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Message started by nateordie on 03/21/13 at 15:57:08

Title: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by nateordie on 03/21/13 at 15:57:08

does anyone no an inexpensive upgrade to the headlight. I want it to be BIGGER. Thanks.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by jcstokes on 03/21/13 at 16:51:24

There is another Suzuki one, I think about 8 inch which apparently bolts straight in.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Oldfeller on 03/21/13 at 17:14:45

You want brighter, put in a Sylvania silver star bulb for <$30.

You want bigger, be aware it might NOT be brigher and it might draw more current to boot. Depends on what you actually buy, of course.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/21/13 at 17:24:36

Paladin had The Coolest lookin lite,, looked like he robbed a train.,

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Paladin. on 03/21/13 at 18:15:40

Thankyou. I did steal it -- it was $10 plus $10 shipping from e-bay. The seller called it a Hot Rod headlight, only one. Since only one, no one wanted it. It was actually a 7" bottom mount headlight for a Harley, selling for about $200 new. Picture of mine and verslagen's, and the mount:
http://www.savageriders.com/paladin/images/Rides/GasStop1.jpg http://www.savageriders.com/paladin/images/headlight2.jpg
The mount was four pieces of 1" x 1.5" x .125" aluminum angle, eight small nuts and bolts on the sides, drilled down for the stock mount, drilled one up for the headlight. Simple, cheap, worked just fine.

A Model-B headlight bucket is a 8", available aftermarket with an H4 lamp. I think the Model-9" was bigger, but shallow front to back and is ugly.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by wambr on 03/22/13 at 00:01:13

you can set the Faro from Suzuki Desperado(marauder). it was a little larger in size and is installed without the hassle.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by nateordie on 03/22/13 at 08:30:03

222B3B3C27232D3B480 wrote:

There is another Suzuki one, I think about 8 inch which apparently bolts straight in.

yeah I think it's from the marauder. I just don't like the plastic base to it.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by nateordie on 03/22/13 at 08:30:52

65464E4C4F46464F582A0 wrote:

You want brighter, put in a Sylvania silver star bulb for <$30.

You want bigger, be aware it might NOT be brigher and it might draw more current to boot. Depends on what you actually buy, of course.

thanks for the tips!

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by nateordie on 03/22/13 at 08:32:42

1D2C212C2924234D0 wrote:

hahah holy cow that is a monster. ya got it from a light house right? ;)

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by verslagen1 on 03/22/13 at 09:02:32

naw... this is a train light.

http://p1.bikepics.com/2007%5C07%5C10%5Cbikepics-958570-full.jpg

here are some more suggestions...

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1352620262

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by nateordie on 03/22/13 at 09:09:28

617265647B7670727926170 wrote:

naw... this is a train light.

http://p1.bikepics.com/2007%5C07%5C10%5Cbikepics-958570-full.jpg

here are some more suggestions...

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1352620262

That looks like a cartoon! I bet he sees all the nooks and crannys with that! 8-)

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by nateordie on 03/22/13 at 09:11:47

thanks for the link verslagen. I am lovin the mods on these bikes. awesome!

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Cavi Mike on 03/22/13 at 09:19:28

684B4341424B4B4255270 wrote:

You want brighter, put in a Sylvania silver star bulb for <$30.

I used to swear by those silver-stars until I got sick of them blowing out every 3-4 months.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Dave on 03/22/13 at 10:44:38

1B392E311531333D580 wrote:

[quote author=684B4341424B4B4255270 link=1363906628/0#2 date=1363911285]
You want brighter, put in a Sylvania silver star bulb for <$30.

I used to swear by those silver-stars until I got sick of them blowing out every 3-4 months.[/quote]

I have owned cars that have the same headlight bulbs as long as I owned them. I put Silverstars in my wife's VW a few years after we bought it and they lasted 9 months.....so I put the stock ones back in....and they lasted 9 years. I would like to get a brighter bulb - but when you go to the really bright stuff the life does drop significantly.
Here is a link to a no-nonsense lighting guy that is down to earth and honest:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/tech.html

Here is the new light I am using on my bike.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by nateordie on 03/22/13 at 11:33:19

013A3720313D26203B333E21520 wrote:

[quote author=1B392E311531333D580 link=1363906628/0#12 date=1363969168][quote author=684B4341424B4B4255270 link=1363906628/0#2 date=1363911285]
You want brighter, put in a Sylvania silver star bulb for <$30.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Dave on 03/22/13 at 11:45:28

333C2938322F3934385D0 wrote:

[quote author=013A3720313D26203B333E21520 link=1363906628/0#13 date=1363974278][quote author=1B392E311531333D580 link=1363906628/0#12 date=1363969168][quote author=684B4341424B4B4255270 link=1363906628/0#2 date=1363911285]

dang what's the size of that one?[/quote]

It is one of the so called "Train" lights. They have an 8" lense and came on some BMW's, some Yamaha's...this one is from a Euro Seca I was told.
http://i46.tinypic.com/169kuo9.jpg

For one that is almost as big, and far more affodable.....I almost bought this one:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-customer-motorcycle-lighting-parts-7-inch-chrome-black-headlight-bucket-6630-26.html
And here are some affordable mounting ears.
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-lighting-parts-chrome-headlight-brackets-66-35850.html

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by WD on 03/22/13 at 19:57:40

Any 7" or larger sidemount is an upgrade, especially high mounted. The stock light looks a bit like an "oh schit, we forgot a headlight" piece to me.

Easy bottom mount donors for same size or larger: any 805cc Suzuki, any 805cc or 1500cc Kawasaki. Kawis and at least the 1500 Marauder (rebadged 1500 Mean Streak with a funny headlight ring) should have metal headlight shells. Not sure on the old LC1500 Suzi.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by ToesNose on 03/23/13 at 04:04:02

Here's my 6 1/4" x 8 1/4" from Demon's Cycle

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_3866_zps124a223a.jpg

It's $48.99 with free shipping, It's all metal and I'm quite pleased with the overall fit and finish of the bucket especially at the price point after shopping in person at many cycle shops and seeing the junk that is available at a high premium. (please be advised there are scantily clad vixons all over this web site!) :o

http://www.demonscycle.com/Lights-and-Blinkers/Headlights/Bobber-Chrome-Headlight-p9752508-2-1.html

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Dave on 03/25/13 at 04:59:39

I wrote a long message....but it was just too wordy and I deleted it. Long story short is I bought some Slyvania Exravision bulbs for $19.95 a pair and put them in my Pontiac Vibe as the low beams have always been a little bit weak. I did not want to buy the Silverstars as the life is noticealbly shorter and they are almost $ 40 a pair...the light output is much whiter with the Silverstars - but I am not sure how much farther you can actually see with them.

The bottom line is the manufacturers claim a 20-50% higher output - but when you read the package it says the claim is made when compared to a used bulb that has lost 20% of the output due to filament erosion and a build up of deposit on the bulb interior.

I put a new Extravision bulb in the right headlight and went for a drive. The Extravision light had a slightly whiter light than stock, and there was no noticable increase in the vision down the road or to the side. I bought the Extravision as several reviews were posted by people that liked them and that they last much longer than the Silverstars....and they got tired of buying new Silvestars every year.

So.....it appears the Extravison is a good replacement for stock but not much more. If you need more light you should get a better/bigger headlight that is more efficient and has a better light pattern - or spend lots of money for the Silerstar or Silverstar Ultra or a similar bulb from a different manufacturer....and be ready to replace them more often. (I don't consider HID as an option as they are not made for our headlights and the light control is not good and I don't want to shine too much light in the faces of other drivers/riders).

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 03/25/13 at 05:45:21

see reply #311 in the Double RYCA build thread.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1304722902/311

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Dave on 03/25/13 at 14:11:26

48767D606D606D0F0 wrote:

see reply #311 in the Double RYCA build thread.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1304722902/311

Gyrobob.....There aren't enough 8" headlights to go around, and although I like the looks it may not be a universal opinion!

I guess with the current technology for filament light bulbs....we have to choose a nearly stock bulb that will last a long time - or some superwhite bulb that has a limited life. There are however some much better options than the stock head light for not a whole lot of money. Some of them from other cruiser......and some from aftermarket sources.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by rfw2003 on 03/25/13 at 14:41:42

speaking of headlights, I remember someone on here had did the HID with hi/lo conversion but the high beam was a regular type bulb built in. Who was that and were was that bought at.

The one I used had the movable bulb and I went through 2 replacements under warranty till they cut me off saying I was being to rough on them. The movable type just simply won't hold up on these rough E.TX roads, till the shield that moves to change the beam pattern breaks.

R.F.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by verslagen1 on 03/25/13 at 15:28:36

That be me.
I have HID lo beam and Halogen hi beam.
I bought it a couple of years ago when the moving shutter beams were just coming out.
Now I don't see replacement bulbs for them in very many places.
probably should buy one 8-)

I did have a problem with the shield, not very strong and it broke off.
lucky my welder fixed it for me.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by houstonbofh on 03/26/13 at 11:23:54

525D4859534E5855593C0 wrote:

[quote author=222B3B3C27232D3B480 link=1363906628/0#1 date=1363909884]There is another Suzuki one, I think about 8 inch which apparently bolts straight in.

yeah I think it's from the marauder. I just don't like the plastic base to it.[/quote]
For the record, the base (or mount) on the Marauder is metal. The housing is plastic. Unlike the Savage, they are separate pieces... This can be good if you want to paint the can, however...

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by houstonbofh on 03/26/13 at 11:27:13

7C5E49567256545A3F0 wrote:

[quote author=684B4341424B4B4255270 link=1363906628/0#2 date=1363911285]
You want brighter, put in a Sylvania silver star bulb for <$30.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by Dave on 03/26/13 at 11:32:08

77706A6C6B70717D7079771F0 wrote:

[quote author=7C5E49567256545A3F0 link=1363906628/0#12 date=1363969168][quote author=684B4341424B4B4255270 link=1363906628/0#2 date=1363911285]
You want brighter, put in a Sylvania silver star bulb for <$30.

I used to swear by those silver-stars until I got sick of them blowing out every 3-4 months.[/quote]
Silverstars have a rep for a short life... Google Silverstar vs Xtravision for more... :)

But the XtraVision is quite a bit brighter than stock with a good white light.

If you do not see a big difference, get some spray contact cleaner for the connectors, and some spray dielectric grease for after cleaning. You will be nothing short of amazed at the difference, even without change bulbs. Those connectors corrode badly over time, and we never notice until you fix it.[/quote]

Nope......My connectors are bright and shiny and had dialectric gease on them. I guess my OEM lights were not all that bad...as the Extravision bulbs were just a little bit whiter. The Extravision were a good replacement for stock.....but not a huge iimprovement.

Title: Re: want to install a bigger headlight
Post by houstonbofh on 03/26/13 at 12:03:04

7B404D5A4B475C5A4149445B280 wrote:

[quote author=77706A6C6B70717D7079771F0 link=1363906628/15#24 date=1364322433][quote author=7C5E49567256545A3F0 link=1363906628/0#12 date=1363969168][quote author=684B4341424B4B4255270 link=1363906628/0#2 date=1363911285]
You want brighter, put in a Sylvania silver star bulb for <$30.