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Archive through February 08, 2007Aldaytona30 02-08-07  04:24 pm
         

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Dtx
Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 05:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

To my knowledge I have stock bulbs in my bike.
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 08:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Srlorg >>>>>>> Pm Sent for the Cad file...Thanks
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Livnlo
Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 09:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

that was saintly's bike that caught on fire......he has already posted
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Bertman
Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 10:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Pm also sent for the Cad file Mark. Looks nice!
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Dtx
Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 10:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It looks like people have been talking about this issue since 2003!

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=32777&post=212600#POST212600
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Court
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 05:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Someone posted something last week about being able to buy the headlight on ONE side and their dealer telling them the other side was unavailable.

That information is inaccurate.

There are plenty of BOTH sides in stock and ready to ship.

Sorry it took so long to check, busy week.

Court
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Swordsman
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 08:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I posted this under saintly's thread, but I'd like to see if anyone here has an answer...

"Man that's totally insane! Just think, you could've been a real Ghost Rider had you waited a few more minutes... tearing around on your flaming Firebolt (somewhat appropriate, now that I think about it).


Seriously though, glad no REAL harm was done.

Hasn't SOMEONE brought this to Erik Buell's attention yet? Firebolt headlights being general crap, both in light quality and durability, has become common knowledge. Yet we've heard nothing at all about any updates on the horizon to address the problem. Rather than slapping together the TT and working on a dirt bike maybe they should be addressing some of their pre-existing design flaws! It's not like a different headlight requires a team of German physicists or anything...
"

~SM
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Isham
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 09:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I agree with Swordsman 100% When my friends R6 low beam is brighter than both of my lights together that's sad. I love my bolt but I think the bolts front fairings are due for a redesign. Something close to the original concept sketches would look sweet with better headlight design.
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Gowindward
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 10:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Here's the source for the lamps. Seems they are the one stop shop for motorcycle electrical components for many manufacturers. It seems they as a vendor have let Buell down on quality of the lamps on the Firebolts.

www.ecie.it/eng/default.asp

Look at page 7 of the below PDF.

www.ecie.it/_upload/file/cont_c2Wj04_02-02_Gruppi_ Ottici_luglio2005.pdf
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Midknyte
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 11:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for the answers guys.

So, now, me wonders...:

Is the reflector degredation heat related?

Also, do the SilverStar lamps run at a lower temperature than OEM?
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Dtx
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 11:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Good find Gowindward. Their website indicates that they stress QUALITY in their products...
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Isham
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 11:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Any idea why the f-bolt lights have the thick domed plastic lens? I bet that replacing that with a more transparent plastic piece would add to the brightness.
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Gowindward
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 12:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I believe that the degradation of the reflective surface is heat related. I would think that you would get close to the same heat from any 55 watt bulb.

I have posted this photo before. The house on the right is a 12 to 14 month old low beam housing. The right is a couple of months old high beam housing.




The shape of the glass lens is needed to project the right light beam from the lamp. I don't think there is anything wrong with the lenses. Riding the bike with this degraded low beam at night was like using a flashlight that had batteries that were dieing. It was really BAD! I expect to have to continue to replace these lamps once per year to keep the bike safe for night time driving.
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Cereal
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 01:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Has anyone else filed a complaint? Or are we preaching to the choir?
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Isham
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 01:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I don't see how the shape of the lens does anything. The s lights are flat and clear and work pretty well. Could anyone clarify.

P.S. I filed a complaint a year ago when I realized something was wrong while driving at night, I couldnt see a foot infront of me.

(Message edited by isham on February 09, 2007)
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Gowindward
Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 02:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I did file a complaint.

They are using the shape of the lens in collimating the light rays coming from the bulb and reflector.

Take a look at the second diagram on this page click on the "right" button. To see how the lens is working on our lights

http://www-optics.unine.ch/education/optics_tutori als/plano_convex_lens_aberration.html
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Vader
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 01:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I took mine apart last year to find that I had the same problem with the reflectance degradation. I decided I was going to try to fix it myself. Looked for "chrome" spray paint, but nothing reflective enough to withstand high temps. I decided to go with muffler repair tape. I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about. It's like thick aluminum foil with adhesive. I cut small pieces so I could fit and shape it inside the housing. I then changed to the Silverstar bulbs. It appears to be better than when the bike was new. Just figured I'd share what is a possible solution for now.
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