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 P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :  
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 Posted: 15:42 - 15 Dec 2009 Post subject: Brighter headlight |
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Hey,
On my 1993 GS500 the headlight is very VERY dim at night.
Full beam is about as good as sidelight, and main light is a candle..
Whats the options for installing brighter lights with minor modding as I have an aftermarket fairing, meaning twin headlights = no no
Just the standard round headlight...any ideas guys? |
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Raffles |
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 Raffles World Chat Champion
Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :   
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 P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :  
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 Posted: 16:05 - 15 Dec 2009 Post subject: |
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probably one from 1935...
i will whip the cover off and take it out.
Basically im going to be using it, dont really want to have to take that fairing off, to put it back on, to take off again after i get the bulb etc.
I will try whipping it off, but it is very closed in with that fairing.
Any basic bright bulb that will 100% fit?
Sorry, i just figure the least work to get it on the road the better... personally i would like bulbs like this
https://dr650.zenseeker.net/Conspicuity/HeadlightCompare.jpg
Currently mine is worse than the one on the right! |
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salty21 |
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 salty21 World Chat Champion

Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Karma :  
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 Posted: 16:08 - 15 Dec 2009 Post subject: |
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h.i.d's, this time of year it's the best mod you can do, absolutely love mine
the power consumption is less than a normal bulb aswell  ____________________ 04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 ' ' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr  |
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 P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :  
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LeeR |
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 LeeR World Chat Champion

Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :   
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 Posted: 19:26 - 15 Dec 2009 Post subject: |
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The quickest and cheapest option is to fit a Halfords H4 Extreme Brilliance bulb (upto 90% brighter) @ £19.99 currently on offer BOGOF so you'll get a spare.
Don't buy the motorbike one, it's not on offer and is the same bulb. ____________________ My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen... |
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 P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :  
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CptBlack |
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 CptBlack Trackday Trickster
Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Karma :  
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stinkwheel |
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 stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist

Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :    
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 Posted: 22:02 - 15 Dec 2009 Post subject: |
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CptBlack wrote: |
I think I might nip over in the morning and pick one up. I've looked in my manual, it only says 12V 35/35W as the spec, nothing about a H4 fitting. Does anyone know it definitely wont work or will pop (Hyosung Cruise II - 125cc) |
They won't work in your bike. You have a tungsten fillament bulb of a totally different type. They won't pop but they could well melt your wiring.
padwaxk88 wrote: | On my 1993 GS500 the headlight is very VERY dim at night.
Full beam is about as good as sidelight, and main light is a candle..
Whats the options for installing brighter lights with minor modding as I have an aftermarket fairing, meaning twin headlights = no no Sad
Just the standard round headlight...any ideas guys? |
I wonder if there is something wrong with the headlight or its wiring? As far as I know a GS500 takes a standard H4 halogen bulb which ought to make it as bright as a single car headlamp. Whilst not absolutely amazing, a standard, round headlamp like that ought to be at least adequate. It's the same as is fitted to the majority of motorcycles.
Your description leads me to suspect everything is not as it should be. As such, fitting a super-duper mega-bulb may not work as well as you'd hope.
I'd be checking the bulb is intact and that all the contacts are good and clean. Maybe also worth checking the battery voltage? Also check the reflector is rust free and there isn't a load of dirt on the inside of the lens. Also check the switches and the relay (if fitted) and make sure they headlight has a good earth connection. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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CptBlack |
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 CptBlack Trackday Trickster
Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Karma :  
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 P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :  
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 Posted: 22:13 - 15 Dec 2009 Post subject: |
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stinkwheel wrote: | CptBlack wrote: |
I think I might nip over in the morning and pick one up. I've looked in my manual, it only says 12V 35/35W as the spec, nothing about a H4 fitting. Does anyone know it definitely wont work or will pop (Hyosung Cruise II - 125cc) |
They won't work in your bike. You have a tungsten fillament bulb of a totally different type. They won't pop but they could well melt your wiring.
padwaxk88 wrote: | On my 1993 GS500 the headlight is very VERY dim at night.
Full beam is about as good as sidelight, and main light is a candle..
Whats the options for installing brighter lights with minor modding as I have an aftermarket fairing, meaning twin headlights = no no Sad
Just the standard round headlight...any ideas guys? |
I wonder if there is something wrong with the headlight or its wiring? As far as I know a GS500 takes a standard H4 halogen bulb which ought to make it as bright as a single car headlamp. Whilst not absolutely amazing, a standard, round headlamp like that ought to be at least adequate. It's the same as is fitted to the majority of motorcycles.
Your description leads me to suspect everything is not as it should be. As such, fitting a super-duper mega-bulb may not work as well as you'd hope.
I'd be checking the bulb is intact and that all the contacts are good and clean. Maybe also worth checking the battery voltage? Also check the reflector is rust free and there isn't a load of dirt on the inside of the lens. Also check the switches and the relay (if fitted) and make sure they headlight has a good earth connection. |
Cheers stinkwheel,
Well the wiring is a total mess but its definitely a clean connection.
All the switches work fine, the lens is pretty much spot on.
The thing is the bulb looks quite old.. you know you see a new one then look at this one, its looking VERY tired.
Im up for trying a new bulb, this one does seem very dim for what it should be, especially at night. Even on full beam i cant see too far ahead, where as on my old Hyosung GT125 it was very very clear, same commute, same darkness/roads and I really lack visibility.
Worth trying a bulb, i mean even if i go buy it, fit it and its still the same, it will then urge me into checking everything over.
Battery should be fine, its pretty new, mid November, bikes started every 2 or 3 days and ridden hard for about 20 mins..obviously not ideal, but in this weather i prefer the car...having a cracked windscreen on the other hand makes that difficult..hence needed a headlight  |
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Raffles |
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 Raffles World Chat Champion
Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :   
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Mark65 |
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 Mark65 World Chat Champion

Joined: 16 May 2008 Karma :  
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 Posted: 07:45 - 16 Dec 2009 Post subject: |
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One of these may be the answer:-
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300350873883&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Do be aware though that if you have a plastic lens or reflector this bulb could melt or distort them due to the extreme heat that it emits.[/quote]
Hi
I have put one of those in my YBR about 5 months ago, a lot brighter than the standard bulb, good cheap upgrade, mine was packaged by Ring about £6, very bright to look at and throws a bit more light on the road compared to the OEM bulb.
Mark ____________________ 07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650 |
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 Robby Dirty Old Man

Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :   
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 P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :  
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 Posted: 13:59 - 16 Dec 2009 Post subject: |
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robby wrote: | GS500 I understand has a normal looking big round chrome headlight. In all the bikes I've owned, I've always like them best. You should have no problems with it using a standard bulb.
So, possible causes:
1. The bulb needs replacing. You could buy a normal one or a special one, a normal one will be a fiver. I don't like the clever super duper 20 quid blue light headlight bulbs, they claim more light but I always just seem to get whiter light in bits, and more shadow. Yellower light is easier on the eyes at night.
I will definitely try a new bulb, no matter, as I can really see shit all
2. The battery is knackered. Is the electric start having a hard time, or do some of the lights dim when you brake or indicate? Does this problem go away when you rev it?
Battery is under a month old and kept charged, doesnt have a problem starting electrical wise, always enough juice.
3. Corrosion in a connector. Check the connector blocks for corrosion on the terminals, which can make a difference. I don't know if your lights wiring returns to the battery, or earths through the frame. It's worth checking any earth connections on the frame for rust.
The connections are terrible in design, someone has rewired the damn thing! But im up for trying a new bulb first.
If that shows as the same will do a straight wire to where its meant to be rather than the mixed up shit at the moment.
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Thats the headlight
https://www.jacaremoto.com.br/noticias/fotos/gs500e08_azul_md.jpg |
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 Shreddie Spanner Monkey

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 serlant Brolly Dolly
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 Raffles World Chat Champion
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 Shreddie Spanner Monkey

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 serlant Brolly Dolly
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 LeeR World Chat Champion

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 tsmith Traffic Copper
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 Kickstart The Oracle

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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 15 years, 157 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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