Replace HS1 bulbs with H4? - CBF125

[Beez]

Is it possible to replace the crappy HS1 bulbs in my CBF125 with some nice Philips H4's? Apparently the connector is the same but the power required is different? Don't want to end up melting some wires

[Taught2BCauti...]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:KDS4444/HS1_bulb

[Beez]

[Dracon]

They won't explode your battery, possibly melt your wiring (although I doubt it), but possibly melt your lens, especially as the Honda is an always-on.

[Shinigami]

don't do it, you'll cause damage to the plastics in the lens, might drain your battery much quicker also, I've found my clr125 doesn't really like anything additional hooked up to take power ie heated grips etc

[Beez]

Bah thought as much, cheers for the replies.

Seems a bit daft Honda would limit a bikes primary method of being seen to such a low wattage bulb, maybe because it's always on?
____________________
'02 ER-5
'09 CBF125

[neil.]

Also, the headlight is powered from the alternator on the CBF125 - so you may be overloading that rather than the battery. As in, there may not be enough juice left to charge the battery.

I guess it depends on what you're used to - I find the 35W bulb perfectly adequate even on unlit country roads at night. Just keep that lens clean, as the build-up of dirt really has an affect. As far as 125s go, I think the CBF has one of the better headlamp designs - decent reflectors scatter the light evenly across the road, much more so than bikes with the round shells, like the YBRs which project a useless spot.

[G]

A quick look on ebay shows you can get HS1 HID kits.
The one I looked at wasn't clear if it was 35w, but most are - you use a 35W to replace a 55W and it's still brighter than the standard by a good chunk.

Are other legal issues and a bit more hassle to fit, however.

[Beez]

[Taught2BCauti...]

[neil.]

On the CBF, you will need to convert the headlight wiring to DC, having it run off the battery, if you want to run HID.

[Shinigami]

My bulb is a ba20d, the original in the bike when i got it was useless, couldn't see a thing, probably burning out though as no idea how long it had been in.

Replaced with a xenon ba20d bulb, same wattage (35w) and it's made a big ole difference and the white light is better, doesn't shine blue at all which is good to avoid the chavvy look

[G]

[Taught2BCauti...]

[bigdyl69]

How do you fit one of these bridge rectifiers?