Steve Willis Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Having upgraded the indicators, stop and side lights to LED, I'm now looking at upgrading the 5 3/4" headlights. As there seems to be a number of options on the market, varying hugely in price, I was wondering what others thought of their purchases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 There's a lot of light and some heat in the archives, but unfortunately it's in multiple threads.Some questions that might narrow down the options:1 Are you interested in replacement "bulbs" or whole units or both?2 Must they be legal?3 Must they meet the new requirements at MoT inspection?4 What price range?JonathanPS: Using an Android 'phone?https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/test-and-ideas/testing-1-2-3-2https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/comment/2386060#comment-2386060 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Godfrey Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 I've fitted these, as have quite a few other caterham owners. They work well and offer good value for money and a 2yr warranty.https://www.originalcaferacer.com/product/classic-car-led-headlight-cree-x-2-light-5-75%e2%80%b3-e-approved-530/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Willis Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 #2 Thx for the quick reply Jonathan. Yes, was struggling with Android, but have just jumped on the laptop and finally managed to post my original comments/info.1. Yes, am looking at replacing the unit, not the bulb.2. Yes, to being legal.3. Yes, to meet any new MOT requirements.4. No budget limits. Interested in peoples experiences of their own headlights.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Thanks.That does narrow it down. : - )Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Willis Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 #3 Thanks Adam. I'll check them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K7 VCT Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 As per Adam and many others I fitted the original cafe racer 5 3/4 ones, over a year ago, very pleased with the result Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Wisamic LED modules with halo DRL connected to sidelight cable. Very happy with them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Just Add Lightness sells the OEM Caterham LED headlight inners to fit in your existing bowls. They're cheaper than buying from Caterham, and JAL offers a club discount too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Heseltine Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Dave Gemzoe is looking at supplying LED headlamp units. I have a pair of these and very pleased with them. I did some tests for Dave and also took them to my local MOT test station for them to checkout. They were happy with them from the MOT point of view. They do not have a halo ring or a horizontal led section. The sidelight is provided by led bulbs which make the headlight look much more like a standard headlight unit, i.e.all of the unit litColin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7_Malc Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Thats good to hear Colin. I have some Gemzoe-supplied LED bulbs, and would be interested in some fully-legal LED headlamp units to fit within my 7" Chrome bowls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 I use these, with Halo DRL which is also an indicator too.https://furoreproducts.co.uk/headlight-3850-lumen-pair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Willis Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 Thanks for the feedback everyone.Regarding the Cafe Racer model, does the headlamp housing need modifying at all, or is it just a case of swapping the light units? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative bluenose Posted February 1, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted February 1, 2022 I also bought some Original Cafe Racer ones. Seem well made and E marked. If you are fitting them to the original headlight bowls then I assume you could use the spring clips although they may need shortening. 10 times cheaper than the Caterham ones and considerably cheaper than the JAL units. Would be interested to compare the light pattern between the two. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K7 VCT Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Fitting the original cafe racer ones on my car didn't have to modify the headlight bowls or rim at all. Just watch out for flying spring clips....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan R Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Looks like the 'Original Cafe Racer' are offering a 10% discount today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 I've had that a few times I've gone to the website. I suspect it detects cookies or IP address if your a new visitor/ different device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Always hold legs of W-clips with long nose pliers ... and wear safety glasses just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangomikeromeo Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Another happy user of the Gemzoe bulbs here. Really simple straight swap. (I appreciate you're looking for the whole unit but may be of interest to others) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7_Malc Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 Update: I have fitted new LED inserts from Classic and Sevens:https://sevensandclassics.com/used-parts/led-headlamps-5-3-4-2/ Installation was straight forward and they fit within the original 7" Chrome bowls on my 1999 Roadsport. Unlike the Cafe Racer options, these do not protrude beyond the chrome bezel, although the lamp glass is more domed than the original Wipac lenses. The Halo ring can be used as DRL - either in yellow (as pictured) or white if you reverse the sidelight connections. I have since swapped to the white as I prefer it. Dipped and Main are brighter and (hopefully) more focused than the LED bulbs I was using before. The units are e-marked and Andy at Classics and Sevens assured me they are MOT compliant. My car is being MOT'd on Friday… The only issue I encountered was the need to replace my headlamp relay, as the old one (circa 1999?) got stuck during the change over. I also wore out the original headlamp rocker switch while testing, so a new one was sourced as well.Thanks to Derek and Jonathan for the information and trouble-shooting assistance. This elastic-trickery stuff is not my area of expertise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Just about to fit my cafe racer lights and the unit is loads thicker than the original light bowl.Do the clips need shortening or just a case of brut force? (With the original bowls the clips take a bit of effort to get in!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 You can bend the W-clips with pliers before you start fitting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Lef Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Anyone got any pics of the Cafe Racer LEDs on main, dipped and DRL to show how good they are?RegardsAndy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Lef Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K7 VCT Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 I fitted the cafe racer 5 3/4 ones without any issues on my 2014 car. The 3 clips are a fiddle but the units didn't require any fettling to fit. Just be sure the springs go in the same way them come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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