Really small tip--extra headlight brightness

[ZacharyB]

On my 1978 750 the headlight switch is kind of worn out. But this allows me to park the switch in between the high beam and low beam detents, which activates BOTH lights. I don't know if this would eventually cause anything to melt, though.

 

[crag antler]

I used to be able to run that way on my KZ1000. The GS1100 hasn't worn down enough yet, unless I get lucky and get it just right.
All the years I ran my KZ that way I never had any issues. 8) 8)

 

[gspaul]

I did that on a brand new honda 400/4, the extra light was great.
Yes it was a long time ago, but no harm in 35000k!

 

[robinjo]

Somehow it feels not good to use that for extended periods. :?
But I could be wrong, very wrong. :lol:

 

[saaz]

Best thing to do is wire in a relay that powers the headlight, so the headlight switch only trips the relay. I have run this setup on hi and low beam for 25 years, makes quite a difference.

 

[Anonymous]

I just bought a replacement bulb from "ricepaddy" off ebay for $20. I is a replacement 7" round headlight with a replaceable 9004 Quartz bulb. Man what a difference :-0 !!! Night vision just got MUCH better! I highly recommend this if you still have the stock bulb.

Chris :wink:

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

The silverstar H-4 is the best legal street light

 

[rek]

SqDancerLynn1 wrote:
PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:26 am Post subject:
The silverstar H-4 is the best legal street light

AMEN! put one on my GS the other day and wow on low beam and WOW, like a newer car on bright.
my Jeep has some IPF 7" round w/ high dollar IPF bulbs that are higher wattage and the bike does as good as those and for 20 bucks no less!
i will have them on everything i own before long.

 

[Desolation Angel]

The silverstar H-4 is the best legal street light

Wasn't there a heat issue with these discussed at one point? Something about about melting the wiring/bucket/lens or something? And isn't the life of these much shorter? Sorry, can't remember everything I read!

I wouldn't mind brighter lights on my Bandit, but I can't be doing damage or replacing constantly. :? :?

 

[pntrdave]

I bought a silver star for my GS1000 this spring, low beam went out about 7:30 pm luckily it wasn't to dark out yet, switched to high beam and got it home. the next day I checked and both high and low were burned out. I guess what I'm getting at is I only got 5 or 6 months use out of a $20 light. But it was / is a great light.

 

[scotty]

Somehow it feels not good to use that for extended periods. :?
But I could be wrong, very wrong. :lol:

Ditto

 

[bradleymaynar]

I bought a silver star for my GS1000 this spring, low beam went out about 7:30 pm luckily it wasn't to dark out yet, switched to high beam and got it home. the next day I checked and both high and low were burned out. I guess what I'm getting at is I only got 5 or 6 months use out of a $20 light. But it was / is a great light.

Dave, check the warranty/guarantee for the bulb. It was Planecrazy, I believe, that said they have a 12 month replacement warranty. He said for the $ spent on the bulb, he was able to keep replacing it under warranty for $0.

Brad tt

 

[Poot]

I also noticed that and have done the in-between position on my 850 many times.



do you guys think its too much power/strain on the electrics?




poot

 

[scotty]

we all have old wires. why not make it a permanant setup by using a switch and a relay to do the job. you can run new heavier wires and not have to worry. The concern is the possibility of overheating wires/switch and doing damage. It is a game that one should not play. Modify your system or lee it run the way it was intended to run. Marginal at best usually. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Re; extra head-light brightness.

Re; extra head-light brightness.

Hello from Australia ,Zach. 8)

Mate , I used a !00/130 watt halogen bulb in my 81 gs 1000 g without any bad consequences for a couple of months, but ,that said, I was informed by a friend that if I continued this usage I stood a good chance of burning my wiring due to heat build-up in the head-light cowling, so I changed to a lower wattage bulb ,but a different style that gives me pretty good light on both low and high beams.

The bulb is called an "ARCTIC BLUE" bulb and is only a 60/55 watt strength,but, I also use a small set of 55 watt flat beam white fog (as averse to yellow) lamps wired into the low beam (165 watts combined/low beam) and they cut out when the high beam is instigated and they are set just slightly below the level of the low beam and they give me fantastic light (left and right) as a combination,and its totally legal!!! :twisted:

The bulbs are made by NARVA and cost me about $38 AUS a pair so I have a spare with me all the time. :idea:

The small "white fog" lights are made by a local company called " AUNGER" and are a bloody great little light. (about $60 aus)

Not being aware of the type of light your machine uses I can only recommend that if you are using a SEALED BEAM type of light , 7 inch I am assuming, then you may wish to change to a HALOGEN style of light, believe me mate, you will never go back.

As for using your switch mid-way between low and high beam , mate ,been there ,done that ,but only for short periods of time ,but I must say it did not seem to cause any problems at the time but as for doing it for long periods......????hmmmm, personally I would not take the risk, I would simply find an alternative,but one piece of advice... make sure you acquire a head-light that is suitable for BIKES not a re-cycled car light as this wil put your beam off to the side, :arrow: not directly in front.

I also use a set of HELLA driving lights 55 watt "ARCTIC BLUE" also, and as a combo they give unbelievable light on the open road, and as a foot-note: trust me when I say this ,you will only hit me with your high beam once :twisted: :twisted: ,hee hee. (I believe each driving light bulb puts out 500,000 candle power and then theres the head-light!!!!! 8O ,ohh yesss.)

So mate you have to decide what sort of light you are trying to put out,but as some of the other forum members have said ,USE RELAYS,ALWAYS,even on your head-light as they will make a noticeable difference. (not to mention saving your charge system having a heart attack )

I know my combinations of lights may seem a little bit over the top but if you can imagine running into a 100 lb , 6 foot tall kangaroo at a 100k's plus you will understand 8O (I am talking about running on open road here).

I hope this has been of some help in your decisions.Good Luck mate.

Ride well Ride safe,too many of us don't make it.

Horse.

P.S. I am having a friend in Mittagong (south of Sydney) upgrade my charge system by using a heavier wire in the alternater windings,and a heavier stator (?)so the old girl will put out approx 420 watts, and once that is done I will change the driving light bulbs to 130 watt :twisted:
I am reliably informed that these bulbs will put out in excess of 1,000,000 candle power 8O 8O each when used with a relay. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

See Ya mate.
message ends.10am mon.3 oct. 2005. St Mary's .Western Sydney . N.S.W.

 

[mixongw]

Re: Re; extra head-light brightness.

Re: Re; extra head-light brightness.

Hello from Australia ,Zach. 8)

Mate , I used a !00/130 watt halogen bulb in my 81 gs 1000 g without any bad consequences for a couple of months, but ,that said, I was informed by a friend that if I continued this usage I stood a good chance of burning my wiring due to heat build-up in the head-light cowling, so I changed to a lower wattage bulb ,but a different style that gives me pretty good light on both low and high beams.

The bulb is called an "ARCTIC BLUE" bulb and is only a 60/55 watt strength,but, I also use a small set of 55 watt flat beam white fog (as averse to yellow) lamps wired into the low beam (165 watts combined/low beam) and they cut out when the high beam is instigated and they are set just slightly below the level of the low beam and they give me fantastic light (left and right) as a combination,and its totally legal!!! :twisted:

The bulbs are made by NARVA and cost me about $38 AUS a pair so I have a spare with me all the time. :idea:

The small "white fog" lights are made by a local company called " AUNGER" and are a bloody great little light. (about $60 aus)

Not being aware of the type of light your machine uses I can only recommend that if you are using a SEALED BEAM type of light , 7 inch I am assuming, then you may wish to change to a HALOGEN style of light, believe me mate, you will never go back.

As for using your switch mid-way between low and high beam , mate ,been there ,done that ,but only for short periods of time ,but I must say it did not seem to cause any problems at the time but as for doing it for long periods......????hmmmm, personally I would not take the risk, I would simply find an alternative,but one piece of advice... make sure you acquire a head-light that is suitable for BIKES not a re-cycled car light as this wil put your beam off to the side, :arrow: not directly in front.

I also use a set of HELLA driving lights 55 watt "ARCTIC BLUE" also, and as a combo they give unbelievable light on the open road, and as a foot-note: trust me when I say this ,you will only hit me with your high beam once :twisted: :twisted: ,hee hee. (I believe each driving light bulb puts out 500,000 candle power and then theres the head-light!!!!! 8O ,ohh yesss.)

So mate you have to decide what sort of light you are trying to put out,but as some of the other forum members have said ,USE RELAYS,ALWAYS,even on your head-light as they will make a noticeable difference. (not to mention saving your charge system having a heart attack )

I know my combinations of lights may seem a little bit over the top but if you can imagine running into a 100 lb , 6 foot tall kangaroo at a 100k's plus you will understand 8O (I am talking about running on open road here).

I hope this has been of some help in your decisions.Good Luck mate.

Ride well Ride safe,too many of us don't make it.

Horse.

P.S. I am having a friend in Mittagong (south of Sydney) upgrade my charge system by using a heavier wire in the alternater windings,and a heavier stator (?)so the old girl will put out approx 420 watts, and once that is done I will change the driving light bulbs to 130 watt :twisted:
I am reliably informed that these bulbs will put out in excess of 1,000,000 candle power 8O 8O each when used with a relay. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

See Ya mate.
message ends.10am mon.3 oct. 2005. St Mary's .Western Sydney . N.S.W.

I wish I had more info on this procedure...

 

[GS450inSF]

I had a old Toyota pickup that did the samething. It had 120,000 and I never had any problems caused from using both beams.

 

[randyshipp]

The silverstar H-4 is the best legal street light

Is there a particular stock number that fits right into these vintage GSs? I have a 1980 GS850GL, if it makes any difference.

Randy...

 

[fastpakr]

You'll need to convert to H4, then you can use the Silverstar (either the H4ST or one other, I can't remember the second part number).