I used JB weld to secure the H4 connector which came from Halfords

[Knowledge]

Blimey, talk about a complete answer......!

Well done Colin. I don't think I could have expected such a full reply. The photos are great.

My installation will be GP/DL, and it does make you wonder why no one has spent the time developing a headlamp that takes an H4 lamp. Perhaps I will have a think about how it could be done using the ideas put forward by Coaster and my own thoughts about using one of the HID kits from eBay.

[coaster]

Blimey, talk about a complete answer......!

Well done Colin. I don't think I could have expected such a full reply. The photos are great.

My installation will be GP/DL, and it does make you wonder why no one has spent the time developing a headlamp that takes an H4 lamp. Perhaps I will have a think about how it could be done using the ideas put forward by Coaster and my own thoughts about using one of the HID kits from eBay.

Martin, I've moved on from the H4 lamp and have gone over to HID on both scooters using the Jockeys reflector/lens system, I have some good photos that I did for Sticky a year or so ago. The problem with the GP is not having a modern type reflector and clear lens. This is why the HID lamp that Tid and Jarv tried a few years ago didn't work, lots of light but the reeding in the glass scatters the light all over the place.

[Knowledge]

Oh dear. Maybe I would be p!ssing in the wind if I tried to walk the same path as Jarv and Tidd.

It seems that a clear GP lens is required. How on earth do you get one of them made?

[coaster]

..................... How on earth do you get one of them made?

Good question, it's a shame Jockey's don't do one for the GP, they'd sell like hot cakes if they did

[coaster]

I was looking at a couple of new Scomadis on a Remembrance Day rideout and noticed that they were sporting a modern plain glass lens with a modern type reflector, maybe these would fit a standard GP headset? Don't know what type of lamp fitting they use though but would be surprised if they aren't H4.

[Knowledge]

Hi Col,

I've already been down that route and it could be done. I visited a mate with a Scomadi and we took the headset off and did some measurements. The glass (read, plastic) is actually slightly smaller than the traditional GP glass, which surprised me.

It is an H4 lamp of 35w. Apparently, if you fit a lamp with more watts, the glass melts.

The owner of the Scomadi said the headlight was very poor. He has purchased a HID kit with the intention of fitting it, but it all gets a bit bulky. He may have done better if he had purchased an official Scodmadi HID upgrade kit from Frank and Paul, but the fact that a HID kit is available from the manufacturer indicates that they acknowledge that the lights are a bit dim.

One of the things that put me off the Scomadi headset unit was that it was rather flimsy. Did I want to invest £60 in something that might not work?

[landybretta]

Spotted this on ebay. Maybe what you are looking for.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lambretta-gp- ... SwPgxVSl42

[Knowledge]

Thanks, but no. I don't want to use 55w of my limited power available for a dip beam, and I don't want to modify a bulb each time I need to change a lamp.

I have done this conversion before, and I prefer to use 6.3mm spade connectors for my block, rather than bullets.

However, I hope your post is useful for others.

[coaster]

Hi Col,

I've already been down that route and it could be done. I visited a mate with a Scomadi and we took the headset off and did some measurements. The glass (read, plastic) is actually slightly smaller than the traditional GP glass, which surprised me.

It is an H4 lamp of 35w. Apparently, if you fit a lamp with more watts, the glass melts.

The owner of the Scomadi said the headlight was very poor. He has purchased a HID kit with the intention of fitting it, but it all gets a bit bulky. He may have done better if he had purchased an official Scodmadi HID upgrade kit from Frank and Paul, but the fact that a HID kit is available from the manufacturer indicates that they acknowledge that the lights are a bit dim.

One of the things that put me off the Scomadi headset unit was that it was rather flimsy. Did I want to invest £60 in something that might not work?

That surprises me tbh Martin, I had a good look at it and was actually thinking it might be bigger. Many scooters have plastic lenses these days, the Jockey's one is plastic and so too is the GTS. That said, the GTS lenses have been known to melt but only when they have been left standing with the engine running for a long time, mine has never shown any signs of overeating even when being stuck in stationary traffic.

What sort of headlight is your mate using as a yard stick when he says the scomadi is bad btw?

[Knowledge]

Col,

He has a 35/35w incandescent lamp. Nuff said?

I am going back to two LED spots in the headset, but with a new, clear plastic lens that I will manufacture once I have looked at lots of videos on you-tube.