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  #1  
Old 12th August 2020
apotheon apotheon is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: northern Colorado front range
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Sportster/Buell Model: Buell Blast P3
Sportster/Buell Year: 2000
Other Motorcycle Model: Yamaha XJ650 Maxim
Other Motorcycle Year: 1981
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Default Buell Blast headlight compatibility

I'm about to get just slightly further into electrical systems on my 2000 Buell Blast than I have before. Up to this point, all I recall that I've done with the electrical system is replace a battery at one point and cut out a damaged section of wire for a tail turn signal then splice the cut ends together again at another point. I intend to replace the tail light and plate holder with some aftermarket stuff, but I'm pretty sure that's really straightforward (someone please disabuse me of this notion if I'm mistaken), like "there are these wires that will connect to the thing, and that's it; when you see it, all will be clear".

Keep in mind that I can turn a wrench and I can write software, and I can even replace a wall light switch without killing myself, but I haven't done any electrical work to speak of (and every time I need to use a multimeter -- at a blistering rate of about once every half-decade -- I have to relearn how to use it).

For the headlight, though, I'm not so sure. There tend to be wiring harnesses and specific plugs and so on for different headlights. Should I be able to just swap a seven inch headlight from pretty much any Harley? Here's an eample:

https://smile.amazon.com/Wisamic-Mot...dp/B01M63N6PJ/

Would this thing just plug in without any modifications on either the headlight end or the motorcycle end? I looked at the connectors on the Blast, and they do not look to me like they'd mate up with what comes with this headlight, but this headlight's connectors seem to be what every "universal" fit seven inch LED headlight offers, and they all seem to suggest they'll work with pretty much everything.

Maybe I was looking at the wrong connectors on my Blast.
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Old 12th August 2020
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IXL2Relax IXL2Relax is offline
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Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster 883►1200
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We don't cover Buell Blasts very much here, but I looked over the headlights on eBay...

The connector on the outside of the headlight housing is 4-pins (only 3 are used) - The connector on the inside of the headlight housing that actually connects to the headlight bulb appears to be a standard 3-pin H4 connection.

The aftermarket bulbs will be setup to use the 3-pin H4 connector.

The problem with most aftermarket LED headlights is the size of the rear adapter - They have difficulty fitting into the standard headlight housings.

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  #3  
Old 12th August 2020
apotheon apotheon is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: northern Colorado front range
Posts: 9
Sportster/Buell Model: Buell Blast P3
Sportster/Buell Year: 2000
Other Motorcycle Model: Yamaha XJ650 Maxim
Other Motorcycle Year: 1981
Reputation: 10
apotheon is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by IXL2Relax View Post
We don't cover Buell Blasts very much here, but I looked over the headlights on eBay...

The connector on the outside of the headlight housing is 4-pins (only 3 are used) - The connector on the inside of the headlight housing that actually connects to the headlight bulb appears to be a standard 3-pin H4 connection.

The aftermarket bulbs will be setup to use the 3-pin H4 connector.

The problem with most aftermarket LED headlights is the size of the rear adapter - They have difficulty fitting into the standard headlight housings.
Thanks for doing that research. I appreciate it.

If I understand correctly (and I looked for pics of the Blast stock light to compare that with what you said), the difference is just that there will be more cable to tidy up outside of the headlight housing if I swap in an LED headlight with a connector like that Amazon headlight has. Is that correct?
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  #4  
Old 12th August 2020
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IXL2Relax IXL2Relax is offline
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It looks like you'll have to remove the short cable on the current headlight housing to use as an adapter harness - Or find such a harness to use...

If you're confident about the physical fitting, it seems it should wire up and operate...

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Old 12th August 2020
apotheon apotheon is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: northern Colorado front range
Posts: 9
Sportster/Buell Model: Buell Blast P3
Sportster/Buell Year: 2000
Other Motorcycle Model: Yamaha XJ650 Maxim
Other Motorcycle Year: 1981
Reputation: 10
apotheon is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

Thanks for your input. I probably won't end up with that specific headlight, but it has the same connector as the other lights I've been checking out.

I guess I've got the info I need.
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