|
|
Post by gerald on Aug 2, 2004 16:05:08 GMT -5
Hi All,
I was out after dark riding in the smokies (on the blue ridge) this weekend and found my headlight to be less than "Bright" Don't get me wrong it works but It's totaly dark in the mountains and I need a little more light. I'm unsure of how many Amps. I can pull from the bikes battery with a second light rigged up or if you all have done any mods with new age lights "Supper Bright Lights" It would be fine with me to change the bucket, ears and what ever as long as it worked better than Stock. Thanks for any help....
|
|
|
|
Post by Polamnus on Aug 2, 2004 18:37:59 GMT -5
Good question, I'd like to know the answer as well. My headlight is terribly dim, I'd never trust it beyond dusk. Riding buddy commented he thought my charging system wasn't working because my headlight looks so orange, even at speed. Charging system is A-OK, headlight is tired. Was going to just go to Napa and get a suitable replacement, if possible. Also considered the halogen upgrade kit from Mikes, would love to hear comments, suggestions.
Best,
Pol
|
|
|
|
Post by 50gary on Aug 2, 2004 22:05:42 GMT -5
I've had this item on the back burner for a while so I'm now interested as well. I definitely want a white bright light, maybe duals. I have an FZR 1000 dual halogen set up (not installed) but I wonder if the electrical system is up to it? I have led tail lights so that will save some and no electric starter. Cheers, 50gary
|
|
|
|
Post by Six-Five-O on Aug 2, 2004 23:17:27 GMT -5
Guys,
The XS charging system produces around 225 watts at max output...Using Ohms law, dividing the rate of charge, using 13.5 volts [as an peak average], into the 225 watts, gives you around 16.6 amps [peak]to support the igniton, lighting and turn signals.. This is probably on the high side of the average XS charging system that is working properly..
I made the upgrade to a Halogen H4-55/60 watt this past spring and love the improvement in night-time lighting..The difference between the old 22 year old yellowish sealed beam light and the super bright white illumination of the Halogen was a very pleasant surprise and a very welcome addition to night riding...I can now see the deer eyes off the sides of the roads! The stock XS charging system [if it's working properly] will support the H4 with no problems, but I wouldn't go as far as to try to hang a pair of running lights or a bunch of marker lights on the thing..
Just to appease myself from wondering about the increase in more watts being consumed, due to the difference in the wattages of the old sealed beam and the H4, I did change over the LED tail/stop lighting which does "save" some watts. It seems to work out for me, but, be advised, if you think you'd like to try and "save a few watts" with LED taillights bulbs yourself, that the LED market is so full of snake oil salesmen, all claiming their LEDs are the brightest on the road, it's hard to find BRIGHT LEDs at a decent price....I spent something like 80 bucks doing research on the damn things before I found a pair of 1157 type LED arrays that were actually brighter than Krypton type incandescent 1157 bulbs...
Not to get off course,
I highly recommend the H4 conversion...Mike does have a Halogen lense/reflector that fits the standard XS headlight bucket..I'm not sure what brand his are..I think they are Jutes or something else Taiwanese. I got one off a german guy who was selling german made for motorcycle only lense/reflectors..This unit has a lead crystal fluted lense that works great at actually defusing the light in a pattern that is useful for a motorcycle. .Look for these on Ebay, the guy had several and I got mine cheap..
Cheers
John
|
|
|
|
Post by gerald on Aug 3, 2004 7:17:29 GMT -5
Hi John,
Thanks for the info, I'm checking e-bay now and Mike's. May have another question on this topic later on, thanks again....
|
|
|
|
Post by Diesel on Aug 3, 2004 9:03:42 GMT -5
I fitted a junkyard bought '82 KZ750E3 headlight bucket and reflector to one of my XSs and sprung for a new H4 bulb. It provides a good bright "wash" of light for nighttime riding.
|
|
TWILKIN
Full Member
'72 XS2 650, FJR1300 Cypress, Tx.
Posts: 214
|
Post by TWILKIN on Aug 5, 2004 21:14:14 GMT -5
I ordered the halogen replacement from Mike's today, and will have it in by mid next week and will report back when it's installed.
|
|
|
|
Post by gerald on Aug 6, 2004 7:20:46 GMT -5
Diesel, After I posted this question I looked at some other lighting set-ups on different bikes and found many I really like. NOW the trouble is I can’t pick one and I think if I get started on this, then I will want to change the mounting ears, then the upper fork trim and then this and that……. When will it stop? When my wife takes my bank card away from me that’s when!  Moneys a little tight at the moment so I will have to retract this part of my post "It would be fine with me to change the bucket, ears and what ever" I have to stick to the basics now and just get some more light on the road. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilkin, Please let us know how it works. I will be awaiting your report before I do anything on this issue. |
|
TWILKIN
Full Member
'72 XS2 650, FJR1300 Cypress, Tx.
Posts: 214
|
Post by TWILKIN on Aug 6, 2004 20:43:54 GMT -5
As it happens I'm picking up a new stock Yamaha sealed beam tomorrow afternoon, and the halogen replacement should arrive from Mike's mid next week at the latest. So, I'll install the stock light first, drag the bike out in the street, and gauge the beam strength, then midweek do the same with the halogen light. Any bets on which will look better?
|
|
|
|
Post by Six-Five-O on Aug 7, 2004 0:35:13 GMT -5
Better looking how? As in physical appearance, or the quality/amount of light produced?
H4, hands down.
|
|
|
|
Post by steve78650 on Aug 9, 2004 12:30:23 GMT -5
I did my halogen upgrade from Mike's...very nice looking (more flat and clear) and much brighter. Installation was a little tricky, but no worries....
|
|
|
|
Post by 50gary on Aug 9, 2004 17:51:39 GMT -5
Speaking of headlights, I need the stinkin' little bushings that locate the adjustment ring and the 10 mm ID mounting bushing on one side. It's from a 1981 and the shell is moulded plastic. Nothing is ever simple. Anyone have an old wanted headlight shell? Sorry this is a bit off topic. Now it's out to the motorcycle room to work on my Tracker seat. Cheers, 50gary
|
|
TWILKIN
Full Member
'72 XS2 650, FJR1300 Cypress, Tx.
Posts: 214
|
Post by TWILKIN on Aug 9, 2004 19:12:38 GMT -5
Yes, the H4 replacement from Mike's is really nice in comparison to the stock unit. Yamaha wanted more than $50.00 for the stock headlight, Mike's much less, and of course, replaceable bulb. I agree that without directions it took me a few minutes to figure out how to use the "W" wires to mount the light in the shell, but once I figured out that you could move the glass around a bit once you had three or so "W" wires installed it was easy. A set of directions would have beeen nice though. I'll try to take some pictures of the difference in illumination, but for the money it looks like the way to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by gerald on Aug 9, 2004 19:45:08 GMT -5
Hi Twilkin,
Sounds like the deal from mikes is going to be the thing. Thanks for the report, thanks to all of you for helping with my question.
|
|
|
|
Post by steve78650 on Aug 10, 2004 9:02:01 GMT -5
Mike forgot to mention I'd need the W clips, so I did mine without....nothing a little dremel tool action wouldn't fix  |
|
