 Lighting upgrade........
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 123
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 123 |
Hey folks, at the request of Newt, I'm posting up about lighting upgrades. The electrical system on most bikes is pretty light duty, and over time I've run into many melted connectors at the headlamp, and the connectors comming from the controls. This was the case with Newts bike last weekend. This is generally due to poor ground, and a quick fix is running an external ground for the headlamp. Even so, the system is very inefficiant, and you can eak out more from the bike safely without spending a fortune. Daniel Stern is the lighting guru, and has an outstanding site. There's lots of great info, right down to the myths about some of those blue bulbs people are installing in their cages and on bikes. With a little time, some common relays, wire and connectors, your light will be as bright as it was ment to be. Upgrading the reflector is also a big help, but not a must do. Daniel Stern Lighting Cheers
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Re: Lighting upgrade........
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
I'm always amazed at the folks who put in high-wattage bulbs without upgrading the wiring harness to get the juice to them. (wasting time/money IMO) Those Cibie lamps look interesting.
Al
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Re: Lighting upgrade........
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335 |
I have found that trying to upgrade your main headlight bulb to one of those Extreme Halogen or Xenon simulated bulbs doesn't stress the wiring, but the bulb itself only lasts 4 to 6 months. I found this out on both the America, and Tiger.
For the America I just went back to the standard Halogen bulb and added Auxiliary driving lights.
For the Tiger I installed a HID kit (a true Xenon gas tube that runs at 23,000 Volts) for my low beam, and again a set of Auxiliary driving lights.
If you could install a HID light kit on the America you would go from a 55 Watt draw to 35 Watts, and your light output will increase 300%. Just not sure there is room for the extra wires and ballast on the America.
Tom
Last edited by tcv; 11/21/2008 10:06 AM.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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Re: Lighting upgrade........
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
Someone did find an HID Kit that fit into our headlight bucket, but can't recall the members name. Not sure he hung around long. I'm on a Nissan list for my Altima and these typically young list members are constantly installing various HID kits. Some work well, others don't seem to last long. Quote:
If you could install a HID light kit on the America you would go from a 55 Watt draw to 35 Watts, and your light output will increase 300%. Just not sure there is room for the extra wires and ballast on the America.
Tom
Al
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Re: Lighting upgrade........
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335 |
Quote:
Someone did find an HID Kit that fit into our headlight bucket, but can't recall the members name. Not sure he hung around long. I'm on a Nissan list for my Altima and these typically young list members are constantly installing various HID kits. Some work well, others don't seem to last long.
You have to be careful with HID kits due to quality issues with some of the manufacturers. The HID kit I installed on the Tiger has a lifetime warranty on the Ballast and wiring.
Tom
DDM HID Kits
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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