Author Topic: Headlight  (Read 906 times)

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Offline livetoskate

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Headlight
« on: May 26, 2008, 11:14:14 AM »
I am looking to get a new bulb for my headlight to make it brighter.
Does anyone have any recommendations (L.E.D. or something else?)
I have also heard it is good to switch out all the bulbs with LED bulbs,is this true?
Thanks alot

78 cb750K , 73 CB750 x2, Yamaha dt360 & 250

Offline Steve F

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Re: Headlight
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2008, 02:26:51 PM »
Go with a haolgen conversion (there's no such thing as LED headlights....not yet anyway) if you can find one at the local auto parts or JC Whitney.....just be sure that it says "for motorcycle use only" on the package since they make replacements called "H4" type, but for cars.   You didn't say what bike you have, and halogen replacements could be too much for the charging systems of bikes smaller than the 750's.  But that being said, if you swap all the other bulbs for LED's you could end up saving enough power to go ahead with the halogen.
Cheers.

asianq

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Re: Headlight
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2008, 02:37:57 PM »
I agree with Steve. I have halogen conversion on my bike and they look great. Very bright at night and has the xenon look to the lighting. All together it cost me about $26 dollars for the new 7" headlight and halogen bulb.

If it goes bad the only thing you have to change is the bulb.

Good luck with everything and Ton Up!

Offline hymodyne

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Re: Headlight
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2008, 05:04:23 PM »
+1 on the halogen suggestion. Be sure it is a 55-65 watt motorcycle haloigen bulb though; I ran a car H$ in my headlight until I discovered it was why my battery was draining to nothing every time I rode the bike... ::)

hym
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Offline 333

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Re: Headlight
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2008, 06:27:13 PM »
With the bikes we have chosen to love, there isn't an over abundance of current.  So upping the headlight will put a strain on the electrical system.  Not knowing what bike we are talking about, it probably came with a 35 or 40 watt headlight.  Putting a 55/60 halogen, while a good idea, will draw that much more current.  I did my 350F, but the law in my state does not require me to burn it during the day, so charging isn't a burden.  If you burn the headlight on a 350F all the time, you will have to charge the battery when you get home.  Judging from the other threads I've read here, even a 750 has some problem.

That having been said, there are alternatives or things you can do to help.  Yes, switching tail, running, and turn signals to LEDs will help, but have their own issues.  Flasher issues.  You can get resistors to solve the flasher issues, but the savings in current are negated, leaving you with the same lack of current issue.  The way to convert and still save current is to switch to a flasher that is not dependent on current to initiate flashing.  Technically speaking though, this will not give you "all the current you need" for a halogen conversion.  But there's even an alternative for that.  But it's expensive.  It's called an "HID" headlight.  I don't fully understand how it works, but I believe it's akin to fluorescent lights.  I do know they put out light equivalent to halogens at less current.  I also know that retail is about $200.
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