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Mikerocket
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I was driving last night. I have to admit the headlight sucks!!

I like to get a headlight that has more watts.

I am not sure what the stock 03 XB9s ones are, but can I get more watt headlights? If so whats the model# ?


Also I notice on like CBRs and Ninja bikes they run dual headlights. I notice on my xb9s (2003) that it has 2 lights, but one is use for regular lamp and the other is just for brights. I love to see if there is anyway to hook both headlights up to run together? Any idea/suggestions. I want more light to see, but better yet be more visual to other cars on the road. Thanks!!
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Eat_a_duc
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mikerocket.
I have an XB12S and thought the same thing when I first rode the bike at night. The bulbs on the XB12S are an (H7) and should be the same as the XB9S. What I did was go to the local Autozone and purchaced a couple of Phillips Zenon white light bulbs of the same watage. They cost about $23.00 each but they made a big difference. Went with the same watt bulb that came out (stock) as per others recommendations because they get quite hot and could start melting things if you up the watts too much. Shop around and you may find the bulbs cheaper than I did and they make them in all kinds of colors. My neighbor has a bright amber lamp in his.... looks cool but does't work worth a darn at night.
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Mdm
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 07:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Try Osram Silver Star H7 (not the silver stars you get at autozone). I replaced the lights in my cars and bike (all H7).

I bought them @ powerbulbs.com

Noticable difference, zenon they are not.

MDM
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Bikin2222
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 08:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

How do you get the headlights open on the XBS's?
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Ez_rider
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 09:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Another option is to wire both lights to always be on. It's really simple - just open the left side control housing to get to the flash to pass switch, and you'll see that the solder terminals on the back of the switch are really close together (about 1/8" apart). What I did is just take my soldering iron and a small bit of solder and create a solder "bridge" between the terminals. Now it's just like the flash to pass switch is always on, and both lights are always on. No issues so far...
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Isham
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 09:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Anyone thought of wiring on an additional fog light on? Maybe even on the front fender. Like a lower profile squarish one. I wouldn't want to ruin the XB looks...

I would even consider these.

(Message edited by isham on April 11, 2006)
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Angelwild327
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 09:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Bikin, you don't open the lights, the bulbs go in from behind. You'll see a hole on each side of the light area, maybe a little above, kind of near and behind the windscreen, it is for the torx wrench, stick the wrench into those holes and you unscrew those and one behind the lamps and the lamps will swing forward, so you can pop in the new bulbs. This is also the way you will have to adjust the beam angle when you screw them back in. Good luck.
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Buellridersww
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 11:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ez_rider:

Do you have any issue with possible melting in the headlight area with both lights on all the time? I have heard about it but just wondering about the heat giving off from the lamp.
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Ez_rider
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 11:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

No problems with melting as far as I can tell, but I haven't taken the lamps apart to check in detail. Do you know what area, specifically?
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Foxhole
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Don't bother with the wiring, flick the switch to the middle and both stay on even through ruff terrain. I ride both at night and the difference is unbelievable.
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Ez_rider
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 01:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Foxhole - I tried the switch in the middle position for a while also, but kept bumping it accidentally with my hand, so I opted to solder the terminals together instead. Same result, but more permanent...
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Perry
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 01:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You can also just bridge two wires behind the flyscreen with a clip to get both headlights on. No need to mess with the solder.

I've been running a year this way on my 12S, and there is no sign up any negative results, other than that oncoming traffic will sometimes flash their bright lights back at me :-|
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Shea
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 08:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just had mine out the other night for the first time and I thought the headlights sucked too. Even the high beam sucks. It looks like they just need to be adjusted to point out more, not really just brighter.
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Speedfreaks101
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 10:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

So what are the brightest bulbs that will not melt the housings without having to run a HID setup?
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Buellfirebolt31
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 10:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Isn't wiring the passing lamp to always on, the same as running with brights all the time???? Just wondering....Thanks, Bradley
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Exitlandrew
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 10:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ive always thought about rewiring it with dual filament bulbs, so that both run all the time. Using the stock switch for high beams. I cant see any reason why it cant be done. It all just comes down to pure, unadulterated laziness
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Bikin2222
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 10:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks Angelwild327
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Superbee24
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 10:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I always wondered why they didn't make both lights work on brights? Silly.
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Mikerocket
Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 10:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)


quote:

Another option is to wire both lights to always be on. It's really simple - just open the left side control housing to get to the flash to pass switch, and you'll see that the solder terminals on the back of the switch are really close together (about 1/8" apart). What I did is just take my soldering iron and a small bit of solder and create a solder "bridge" between the terminals. Now it's just like the flash to pass switch is always on, and both lights are always on. No issues so far...




Eazyrider, thats great. I will do this 4-sure. Thanks man!!
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Bikin2222
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 08:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just today I took 2 H-4 bulbs, re-milled the bases to fit the stock light housing on my '04 XBS and grafted on a new set of 3 terminal plugs.
Now I have two headlights on all the time, with two high beams.
I'll post Pics & let you know how it holds up, but I much prefer it to the stock "winking" arrangement.
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Bikin2222
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 04:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Update:
The whole system seems to be working fine. The only glitch so far was, I had to cut off the rubber caps that go over the headlight plugs. The 3 prong plugs are about twice as deep as the stock ones.
Doesn't seem to be heating up to the melting point, even on high beam. The new H-4 bulbs are 55W low & 60W high. I believe the stock bulbs were 55W each.
I'll keep you posted & get some Pics on soon.
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 05:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Perry,
could you explain the way to get both lights to stay on in a bit more detail?

Which wires do you bridge? What color are they? How do you recognize them?
What sort of clip do you use?

Thank you.
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Superbee24
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 05:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Is it possible to get the low beam to work as individual and have both lights on on high beam?

Thanks
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Bikin2222
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 10:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"Is it possible to get the low beam to work as individual and have both lights on on high beam?"

That IS the way it works in the stock configuration.
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Superbee24
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 10:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Bikin,

No it is not. At least not on my CityX.

That may be on the Firebolt?

(Message edited by superbee24 on April 14, 2006)
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Ulendo
Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 12:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Bikin2222 - how much work was involved in adapting the H4 bulb bases to the H7 mounts? any tricks fro keeping the filaments aligned correctly with the reflectors? I've got a bunch of them kicking around from the Bosch Modulars I run in my trucks, so they'd be a real cheap upgrade for me
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Bikin2222
Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 09:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ulendo, Basically you have to mill a flat spot on the top & bottom of the bulb base. It must be done carefully, because the filaments can break inside the bulb if it's vibrated too much. If you look at the socket in the back of your light & hold an H-4 next to it, it'll be pretty obvious.
I'm having a bigger problem getting the longer 3 prong plugs to clearance the whole mess!
I might just end up putting a large, good quality headlight on it. Those stock lights really DO suck!
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Xb9
Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 09:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I was just flipping through the new Aerostich catalog, and they have an HID kit for $187/$247 (depends on what type of bulbs you need). it says the HID bulbs "run cooler, draw less power(35 watts) but produce about 160 watts of intensely white light (8300k)" Seems when I was pricing these kits out a couple of years ago they were in the $500-600 range, cost has gotten more affordable.
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Easy,

I did the solder bridge boogie, and both lamps are on when the low beams are selected.

Thanks, man!

Just like it should have been when it left the factory!


When the high beams are selected, only the low beam is on.

When low beam is selected, both are on.

Not matter which is selected, the high beam indicator light is lit on the " dash board"

Is that what you get?
I have a '03 XB9S
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