Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Headlamp bulbs

[Rushjob]

H1 and H3...not H4 - that's a twin filament one.

[Derek]

Originally posted by Rushjob
H1 and H3...not H4 - that's a twin filament one.

Yes and neither Philips nor Osram do the H3 in the 50% brighter versions
At least I've never been able to find them.

[L3OONY]

Thanks for the info.

If the main beam is twin filament, doesn't it mean that one of the filaments won't illuminate?

I don't know whether a twin filament bulb needs both filaments powered to give main beam (i.e. the two together provide the necessary lighting power), but if it doesn't, as long as the main beam filament is powered then won't it be ok?

Knew this wasn't as easy as I first thought!

Any suggestions for the H3 bulb then?

(Also, which one is the H3, dip or main?)

[Edited on 11-5-2005 by L3OONY]

[Rushjob]

If the main beam is twin filament, doesn't it mean that one of the filaments won't illuminate?

Eh???
No, the H4 ( which does not fit ) is a twin filament bulb.
Both H1 & H3 are single filament...
Dip is H3 and main is H1.

[L3OONY]

I just knew that I would end up confusing others too...

Thanks for the info.

If I want to improve the dip, and neither Osram or Philips make the nice bright bulbs, are there any alternative ones that have been found to be OK?

[Rushjob]

I use the Halfords own brand...50% brighter H1 and 30% H3
Worth it!

[moto748]

Me too. Well, I've never changed a main beam bulb, but have used the "*x*% brighter" dip bulbs from Halfords and they don't seem too bad to me.

You have to take the nose-cone off (on my bike anyway, not sure it's necessary on earlier models), but it's no big deal once you done it once or twice.
Make sure you note how many turns on the headlight unit adjuster screw when you take it out.

[L3OONY]

Then I shall take your advice and bother you no more!

Thanks for your help and advice!

[psychlist]

50% brighter main
30% brighter dip
and no, you don't have to remove the cowling, just pop off the rubber covers on the back of each housing and the bulbs unclip. Watch out for the little connector on the dip bulb, it can be a sod if the wires a bit short from the loom

[moto748]

The picture in the Haynes manual shows a dip bulb with the connector on the back of the bulb, as normal. If that 's what you've got, then no need to remove the nose-cone. But mine has the type of bulb with a "fly-lead" attached. This disappears into the headlight unit, and you have to take the nose-cone off t get at it to disconnect it. It should be pretty self-evident which type you have.