lighting

[steven m]

The stock lighting on my 83 R65 leaves a lot to be desired in terms of output.  Will going to a brighter bulb negatively affect the electrical system?  I'm not talking about standard draw bight whites, but maybe a 55/85 or even a 100.  Will a Hella euro automotive bucket, as I have on my car, fit?  Not looking to re-engineer the bike, just get some more candlepower for safety.

Thanks

Steve

[Bob_Roller]

You can find higher output H4 bulbs that will fit directly into the stock headlight assembly, only problem, is that the switches and wiring won't hold up to the added current draw of a higher wattage bulb .

Most common approach, is to have a relay and larger size wire directly from the battery to the headlight,  handle the heavier electrical load, then use the head light switch on the handle bar to provide the electrical control for the relay through the stock wires .

[steven m]

That makes sense.  Is there a tutorial or simple diagram for wiring this up?

[Dizerens5]

If you fit a higher powered bulb watch the reflector for a while as the extra heat might make it go blue. This happened to my R 60/5 headlight when I fitted a halogen bulb (a novelty then).

[Barry]

Voltage drop is your enemy as a a small reduction in voltage at the headlight bulb results in a big loss of light output so you might want to go with Bob's suggestion of fitting a relay because that alone may improve your stock bulbs output enough and if it doesn't your going to need the relay anyway with a  higher wattage bulb.  

[Bob_Roller]

Here's a bit of information on installing a harness .

http://www.easternbeaver.com

[steven m]

Eastern Beaver is the way to go!  Well thought out kits.  I'm going to order one.

Thanks.

[plc]

G'day Steve,

I think I read in this forum somewhere mention of changing the halogen bulb to a Xenon bulb. No extra current draw but the bulb is claimed to 30% brighter.

I don't know if others have tried this but on the face of it the Xenon bulb seems an appealing way to get more light. Motobins (and probably many others) sell them.

Regards,
Paul

[montmil]

Don't overlook the possibility that 27-year old wiring can be a factor in diminished electrical output and the headlights perceived brightness.

Have you put a DVOM on the headlight and checked voltage to the bulb with the engine running? Headlights -designed to operate at 13+ volts- can lose nearly 30% output with a mere 10% drop in voltage.

Relays are economical. Run power to the headlight directly from the battery and trigger the relay with a simple rewire of the headlight switch. You may discover that you don't need to upgrade the bulb after all.

Monte

[bruce_launceston]

I got inspired by this post and rewired my high and low beams this afternoon, I found I had enough relays, wire and connectors to complete it without buying anything.
The difference was immediately obvious, brilliant white light on both beams instead of the yellowish light that was there before I started and that was before I changed the H4 to a Phillips 30plus bulb.
I ran 40amp wire for the high and low beams and new earth back to the frame and 15 amp for the switch wires, taped them into a neat wiring loom that runs separately alongside the main loom from the headlight.
I should have done it years ago but I used to run a driving light before I stripped it back to it's minimalist self for its restoration.

I had avoided taking it far after dark since then, I will need to take it out for a nightime test soon.

I had to do the same for a V65 Guzzi that I used to own, the wires were so thin on that bike that the headlight was shocking untill I added a twin relay and heavy duty wiring.

Cheers Bruce

[steven m]

Didn't realize the percentage of lighting loss for a relatively small voltage drop was so great.  Yow.  I guess I haven't developed night blindness after all.

Thanks for all the input.  

Steve