Fazer Owners Club - Unofficial

Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => FZS600 Fazer => Topic started by: Dman2019 on 17 May 2020, 08:49:47 am

Title: Headlights
Post by: Dman2019 on 17 May 2020, 08:49:47 am
Hi all, I’ve got a box head light fazer/mk1, early on I put spot lights on as the headlights are dim, This week I have done the head light conversion so both headlights are on for main beam. Headlights are still dim.
Has anyone changed the bulbs to led ones?
A mate gave me one to try a few years ago but it didn’t work in his bike or mine.
Spots are fine, just thought I’d see if Led bulbs work and to make me as visible as possible.
Can anyone recommend Led bulbs if they have worked?
Cheers
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 18 May 2020, 07:30:35 am
Hi all, I’ve got a box head light fazer/mk1, early on I put spot lights on as the headlights are dim, This week I have done the head light conversion so both headlights are on for main beam. Headlights are still dim.
Has anyone changed the bulbs to led ones?
A mate gave me one to try a few years ago but it didn’t work in his bike or mine.
Spots are fine, just thought I’d see if Led bulbs work and to make me as visible as possible.
Can anyone recommend Led bulbs if they have worked?
Cheers


LED's will not improve anything unfortunately.
It's not the bulbs that are the issue, it's the reflector unit surrounding them that is simply not man enough for the job.


Having the Boxeye causes more issues too because of the H1 bulb fitment.
If it's the LED's with the large finned attachment at the rear of them that you're thinking of then the H4 side could work, but not the H1 side.
I've looked into this a few times but never really found an "easy" solution.


Using Phillips Extreme or Osram Nightbreakers are probably the best standard bulbs available. I've tried both of them too, and they're pretty much the same thing, just have a good look around online as prices can really vary, or there could be a deal on somewhere.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: bald_pig on 19 May 2020, 10:42:44 pm
I have LED bulbs in my boxeye, along with the dual dipped beam mod, and it makes quite a difference from stock!


There's a knack to fitting the C6 style bulbs but it's certainly doable.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 20 May 2020, 08:15:55 am
I have LED bulbs in my boxeye, along with the dual dipped beam mod, and it makes quite a difference from stock!


There's a knack to fitting the C6 style bulbs but it's certainly doable.


 :useless
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Gnasher on 20 May 2020, 12:26:13 pm
Fitting HID or quality LED's will a make big difference, but not of you mod them so they're on at the same time. 

The reflectors are not only poor in design they're single purpose, in that one is for low beam the other for high.  If you simply just carryout the wiring mod you'll blind oncoming traffic, this will be made worse with HID/LEDs, you have to lower the right hand (H4 bulb) reflector.  By doing so you'll lose high beam efficiency, which already isn't great due to poor reflector design.

When fitting HID or LEDs dont do the wring mod just ensure the reflectors are set correctly. 

Better still if you can get hold of one fit a headlight unit from a 400, both are H4 and both lights are on at the same time low and high beam.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: bald_pig on 20 May 2020, 12:50:27 pm
I have LED bulbs in my boxeye, along with the dual dipped beam mod, and it makes quite a difference from stock!


There's a knack to fitting the C6 style bulbs but it's certainly doable.


 :useless


I don't think I have a standard bulb anymore for comparison, but I'll get some pictures of the bulbs tonight!
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 20 May 2020, 08:50:39 pm
I have LED bulbs in my boxeye, along with the dual dipped beam mod, and it makes quite a difference from stock!


There's a knack to fitting the C6 style bulbs but it's certainly doable.


 :useless


I don't think I have a standard bulb anymore for comparison, but I'll get some pictures of the bulbs tonight!


Just curious what you did on the H1 side.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: bald_pig on 20 May 2020, 10:14:03 pm
Here are the fitted bulbs:
(https://i.imgur.com/rpPzU7h.jpg)


(https://i.imgur.com/6ga3O50.jpg)


The H1 bulb is held in with this clip, I guess this is the missing piece of the puzzle for everyone?
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-H1-LED-Headlight-Holder-Adapter-For-Honda-Prelude-CR-V-Odyssey-Acura-RSX-SG/233587576930 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-H1-LED-Headlight-Holder-Adapter-For-Honda-Prelude-CR-V-Odyssey-Acura-RSX-SG/233587576930)


And finally, a couple of images with the camera settings locked!
dipped beam:
(https://i.imgur.com/ASYUxOQ.jpg)


sidelight:
(https://i.imgur.com/NzealAj.jpg)


and lights off:
(https://i.imgur.com/wTv6MfQ.jpg)
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 21 May 2020, 12:12:50 pm
Is that an H1 bulb on the left?

Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: fazersharp on 21 May 2020, 02:59:28 pm
Eh what-the ----------------- :eek
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: bald_pig on 21 May 2020, 03:15:33 pm
Is that an H1 bulb on the left?


Yes.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 22 May 2020, 06:35:45 am
Okay, thank you for the pics, and even more so the info on that plastic adaptor, i never knew about that, and both are extremely helpful for everyone!


I'm gonna be blunt now though, and say i'm not convinced that these particular LED's are an improvement at all.
One of the big problems i have found over the years with things like headlight bulbs/LED's is that they all sound fantastic in their marketing adverts, which is what marketing is all about, but the reality is more often than not they are a complete let down.
I have also learned not to get involved with these so called super duper bulbs/LED's that are being sold in China. They are highly likely to be inferior quality, fake or simply shit and worthy of the bin straight away, plus you can't even return them because you will most certainly lose out financially and then they can even deny receiving them back at all.
The other problem is there are literally hundreds, if not thousands to choose from, and unless you have a side by side comparison in identical conditions you are no wiser whatsoever to what you may be about to buy in regards to whether they will be an improvement or not?


May i suggest that you have a go at lining up your headlights correctly, they should be dipped down to the left but in the photo the fence is lit up on the right side, yet the floor isn't, and the scatter is very erratic. I reckon you will get a lot more light out of them once they are both pointing in the correct area, and be better for spotting potholes with at night.
They need to be adjusted at night time around 25 feet away from a brick wall with the bike on a level service for best results. I always do mine in our car park at work aimed at the building so i'm not in anyone's way. The lights should be set straight ahead then just dip them down to the left a bit.

(Notice in my photos that the lights would not be blinding the driver of the car)

I'll post some comparison photo's below so everyone can see, but again, thanks for the pics.
As they say "Pictures speak louder than words"  ;)
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 22 May 2020, 06:39:31 am
I think the bulbs i have in are Philips Extreme, but as i said before the difference between those and Osram Nightbreakers are very minimal.


First photo is just headlights


Second photo is with headlights AND 10w spotlights attached to the side of my radiator.


(Boxeye model, using H1 & H4 bulbs)
 
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 22 May 2020, 07:04:38 am
You might think that any these lights look reasonable enough in the photos, but the reality is if you had one of these new scooters roll up next to you their headlight unit would very easily show up as being vastly superior.
But that's just technology for you, everything is bigger, brighter, sharper and better these days.   
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: fazersharp on 22 May 2020, 01:45:58 pm
Did no one see my picture
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Trebus on 22 May 2020, 02:50:08 pm
😂
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: unfazed on 22 May 2020, 03:55:32 pm
Did no one see my picture
Obviously, since no one commented on the Sasquatch  :rollin
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Farmboy81 on 22 May 2020, 04:06:54 pm
Didn't you do one before where he was coming out of the drain? It's completely possible I have mis-remembered, but I'm sure I've seen summat like that on here before?


Either that or I was having a really bad night when I fitted the spots and new bulbs to my own Fazer!  :lol
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: fazersharp on 22 May 2020, 04:20:28 pm
Didn't you do one before where he was coming out of the drain? It's completely possible I have mis-remembered, but I'm sure I've seen summat like that on here before?


Either that or I was having a really bad night when I fitted the spots and new bulbs to my own Fazer!  :lol
Yes it was Darrsi's picture Dman's picture reminded me of it. Its not sasquatch its from a film because the view reminded me of the one in the film. Any guesses 
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 22 May 2020, 06:33:21 pm
There you go  :lol
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: fazersharp on 22 May 2020, 07:03:33 pm
There you go  :lol
That was good one  :rollin
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: bald_pig on 22 May 2020, 11:03:16 pm
They might not be the best option, but they were an improvement over the bulbs that came out, but anything is really!


And I know I need to realign them, I started to remove them, remembered how much of a faff it was to do it all in the right order and bunged them back in again!


Luckily, despite being a key worker I can do 99% of my work from home so she isn't getting used much :)
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 22 May 2020, 11:16:02 pm
They might not be the best option, but they were an improvement over the bulbs that came out, but anything is really!


And I know I need to realign them, I started to remove them, remembered how much of a faff it was to do it all in the right order and bunged them back in again!


Luckily, despite being a key worker I can do 99% of my work from home so she isn't getting used much :)


Whenever you get round to getting the beam on both lights right, could you post another picture up please as firstly I'm sure once aligned they will look way better, and secondly this is the sort of post that will be checked out by people quite a lot.  :thumbup
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: vinnyb on 23 May 2020, 01:10:21 am

 When I started looking for a Fazer I was looking for a red black and silver boxeye and I had planned to fit this as one of my first mods, as it turns out I got a foxeye  and don't need it but although they're not cheap it seems like the best mod for boxeye headlights.
 https://www.retrofitlab.com/en/yamaha-fzs600-fazer-1998-2001-1.html (https://www.retrofitlab.com/en/yamaha-fzs600-fazer-1998-2001-1.html)
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Gnasher on 23 May 2020, 08:05:24 am
These have been around for a while now, even with standard bulbs they're an improvement.  The issue with them has been price and the HID fitment come MOT time many will fail and HID and the high beam motor can fail.  With LED's that's now not an issue, but the price now is.  Quality adjustable LEDs are expensive £60 - 120 each, which pushes this mod to round £350 or more depending on the LEDs. 

They're also issues with the fitting it's not a straight plug and play.  Some conversion of connectors is required, getting it all to fit within the firing can be challenge, if you don't feel up to fitting yourself this will add to the price around £70 ish. 

But if you use the bike a lot at night, it's a worth while mod with LEDs which should get you through an MOT.  If you opt for HID you'll be running the risk of MOT fail or you'll have to fit Halogen for the test.  Oh and make sure you order UK spec left hand traffic.   
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: fazersharp on 23 May 2020, 09:25:49 am
I dont ride at night but I am lucky that I dont have to but one of my first mods 18 years ago was to do the both lights on mod but even that I have an inline fuse that I pop out for the mot.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Gnasher on 23 May 2020, 09:28:57 am
I hope you've adjusted your high beam (H4) reflector then as you'll be dazzling on coming traffic and getting flashed a lot ;)
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: fazersharp on 23 May 2020, 09:58:14 am
I hope you've adjusted your high beam (H4) reflector then as you'll be dazzling on coming traffic and getting flashed a lot ;)
Nope and dont get flashed. Maybe because most of my riding is in at least bright daylight if not sun. Or maybe I have adjusted it and have forgot.
Also it's a boxeye remember so its crap anyway.

Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Gnasher on 23 May 2020, 10:12:21 am
Nope and dont get flashed. Maybe because most of my riding is in at least bright daylight if not sun. Or maybe I have adjusted it and have forgot.
Also it's a boxeye remember so its crap anyway.


Matters not they're crap, they still dazzle.  Chances are your just lucky or it's not adjusted correctly as you don't ride at night so you wouldn't notice.  Many are as the instructions in the Haynes manual on how to is wrong!  Many owners fall into the trap.
[size=78%]   [/size]
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 23 May 2020, 02:47:55 pm
One of my pet hates is when you get cars coming towards you with misaligned headlights so one or more lights instantly blind you. Occasionally get them behind you as well so they blind you with your own mirrors.  :grumble 
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: vinnyb on 23 May 2020, 05:08:51 pm
One of my pet hates is when you get cars coming towards you with misaligned headlights so one or more lights instantly blind you. Occasionally get them behind you as well so they blind you with your own mirrors.  :grumble

Also foccin wankers on two wheels riding with their main beam on during the day thinking 'well, at least they can see me' while everyone coming towards them is foccin blinded. It seems to have become something of a trend.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 23 May 2020, 06:07:35 pm
One of my pet hates is when you get cars coming towards you with misaligned headlights so one or more lights instantly blind you. Occasionally get them behind you as well so they blind you with your own mirrors.  :grumble

Also foccin wankers on two wheels riding with their main beam on during the day thinking 'well, at least they can see me' while everyone coming towards them is foccin blinded. It seems to have become something of a trend.


I don't think it's anything new, the difference is that newer bikes and scooters do have very decent lights so they really don't need them on full beam at all.
Probably more likely to be the less experienced scooter riders actually.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: vinnyb on 23 May 2020, 06:26:58 pm
One of my pet hates is when you get cars coming towards you with misaligned headlights so one or more lights instantly blind you. Occasionally get them behind you as well so they blind you with your own mirrors.  :grumble

Also foccin wankers on two wheels riding with their main beam on during the day thinking 'well, at least they can see me' while everyone coming towards them is foccin blinded. It seems to have become something of a trend.


I don't think it's anything new, the difference is that newer bikes and scooters do have very decent lights so they really don't need them on full beam at all.
Probably more likely to be the less experienced scooter riders actually.

I've noticed it more on sportsbikes and the big trailies more to be honest. Maybe it's because they only have one light running on dipped beam and feel the need to have both on. What ever the reason it's bloody annoying and dangerous.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Gnasher on 23 May 2020, 07:01:02 pm
Much of it is cheap non adjustable LED's that can't be set to match the reflector and/or wrongly fitted bulbs, you'd be amazed at how many are fitted wrongly.   Same with cars ever since Halfords have been fitting bulbs :\ :rolleyes   
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: TOM VR46 on 23 May 2020, 10:00:01 pm

Just to add a wee bit. There was a post from His Dudeness in January - ignition switch circuit - which had a wiring diagram for headlight upgrade using 2 relays to convert to using 2, H4 bulbs. The wiring diagram was supplied by limax2, and is easy to follow, even me :) . 
The only thing to think about is making a holder to convert H1 side to H4. I used the rubber boot from behind headlight to make a ring using fibre glass resin. Then using Dremel ,cut in a H4 bulb shape into hard resin. You can get a spring clip from Halfords to then hold a H4 bulb.  Then enlarged the H1 hole in headlight to accept the H4 bulb. I used more resin to hold my new holder to rear of reflector.
In the post it says "lights are 10 times better" , I would say more than 10 , even with standard H4 Bulbs. I have spots on my bike too. Since doing this to headlight I have only used the spots when it gets foggy :) .
I also done away with that silly side light bulb and put in two LED 501 bulbs from Halfords. Ive attached a couple of pics. Hope they work.
With the wiring diagram from limax2 it makes this job a lot easier, and gives the Fazer headlights that work. I do quite a lot of night riding and this makes it a lot more enjoyable .
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 24 May 2020, 07:57:52 am

Just to add a wee bit. There was a post from His Dudeness in January - ignition switch circuit - which had a wiring diagram for headlight upgrade using 2 relays to convert to using 2, H4 bulbs. The wiring diagram was supplied by limax2, and is easy to follow, even me :) . 
The only thing to think about is making a holder to convert H1 side to H4. I used the rubber boot from behind headlight to make a ring using fibre glass resin. Then using Dremel ,cut in a H4 bulb shape into hard resin. You can get a spring clip from Halfords to then hold a H4 bulb.  Then enlarged the H1 hole in headlight to accept the H4 bulb. I used more resin to hold my new holder to rear of reflector.
In the post it says "lights are 10 times better" , I would say more than 10 , even with standard H4 Bulbs. I have spots on my bike too. Since doing this to headlight I have only used the spots when it gets foggy :) .
I also done away with that silly side light bulb and put in two LED 501 bulbs from Halfords. Ive attached a couple of pics. Hope they work.
With the wiring diagram from limax2 it makes this job a lot easier, and gives the Fazer headlights that work. I do quite a lot of night riding and this makes it a lot more enjoyable .


Can you not add photos of your H4 mod at the rear of the light? It all sounds great but pictures would be much more helpful.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Gnasher on 24 May 2020, 09:21:35 am
The bulb type will make little real difference to the pattern/spread you get on the road at distance, as this is determined by the reflector.  The reflector is matched to the bulb, the position of the filament or point where the light is made is crucial just a few mm out and you lose the pattern/spread.  This is one reason we are seeing a lot of dazzling.  H7s can quite easily not be seated correctly, which moves the filament position, the same applies to non adjustable LEDs fitted into reflector headlamps.  The light source is in the wrong position, yes you get more light by looking at them but it's not concentrated into the correct pattern/spread. 


A H4 bulb in a H1 reflector might work ish on low beam, but not on high as the filament position will move and the reflector is set for a single filament, i.e. no movement.       
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: darrsi on 24 May 2020, 01:47:53 pm
The bulb type will make little real difference to the pattern/spread you get on the road at distance, as this is determined by the reflector.  The reflector is matched to the bulb, the position of the filament or point where the light is made is crucial just a few mm out and you lose the pattern/spread.  This is one reason we are seeing a lot of dazzling.  H7s can quite easily not be seated correctly, which moves the filament position, the same applies to non adjustable LEDs fitted into reflector headlamps.  The light source is in the wrong position, yes you get more light by looking at them but it's not concentrated into the correct pattern/spread. 


A H4 bulb in a H1 reflector might work ish on low beam, but not on high as the filament position will move and the reflector is set for a single filament, i.e. no movement.     


Good to know, cheers.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: TOM VR46 on 24 May 2020, 07:24:39 pm

Some pics to go with previous post H1 to H4, not the best but will give idea. I actually found the first resin ring which will help with the idea I had. I didn't use enough resin first time so it wasn't large enough.   The resin ring was made using the rubber boot from behind the headlight. I wont show photo of that. The relays I mounted behind crossbar behind main wiring. Some have put relays somewhere behind clocks but I found there was enough space here. I also ran new wires to headlights, just seemed easier to me. To attach spring I used small picture hook and part of the H1 fitting that I had to cut off to enlarge the hole for the H4 bulb.Then along with wiring diagram , job done. And most important part , I got LIGHTS :rolleyes :rolleyes .
I was just going to go to scrap yard and find an old headlight with H4 fitting and cut it down to fit headlight. This would be a lot easier.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: TOM VR46 on 24 May 2020, 07:33:23 pm
And I know this will be NOTICED , the last pic has went upside down :'( , oops. :lol . And just to finish this one of relays . So hope that gives you some idea of what I done. And with diagram as mentioned you get great headlights. Even with standard H4 bulbs. Oh and pass switch that works. And it will pass any MOT. You will have to adjust headlight beam but you will have to do that with any kind of headlight mod, and that dosent take long.