making my headlight brighter

  • XL777
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making my headlight brighter

11 Sep 2009 21:44
#320855
I was riding in the dark for the first time tonight and noticed the stock head light is really dim. Is there a way to increase the power going to the light if I were to get a higher output bulb?
2012 Triumph Bonneville SE black

1978 KZ1000 B2 LTD
Fresh top end rebuild
Rebuilt head
Wiseco 1015 pistons
Dyna s
Green Dyna coils
Wired george mod


It is easier to say what I haven't replaced then what I have.

I must love this cruel mistress since she hates me

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  • mzandmz
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Re: making my headlight brighter

11 Sep 2009 22:05
#320857
Make sure you stay in the legal limit for wattage.To bright in front means you'll have Two brights in rear(red and Blue)maybe even a noise like wooo wooo woooo.
New to Family, 1979 KZ440 LTD

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  • mzandmz
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Re: making my headlight brighter

11 Sep 2009 22:09
#320858
How all your connections? Check voltage. Older Bikes like to eat up power through old connections causeing week volt/amprage making the head light dimmer then its suppose to be.
New to Family, 1979 KZ440 LTD

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  • bountyhunter
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 00:13 - 12 Sep 2009 00:15
#320870
XL777 wrote:
I was riding in the dark for the first time tonight and noticed the stock head light is really dim. Is there a way to increase the power going to the light if I were to get a higher output bulb?
I can't see your bike front in the picture. If you have the stock 7" round headlight, it is like a retarded firefly. You can get a standard 7" round halogen that drops right in and uses the same 35/55W as the stock bulb but is about 3X as bright. You can get them everywhere like wallyworld or kragens.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
Last edit: 12 Sep 2009 00:15 by bountyhunter.

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  • Old Man Rock
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 06:47
#320904
With the head light OFF, what is the measured voltage (Vdc) at the Battery (+) in reference to ground?

With the head light ON, what is the measured voltage (Vdc) at the Battery (+) in reference to ground?

With the head light ON, what is the measured voltage (Vdc) at the head light bulb in reference to ground?
1976 KZ900-A4
MTC 1075cc.
Camshafts: Kawi GPZ-1100 .375 lift
Head: P&P via Larry Cavanaugh
ZX636 suspension
MIKUNI, RS-34'S...
Kerker 4-1, 1.5" comp baffle.
Dyna-S E.I.
Earls 10 row Oil Cooler
Acewell 2802 Series Speedo/Tach
Innovate LC1 Wideband 02 AFR meter

Phoenix, Az

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  • MFolks
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 11:47
#321063
Think about this too: If the headlight bulb wattage is increased, you will have an added increase in heat output.

Most bike's headlight housings are plastic and will melt/soften if say, you go to a 100 Watt high beam bulb.

Perhaps some aux driving lights controlled by a relay and wired into the headlight circuit are what you need.

Here's some ideas:
www.valueaccessories.net/Light%20Bar%20Wiring.htm

store.candlepower.com/ca53mohe.html

www.motorcyclehidlights.com/

www.jpcycles.com/Search/ProductDetail?sk...Ne=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=LED light&Ns=&results=10&No=
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

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  • MFolks
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 11:56
#321064
Another thought: If the headlight bulb is increased in Wattage, the switch gear may not be up to handle the increase in current without using a relay.

An alternator stator upgrade may be required to keep the charging system replenishing the battery at lower rpm's.
I think www.electrosport.com sells overwound stators that work at low engine speeds.
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

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  • TexasKZ
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 12:40
#321078
Here's another option-
easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24

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  • PLUMMEN
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 13:27
#321092
you guys are thinking way to hard here,try a new halogen bulb first then see how you like it .no sense in tearing bike to pieces untill you try the easy fix! :laugh:
Still recovering,some days are better than others.

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  • TexasKZ
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 13:37
#321093
Where's the fun in that?:P :P
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24

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  • Locozuna
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 14:50
#321103
Soooooo
Let me get this straight.
Your headlight is a dimmy
and you want to make it brighter.

:laugh:


:huh:

:blink:

:pinch:
KZ900LTD, KZ750LTD, KZ650, 72'Triumph Trident
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied
"If you seek for Eldorado!"

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  • bountyhunter
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Re: making my headlight brighter

12 Sep 2009 23:07 - 12 Sep 2009 23:09
#321246
PLUMMEN wrote:
you guys are thinking way to hard here,try a new halogen bulb first then see how you like it .no sense in tearing bike to pieces untill you try the easy fix! :laugh:
Yeah, I was beginning to think my previous post was invisible....:laugh:

Those 7" round halogens are not only brighter, they are dirt cheap because so many cars use them.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
Last edit: 12 Sep 2009 23:09 by bountyhunter.

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