Improving Stock Headlights - Thought
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Improving Stock Headlights - Thought
After reading the many varied opinions on how to improve the headlights, I came across this thought, and wondered if there was any merit to it.
I believe the stock low beam is 55 watts and the high beam is 65 watts.
Now, what if you just inserted a 65 watt bulb in the low slot? I mean, the bulb is not what angles the beam, right? Isn't the lens in front of the high beam doing it?
So, if you increase the wattage of the low beam bulb using say, a Silverstar, shouldn't that work to increase your low beam power, which we use most of the time anyway?
Sure, I've read the arguments about the wiring not being able to handle higher wattage, but going from a 55 to a 65 is only 16% increase, and if wires were going to melt away at that difference, then we have more problems than that, don't we?
In any case, I've been a crotch-rocket biker for years, and rule of thumb for my buddies and I have always been to replace the lows with 65s, and jump the highs to 90s and even 110s, and w've never had problems. Unless, of course, the difference lies in the quality of something American made, as opposed to something Japanese-made. (No heavy flame intended; as I obviously have American-made, too.)
What do you folks think?
I believe the stock low beam is 55 watts and the high beam is 65 watts.
Now, what if you just inserted a 65 watt bulb in the low slot? I mean, the bulb is not what angles the beam, right? Isn't the lens in front of the high beam doing it?
So, if you increase the wattage of the low beam bulb using say, a Silverstar, shouldn't that work to increase your low beam power, which we use most of the time anyway?
Sure, I've read the arguments about the wiring not being able to handle higher wattage, but going from a 55 to a 65 is only 16% increase, and if wires were going to melt away at that difference, then we have more problems than that, don't we?
In any case, I've been a crotch-rocket biker for years, and rule of thumb for my buddies and I have always been to replace the lows with 65s, and jump the highs to 90s and even 110s, and w've never had problems. Unless, of course, the difference lies in the quality of something American made, as opposed to something Japanese-made. (No heavy flame intended; as I obviously have American-made, too.)
What do you folks think?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Originally Posted by MrLeadFoot
After reading the many varied opinions on how to improve the headlights, I came across this thought, and wondered if there was any merit to it.
I believe the stock low beam is 55 watts and the high beam is 65 watts.
Now, what if you just inserted a 65 watt bulb in the low slot? I mean, the bulb is not what angles the beam, right? Isn't the lens in front of the high beam doing it?
So, if you increase the wattage of the low beam bulb using say, a Silverstar, shouldn't that work to increase your low beam power, which we use most of the time anyway?
Sure, I've read the arguments about the wiring not being able to handle higher wattage, but going from a 55 to a 65 is only 16% increase, and if wires were going to melt away at that difference, then we have more problems than that, don't we?
In any case, I've been a crotch-rocket biker for years, and rule of thumb for my buddies and I have always been to replace the lows with 65s, and jump the highs to 90s and even 110s, and w've never had problems. Unless, of course, the difference lies in the quality of something American made, as opposed to something Japanese-made. (No heavy flame intended; as I obviously have American-made, too.)
What do you folks think?
I believe the stock low beam is 55 watts and the high beam is 65 watts.
Now, what if you just inserted a 65 watt bulb in the low slot? I mean, the bulb is not what angles the beam, right? Isn't the lens in front of the high beam doing it?
So, if you increase the wattage of the low beam bulb using say, a Silverstar, shouldn't that work to increase your low beam power, which we use most of the time anyway?
Sure, I've read the arguments about the wiring not being able to handle higher wattage, but going from a 55 to a 65 is only 16% increase, and if wires were going to melt away at that difference, then we have more problems than that, don't we?
In any case, I've been a crotch-rocket biker for years, and rule of thumb for my buddies and I have always been to replace the lows with 65s, and jump the highs to 90s and even 110s, and w've never had problems. Unless, of course, the difference lies in the quality of something American made, as opposed to something Japanese-made. (No heavy flame intended; as I obviously have American-made, too.)
What do you folks think?
Yes, it is possible to put 9005's in 9006's housings and connectors; that's exactly the set-up I'm running. 4 9005 hi-beam Silverstars. Yes, it did make a difference.
You'll need a dremel tool (or similar) to cut the tabs to the same shape as the 9006's, and an exacto knife to cut out the alignment tabs on the inside of the connector. Should take you about 30 mins total to do both bulbs.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Yes you can do that. But do you really increase the distance on the low beam enough to make a difference? Most low beams are aimed to decrease glare for oncoming traffic and all you are doing is increasing light output in that direction not down the road. If you are driving on dark roads you need to use the high beams so you can see far enough to stop if something is on the road. I haven't seen a low beam yet that would give enough distance to allow you to stop from 70 or 80.
Coming back from Carlisle in my car a friend was driving on I81 in PA where there are a lot of deer. As it got dark I noticed he was only using the low beams. After some insistence from me he switched to highs except when we were close behind somebody. They lit up the road far enough ahead he could stop if necessary and we could see the glow from the deer's eyes along side the road much further away.
You can't be lazy with that light switch if you want to keep from getting an unwanted hood ornament.
Bill
Coming back from Carlisle in my car a friend was driving on I81 in PA where there are a lot of deer. As it got dark I noticed he was only using the low beams. After some insistence from me he switched to highs except when we were close behind somebody. They lit up the road far enough ahead he could stop if necessary and we could see the glow from the deer's eyes along side the road much further away.
You can't be lazy with that light switch if you want to keep from getting an unwanted hood ornament.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
When I bought my car, the previous owner told me he aimed his lights higher to make up for the dim illumination. I took a road trip to Ohio the week after I bought it, and even with the higher aim, low beams were ineffective. Seemed like the car did 70 mph and the lights only did 60. I switched to 80watt hyper-blue low beams and 100 w highs. No modification or filing or anything else, just stuck them in where the originals came out. Heluva difference. I barely even use the high beams at all.
Got 'em from Ecklers for 20 bucks a bulb.
Got 'em from Ecklers for 20 bucks a bulb.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Originally Posted by MAC5
The 9005 and 9006 bulbs have different bases. You'd either have to do some filing of the base or jimmy it around in the socket to install them. Just so you know they won't just plug in.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Originally Posted by wit2pz
When I bought my car, the previous owner told me he aimed his lights higher to make up for the dim illumination. I took a road trip to Ohio the week after I bought it, and even with the higher aim, low beams were ineffective. Seemed like the car did 70 mph and the lights only did 60. I switched to 80watt hyper-blue low beams and 100 w highs. No modification or filing or anything else, just stuck them in where the originals came out. Heluva difference. I barely even use the high beams at all.
Got 'em from Ecklers for 20 bucks a bulb.
Got 'em from Ecklers for 20 bucks a bulb.
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Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
The main problem with these stock headlights is not the wattage, it's those %@&* plastic lenses. They should make a ground glass lens that will replace the stock that would focus the beam. A flat beam on low and a round beam on high.
I am running Zenon Super Whites that are 65w low and 100w high. Sure they put out more light, but who cares what is on top of a telephone pole as you approach it? I think I will switch to Euro or HID headlights.
I am running Zenon Super Whites that are 65w low and 100w high. Sure they put out more light, but who cares what is on top of a telephone pole as you approach it? I think I will switch to Euro or HID headlights.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Originally Posted by wit2pz
When I bought my car, the previous owner told me he aimed his lights higher to make up for the dim illumination. I took a road trip to Ohio the week after I bought it, and even with the higher aim, low beams were ineffective. Seemed like the car did 70 mph and the lights only did 60. I switched to 80watt hyper-blue low beams and 100 w highs. No modification or filing or anything else, just stuck them in where the originals came out. Heluva difference. I barely even use the high beams at all.
Got 'em from Ecklers for 20 bucks a bulb.
Got 'em from Ecklers for 20 bucks a bulb.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 2
From: ATL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Thanks for all the great info. I have thought about the euro mod, but don't want to spend that kind of money right now. I was looking at the Silverstars today. I will probably go that route on low and high beam. I've read where others have done this and are pleased with the out come. No worries about the bulb being too hot for the enclosure.