Which bulb to try next?

[IanRMartin]

I need a recommendation as to which bulbs to try next please.

I've gone through 2x of these in the past 3 weeks! Both times going over a speed bump (not fast about 20mph).

https://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/IanRMartin/headlight.jpg

Yes they are very bright but it would seem not very robust

So what next?

Thanks

Ian
____________________
"A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a ton of explanation."
Current Bike: Suzuki GS500EN
Next Bike: ?????????

[iooi]

I suggest you either don't go over the speed bumps or take a look at your headlight.... Could be something is loose.

Should not cause a bulb to blow.
____________________
Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[SillyMe]

If they are blowing it may be a rectifier issue or loose faulty earth wire, this is if they are wired straight form the stator through the rectifier.

Not an expert but here's a few to choose from.

https://www.suzukiscooterspares.co.uk/spares/aftermarket.asp?group=BULBS-12V&model=SUZUKI+GS500EN+1992

Source https://www.suzukiscooterspares.co.uk/spares/modelImage.asp?modelID=7855

Here's the baby https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/Suzuki/GS_500_EN/92/picture/Regulator_Rectifier_-_Alternative/
Could be other things though like wire sheathing degridation and movement over the years leading to emf issues and excessive surges. Also resisistivity will be an issue with the wireing looms of older bikes, and it could just be a faulty earth which is causing the problem.
____________________
Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior.
The man who says "I may be wrong, but -" does not believe there can be any such possibility
Owned and rode: Honda 100H, Honda MBX 125, Kawasaki AR 125, Suzuki RG 125 Pepsi, Honda NSR125 RK, Honda NRS 125 race bike, Suzuki GSXR 400 Bandit, Aprilia RS 125 O2, Honda CG125, Kawasaki KMX 125, Aprilia RS 125 O6, Suzuki XT225 and now Honda XR 400. ( A few scooters and other dead beats in between)

[IanRMartin]

[cb1rocket]

check your voltage, wiring and headlight mount. Excess voltage will blow bulbs easily, vibrations will kill it too.

[Im-a-Ridah]

Definately check the voltage. Also, when putting the bulbs in, don't touch the glass! Also, why do you buy such expensive bulbs? I run 160/90W bulbs that cost me about £6, though you have to consider the cost of an additional lighting circuit and relays with them too

[stinkwheel]

You could try fitting a couple of rubber washers between the headlamp shell and the bracket. Should cut down on vibration a bit or at least change the frequency of said vibration.
____________________
“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.

[IanRMartin]

Cheers for all the advice guys.

But something odd happened this morning the dipped head light was working

So I can only assume that its a loose connection and the speed bumps cause it to break, which probably means i've chucked a perfectly good expensive bulb

I'll give the connector a good clean and spray with WD40 and check the wiring out for any possible breaks.

Thanks
Ian
____________________
"A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a ton of explanation."
Current Bike: Suzuki GS500EN
Next Bike: ?????????

[cb1rocket]

usually keep hold of the said "dead" bulb and test it off a 12v battery before throwing in the bin. I find alot on my bikes that the wiring gives way first making me think that my bulb has blown!

I have got a set of those H4 philips and i find they are good

[IanRMartin]

No two ways about it they are super bright!

If it turns out to be a band connections or broken wire then my faith will have been restored
____________________
"A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a ton of explanation."
Current Bike: Suzuki GS500EN
Next Bike: ?????????

[Kickstart]

Hi

Voltage and vibration can kill bulbs (and there are meant to be heavy duty bulbs sold for use in bikes, although not sure I know anyone who bothers). As mentioned earlier, touching the bulb when fitting a new one can wreck them.

If a bulb breaks then sometimes you can manipulate the bulb with it turned on so that the broken end touches again and welds itself in place. Can work for a while after that.

You can use higher wattage bulbs but they are illegal on anything newer than mid 1980s, and will also possibly melt the headlight on newer bikes (and likely burn out the wiring if you don't rewire the lights to cope with the higher current requirements, preferably using a relay to avoid putting the current through the ignition switch or switchgear).

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[IanRMartin]

[Kickstart]

Hi

You can get lucky with voltage. The regulator / rectifier went on the ZZR and was putting out about 17~18v at high revs, yet the bulbs survived (how long they would take it I don't know, and it did fry the control unit for th heated grips). Good job as changing a headlight bulb on the ZZR is a nightmare.

To be honest from what you have said so far I suspect that the earlier suggestion of a dodgy wire or connection is most likely.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[iooi]