Headlight upgrade needed

[dans6887]

My gt380 has what i can only assume is a rare super hard-to-find headlamp. It is the type with a flat edge on one side of the bulb and also on the ring collar around it. Does anybody know of a different light that can be used on this bike?

[jabcb]

There aren’t many choices if you have the stock flat-bottomed headlight.

Suzuki used sealed beam headlights & headlights with replaceable bulbs.
You can get some improvement by upgrading to a 45/45W replaceable bulb.

I have seen people use a modern round 5.75” headlight — they wrapped the outer edge of the headlight with tape to fill the gap & position the headlight. This works but looks ugly.

There are a lot of options if you swap out the headlight bucket.

[dans6887]

I would have no problem changing the headlight bucket. Any suggestions?

[Barry S.]

Can't run too bright a bulb in some 380's, the charging system can't handle it.

[ConnerVT]

Emgo 24-2917 and replace the bulb with a 45/45W.

[jabcb]

Suzuki packet the headlight bucket with electrical connectors, which might be a problem with some aftermarket headlight buckets.
I haven’t used any aftermarket headlight buckets, so I don’t know which ones will work.
ConnerVT, have you used the Emgo, and if so was there enough room for the connectors?

Later model GT380s used a round headlight.
You could upgrade to a late-model GT380 headlight bucket & use a halogen H4 headlight + rim that’s from certain Suzuki GS-L models.
This option probably will cost a good bit more than aftermarket.
Let me know if you are interested in the option — I have a GS-L model H4 headlight on my T500 & can look up what you need.

The GT250/T500/GT380 round headlights are around 162mm diameter.
The GT550/GT750 round headlights are 7” diameter.
If you go with a 7” headlight, you might find it just looks to big.

The GT380 & GT550 has the same alternator.
But Suzuki used two different vendors. One provides ample output & the other is adequate.


The cats meow solution would be to upgrade to a 7” headlight & use a high-quality LED headlight.
If you do this, I’d also upgrade to a modern voltage regulator or rectifier/regulator.
This option will be rather pricey.

[Jimroid]

I sent you an email with what I have.

[ConnerVT]

Suzuki packet the headlight bucket with electrical connectors, which might be a problem with some aftermarket headlight buckets.
I haven’t used any aftermarket headlight buckets, so I don’t know which ones will work.
ConnerVT, have you used the Emgo, and if so was there enough room for the connectors?

Yes, I have this on my T500. I assumed that it is the same size bucket used in the GT380/550.

There is plenty of room inside the bucket for all of the wiring. The design is very consistent with the 1970's Japanese bikes. Unless you have someone knowing what is OEM and what isn't looking over the bike, it all fits together nicely. For around $75 (headlight + lower powered bulb), you get fresh chrome and clear lens. And a marked improvement over the anemic T500 headlight.