The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: oz_johnno on March 06, 2013, 07:02:37 PM

Title: Headlight size
Post by: oz_johnno on March 06, 2013, 07:02:37 PM

greetings,
It would seem that I have blown the low beam on my headlight (high works just fine).  Does anyone out there know what type of headlighht bulb I should buy and how many watts can I draw without having to go through the bother of wiring up a relay.

Cheers

OZ

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: Bob_Roller on March 06, 2013, 07:57:55 PM

It's an H4 bulb, 55/60 w .

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: steven m on March 06, 2013, 10:29:30 PM

I would suggest putting in a relay to insure the bulb is getting full voltage all the time.  Noticeably whiter and brighter light.  I believe Monte put one together for a few shillings but I bought a kit from Eastern Beaver which was very easy to install.

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Kits/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html

Steve  

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: montmil on March 07, 2013, 08:46:37 AM

Relays help preserve the smaller gauge wiring in many electrical switching systems and older wiring harness looms while insuring the best performance possible from lights, fans, etc.

One issue to be aware of is the heat generated by a higher wattage than the OEM halogen bulb; higher heat within the headlight and the wiring at the headlamp socket itself can lead to melted "yellow" wires and a short circuit.

  

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: georgesgiralt on March 07, 2013, 01:08:31 PM

add to this that is is against the law to try to transform and headlight into an anti aircraft weapon....

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: Barry on March 07, 2013, 01:58:03 PM

Simplest way to provide improved lighting is to replace a standard headlight bulb with something like an Osram Silverstar. Same wattage with 50% more light. I've used these bulbs for years now and they really are noticeably brighter. I initially thought there was no free lunch and the bulbs must have a shorter working life which would have been fair enough but they are still going after 5 years.

Just make sure to steer clear of anything tinted blue.

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: georgesgiralt on March 07, 2013, 02:18:09 PM

As a French, I'm used to the yellow bulbs.
When I took the R65 back on the road, I decided to plug a yellow bulb to show it was a vintage bike... I'm proud of it even if the light is not as bright as it should be (the R65 never was a stunning light on this matter...) It is a subject of mockery with my friends....

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: montmil on March 07, 2013, 03:55:14 PM

Quote

... It is a subject of mockery with my friends....

Great line, George! ;D

Go away or I shall taunt you again.  -Monty Python

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: georgesgiralt on March 07, 2013, 04:38:06 PM

When I go in the shrubbery, they do mock me  ;-) Ni, Ni .....

Title: Re: Headlight size
Post by: wa1udg on April 25, 2013, 10:47:59 AM

Quote

Quote

... It is a subject of mockery with my friends....

Great line, George! ;D

Go away or I shall taunt you again.  -Monty Python

  Dan Stern Lighting (dot com) has the skinny on "improved" H4 bulbs.