| Author | Message | ||
     Wammy |
I just changed out the bulb on my 12R, went with the silver stars( cause they had them at my local auto parts store) $20.00ea. What a difference, if you haven't changed yet do yourself a favor and do. Safe riding and Merry X-Mas to all | ||
| Midknyte |
Or get them at Walmart for only $14 each | ||
| Cataract2 |
You mentioned the evil empire Mid... I think I hear Darth on his way now... Anyways, any pics of the difference by chance? | ||
| Midknyte |
I tried to photograph the difference so I could post it for you guys. I just could not do them justice. The SiverStars are not *that* much brighter, but they are significantly whiter and that makes the biggest difference. | ||
| Sparky |
Something else to consider on the R's. The stock silver coating inside the reflector portion of the headlight assembly is subject to significant deterioration after a year or so. I looked into getting my reflector chrome plated by an outfit that chromes plastic parts after talking to them at last year's IMS show in Long Beach. They promised that their coating would be far more durable than stock and on top of that, the heat from the bulb would cure the chrome plating so the light output will stay bright and not decay like the stock coating. So, I'm considering doing this to my old headlight housing just to see if it would be brighter than a stock headlight. Just food for thought. Sparky | ||
| Buell12hundo |
what number did you use? | ||
| Midknyte |
I used a straight replacement (same wattage) | ||
| Wammy |
H3 55 watt | ||
| Buellin_ri |
Sparky would love to know how your lights turn out after the chrome plating. | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
Sparky, what kind of price did they guess the plating would cost??? Kevin | ||
| Buelltroll |
Ya they WORK great UNTIL they both blow for no apparent reason,and leave you scratching your head wondering why there's no power to one side of the headlights.... | ||
| Midknyte |
I keep my old bulb in the tailsection as an on the road spare... | ||
| Sparky |
Plating was estimated about $20 to $25 sight unseen at the show. I'd like to take it to them this week. I'm kinda anxious to see if it turns out as good as or better than the year old replacement headlight. | ||
| Buellerx |
The stock lights on the R's are crap. The reflective coating comes off and the plastic ring around the outside of the lens cracks (Mine are currently held together with elec tape). Santa brought me a new Low beam for x-mas and I still need to replace the Hi-beam. That is about $100 that really should have never needed to be spent. | ||
| Buellshyter |
Buell also has an aftermarket bulb that is whiter. | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
I thought that the aftermarket bulb that Buell carries were for the Lightnings... Oh, and Sparky, let us know how it turns out. I've got a new high beam I'm going to install for my low beam as that reflector is mainly smoked... If it turns out good I would have mine 'coated' if they could do it mail order. Kevin | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
Oh, another related question. If I tried to wipe off the black smoke typy material on my reflector, would it wipe off the reflective material also??? Kevin | ||
| Fresnobuell |
stupid question, but i need some help getting the outer lens housing off the CityX to replace the bulbs. There seems like there are 4 tabs that have to be pressed in...but they are damn hard to move. Am I on track and anyone got any advice to make things easier? thanks for your help and Merry Christmas. | ||
| Hkwan |
I want to subscribe to this thread on how to improve light on the 12R. | ||
| Xbolt12 |
My stock R housings have held up fine for two years and 18,000 miles. I also run both beams most of the time. I have to wonder if some of the housing damage is from people running higher wattage bulbs? As for the plating, my guess is some good reflective chrome paint would work pretty well. I did that in the good ol days on a Bultaco tail-light and it made it quite a bit brighter and lasted well, although it wouldn't have put out as much heat. There might even be a heat paint that looks like chrome that would work. BTW, while you are in there on the low beam you might want to remove the little deflector (spoon like protrusion) from the front of the housing after you remove the lens. It's held in by just one little phillips head screw. | ||
| Xbolt12 |
Ok, after looking at the link on chrome plating, I would have to say that price is a bargain if you can afford the down time and there is no doubt in my mind that the headlights would be significantly brighter when done. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
OK. I did some research. I called around to some 7-10 plating shops around the country that plate plastic. The consensus seemed to be that the plating process would "pop" and eventually peel because the chrome and plastic would heat and cool / expand and contract at different rates. The shop in California said the vacuum applied films would be better because they're good for higher temps than plating (400 deg F.) This also carried a higher price though, about $40 sight unseen vice the 20 or so at the shop Sparky suggested. I know I'm sending mine off to be coated, just can't decide which to do. Chrome plating for less $$$ or the film which may last longer... | ||
| Sparky |
Update on chrome plating the 9R reflector: The official estimate was $40 when Classic looked at it on 12/30/05. ETA was 3 weeks, so that should be around this weekend. Stay tuned. |
