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I wanted to have some extra lighting for night riding (one 55 watt bulb doesn't seem like very much to me), but I like the stripped down look so I didn't want to go with the lightbar and twin driving lights. I ended up mounting an oval driving light under the lower triple clamp. I still prefer the way the bike looks without extra lighting but I guess this is a good compromise. I haven't wired it up yet, I just kind of test fitted it in there to see if I was gonna like it.

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/photopost/data/500/606IMG_1704_JPG.jpg

I replaced my stock headlight bulb ( 55w low / 65w high )
with a 80w low / 100w high , wagner part # BP1210/H4
It really lights up the road.

veeeeery interesting. With my new speedmaster fender, I really think that driving lights are a little too full dresser for the look ya know? And while the oval driving light might look a little funny from the front, at least the profile will remain! You could even recess it back a little to make it less prominent, ya know? How will you do the wiring?

P.S. Changing the bulb does make a world of difference too...

Pete ... thanks for the info on the wagner bulb. I was afraid that the fuse or the wiring would not tolerate the higher current draw of a better bulb in the headlight.

Benny ... I was planning on using the highbeams to trigger the relay. The light kit came with relay, fuse, switch, and wiring.

Does anybody know what our charging systems are rated at ?

The high beam sounds like an interesting idea. Or if it came with a switch, couldn't you just put a toggle on the console or something? As an alternative idea anyway...

So where did you get the kit? Is it designed for bikes?

I decided against using a switch to activate the light because when an oncoming vehicle aproaches and its time to turn the highbeam off, I just want to deal with one switch (the standard highbeam/lowbeam switch). I have considered placing a switch in the wire that will run from the highbeam line to the relay. Then I could use my highbeam without the extra driving light if I wanted to. I'm just not sure why I would want to.
I got the kit at Princess Auto in the surplus section.
I think princess auto is a canadian only chain.
They sell mostly tools and a bit of automotive stuff.

I have had the 80/100 bulb in my bike for over 2 years.
No electrical problems and never replaced the bulb.
I have only replaced a driving light bulb one time (in the last 6 months ) in the 2 years they have been on the bike.

Looks good Slug. Been thinking about how & what to put for addditional lighting myself. Have had that thought myself. Even bought a set of xenon driving lights semi regtangular to mount, off of ebay. Have you put juice to it to see the light spread pattern? Does it give you more light to the sides? Have also been thinking of how to wire it. Semi like the idea of wiring it to the high beam but don't like not have control of it during low beam. Me the more light the better, night vision not as good as it used to be. So not sure how to switch it, the lights came with wireless remote module, but really the module is to big to mount it anywhere on the bike, it is made for the fire wall of a car or truck.

Like Benny's idea switch on the tank consoul but haven't found any water proof micro switches yet been looking for a couple of months no luck yet.

Snekeptp thanks for the info on the 80/100 bulb. Used that for years on the 78 R100S but keep hearing horror tails about frying the wiring harness on the Triumps. Looks like I'm going bulb shopping.

BTW Sylvania has a new bulb out called the Silverstar. It is not a cool blue bulb. Supose to be the brightest out of the conventional bulbs. It is 4000K one notch below the standard Xenarc HID 4100K. Bought 1 so going to see how it compares to the standard 55/65 H-4. P/N #. H4ST kind of pricy, $25.00 from PEP Boys.

Carl

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Keep the rubber side down, spring is around the next cure.

Hey Carl, a lot of Jeep guys are using those silverstar bulbs with great success, just so ya know. I've also had a 80/100 or 110 bulb in mine for two years now with no problem at all. Nice at night, but yeah, more spread would be nice too!! So definitely looking forward to seeing what results that extra light gets. Maybe if you guys can take pic of the difference in light patters, like park the bike pointing at the house or something that the light will show up on, snap a shot (no flash). Be interesting to see.

And as for switching, I like the idea of putting the switch between the lights and the relay, on off control and you can just have it be an extra high beam.

Carl:
I put a seto of those bulbs in my Dad's Subaru. He's 86 and needs all the illumination he can get at night! They were brighter but I was turned off by the blue hue. He likes them and says they are an improvement.

I put the Silverstar bulb on last fall. Huge improvement. Cost me about $20 at the local autozone.

Installed two 55 watt lights from J.C. Whitney, chrome bar, two bullet chrome turn signals, which I picked up local for $20.00 pair, polished brackets, total cost about $95.00, I already had wire.These two lights are bright and I mean bright. OH! I forgot switch from Radio Shack $3.00.
Just want to thank BonnyUSA, (Phil) for all your help an the know how because without you it would have never gotten done. Will get some pictures on ASAP. Thanks again, Phil from Florida.