This is a pic of the stock headlight on my '09 FXD. The bulb itself sorta sits up inside the blackish mushroom-like thing inside the headlight. The mushroom-like thing has a piece of metal that goes back through the inner shiny part of the headlight.

What I want to know:

Can I yank/cut/bend this thing out of the way? Why is it there in the first place? It looks like it's part of the problem of such crappy lighting at night.

Thanks for any assistance with this. I can't really afford a new aftermarket light at this time, nor even a take off from another bike model that doesn't have that thing. I'd really like to fix the one I have so that I can get better lighting out of it.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...d_p1010033.jpg

 

link to pic takes me to a generic photobucket page. No pic.

 

I think you need to leave the blackish mushroom-like thing where it is.

mud

 

yeah you wouldn't want to take that off. The beams focus comes from what light reflects from the inside of the bucket. If that piece were removed you would have a lot less focused light. The bulb might just be weak. I have read good things about the Silverstars.

 

That is called a "bulb shield." Its function is to prevent stray light from the low-beam filament from exiting the lamp and reflecting back off of rain, snow, or fog and causing glare to the rider (or driver for cars.)

I removed the bulb shield in my Sportster headlight because I wanted to use a selective yellow envelope on my bulb and it would not fit with the shield in place. The shield is held in place by the same screw that holds the spring clip which secures the bulb in the lamp. Just unscrew it, take it out, and then take a hacksaw and cut the shield bracket off right at the point where the hole for the screw is. You'll need to put that part back in there otherwise you can't re-attach the spring clip for the bulb.

Here's a pic of what my light looked like with no bulb shield and the selective yellow envelope on the H4 bulb:

 

Hmmm...I hope someday something better is figured out for stock lighting on bikes.

Anyway, thanks for all the answers. I guess I could try one of the Silverstars (believe it or not, Wallyworld has them) and see if that makes any difference.

 

Try aiming your headlight a little higher. It made a lot of difference on mine. I also have the Silverstar bulb.