I was reading about various headlights that can be added to touring bikes and someone dropped in a brilliant suggestion that can be made to the stock headlight to dial up the brightness. It entails the removal of that cone that sits right in front of the bulb. All you do is remove the headlight bucket and unscrew the post that holds this cup. If I recall this same piece is also where the spring that holds the bulb attaches to so you can't just take this piece out, rather you need to cut the post about half way between were it mounts and the cone. I just used a marker so that when I hit this with the dremel the cut would follow the line of the headlight dish.

Here is a photo with the cup removed:


Right below the bulb you can see where the post that held the cone was cut.

While I don't ride much at night, it is definitely seems to be brighter and the cost $0.

 

Did you loose any side lighting, I mean that cone was there for a reason...dispersion of light? Just wondering...

 

I didn't take a before/after shot but both forward and side lighting seem the same.

 

I'm interested to know the precise purpose of the 'cone' and it's design as well. It must be designed to effect some purpose.
The fact it exists makes it a part of the production cost -- so why the expense if there's no purpose?
Inquiring minds want to ............
That said, thanks for the experiment; on my list until there is justification to leave well enough alone....

 

I thought I read somewhere the auto headlights needed to illuminate the area up and to the right of the road make road signs visible. I wonder if the cone is designed to direct some of the light there?

 

Took the diffuser off my headlight a long time ago.

Drew