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1993 zzr600 crap headlight... upgrade suggestions

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ocatoro
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PostPosted: 21:44 - 23 Nov 2015    Post subject: 1993 zzr600 crap headlight... upgrade suggestions Reply with quote

evening dudes, weather is shit, but it's the dark that's driving me nuts at the moment.

can't see anything at all with dipped beam, might as well be riding with sidelight on. and main beam isn't great either.

what can I do to make the road safe and easy in the dark.

(I'm not interested in illegally retrofitted hid kits)
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wr6133
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PostPosted: 22:09 - 23 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Adjust it properly
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ocatoro
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PostPosted: 22:22 - 23 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

wr6133 wrote:
Adjust it properly


mot dude did that for me other day... still shit
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CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None Sad but shed project H100 (first bike Smile )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600
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pinkyfloyd
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PostPosted: 22:28 - 23 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I installed Halfrauds Ice white ones. Something like 70% brighter. They do work pretty well. Not the cheapest but they help.
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Wonko The Sane
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PostPosted: 22:29 - 23 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

osram night breaker bulb works well for me on mine (1999)

It's gotten better since a spot of work on the electrics as she's now putting out the amount of power from the generator she should be (bad connection on an HT lead)

I find muck and grime on the headlight makes a big difference, I'll often give the light a wipe with my glove before setting off.
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johnsmith222
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PostPosted: 01:01 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had an 80/100w bulb in mine and it improved things greatly. Others have used this bulb on the forum with no problems.
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Tiff
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PostPosted: 02:04 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

bluezedd wrote:
I had an 80/100w bulb in mine and it improved things greatly. Others have used this bulb on the forum with no problems.


Not a good idea without uprating the wiring- My ZZR1100 plunged me into total darkness on the A1 due to the bulb holder melting because of an unknown to me 80/100w that the previous owner had fitted. Nearly missed me ferry!
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smegballs
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PostPosted: 02:52 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Measure the voltage you are getting at the headlight terminal with the headlight on.

Old wiring and connectors means it's you quite likely get a good voltage drop between the battery and the bulb. This can be cured with a set of headlight relays to make sure the headlight is getting all the juice possible.

For example on my bike the voltage across the battery (engine on) is 14.4V, the voltage at the headlight bulb is down to about 13.3V Confused

The relationship between voltage and brightness is non-linear so a small drop in voltage can lead to a big drop in brightness.
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Kickstart
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PostPosted: 20:49 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

Also worth making sure the headlight insides are very clean (and check the reflector still has its silvering in tact).

We have an e model zzr600 and the headlight isn't noticeably bad.

All the best

Katy
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kramdra
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PostPosted: 21:56 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

ocatoro wrote:
wr6133 wrote:
Adjust it properly


mot dude did that for me other day... still shit



MOT dudes are not the ones riding it! If they do adjust it, its to pass a test, rather than to provide the best illumination of the road. There is a very large range of acceptable aim, and it can make a massive difference. There are guides on the net/youtube, but it takes trial and error to get perfect.

If its aimed too high, you will see well in the distance when your alone, but even a hint of oncoming lights and you will be blind as the light is spread too thin. This is very common, and very annoying.

Too low, lots of light around you. See well with oncoming traffic, but no distance.

With correct adjustment I happily ride just as fast/faster on my country lane commute as I would in daytime... except when held up by blind cars driving even slower than normal, epsecially if its also wet.


Last edited by kramdra on 00:33 - 25 Nov 2015; edited 1 time in total
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dydey90
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PostPosted: 22:58 - 24 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

My ER6 had the light set just fine on the MOT. Then with my tub making a considerable adjustment to the suspension, it did a lovely job of illuminating overhead gantries.
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talkToTheHat
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PostPosted: 03:50 - 25 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Phillips xp-moto bulb or afforementioned osram nightbreaker, set headlamp aim with you on it. Google how to set the headlamp level.

Is the lens cloudy? Polish with toothpaste.

Cheap ebay led spotlights are a final resort.
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Wonko The Sane
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PostPosted: 22:34 - 25 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had my friendly MOT chap check alignment while I was sat on it a few years ago, a few years on and the afore mentioned wiring issue and new bulb and it's happy.

A little more light would be nice, but it gives enough.
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