Searching for the Holy Grail of Bulbs...

[Matt W]

I am undoing the junky 80's fairing, and have found a nice headlight housing (Suzuki #5181-16 ) that apparently doesn't really exist! Finding a bulb has driven me up the wall, and resulted in NOTHING. I know I may have to make something work, but would be grateful for any help on finding headlamp #110-32789 which is a 12V 35/25W bulb made by Koito.
thanks,
Matt W.

[Steve]

OK, a couple of things are going on here.

I am undoing the junky 80's fairing, ...

Would you mind giving us a clue WHAT BIKE???

..., and have found a nice headlight housing (Suzuki #5181-16 ) that apparently doesn't really exist! ...

Well, since you found it, it apparently DOES exist.

Finding a bulb has driven me up the wall, ...

"Finding a bulb" has driven you up the wall, or TRYING to find a bulb?

..., but would be grateful for any help on finding headlamp #110-32789 which is a 12V 35/25W bulb made by Koito.

Again, knowing what bike you are working on would help IMMENSELY.

.

[koolaid_kid]

A picture of the headlight housing, perhaps?
Steve really is demanding, isn't he?

[Guest]

I just don't know, I could'nt find it, but here's one close, and if you scroll down you'll see a few others you can pick and choose from.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/aida-sangyo/item/1112275/?s-id=borderless_recommend_item_en#googtrans/ja/en

[fishfarm]

According to an ebay page, that headlight fits these models:

GS450 83 thru 88 L / 1985 GA
GS1000 80 thru 83 GL
GS850 80 thru 83 GL
GS650 81 thru 83 GL
GS550 1981 T
GN250 82 thru 88

Boulevard Suzuki shows a bulb for an 82/83 850GL as

14 BULB(HALOGEN)* 09471-12060

http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche...1982&fveh=2145

[BigD_83]

I'm not sure what year, but Matt has a 1000G, if I'm not mistaken:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=203905

[Steve]

A picture of the headlight housing, perhaps?
Steve really is demanding, isn't he?

Not "demanding", just specifically requesting, in no uncertain terms.

.

[Steve]

I'm not sure what year, but Matt has a 1000G, if I'm not mistaken:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=203905

Yes, that picture appears to be an '80 or '81 1000G, but NOT a GL.
The G came with a 7" light housing, which was not chrome.

Of course, there has likely been a "Previous Owner" or three, so who knows what might have been adapted?

According to an ebay page, that headlight fits these models:

GS450 83 thru 88 L / 1985 GA
GS1000 80 thru 83 GL
GS850 80 thru 83 GL
GS650 81 thru 83 GL
GS550 1981 T
GN250 82 thru 88

Yes, that same 6" light appeared on most of the smaller bikes and the L bikes.

Not sure about the smaller bikes, but my wife's '82 850L came with a 55/60 watt bulb in the headlight.
I would be surprised to learn that a bulb with less than half the wattage might have been standard equipment on a street bike.

Oh, and eBay pages are the LAST place I look to as an authority on what to call something.
There are just too many yahoos out there that really don't know what to call it.

I just don't know, I could'nt find it, but here's one close, and if you scroll down you'll see a few others you can pick and choose from.
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/a...oogtrans/ja/en

The bulb shown in the link will not fit a stock Suzuki headlight. They use an H4 bulb, which is very similar (and can be replaced by) a 9003.

.

[fishfarm]

Apparently the 09471-12060 bulb is a 55/60 watt:

http://www.mfgsupply.com/01-6260h.html

I agree to the lack of ebay reliability, but when you don't find anything else, it's a start.

[Matt W]

I have a 1980 gs1000g and with some spacers this light looks like it will work...

thanks,
Matt W.

[Matt W]

the pics of the housing

I found these pics online. this is the exact one #5181-16, but mine is now rust free and painted on the inside. I know that it's not the original for the 80 gs1000g, but if I can find the bulb I'm set... I think

[Steve]

If that is the housing that you have, I hope you also have the proper mounting ears for it.

The stock G mounting ears go forward from the outer edges of the fork tubes, while the L ears go forward from about the center of the forks.

If you use the wrong mounts, the turn signals will be set at funny angles, as the ears will be set at an incorrect angle.

.

[Matt W]

I'll check this tonight. I made aluminium spacers, but I'll check the angle that the signals would sit tonight.

Thanks for the advice,
Matt W.

[Steve]

With spacers, you will probably be OK, but will need longer bolts.

.

[Guest]

It appears to originally come off a '81-'82 GS650GL.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-GS650-Headlight-Assembly-/190791025095?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AGS&hash=item2c6c0801c7&vxp=mtr

Here's the fiche showing the headlight housing.
http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche...1981&fveh=2128

Also, if that is correct, here the fiche for the rest of the headlight
including the $5.78 bulb.
http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche...1981&fveh=2128