The member photo gallery is now integrated and live!!  All user albums and pictures have been ported from old gallery.


To register send an e-mail to admin@bmwr65.org and provide your location and desired user name.

« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Headlight size  (Read 1900 times)

oz_johnno

  • Guest
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
Logged

Offline Bob_Roller

  • Global Moderator
  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 9125
  • -7 hours GMT
Re: Headlight size
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2013, 07:57:55 PM »
It's an H4 bulb, 55/60 w .

Logged
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'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

  • Lives in Foothills of Mt. Olympus
  • **
  • Posts: 237
  • It seemed like a good idea at the time...
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  
Logged

Offline montmil

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 8371
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.

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

Offline georgesgiralt

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 1388
  • I Love YaBB 2!
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....
Logged

Offline Barry

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 5145
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.
Logged
Barry Cheshire, England 79 R45

Offline georgesgiralt

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 1388
  • I Love YaBB 2!
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....
Logged

Offline montmil

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 8371
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
Logged
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Offline georgesgiralt

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 1388
  • I Love YaBB 2!
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 »
Logged

wa1udg

  • Guest
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.

Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »