Lights & Headlights
Upgrading to LED
Swapping a halogen headlight for an LED.
Harley-validated
Points
- Plug-and-play for 7" buckets (Touring, Heritage)
- Models with Harley's Daymaker LED
- JW Speaker 8700 Evolution 2 — the benchmark
- Custom Dynamics, Letric Lighting — alternatives
Safety & cautions
- Disconnect battery before touching the headlight harness
- LEDs generate EMI — a cheap one can scramble radio/Boom Box
- Misaimed aux lights = ticket in many states (CA, NY)
Average US cost (USD)
- 7" Daymaker LED headlight: $320-420
- Custom Dynamics LED kit: $180-350
- Aux lights pair (Denali, PIAA): $250-500
- Dealer install: $120-260
When to see a mechanic
- Headlight flickers on its own — harness or CAN module
- LED hyper-flashes after install — missing resistor/load equalizer
Quick questions
Are LEDs legal in the US?
Yes if DOT-approved. Look for 'DOT' stamped on the lens.
Can I smoke my headlight?
Turn signals and tail lights are illegal smoked in many states — banned in CA, NY, FL.
Where to dig deeper
- Custom Dynamics
- J.W. Speaker
- Denali Electronics