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Post by steadythebuffs on Oct 13, 2007 17:25:29 GMT -5
anyone upgraded their bulbs with any success?
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Post by honda on Oct 13, 2007 17:57:45 GMT -5
Most of these blue/bright bulbs are a gimmick. Rally cars use very bright bulbs which will fit into existing lamps but these are a heck of a price. There are some supposed conversions which can be fitted to existing lamps. I fitted one of these to a mate's bmw gs. The "bulb" didnt look as if was going to be in the right place to be focused correctly and that is just the way it turned out to be. The conversion along with all the associated electronics had to be removed. This conversion was working out about 180 per lamp for what I would desribe as a horlicks.
Bike wiring and switchs do not suit high wattage bulbs although these 100w bulbs are readly available and it would be difficult to locate and wire a set of relays to shift the load to a new circuit. However it is possible.
It would probably be better to buy a new glass and reflector unit. I put one in earlier this year as I noticed the price was nothing like other headlight units. If I remember correctly it was 30 something. It made a good job of the light with nice shiney internals. I now have a dip with recognisable pattern and a lot better main beam. Look at the situation this way. Even the last of the ntv's are a few years old now and the headlight units are simply faded.
honda
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Post by dpmiller on Oct 14, 2007 5:06:04 GMT -5
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Post by ilegalalien on Oct 14, 2007 6:26:31 GMT -5
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Post by ntvnick on Oct 14, 2007 10:42:31 GMT -5
It isn't an issue down here as it never gets dark in London. However I do remember reading about Hawk owners in the States upgrading the wiring to their headlights. This is done by running a heavy duty cable direct from the battery to the headlight shell and using the existing wiring to switch relays for main and dipped. They were reporting improved lighting on the standard bulbs due to reduced voltage drop.
nick
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Post by steadythebuffs on Oct 14, 2007 13:26:19 GMT -5
thanks for the replies. realistically, I'm not going the upgraded wiring route - so it's a simple bulb swap or nothing. Giving everything a clean probably wouldn't hurt  did those bulbs work out well ilegalalien? BTW I need a longer 'reach' of light to spot road debris on unlit dual-carriageway. Buffs |
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Post by ilegalalien on Oct 14, 2007 14:24:08 GMT -5
yes m8, i was thinking of getting a higher watt bulb but this 55/60 is the brightest i've seen on a ntv (full beam is impressive), makes my standard light on the other bike look like a turbo candle, recommended also to twist t unit a little anti-clockwise and tilt the beam more up the road (no harm in having more light on t road), the twisting was achieved by having the left hand bracket a little higher, before i changed bulbs i was looking at putting 2 of these on the fairing cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190148802429&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009 ... but i wasn't to sure they would do t job |
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Post by steadythebuffs on Oct 14, 2007 16:30:52 GMT -5
xenons it is then. Like the fog lamps - they'd suit my plans post-fairing, but there must come a point when you overload the battery?? Or are you ok as long as you are not at tickover? anyone know about this sort of thing, because I'd love to go fog-lamps/running lights front and back, plus (I kid you not) some sort of car radio in the back box. perhaps even a portable solarium or tropical fish tank, if the skies the limit  |
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Post by Jake on Oct 15, 2007 6:34:55 GMT -5
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Post by Jake on Oct 15, 2007 6:58:41 GMT -5
Forgot to mention.... Haven't had any problems with verge illumination (left hand side) using standard NTV headlight..... It's easily adjusted using the tiny screw in the head light rim at about nine o'clock. And of course you'll need to readjust it if you fit a new glass/reflector unit...... www.hawkworks.net/manual/3.html#3-15-headlight-aimJake. |
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Post by steadythebuffs on Oct 15, 2007 16:06:08 GMT -5
thanks, Jake
Like the look of those phillips ones.
down to the motorfactor in the morning (picking up a bit for my car) - I'll see what's available
Buffs
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Post by dpmiller on Oct 15, 2007 16:26:19 GMT -5
Just check those MotoVision bulbs are OK for RHD. IIRC, they're handed and came out first for foreign lands...
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Post by steadythebuffs on Oct 15, 2007 16:43:11 GMT -5
good thinking - will do
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Post by tweaker on Oct 17, 2007 7:09:36 GMT -5
Hi there - Halfords do road legal xenon 60/55 headlight bulbs giving 50% more output than a standard halogen (£14.99) -- a great improvement both on my NTV and the Deauville I previously had . - Tweaker |
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Post by everydaybiker on Oct 17, 2007 7:57:47 GMT -5
Talking of fog lamps, I'm planning to fit a rear fog somewhere underneath my top box. Had a few foggy mornings already and some idiots still approach me at 80+ and drive up close. I seriously wonder whether they see the normal tail light at all until they're right on my tail. Very vulnerable on two wheels in fog, I'm surprised there's no legislation on this for bikes like there is for cars.
Anybody know of a suitable fog light that would work? The bog standard Halfords bulb type is OK but I'd prefer something a little smaller and with a lower current drain. A nice bright LED light would do nicely, but does anybody make one? Plenty of LED 3rd brake lights for cars but they're no good mounted outside in the wet, picking up road crud!
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