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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through February 04, 2007 » Headlight mod - so 2 headlights on at once ? « Previous Next »

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Moondust
Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 07:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hi,

Does anyone know how to do this ?
I want to have twin headlights instead of just the one so I can be seen better at night. XB9SX btw

(Message edited by moondust on January 28, 2007)
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Treadmarks
Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 07:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/254259.html?1170006637
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Percyco
Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 08:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just position the headlight switch in the center and both will light......simple as that. There is no need to re-wire anything !
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Reepicheep
Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 09:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The topic has come up, and the jury is out.

I needed more light on my 9sx as well, so I grabbed a cheap non contact thermometer from Harbor Freight and measured with one light, then the other, then both.

Either light alone is fairly hot, and both together got REALLY hot. Hot enough to melt the housings over time? Who knows. Some have reported damage, some have been fine, the jury is out.

I chickened out and installed a HID. Fairly expensive and a non trivial install, but it puts out a TON of light, draws less current, and makes less heat.

A cheaper mod is possible as well. I was at Pep Boys yesterday, and they have "driving lights" that look about the same size as the 9sx head lights, and they have a blue LED ring around the outside of them (gimmicky? Yes. Cool? For the moment). It would look neat on a 9sx, you could fabricate a new assembly that looks very much like the stock one, and try them. I think they were $39 each or something (with 55 watt bulb). No idea if they project well or not. Other 'better quality / lower gimmick' options exist as well...

I'm really happy with my HID so far. Not sure how much replacement headlamp assemblies cost, if they are under $150 or so, it might be worth the gamble to see if yours melts. Many people have had good luck so far.
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Toona
Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 09:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Not sure how much replacement headlamp assemblies cost

IRC, new headlight housing is around $65-$70 w/o bulbs.}
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Tx05xb12s
Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 10:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I run both lights on using Daystar bulbs. I've had no melting problems over 5,000 miles. Open the headlight switch housing. There are three wires. Constant hot, low beam, and high beam. Jumper from constant hot to low beam. You're done. I would recommend you solder the connections so they don't come loose and leave you stranded without a headlight.
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Xb9ser
Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 11:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have been doing the switch in the middle for 3 years now no problems.

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Thespive
Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 11:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You can swap two wires in the connector with NO CUTTING or SPLICING and run themboth with no issues...I WOULD NOT put the switch in the middle.

Hey Reep, do you have pics of your HID install, I have only seen threads on the HID on the R.

--Sean
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Steve_mackay
Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 12:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

We've been running the CityX with both headlights on since I picked it up about a year ago.

7K miles later, and it hasn't melted.

But I'm still probably going to switch to HID this year on it.
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Pokinatcha
Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 12:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I had my switch in the middle trick and I blew a fuse within four miles. I swapped my wires around in the plug above the headlights and have had no problem close to a year now.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 12:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

$70? Hell then, run them both on and replace them if / when they melt. Thats a fairly low cost risk relative to HID's.

I have a very detailed write up, appended to several other fairly detailed writeups, all in the knowledge vault. Got to run to a meeting now (PCI... Yuck!), but I can dig them up later and post a link here.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 04:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Found it...

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/249273.html?1167815874

There are others as well.
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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 04:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Wow I feel so honored my thread is popular... Just wait until everyone sees my current project (just waiting for a part to arrive to post)
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