TOPIC:

I was looking at my turn signals during the day and noticed they are difficult to see. Are there brighter replacement bulbs that I can use? The rear signals seem plenty bright, but I have the Vetter fairing and those aren't very noticeable.

The front bulbs are probably # 1157, a dual filament type with a running circuit, also used for the tail and brake light. If your bulbs are original, perhaps age has dimmed them. Try new bulbs and see.

# 1156 is the single circuit rear turn signal bulbs. Also look at this website for LED bulbs:
www.superbrightleds.com I believe your instrument bulbs are the type without a base(the bayonet style) but the turn signal & brake light sockets take the bayonet type.

I was just looking at replacing the headlight on my 79/650. Factory spec is 35/50w 12v. I'm riding with the high beams on all the time since the 35 output is dim and perhaps still the factory bulb. It's a closed light - wondering how much street legal wattage I could go to without changing electrical components?

A higher wattage bulb will mean more heat in the headlight housing, and more drain on the charging circuit. There are bulbs that will be brighter, but you've got to balance needs, with what you can get by with.

LineArtist wrote: I was just looking at replacing the headlight on my 79/650. Factory spec is 35/50w 12v. I'm riding with the high beams on all the time since the 35 output is dim and perhaps still the factory bulb. It's a closed light - wondering how much street legal wattage I could go to without changing electrical components?

I ran 100w off-road H4 bulb in my KZ650. It ended up frying a connector even though it never blew a fuse. Was it bright YES!!!!! Was it worth it - NO!

Aside from that bulb I have used a variety of others, H4 and sealed beams, in my KZ650 over the pat 37 years. Here's what I've been using for more than 12 years (Wagner Halogen H6024 see link). It draws approximately the same current as the stock bulb, but it's much brighter. It's a plug & play replacement and it is not expensive. Also, it is not fragile and prone to fail from vibration as are most of the others I've used. I'll continue using this brand/model from now on. Ed

www.summitracing.com/parts/WAG-H6024/

For the turn signals: if it is the typical 1157dual filament bulbs, the 3W Luxeons from superbrightleds.com appear to be maybe 50% brighter. I am using them for turn signals as well as tail/brake light. But they draw less current so you have to use an electronic flasher unit with them.

+1 on the Halogen H6024 bulbs that drop in and use the same wattage as a stock 7" round bulb, seem to be about 3X brighter than stock and have a blue/white light instead of pale yellow. I have been using them forever.

Does the Wagner h6024 operate at 55 watts on the low beam?

LineArtist wrote: Does the Wagner h6024 operate at 55 watts on the low beam?

No. It has a 60w high beam and a 35w low beam. Don't let the wattage fool you though; it is far brighter than the stock headlamp. Here are the specs. Ed

Product Specifications:
• H6024 Style Bulb
• Round Style bulb measures 7" in diameter.
• Lens type: 2D1
• Dual Filament for high and low beam.
• Rating (Hi Beam/Low Beam); Volts = 12.8/12.8; Watts = 60/35; Amps = 4.69/2.73; Candlepower = 35,000/27,000;
• Color Temp. (Kelvin) = 3100k

I'm most likely going with that Wagner, just looking around for best shipping price. I'm an avid user on Amazon and can't find a better deal on the standard headlight. They do sell the Wagner BrightLite version that I'm not interested and think may draw more current.

I came across the Sylvania 6024 standard, it's a 60/40, around the same price with free shipping. wondering if they are equal quality and fit?

Amperage: 3.13 / 4.69 amps < don't think the 3.13 will make much of a diff since I run the high beams on the factory headlight 50% of the time at night.
Base Type: A-3
Bulb Color: Clear
Bulb Configuration: PAR-56
Bulb Part Number: H6024
Bulb Type: Halogen
Color Temperature: 3200 K
DOT / SAE Approved: Yes
Filament Configuration: C-6/C-6
Filament Quantity: 2
Headlight Type: H6024, 2D1
High Beam Wattage: 40 / 60 w
Length: 5.28 in
Low Beam Wattage: 40 / 60 w
Package Quantity: 1
Rated Life: 320 / 200 hr
Street Legal: Yes
Voltage: 12.8 / 12.8 v

www.amazon.com/Sylvania-H6024-Standard-H...1CZ86DX00C710S3GG9MM

Forget Sylvania. I tried them twice in my bike and they both burned out in less than a year. I think they are very sensitive to any vibration. They are junk. Ed

Ive had better luck with Sylvania had one on my kz750 for two years now and I have a pretty rough ride regularly. You just need to find vibration resistant bulbs

whirlwind598 wrote: Ive had better luck with Sylvania had one on my kz750 for two years now and I have a pretty rough ride regularly. You just need to find vibration resistant bulbs

I have never seen Sylvania offer a vibration resistant sealed beam headlamp. Do you know the model number for the one you're using? Ed