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Krait
Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hi All.

I don't currently own a Buell, but it is high on my list for a next bike. Especially now that the XB12R bikes are a reality. I guess I caught the naked bike addiction for my fiancee who has a Duc Monster.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows a way to rewire the headlights on the new Buells so they both provide the same functions. Ideally I'd like to be able to wire both the right and left to serve both high and low beam functions.

It might seem like a silly thing, but I'd prefer matching twin lights over the stock configuration.

I took a close look at a Firebolt the other day and it seemed to me that both lights were identical. Same housing, same lens, and seemed to be aimed very similarly. Got me wondering if maybe the only difference is a bulb or just the one is aimed slightly higher.
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Darthane
Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 12:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The low beam on a Firebolt has a shield within the housing that cuts the top half of the beam off. The bulbs are the same wattage (55W). You would have to either cut the shield out of the low beam (effectively making them both 'high beams' or find a new housing to fit in there. Wiring them is no big deal, but the current bulbs are only single-filament, meaning you'd have to find a dual filament bulb that would fit the housing, and also with a low enough wattage not to melt the housing. Doing that would probably reduce the already abysmal visibility of the low beam to the point that you'd just end up using the highs all the time, so my suggestion if you truly want a dual set-up on a Firebolt is to find completely new lights that will fit in the existing bracket with minimum fuss. I will probably be doing this this winter and will post about the conversion then.

Oh, and you'll love it, whether you get the 9 or the 12. Period.

Bryan
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Darthane
Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 12:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The low beam on a Firebolt has a shield within the housing that cuts the top half of the beam off. The bulbs are the same wattage (55W). You would have to either cut the shield out of the low beam (effectively making them both 'high beams' or find a new housing to fit in there. Wiring them is no big deal, but the current bulbs are only single-filament, meaning you'd have to find a dual filament bulb that would fit the housing, and also with a low enough wattage not to melt the housing. Doing that would probably reduce the already abysmal visibility of the low beam to the point that you'd just end up using the highs all the time, so my suggestion if you truly want a dual set-up on a Firebolt is to find completely new lights that will fit in the existing bracket with minimum fuss. I will probably be doing this this winter and will post about the conversion then.

Oh, and you'll love it, whether you get the 9 or the 12. Period.

Bryan
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Krait
Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 12:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What about going to HID lights? On the Firebolt there might be enough room to hide the balast and ignitors behind the nose plastic. These supposedly produce much less heat, draw far less power, and produce more light. Although I'm not sure they come in dual filament...
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Darthane
Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 10:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Krait,

You could probably get HID lights to work, you're right, there is a bit of room to play around with in there, but I don't think HIDs come in dual intensity versions. I could very well be wrong, though!

Bryan
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Krait
Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 08:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Oh, I didn't think about the dual filament issue with HID. You are right. That wouldn't be a solution.

But the danger of using two 55 watt Hi-beams at the same time is melting the housings and plastics in the area of the bulbs... I wouldn't want to fry the plastics on a new bike, but there has to be a solution...

What is the bulb type for those Buell lights? Do they have some kind of stardardized bulb that can be found in auto parts stores and the like?
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Chainsaw
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 12:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

bulbs are H3, with a small circular base and a white wire and plug hanging out.
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Bad_pete
Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 09:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You might want to check out Wild Hare Accessories online. They have a few headlight solutions dual light format. Goto www.whaccessories.com
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Mermark
Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 08:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just want brighter lights like the european lights ,American is supposed to have some in next week but I hate depending on one business, I have a XB12r 06 paid 97 did I pay too much and I also bought the 5 yrs warranty for a grand and the road hazard for the wheels and tires for 200 bux, did they see me coming ? One more thing had to replace that seat with the Corbin it was killing my flat ass
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