SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Brighter lights
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1208893450

Message started by Jerry Eichenberger on 04/22/08 at 12:44:09

Title: Brighter lights
Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 04/22/08 at 12:44:09

This has probably been discussed before, but I wonder if there are any brighter head lights and tail lights available than the OEM units.

I've become addicted to the zenon lights in the last two cars I've had that regular headlights eem anemic now. And in 105,000 miles, I'm still on the original bulbs.

Not being much a wrench bender, I'd need something that is basically a replacement, plug in replacement bulb.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by thumperclone on 04/22/08 at 12:51:41

got a pair of zenon from jc whitney for free..i went the same as stock wattage(type h4 55/60 watt) ordered thru the auto section one had no low beam when installed so called them and they refunded(or was it a credit?)the whole cost..that was year and a half and 5000 miles ago..
great improvement over stock...

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by bill67 on 04/22/08 at 13:40:29

You can get up to 90/135 watts,I have used them before.I put in my boulevards40 55/100 watts. Didn't know about the heat of more on dim with a small headlight. 50 watt in tail light

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by skrapiron on 04/22/08 at 16:57:03

You can get a Sylvania Silver Star H4 lamp from any auto parts store, wally world or other retailer. It is a big improvement over the stock lamp.

For the rear, get a 2397 dual filament bulb from the same store. The 2397 is about 200 lumens brighter than the 1157 that (or B1120) that comes stock in the bike. Makes a big difference in bright sun light.

Another handy gadget is a brake light modulator. It flashes your brake bight progressively faster, until it goes on full time. It gives drivers behind you a bit of warning (and wakes a few up as well "whats that flashing?")

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Cornerstore3000 on 04/22/08 at 20:23:12

Do you remember which Silver star it was that you got? I run them in both my car and truck and love them. Thanks for all the info so far!

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by skrapiron on 04/23/08 at 05:32:37

647C6576677E657879170 wrote:

You can get a Sylvania Silver Star H4 lamp

The entire parts identifier is H4 ST. It will be with all of the other headlight bulbs, but has 'For Motorcycle Use Only' right on the package.

Just be sure to wear rubber gloves when doing the installation. Oil from your skin can cause hot spots to develop on the glass and lead to premature bulb failure.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Cornerstore3000 on 04/24/08 at 12:10:29

Ok thanks! I ride a lot at night so that will be nice to have.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by SimonTuffGuy on 04/28/08 at 08:26:00

I'm installing a set of HID lights into my Festiva today and the Silverstar bulb(s) that are in my headlights on the car now will be going into the S40...

I can't ride at night yet (PA permit says so), but it'll be a nice addition for when I can. :)

I thought about running an HID setup on the bike, but that would probably be overkill.... :-P

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by BurnPgh on 05/13/08 at 21:32:38

what about for a '95? Is that a sealed unit or can I just get another bulb ? I intended to replace the light with an aftermarket which I put on my Reb before I sold it. $5 beats $80 any day.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by skrapiron on 05/15/08 at 05:37:21

Its the same lamp with the same type of bulb. 1986 thru today. No changes.

Remove the screws from the headlight ring and the lens falls right out. Go to Otterzone or AdvancedOtterParts and get the silverStar bulb. I think its $17.00.

Big improvement.

Also, change the rear lamp as well. Stock it is either an 1156 or 1157. Find a 2397 bulb to replace it.

I did some reading a few years ago about stop lamps. Of everything that was tested (including the high-output LED's of 2004 vintage) the 2397 bulb was the brightest for a given voltage (something like 200 lumens brighter than stock). That way it gives the cage thats riding your ass on the parkway more notice when you pull your brake...

Do you think we'll ever see the sun again, or has Pitt been teleported to jolly-ol' England? This 60* and rain every day sucks......

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by crimsonblaspheme on 05/16/08 at 06:56:17

well bloke....i'd say we're sittin' on the bloody Thames about now.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Rkems on 05/16/08 at 08:59:59

Thanks to all esp. Skrapiron for the light info. I replaced my 07 stock head and taillights with the recommended Silver Star and 2397 brake light and I LOVE it. Huge difference! Thanks!!!!

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Texasphotographer on 05/16/08 at 20:05:18

I so appreciate this forum. Tomorrow I am riding in a parade then fast forward to Autozone to get those bulbs.

Went to our local Auto Zone last week to buy some reflective tape. It was $9.00 for a few inches. Salesman told me to come back in the morning. He had some personal reflective tape and he just cut off a bunch and gave it to me. He definitely won over my business.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by J Mac on 05/17/08 at 19:20:08

I got some replacement brake lights yesterday at Auto Zone made by a company called JamStrait. They're LED, and they replace a bunch of different numbers (including ours). I put one in, and it seems pretty bright with even illumination. I'm sure it will last a lot longer than a bulb.

Our headlight has the look of a sealed beam. So much so that I didn't even realize it was a lens with a small bulb until I read this thread. I guess I have "old VW" on the brain. Does anybody know if the early Savages had sealed beams? I'm trying to remember when those compact halogen bulbs came out. I thought it was around the mid 80s.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 05/17/08 at 20:17:41

My '87 uses the replaceable H4 bulb.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Texasphotographer on 05/18/08 at 13:54:57

Replaced both the H4 head light with the Sylvania Super light cost $9.24 tax incl at Advanced Auto Parts. Auto Zone did not have them, but Advanced Auto Parts is next door. They did not have it in their store, but told me to come back in three hours and they would get if from another store.

Also replaced the brake light and know I am much more visible now. Still will ride as if I am invisible however.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by bacon13 on 05/18/08 at 20:08:47

Is there a "right" way to install the bulb, meaning an up or down orientation? I see there is a cupped metal piece on one side of the top element. I took the old bulb out but didn't bother to see how it was installed. After I put the H4 in, the glow of the headlight looks to be only on the top of the lens as I stand in front of it. The farther I back up, the more the whole lens fills up with the glow.

Is this right? Man what a dumb question but I have to ask. :-[

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Bear_Rider on 05/19/08 at 02:40:43

Rather than taking the headlight apart again, shine it on a wall. When you switch from low beam to high, the bright spot should move up the wall if you have it in correctly. If it moves down, you have a problem. ;D

Besides, you'll probably want to check the alignment anyway.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Oldfeller on 05/19/08 at 03:00:29

H-4 bulb has tabs that engage the sheet metal of the holder -- you can't put it in wrong as the tabs are different spacings/widths and can only go in the one way.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by J Mac on 05/21/08 at 16:51:13

I put an H4 in, but I haven't had a chance to ride yet. I noticed that the low beam seems "flat" on top when shone on the garage. I think the bulb is painted to create a masking effect. I probably have the alignment wrong too. I noticed that the headlight shell was cracked when I did the replacement [smiley=angry.gif]. I fixed it with epoxy putty for now. That's another part I did not realize was plastic.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by PhotoProf on 06/14/08 at 05:12:36

Just a quick question... I picked up a 2397 bulb for the rear light but wanted to ask if anyone has run this upgrade for a period of time. It seems logical that if it emits more light, it will also generate more heat. In other words, will it melt the tail light lens? I believe someone also mentioned a tail light modulator... does this bulb work with it ok?
Thanks!

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Texasphotographer on 06/14/08 at 06:16:45

6E56514A516E4C51583E0 wrote:

I also installed the 2397 brighter bulb for my tail/brake light when I put in the brighter headlight bulb. As the lights are on whenever the bike is running, there appears to be no heat problem with either bulb and heat is a problem here in Texas. I guess this could be considered a very strigent test for this problem and both bulbs passed brilliantly ;)

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by PhotoProf on 06/14/08 at 11:01:29

Great Pun!

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Bleemus on 06/26/08 at 06:16:24

Anyone tried one of these Xenon bulbs?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-BOULIVARD-S40-XENON-SUPER-BLUE-HEADLIGHT-BULB_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35598QQihZ015QQitemZ250261256568QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by verslagen1 on 06/26/08 at 11:55:01

Becarefull,
1) HID lights for our bike aren't factory issue and can be illegle
2) The light pattern shown is for a HID light
3) These are Halogen lights with a zennon mix and a blue filter to get white light.
4) How can lights of the same wattage with a filter be brighter than regular lights?
5) Make sure the lights are DOT approved for no hassle use.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Bleemus on 06/26/08 at 14:59:49

Thanks Verslagen. For 10 bucks I thought it was worth testing at least. Not sure about DOT regs but will read up on them. I guess getting pulled over for lights that are too bright isn't the worst thing in the world but if illegal I will avoid it.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by verslagen1 on 06/26/08 at 15:21:56

The other thing about these lights were that they didn't last too long, but that was with the earlier ones, don't know about the present crop.

I'd stick with the major brands, unless you've heard otherwise.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Bleemus on 06/26/08 at 18:12:24

Good to know. I rarely ride at night so I was just thinking they might be more visible for safety during the day.

Title: Re: Brighter lights
Post by Rustbucket on 06/27/08 at 07:36:06

707B6345777B79711A0 wrote:

Pep Boys has a LED stop/tail light replacement but is no where near as bright the 2397 or even the OEM bulb. The focus of the LED points right at the red lens and the chrome reflector inside the tail light doesn't get any light anymore.. Returned the LED one because on the package it bogusly claims to be twice as bright (or something) HA!!!