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Author Topic: Headlight size  (Read 1889 times)

oz_johnno

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Headlight size
« 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
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Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2013, 07:57:55 PM »
It's an H4 bulb, 55/60 w .

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'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
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'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline steven m

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #2 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  
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Offline montmil

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #3 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.

  
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Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Offline georgesgiralt

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #4 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....
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Offline Barry

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #5 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.
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Barry Cheshire, England 79 R45

Offline georgesgiralt

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #6 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....
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Offline montmil

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #7 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
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Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Offline georgesgiralt

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2013, 04:38:06 PM »
When I go in the shrubbery, they do mock me  ;-) Ni, Ni .....
« Last Edit: March 07, 2013, 04:38:32 PM by georgesgiralt »
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wa1udg

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Re: Headlight size
« Reply #9 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.

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