(Pics at the end of the post)
My GS500E has a full TCP fairing with a twin headlight lens set (see http://s295.photobucket.com/albums/mm123/yooblonder/GS500/?action=view¤t=GS50011.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/albums/mm123/yooblonder/GS500/?action=view¤t=GS50011.jpg)).
I think the bike was faired in mainland Europe so is set-up for driving on the 'wrong' (RH) side of the road.
The low / dipped beam bulb has stopped working so I've removed it - it was an absolute pig to get at. I've changed plenty of car bulbs before but not many on bikes so I was surprised to see the shape of this one.
So, some questions...
1) Is this a 'standard' bulb?
2) The wiring seems good - power is getting to the bulb; and the filament looks ok; but the bulb doesn't work when on the bike. How can I check the bulb is ok?
3) With no markings on the bulb, I've got no idea what replacement to buy (for checking bulb in point 2 above).
4) Can it be inserted more than one way to adjust the beam between LH and RH driving?
5) Is that bend in the contact plate normal? (see pic 2)
6) Does anyone have a similar RH lens set (dipping to the left), or looking to swap to a LH set?
Thanks all.
Pic 1:
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm123/yooblonder/GS500/Gs500headlightbulb1.jpg)
Pic 2:
(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm123/yooblonder/GS500/Gs500headlightbulb2.jpg)
Hmmm, pics are a bit blurred.
I've NEVER seen that bulb anywhere... and I look through a lot of catalogs for lights and such.
are there any numbers or anything on it? if so, try a google search on them
its an H1 bulb and the spade/contact terminal on the bottom should be straight.
(http://www.h1bulb.com/images/H1_Halogen_Bulb.jpg)
HOLY f%$k!
I HAVE seen that. The blurry pictures threw me off. lmao
Its the same retarded ass bulbs that they install in the Acerbis headlights (reason i got rid of mine). I know Acerbis sells them but they are 26$ each and still have to be soldered to the ground wire.
Thanks for replies so far. Pics taken from a 3Mega-pixel mobile camera. Pics looks great on a wee screen but not when blown up so big.
Now that I've looked properly, there are markings on the base : Osram Germany H1 12V 55W 64150 E1 24N.
Are H1 bulbs ok for bikes (e.g. road vibration)?
yeah h1s are fine for bikes, they get used more than you expect.
On question #4, I'd say that it's not the bulb that matters, it's the lens or, generally speaking, the headlight.
So the way to go seems to be the one you pointed on #6 (an LHT set).
In the meantime you could apply a patch of black tape on the lens to cover the part of dipped beam that goes up-and-right, so you don't dazzle oncoming drivers. people do this trick all the time (...well, at least they should) when going UK/Europe and vice versa.
1)
Quote from: erbilabuc on October 27, 2009, 09:08:51 PM
... but they are 26$ each and still have to be soldered to the ground wire.
You scared me with that price quote. (I don't think mine needs soldered though.)
Local bike dealer charges £7 (12 USD). Visited a Suzuki dealer in Glasgow but they couldn't supply one so they sent me off to a "specialist bulb" dealer (now closed down). Ended up buying the H1 from a motor factor - £1.70!
2)
Quote from: simon79 on October 28, 2009, 11:38:42 AM
In the meantime you could apply a patch of black tape ...
Yeah, thanks. My tape gets renewed for the yearly MOT test.