Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Supersports: SS / SuperSport / Supersport 950 > 900ss headlights - improvement suggestions please

[UglyDuckling]

Can anyone out there suggest any improvements on the standard Ducati "geriatric glow-worms in a jam jar" type front headlight.

I've got a 1993 900ss which I'd like try ride over the darker months as well as the summer. The current headlight (standard) is pretty pitiful (minus the pretty)...so are there any other units I could swap and get a better idea of which way the road goes...?

[ali]

This came up t'other day. Try this:

http://217.199.188.40/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=11506

Cheers,

Ali

[Derek]

I've mentioned this before on here; as well as 50% brighter bulbs, fit 2 relays one for dip and one for main. Use the existing dip and main feeds to fire the relays and take a heavy duty cable direct from the battery via 20A fuse to feed them. Also run a similar heavy duty wire from the headlamp ground to the battery earth point. Works wonders

[tont2002]

or ride about on main beam......

[UglyDuckling]

Derek,

I understand the idea of putting in what is basically a separate power feed for the brighter bulbs, but am unsure of the following details...

a) what type of relay to use or rating
b) where the battery earth point is / how do you find it
c) where the headlight ground is / how do you find it

Do you have any schematics you could either post on the site, or email me ?

Thanks in advance....

[Derek]

Originally posted by UglyDuckling
Derek,

I understand the idea of putting in what is basically a separate power feed for the brighter bulbs, but am unsure of the following details...

a) what type of relay to use or rating
b) where the battery earth point is / how do you find it
c) where the headlight ground is / how do you find it

Do you have any schematics you could either post on the site, or email me ?

Thanks in advance....

No Problem Ugly.

a) The relays are general purpose switching relays, available at any car accessory shop - cost about £2.50 each.
b) The battery earth point is the black cable from the -ve battery post where it attaches to the frame at the L/H side of the airbox.
c) The headlight ground is the black wire from the headlight bulb connector. Replace this with a heavy duty one to the above mentioned battery earth point. You could take it straight to the battery -ve terminal but there's no real gain and that's just another wire to get in the way every time you remove or refit the battery.
I used 4mm2 loudspeaker cable for both the ground and supply wires. It is very flexible and carry a very large current, far more tha than the headlight needs.
I have a modified wiring diagram at home showing the relay fitment, I'll try to remember to post it on the site tonight.

[UglyDuckling]

Derek,

Thanks for the update - I'll look forward to seeing the schematic - and hopefully there'll be others out there who may find it useful.

BTW - I think I'll change my login name - it was supposed to reflect the Multistrada I'd just bought ...as opposed to me being "ugly".....however, the missus will probably argue it should be as it is

Hippy daze....

[Derek]

Originally posted by UglyDuckling
BTW - I think I'll change my login name - it was supposed to reflect the Multistrada I'd just bought ...as opposed to me being "ugly".....however, the missus will probably argue it should be as it is

Too late now

[Derek]

This is the wiring diagram as promised. I hope it is clear enough. I had to reduce the size and compress it to make it small enough to upload in a reasonable time.
I also changed the colours of the igniton pick-up wires on the diagram to match those on my own bike ( and probably nearly everyone else's as well).
Let me know if you have any problems.

[Iconic944ss]

Failing all this - I believe Phillips still make a 90/100W bulb - but I seem to remember getting a quiet 'talking to' at an MOT years ago !!!

Frank