Date: 29-03-24  Time: 01:02 am

Author Topic: Different Headlamp  (Read 4995 times)

74eldiablo

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Different Headlamp
« on: 25 October 2018, 09:14:00 pm »
I have a 2001 bike with a phillips lumiled H4 bulb fitted which is fantastic, I decided to buy a high power H1 led for the main beam which arrived today but sadly the round end wont go through the small apeture made for a normal H1 bulb...... bugger.
it looks a bit shit with a crap halogen h1 and a superbright H4 led. i ride in the dark so light is important.

Now i'm definately converted to LED bulbs as the difference between the lumiled H4 and the std H4 was pardon the pun (night and day)
I'm thinking about losing the top fairing and just having a single 7" headlamp instead (with possibly a headlamp fairing at a later date)
so i've seen this headlamp on fleabay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-Daymaker-40w-LED-Hi-Lo-Headlight-with-Halo-Ring-For-Harley-Davidson-Black/202180490055
I'm wanting to know will this be possible to wire into the std fazer loom?
i'm ok with cutting crimping soldering and heatshrinking wires etc but dont want to chop the loom only to find it wont work.
obviously i will need a headlamp housing and brackets so any advise as to whether this will work
do i need that ring that comes with the headlight to fit it into something like this?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-7-LED-Headlight-Lamp-Light-Housing-Bucket-W-Bracket-For-Harley-UK/152985459260
or will it fir without the ring.
I quite like the idea of a streetfighter type fazer with the option to change it back should i want to at a later date.

cheers





darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #1 on: 26 October 2018, 05:58:39 am »
You've got me interested now, as i've been thinking about brighter headlights over the last few days.
I have the spotlights which are brilliant, but now they kind of embarrass the headlights. The headlights look bright enough, until you look at the beam on the floor and they're not really doing too much, whereas i turn the spots on and they light the ground up in front of me with a nice white light.
Think i have Philips Extreme bulbs at the moment.


I know it's quite a hard material around the bulb that contains the holder, even though it does eventually erode away through vibration, but do you not think it would be possible to open up the hole with a Dremel to make it hold another H4 bulb?


Has anyone ever attempted this before with success?
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darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #2 on: 27 October 2018, 04:40:57 pm »
I've had a good look the last couple of days for 6500k LED lights to try and match the whiteness of my spotlights.


What a nightmare, there's thousands out there  :eek


And without trying them you really have no clue if they'll be any good or an improvement at all. I saw some reviews and they gave a proper thumbs down to what looked like a good thing.
Then you have LED's with fans on the back which are fine on the H4 side, but there's no way of holding the H1 bulb in place because currently it uses the plastic holder which is of no use if the light has a fan attached.
Also, whenever i found an H4 light that would suffice, they didn't do the matching H1 version, and vice versa.


I've found one place that does both without the fans and they're out of stock of the H4 now.  :rolleyes [size=78%] [/size]
[/size]I've emailed them as i'm still interested in buying them, i'll keep you posted if i ever get them.[size=78%]
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74eldiablo

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #3 on: 27 October 2018, 06:20:10 pm »
The one i bought uses phillips chips, it is the newer type heatsink one without a fan, the connectors are proper quality ones.
I bought this for my firestorm to replace the gay rainbow effect bulb the previous owner had fitted, the firestorms headlight was far far superior to the fazer one, when i sold the storm after 1 month due to the ridiculous MPG i took out the bulb.
Only when i realised the fazer has two different types of bulb (which is a completely dumb idea) i swapped it out into the full beam of the fazer but it is only using half of the chips unless i make a wiring mod so it really does make the most of the lumiled bulb.
For the time being its constantly been ridden using full beam and it shits all over the halogen.I'm just gutted the new H1 cree chips led bulb wont fit, did a test halogen vs led out of the headlight and the led bulb is far superior and far brighter i just cannot get it in  :'(
this is due the fact the H1 bulb holder has 2 locating lugs that fit into the lugs on the back of the headlight, so if i cut it away (at the headlight end) the bulb holder will have nothing to 'locate' into and it will not be tight, i dare say the spring clip will hold it in place but cannot take the risk of it rattling around in the headlight.
So i'm thinking of doing away with the fairing altogether and buying a LED headlight unit, but dont want to buy it without knowing whats involved to replace a wiring setup designed for 2 lamps into just one lamp.
if its a straightfoward cut and replace a connector then i'll lose the fairing and get a better headlight and a headlight fairing .
need to think now

darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #4 on: 27 October 2018, 07:47:51 pm »
Just so people know what we're on about.
« Last Edit: 27 October 2018, 07:49:18 pm by darrsi »
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darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #5 on: 27 October 2018, 07:52:39 pm »
The amalgamating tape i put on there was to stop buzzing/vibrating of the bulb against the housing, which if left would gradually chip away at the housing over time, plus drive you made with the noise as well.
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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #6 on: 27 October 2018, 08:37:15 pm »
From my experience with the colour temperature of house hold LED bulbs you can not always go by what the seller/manufacturer quotes. I should know as I have 62 LED bulbs in Sharp Hall  :eek   
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darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #7 on: 27 October 2018, 10:34:39 pm »
What put me off a bit was i read an article that explained a lot about the randomness of LED's, some are quite directional with hotspots aiming where they're s'posed to, but cheaper imitations can spread the light like a living room lightbulb.
It's very hit and miss, you will literally need someone to try and then recommend a certain item.
As i said earlier what looked great in an advert were slated after being used.


Another thing to look out for, which can be deceiving, is lights are advertised in wattage as a pair, rather than as singles, which can also confuse matters, 'cos they presume you're gonna use the pair at the same time, whereas that doesn't apply to our older models, as we need one H1 and one H4.
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tommyardin

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #8 on: 28 October 2018, 01:08:05 am »
The lights that have been mentioned in this post that has had links posted are Harley D lamps. Now the Americans for some strange reason drive on the wrong side of the road (mad bastards, dangerous to) but require their lamps to dip in the opposite direction to us sensible Brits, will these pose a problem with dazzling other drivers in this country and or at MOT time?

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #9 on: 28 October 2018, 01:21:04 am »
It can be a minefield, I've had a mixture of cheap bulbs and better ones without much success.
Then I found a place called Classic Car LED's. They make their own LED's which are designed for use in older classic cars, especially older classic cars with reflector headlights.
Read the reviews for their H1 and H4 bulbs, bright white light with a clear sharp cut off on the beam pattern, most of the bulbs I've tried before don't have this cut off, they just scatter the light everywhere.
Granted they are more expensive, but as we only need one H1 and one H4 bulb per bike, if you can split it with a mate or another member then it's not so bad, or keep a spare of each!
I've yet to buy some headlight bulbs for my bike but I've had them in my previous car and they were impressive, I'd recommend them all day long.
I do have their stop/tail bulbs in my fazer and they are very good too.

darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #10 on: 28 October 2018, 08:22:29 am »
It can be a minefield, I've had a mixture of cheap bulbs and better ones without much success.
Then I found a place called Classic Car LED's. They make their own LED's which are designed for use in older classic cars, especially older classic cars with reflector headlights.
Read the reviews for their H1 and H4 bulbs, bright white light with a clear sharp cut off on the beam pattern, most of the bulbs I've tried before don't have this cut off, they just scatter the light everywhere.
Granted they are more expensive, but as we only need one H1 and one H4 bulb per bike, if you can split it with a mate or another member then it's not so bad, or keep a spare of each!
I've yet to buy some headlight bulbs for my bike but I've had them in my previous car and they were impressive, I'd recommend them all day long.
I do have their stop/tail bulbs in my fazer and they are very good too.


Just had a look, but it's the same issue i've been having previously, their H1 bulbs have the heat dissipating fins on the back which means they are no good for 98-01 bikes due to having no way of securing the lamp to the housing. 02-03 bikes are okay as i believe they have 2 x H4 fitments.


1600 lumens is similar to my Philips Extreme Vision bulbs, but i'm more interested in the daylight white 6500K colour of them, which will be a closer match to my spotlights.

I've just found another place that sells them and has both in stock.

I'll be the guinea pig and buy them so watch this space and i'll let you know the verdict when i get them, and i'll try and add some photos as well.
They're not too expensive to take a chance with.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nighteye-H1-H4-H7-H11-9005-9006-Auto-Car-LED-Fog-Light-Bulb-Driving-Lamp-6500K/123421235571?hash=item1cbc7a9973:m:maE9JzoMP7rmnlTtsdut35A:rk:17:pf:0

NOTE: I've just noticed that on their listing it says 80 watt "per bulb", yet i know from a different advert that they are actually 80 watts "per pair" which would be less power consumption than the 2 x 55w bulbs i'm using now.

Seeing that my spotlights are only 10w each yet completely outshine my headlights you would like to think that these may do the job okay, fingers crossed.
« Last Edit: 28 October 2018, 08:36:10 am by darrsi »
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Fazerider

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #11 on: 28 October 2018, 09:08:42 am »
...
I'll be the guinea pig and buy them so watch this space and i'll let you know the verdict when i get them, and i'll try and add some photos as well.
They're not too expensive to take a chance with.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nighteye-H1-H4-H7-H11-9005-9006-Auto-Car-LED-Fog-Light-Bulb-Driving-Lamp-6500K/123421235571?hash=item1cbc7a9973:m:maE9JzoMP7rmnlTtsdut35A:rk:17:pf:0

NOTE: I've just noticed that on their listing it says 80 watt "per bulb", yet i know from a different advert that they are actually 80 watts "per pair" which would be less power consumption than the 2 x 55w bulbs i'm using now.

Seeing that my spotlights are only 10w each yet completely outshine my headlights you would like to think that these may do the job okay, fingers crossed.

I wish they'd offer LED headlights with a lower colour temperature, 6000K is far too dazzling IMHO.
And a lot are also far too bright. Once upon a time a simple power limit was enough to keep the light output within sensible bounds, but the efficiency of modern discharge or LED sources renders that useless. So every time I'm out at night I find myself guessing that my side of the road is just a bit to the left of the things that are blinding me.
That aside, those Nighteye units don't look too extreme. I guess they've added the low and high beam powers AND converted the figure to tungsten equivalent to claim 80W per bulb. No way could that dissipate 80W with such minimal heatsinking, the lumens figure is far more telling, they're probably 8W. Which will make life easier for switchgear, wiring and battery.

darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #12 on: 28 October 2018, 10:41:46 am »
...
I'll be the guinea pig and buy them so watch this space and i'll let you know the verdict when i get them, and i'll try and add some photos as well.
They're not too expensive to take a chance with.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nighteye-H1-H4-H7-H11-9005-9006-Auto-Car-LED-Fog-Light-Bulb-Driving-Lamp-6500K/123421235571?hash=item1cbc7a9973:m:maE9JzoMP7rmnlTtsdut35A:rk:17:pf:0

NOTE: I've just noticed that on their listing it says 80 watt "per bulb", yet i know from a different advert that they are actually 80 watts "per pair" which would be less power consumption than the 2 x 55w bulbs i'm using now.

Seeing that my spotlights are only 10w each yet completely outshine my headlights you would like to think that these may do the job okay, fingers crossed.

I wish they'd offer LED headlights with a lower colour temperature, 6000K is far too dazzling IMHO.
And a lot are also far too bright. Once upon a time a simple power limit was enough to keep the light output within sensible bounds, but the efficiency of modern discharge or LED sources renders that useless. So every time I'm out at night I find myself guessing that my side of the road is just a bit to the left of the things that are blinding me.
That aside, those Nighteye units don't look too extreme. I guess they've added the low and high beam powers AND converted the figure to tungsten equivalent to claim 80W per bulb. No way could that dissipate 80W with such minimal heatsinking, the lumens figure is far more telling, they're probably 8W. Which will make life easier for switchgear, wiring and battery.


I'll do a meter check if they get to stay on the bike when i try them. When i turn my current headlights on the battery voltage drops quite a bit, and as i mainly do shortish runs every day that can become a problem in colder winter nights, which is why the 10w spotlights have been great in every way, using less power AND giving me much more light on the road at night. I use them as daylight running lights as well. I even had another biker pull up next to me the other day asking where i got them from as he said they looked really bright for such a small unit. I wondered what he was doing 'cos he was in front of me, then he dropped behind me, then back in front of me again until he pulled up next to me at traffic lights. He was basically checking them out before he finally spoke to me.  :lol


There was a time where you just put up with the poor headlights, or at least put in the best bulbs you could find, but now with the roads being so poorly maintained everywhere and no doubt about to get worse again if weather reports are to be believed, then you really need to be able to see the road in front of you because some of the potholes out there are just downright dangerous.
It's a bloody disgrace how some councils have let their highways get into such a bad state. There's a huge dip in the road right next to my work that feels like you're riding into about half the height of a bath, it's that bad, and i reported it months ago yet nothing has been done at all, not even a temporary repair. When you see artic lorries go over it the whole lorry looks like it's about to tip over then it corrects itself once over it.
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tommyardin

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #13 on: 28 October 2018, 03:38:26 pm »
Looking at the different Nighteye bulbs it would appear some suppliers are quoting 800 Lumins output, while others seem to be claiming 8000 Lumins, while yet others 1600 Lumins. Then a figure of 80watt power consumption is being claimed by some.


Seems like a minefield to me, claim what you like  :'( and then you find out that figure quoted is the total out put of all 4 elements on twin H4 bulbs and yet another give a joint power of the main beams only. Would love to know what you think Darrsi, do keep us updated on your findings. Was thinking about putting a pair of H4's in my car. and maybe the FZS 600 if they seem OK.
« Last Edit: 28 October 2018, 06:16:29 pm by tommyardin »

darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #14 on: 28 October 2018, 08:11:19 pm »
Looking at the different Nighteye bulbs it would appear some suppliers are quoting 800 Lumins output, while others seem to be claiming 8000 Lumins, while yet others 1600 Lumins. Then a figure of 80watt power consumption is being claimed by some.


Seems like a minefield to me, claim what you like  :'( and then you find out that figure quoted is the total out put of all 4 elements on twin H4 bulbs and yet another give a joint power of the main beams only. Would love to know what you think Darrsi, do keep us updated on your findings. Was thinking about putting a pair of H4's in my car. and maybe the FZS 600 if they seem OK.


If i only needed H4 lights then i would have probably gone for the ones with fins or fans attached.
They are higher wattage but no doubt brighter too.
The main problem has been the H1 which has put a proper spanner in the works, then finding an H1 and H4 of same brand, same white light, power, etc, and the Nighteye ones were more or less the only ones suitable.
Add to that it looks like a trusted brand, so i'm willing to give them a try.
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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #15 on: 30 October 2018, 01:41:31 pm »
My Bike headlights take H4 Bulbs. However states using bulbs rated at 35/35 W.
If I dropped in a couple of 55/60W "super white" type bulbs, as you see from the likes of Phillips / Osram, am I at risk of burning / overheating the headlight housing / glass?  :rolleyes

What Wattage bulbs were supposed to be used in the standard fairing, on the Box eye / Fox eye?

darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #16 on: 30 October 2018, 03:49:06 pm »
My Bike headlights take H4 Bulbs. However states using bulbs rated at 35/35 W.
If I dropped in a couple of 55/60W "super white" type bulbs, as you see from the likes of Phillips / Osram, am I at risk of burning / overheating the headlight housing / glass?  :rolleyes

What Wattage bulbs were supposed to be used in the standard fairing, on the Box eye / Fox eye?


I've always used 55w H4 bulbs in my bike, i presumed that was standard anyway for them?


Just checked and the H1 is 55w as well.
« Last Edit: 30 October 2018, 03:51:18 pm by darrsi »
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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #17 on: 30 October 2018, 04:05:55 pm »
I have always had the high power H4 competition/ show bulbs from Halfords in my foxeye, I believe they are 80/90 watt. Says on the package ‘completion only not for road use’ Have had all my MOT tests done with them in place, a couple of times I have had a wow bright headlights from a Darren who does my MOT but it has always passed. Just ordered two led bulbs from the link Darrsi posted for my car but then found out that it takes 4  single filement bulbs, so will put them in the fazer, as my little combo van takes 4 bulbs as well.

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #18 on: 31 October 2018, 04:43:03 pm »
@Darrsi


What spot lamps are you running? I'm keen to get some and if you have a link to them that would be superb!


I have a yr 2000 SP Boxeye and would also be interested in how the other replacement bulbs are going?!


Cheers!

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #19 on: 31 October 2018, 06:43:05 pm »

darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #20 on: 31 October 2018, 07:01:13 pm »
I've got these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-10W-Cree-LED-Work-Light-Spot-Lamp-Driving-Fog-ATV-Motorcycle-4WD-Boat-UK-SHIP/263658322681?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649.Also had the same on my last bike. They are really bright and great value.


These are the exact spotlights i have on my bike, and they are brilliant.
I had a mate wire them up to an on/off switch on my handlebars, rather than have them permanently on, although i do have them on most of the time now anyway.
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darrsi

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #21 on: 31 October 2018, 07:05:02 pm »
@Darrsi


What spot lamps are you running? I'm keen to get some and if you have a link to them that would be superb!


I have a yr 2000 SP Boxeye and would also be interested in how the other replacement bulbs are going?!


Cheers!


Link as above for the spotlights.


Still waiting on the new LED lights, but i’ll let you all know the outcome as soon as i try them, hopefully with some photo’s too.
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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #22 on: 31 October 2018, 10:37:44 pm »
@Darrsi


What spot lamps are you running? I'm keen to get some and if you have a link to them that would be superb!


I have a yr 2000 SP Boxeye and would also be interested in how the other replacement bulbs are going?!


Cheers!



Link here to an old thread on the cree spotlights.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,21527.0.html
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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #23 on: 01 November 2018, 12:52:10 am »
@Darrsi


What spot lamps are you running? I'm keen to get some and if you have a link to them that would be superb!


I have a yr 2000 SP Boxeye and would also be interested in how the other replacement bulbs are going?!


Cheers!


Link as above for the spotlights.


Still waiting on the new LED lights, but i’ll let you all know the outcome as soon as i try them, hopefully with some photo’s too.


Hi Darrsi,
Had an eBay message from the people (Your posted link) that I purchased them from saying that the bulbs are defective and that they would not be sending them and If I choose I can order a different bulb from them or have a refund. :'(


Copy of their message below:


Dear Customer How are you? We are now have a very pain problem, we just check that, the H4 LED Headlight has a quality problem, we can not send you problem goods, we are very sorry about it, and factory told us the goods can not be supplied at least 4 weeks.How you choose other style from us? or we refund you?We are so sorry for the inconvenient, but please do not leave us negative and neutral feedback, we can do our best help you. Thank you.Looking forward to your early reply.Jenny
« Last Edit: 01 November 2018, 12:55:13 am by tommyardin »

tommyardin

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Re: Different Headlamp
« Reply #24 on: 01 November 2018, 12:57:34 am »
Just went back onto their site and they are now listing them (H4) as out of stock