Abysmal headlight performance -- need upgrade!

[Anonymous]

I went for my first night ride around town on the '80 GS450E and (maybe I'm just spoiled by car headlights) the headlamp seemed pretty weak. It's clean and seems to be aimed/operating properly, just it seems like the limitation of that old 30/40watt lamp.

I know I could proabably replace the whole headlight assembly, but I'd like a quick-fix if possible. Anyone found a drop-in lamp that has more kick to it? :?

[earlfor]

Re: Abysmal headlight performance -- need upgrade!

Replace the sealed beam with a Silverstar Halogen. I have one on my 1150 and it lights a path about 50 feet wide and 400 feet long. :-)

Earl

I went for my first night ride around town on the '80 GS450E and (maybe I'm just spoiled by car headlights) the headlamp seemed pretty weak. It's clean and seems to be aimed/operating properly, just it seems like the limitation of that old 30/40watt lamp.

I know I could proabably replace the whole headlight assembly, but I'd like a quick-fix if possible. Anyone found a drop-in lamp that has more kick to it? :?

[bwringer]

I second the Sylvania Silverstar if its possible. Bright white light without that stupid greenish/pink/blue hue common to many of the imitation HID lights.

[earlfor]

cyclerecycle sells a conversion kit for coverting sealed beam to H4 halogen lights. It includes a mount ring, reflector, necessary clips, etc. Its simple to install.

Earl

I second the Sylvania Silverstar if its possible. Bright white light without that stupid greenish/pink/blue hue common to many of the imitation HID lights.

[Anonymous]

I second the Sylvania Silverstar if its possible. Bright white light without that stupid greenish/pink/blue hue common to many of the imitation HID lights.

cyclerecycle sells a conversion kit for coverting sealed beam to H4 halogen lights. It includes a mount ring, reflector, necessary clips, etc. Its simple to install.

Earl

Very cool. I will have to check to make sure I have a 7" headlamp assembly when I get home (didn't occur to me to measure it 'til now). If it will fit, it's just $30 for the H4 headlamp assembly and then I can use the H4 Silverstar bulbs. I know Pep Boys sells those.

Hmm...the old lamp is a 30watt low beam (at least according to an old spec chart I saw on bikebandit). The Silverstar is 55watt. The extra wattage should be okay to run, right? Sounds like other people are running Silverstars and nothing blew up or melted.

[IanFrancisco]

I ran the H4 bulb with a bad charging system and nothing blew or melted, just ran down that battery with about 90 min. of running lo beam. Fixed the charging system and now no problem. Ran with the lights on around town and on thes freeway with no issues. I did have to use some silicone on the socket that holds the H4 bulb to get rid of some looseness/vibration that caused two bulbs to blow, but at $8-10 each, no big deal. I had thought it was the charging system that blew the bulbs, but the silicone did the trick and that was before the new stator/rr went in.

[Mr. Jiggles]

I don't know what Pepboys carry but I'd avoid getting something that is designed for cars. Their beam is shaped diferently and they tend to not stand up to vibration very well.

I second the Sylvania Silverstar if its possible. Bright white light without that stupid greenish/pink/blue hue common to many of the imitation HID lights.

cyclerecycle sells a conversion kit for coverting sealed beam to H4 halogen lights. It includes a mount ring, reflector, necessary clips, etc. Its simple to install.

Earl

Very cool. I will have to check to make sure I have a 7" headlamp assembly when I get home (didn't occur to me to measure it 'til now). If it will fit, it's just $30 for the H4 headlamp assembly and then I can use the H4 Silverstar bulbs. I know Pep Boys sells those.

Hmm...the old lamp is a 30watt low beam (at least according to an old spec chart I saw on bikebandit). The Silverstar is 55watt. The extra wattage should be okay to run, right? Sounds like other people are running Silverstars and nothing blew up or melted.

[IanFrancisco]

JCWhitney.com has some 7in. H4 replacements designed for bikes. Reasonably priced too. I don't know where mine came from but the lens works. Good coverage with both lo and hi beams. The $10 H4 bulb came from AutoZone (Sylvania) and has lasted for 300 miles so far. We'll see...

[Big T]

I found a halogen replacement was OK, but wiring in a headlight relay directly to the battery really helped. I used a Hella headlight relay, which is small and comes with a mounting bracket attached

This was 25 years ago, so the draw on modern bulbs may be less and not tax the wiring as much

[earlfor]

Most of the stock sealed beams on GS's were 55/60. The new Halogen H4 Silverstar is also 55/60. Light output is about 3 times greater, but power consumption is the same. A relay is not necessary.

Earl

I found a halogen replacement was OK, but wiring in a headlight relay directly to the battery really helped. I used a Hella headlight relay, which is small and comes with a mounting bracket attached

This was 25 years ago, so the draw on modern bulbs may be less and not tax the wiring as much

[Anonymous]

Check out the Phillips headlights too. Although I have used Silverstars in all my vehicles without problems I hear that they are prone to burn out. The Osram Silverstars are supposed to be great but the Sylvannias only last 1-2 years.

Steve

[earlfor]

Silverstar in 1150E going 3 years and nearly 40K miles, just keeps burning. :-)

Earl

Check out the Phillips headlights too. Although I have used Silverstars in all my vehicles without problems I hear that they are prone to burn out. The Osram Silverstars are supposed to be great but the Sylvannias only last 1-2 years.

Steve

[focus frenzy]

Silverstar in 1150E going 3 years and nearly 40K miles, just keeps burning. :-)

Earl

Check out the Phillips headlights too. Although I have used Silverstars in all my vehicles without problems I hear that they are prone to burn out. The Osram Silverstars are supposed to be great but the Sylvannias only last 1-2 years.

Steve

you can thank the voltage drop for your bulb lasting that long.
plenty resistance in the small gauge old wiring and low grade contacts in the dimmer switch.
the lower voltage makes the bulbs last way longer, but at the cost of peak brightness.

I am running a headlight relay and my bike headlight is brighter than my cars headlights with the same bulb!!

[back_online]

I wish the Garage section had a detailed relay install procedure in it, I REALLY want to do this too.

[earlfor]

I'm not too sure about that. I monitor the voltage levels at various points in the wiring harness probably closer than most. On my ignition circuit, I have sero voltage drop from battery and on the headlight, the drop is aprox .2 v. Maybe thats enough to make the difference though.

E.

Check out the Phillips headlights too. Although I have used Silverstars in all my vehicles without problems I hear that they are prone to burn out. The Osram Silverstars are supposed to be great but the Sylvannias only last 1-2 years.

Steve

you can thank the voltage drop for your bulb lasting that long.
plenty resistance in the small gauge old wiring and low grade contacts in the dimmer switch.
the lower voltage makes the bulbs last way longer, but at the cost of peak brightness.

I am running a headlight relay and my bike headlight is brighter than my cars headlights with the same bulb!![/quote]