Author |
Message |
S1_fan
| Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 09:04 pm: |
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I have a 97 S1 with the stock, round (size - 7" maybe), sealed headlight. I love the look but I hate how poorly the headlight shines. It is awful for night-riding. I know there are kits out there for the dual "streetfighter" headlight look but I'm not a huge fan of those. I would like HIDs because they are just amazing. Has anyone come across an HID setup that fits the S1 AS-IS??? I'd like to keep my current nose fairing/windshield (even though it deflects absolutely NO wind). If I can't find one, I will have to go with the streetfighter kits or either fork-mounted driving lights - but I would really prefer to keep the sleek stock look. Thanks. |
S1_fan
| Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 09:08 pm: |
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Here is a picture. Everyone loves pics.
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Buelltours
| Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 10:49 pm: |
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did you try different bulbs yet? |
Edv
| Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 11:03 pm: |
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If the S1 head light is adjusted correctly is is an excellent light I have ridden with others with the dual light system and I can`t see where they have any better lighting than the S1 |
The4ork
| Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 11:31 pm: |
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what is that cf piece attached at the frame by the rear cyl? |
The4ork
| Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 11:33 pm: |
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if the bulb is an h4 i know there are a few "bi-xenon" kits out there... however, they will come in packs of 2... you would just have to post one up on the classifieds |
Phelan
| Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009 - 11:40 pm: |
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The piece thy flows under the tank behind the Bartels A/C is a carbon fiber heatshield. |
Littlebuggles
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 01:38 am: |
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The Moto Guzzi Breva (1100) headlight looks neat, will likely throw a brighter beam and fit, but costs about $250 brand new. I'd go with a bulb trial first as The4ork suggested to keep the cost down. Your rearsets and EBC rotor like like fun parts to have |
Nallac
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 03:18 am: |
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I was suprised by how good the stock lighting was on my X1, Better than my 99 R1 with +90%bulbs even with a sock Bulb. Its a lot better with a +90% bulb in it. And thats a nice looking Bike there S1 Fan (Message edited by nallac on October 12, 2009) |
Fullauto
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 05:25 am: |
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Wire in two relays, one for low beam and one for high beam. Run the wires directly from the battery to the relays.This ensures that all the volts reach the globe. I have done this and fitted a 100/130w globe. Much better. |
S1_fan
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 08:11 am: |
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To answer some questions: - I have not tried any different bulbs because, as far as I can tell, the unit is sealed. Am I missing something? - Edv - As far as I know, I have the headlight adjusted correctly...its just not very bright. I rode with a buddy that has HIDs (on a GSXR) on Friday night and his headlights were 10 times brighter than mine and covered the road (and trees and sky and everything else) 10 times better. - The rearsets are nice, changes the riding stance quite a bit. They were on the bike when I bought it. - The CF piece behind the rear cylinder is (as Phelan said) just a heatshield. It is actually made by Buell. When I get home tonight, I will examine the headlight closely, get some more specs (i.e. what kind of bulb I have now) and pass that along. Thanks for the compliments fellas. This bike is fairly new to me so I owe my gratitude to the previous owner for keeping it so clean. Now I get to keep it that way. I did wrap the pipes....awesome touch. |
Edv
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 12:49 pm: |
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Is it such a thing that your reflector is dirty from a possibly broken bulb that the previous owner may have replaced and neglected to clean the reflector? Just a thought... |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 01:17 pm: |
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If it's the factory headlight, it should be an H4 capsule (bulb). Should be inscribed in the headlight lens, actually... There are *countless* H4 choices for wattage, color, etc.... |
The4ork
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 03:49 pm: |
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search for "bi-xenon h4 hid" on ebay you will find several i reccomend a 4200k, or 5000k at the very highest, anything above that will degrade light output, by changing the color tricking you into thinking its better, its actually not. i like the 3000k bulbs, your eye can see yellow better than blue/violet. however keep in mind if you change your bulb to a color other than "normal" you will be subject to an easy "pull over" |
Davegess
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 05:30 pm: |
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My memory could be letting me down I remember that those lights were not sealed beams. They were the same as the setup on a Ducati Monster, in fact the first few bikes in the pilot build had lights purchased from Ducati dealers because we had made a slight mistake in the sourcing of them You should be able to replace just the bulb after you remove it from the bucket. The reflector could also be bad. (Message edited by davegess on October 12, 2009) (Message edited by davegess on October 12, 2009) |
Cyclone00
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 06:05 pm: |
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I dont know if the S1 has the same headlight as a cyclone. If its the stock H-4 bulb that came with the bike Id go with a better bulb. I disliked the brightnes of my bulb on my 2000 Cyclone for quite some time. I went to the dealer and picked up a H-4 Halogen 100/90w bulb. Much much better. Easy to install. |
Littlebuggles
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 08:19 pm: |
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You can remove the fly screen and access the wiring and bulb from behind, OR just remove the bucket and have easier access to the wiring and bulb removal that way, you will of course be able to check the reflector as Ed suggests and wipe it clean as well. Headlight adjustment is hot-spot 35" up from 25' (with you on the bike). Or assuming your light is properly adjusted now, just mark the garage wall with a bit of chalk for your current set up before pulling the bucket off. My M2 manual gives torque for the mounting screws at 5-7ft-lbs. There is a S1 PDF manual in the knowledge vault, I don't know why there would be a different value on that torque tough. I probably went a bit tighter on mine when I adjusted it this spring. Welcome to the board by the way! |
S1_fan
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 08:47 pm: |
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Thanks for the welcome 'buggles. OK, so I attached a picture of my headlight. I think it may be an aftermarket look-a-like not the true original. There is a screw at the red circle - when I unscrewed it, the light just pivoted forward. There is another screw right beside the first but I couldn't get a screwdriver on it because the chrome collar is in the way and I didn't want to strip it. There is no screw at the yellow circle - just a space that makes you think one should be there. The green arrow points to a screw on the bottom. I took it out, but the chrome collar didn't want to just pull off. I just messed with it real quick because I didn't have much time. I didn't even get out my flashlight. Sometime soon I will get in there....I'm starting to think there actually is a way to disassemble the light like you guys are saying. And of course, taking things apart is a great excuse to clean up (i.e. the reflector). And, when I do get it apart, I will go with new bulbs first. Probably some of the bi-xenons mentioned above. I've got the full (original) manual for the bike so fortunately I have all the torque values and adjustment settings. So that's nice. In short, maybe I asked this question too soon....I should have just played with it but thanks for all the input.
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Drhacknstine
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 09:50 pm: |
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I think you've been robed. That sure dosen't look like the factory light... It dosen't have a replaceable bulb. Good news is you can put a head light in that does have a replaceable bulb. I picked up one at my local motorcycle dismantlers for $10 (Had paint transfer from a wreck. cleaned with lacquer thinner.) and they are sold on line also. |
Littlebuggles
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 10:44 pm: |
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I suggest you remove the bucket from the bike (side mount bolts) I believe the screw at the top is for fine adjusting the focus. I had to have the whole thing out on my bike to get the bulb out, I had two different assy's on the bike, one was easier to figure out. I don't think removing the bezel ever helped get the bulb out (and it's a pain in the butt), the bulb goes in from behind. |
Buelltours
| Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 11:05 pm: |
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first time I see a Sylvania headlight on a Buell. All S1/X1 lights I saw so far were made by Bosch (same as Euro models) and the M2s came from Hella (specific US). Since the Bosch housing was deeper I think you could also fit a M2 light (let me know if you need one). However, the Bosch lights are far superior IMHO. |
S1_fan
| Posted on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 07:49 am: |
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Haha I don't know if I consider myself robbed Drhacknstine...I just don't have what other S1's have. I look at it as an opportunity to get the upgrade I want. |
Davegess
| Posted on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 09:53 pm: |
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The S1 lamp came from Bosch. I first 100 were by way of the local BMW dealer, we had a little issue getting them direct from Bosch at first. BMW actually sells bulbs, reflectors, lens and bezel separately. |
Dreadnaught1
| Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 10:19 am: |
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You can install a H4 HID Unit, Be careful buying them there are low beam units and Hi/Low beam units. I installed one in my M2. i now have 7 inches of HID Brightness, insane, you never need hi beam. Stick with white 3000 white or you will get pulled over quick. |
S1_fan
| Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 02:20 pm: |
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Dreadnaught1 - did you install a low or hi/lo beam unit? Where did you mount the ballast? What type? ...just out of curiosity. |
Dreadnaught1
| Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 09:29 pm: |
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Unfortunately I installed the Low. I did not look when I I bought it & installed it (Learn from my mistake). I only need the Low/Hi to be legal inspected but the low is like a spotlight. Look at all other HID's car and Motorcycle, 3-4 inches, We have 7 Inches WOW, but I am upgrading to the Low/Hi over the winter downtime. I am also going to get a Hella H4 glass assembly, we used to run them on our old VW beetles. I did not like the location for the ballast of behind the handlebars because of limited space. I spliced the wires even though the instructions said not to. I used the same gauge wire and ran wires to under the seat in the spot in front of the tailight I also have the carbon fiber tail so there is a compartment in there now. |