In another thread I posted the picture of Spinner's new headlamp, a unit I bought right from Harley. At that time, it was a new upgrade for them, and a few guys were also experimenting with the same or similar units. Admittedly, it's pricey, and some folks considered it a gadgety new toy.

I put it on the little bike because that's my "work scooter." If I was going to be putting on miles well after dark that's the bike I'd be on. Betty has a bulb upgrade, and it works okay anyway.

Sadly, I didn't get many miles on after dark other than the shakedown trips I took. The orientation of the headlamp in the nacelle had to be rotated and the entire unit re-aimed, but even from the first little trip I took it was a vast improvement--for me. Then cold weather came...

Did anyone else make a similar upgrade and log more miles than I did? What's your experience? Any problems with the install or day-to-day use?

I probably should add something here, because it usually gets me into trouble--more often than you can believe.

For example, one of the reasons I have been avoiding knife centered forums lately is that I dislike their current mentality. If you say, "I like Microtech," within minutes you get a flame like, "Why do hate Spyderco?" Drives me nuts.

Yes, I have specific tastes in many products. I have staunch opinions. I dislike wussery. If you have an opinion I feel you should state it. A guy on a bike who claims he has the cojones to face a drunken townie with a weapon should be able to control himself enough to say, "I politely disagree." Then form a cohesive rebuttal.

That preface applies here, both for the bike and the headlamp. My riding situation has changed. Many folks know that my wife is the last few years of employment before retirement. The odds of me taking off for two weeks to "party with the bloods" in Sturgis is slim to remote. If I'm going to go wear out a Harley it's going to be between loads of laundry.

"The bar-and-shield. Bikes built of iron for men made of steel--who fluff and fold."

In that regard, my little bike and a warm summer evening have been a true stress reliever. I'll deliever an order, or sneak off to the dealership for a cuppa and few lies and take the long way home. In that scenario a brighter lamp on a little scooter is a great addition.

Having said that, I realize that my chosen equipment differs from yours. Makes for a great debate. However, I cannot defend a guy who builds up a gargantuan motor and leaves the brakes in stock trim. Bikes need to stop and illuminate the road. It's in that context that I support updated oil pumps, better rear shocks and now superior headlamps. I fully understand that this leaves me open to criticism on cluttering a bike with toys and goo-gahs.

For example, I replaced my front-end on Betty before we built the final improvements on her motor's top-end. But when I discuss such preferences, I am not criticizing your choices. This seems obvious to me, but you'd be amazed at how many times I've switched on the computer only to find a "the perfect storm of fecal material."