![]() |
900ss headlights - improvement suggestions please Can anyone out there suggest any improvements on the standard Ducati "geriatric glow-worms in a jam jar" type front headlight.:flame: 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...? :puzzled: |
|
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 :cool: |
or ride about on main beam......:lol::lol::lol::lol: |
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...:puzzled: 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.... :) |
Quote:
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. |
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 :lol: Hippy daze....:D |
Quote:
Too late now :frog: |
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. |
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 |
or... fit a powerbronze twin spot conversion like mine with a pair o 140/90's ... ye could go rallyin :D :D Cheers :cool: Dano |
900 SS Headlight First time on this site so pardon any inadvertant faux pas.... I have a 93 750 SS that of course reminded me of the Prince of Darkness at night. I switched to a PIAA 100w (60 watt draw) and ended those spooky nights. I don't know if they sell those bulbs in the UK, but there are a whole slew of them available in even brighter ranges. Another good thing about PIAA is that they last forever and don't seem to put an increased load on the system. Almost ten years in my duck and about that in my Isuzu when I sold it. Hope this may be of some help, but if not, at least we drive on the wrong (vs right) side of the road here in Japan. :alien: |
Thanks for that, MD. I'm looking to improve the lighting on my 2001 750S - I had intended to use the halogen light off my push-bike! :( |
I don't know if they sell those bulbs in the UK as I mentioned, but I have had my Duck go through safety inspections here with no problem at all. I mentioned reliablility, but I forgot that I also put a similar bulb in an enduro bike (DT200 Yamadog) and it lasted forever despite frequent off road adventures with the light on. Also, my Isuzu was usually driven off-road with the lights on for visibility (to oncoming crazies) and those bulbs lasted through 10 years of some fairly crazy stuff. On other thing I did for visibility in daylight was put some small halogen lights in the openings below the headlight in the front fairing, with a lightable switch mounted in the plastic to the right of the tach. Small draw, but very visible. They still work, but I am thinking of putting some long and thin LED's in there instead. Easy to mount as well. |
Like this? ![]() There is also an LED parking bulb fitted. I've tried a PIAA Platinum Super White bulb and franklly I wasn't very impressed. It was bright OK, for other people seeing you, but the blue-white light is not good for seeing at night. What's worse it was embarrassingly expensive and and packed up after about 6 months. A waste of money I could have bought 4 Osram Slivervision 50% brighter bulbs for what it cost. :flame: |
Exactly what I meant! As for PIAA bulbs, since I live in the land of PIAA, they aren't so expensive and they have been more than reliable in all of my stuff. I am not sure which one you are referring to, but there are now a number of variations in color to match individual preferences. The lighting at night and in the rain has been well worth the upgrade. Haven't tried an Osram since I had a 550 Suzuki a number of years ago, but it lasted about a year of mainly LA roads (no winter buckles). Nice photo. Where did you mount the switch. |
Nice one Derek - I like the idea of fitting a row of White LEDs in the fairing ducts - since lets, face it they only appear to be there for show. |
MD, there is no switch. I wired them into the parking/tail circuit. Frank, I only fitted 3 LEDS in each slot because at the time (nearly 2 years ago) Ultra-bright LEDs were very expensive. 6 of them cost around £20!! but there are quite a few cheaper (and more expensive options available now that I'd like to try. Have a look at this stuff for some ideas; http://www.lumileds.com/products/ |
Mille Grazie Senore, I will glance at the site you mentioned after this place stops shaking. :o ANother big earthquake yesterday! Hate to be doing 180 on a highway when one of those hits. The price of LEDs has come down and that is why I am thinking of replacing the lights I have now. |
You might be interested in my LED tail light conversion as well. ![]() |
yep, looks pretty trick, but do the Itai colors light up as well?? Do these LEDs sequence or is it all at once. Looks like you could send code with this. Also, has anyone tried the fairly new PIAA HID lamps made for two wheelers?? :frog: |
Wow, nice taillights. I was gonna start on my LED project next month but you got me wanting to do it now. As for the the original question about the headlights, I'd say get an HID unit put in (Philips makes a great ballast and bulb) or consider a projector retrofit. ;) |
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:12. |
Powered by vBulletin 3.5.4 - Copyright © 2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
© Ducati Sporting Club UK