My GSX1400 Restoration

[grog]

Wasnt going to comment again but am. Ive tried Osram Nightbreaker and Phillips version, X Treme. Also Repco +150. Theyre all in cupboard in shed. Repco was the best but thats what i compared Auxito to. Rain the only thing i never thought about or tried at night. Maybe i just like 6k to 3k.

[SA14]

@grog don't you dare stop commenting and sharing your opinion. You've helped me so much dude. This is not on you. You like the globe, I'm not sure it's for me and that's fair. I look forward to your thoughts, reviews, comments and suggestions in copious amounts as usual.

[BlueDragon]

went to Autobarn today to buy the semi-sealed headlight in the link I shared.

Nil stock in the whole of Australia I was told..

[grog]

Cross that one off Bluey.

[BlueDragon]

Cross that one off Bluey.

Maybe not..

Trawling through ebay.  I found this and others like it.  While not at the cheaper price from Autobarn..  still afforable.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-Inch-178mm-Round-Universal-Semi-Seal-Headlights-Crystal-Clear-Pair-2-Pcs/142330872739?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

the other big ticket option is that Narva make a 178mm sealed beam headlight conversion kit.  two headlights with bulbs etc for $190. That is all the local Autobarn had in stock. 

I'd happily go the the pair from ebay.  I just need to check out the mounting of the standard headlight in the housing to make sure it isn't too much of a hassle to replace it with the ebay one.  There are no obvious mounts/screw holes in the ebay headlight.

Still thinking that a decent reflector will make the biggest and most cost effective option.

I thought about the Stedi LED option..  but being a sealed unit - makes me concerned. 

Whilst I don't do much night riding these days - I did lots in my younger days as my bike was my only form of transport.  On one of my trips, the headlight bulb blew.  But I always made it a habit of carrying a spare bulb (still do).  So, was able to stop and get the tool kit out, replace the bulb and was on my way again.  Was between towns, heading home at the time.  I just keep thinking if the same thing happened with the Stedi sealed LED unit, then I would be stuck on the side of the road as I wouldn't be able to replace the bulb.

Anyone using the Stedi LED headlamp - please feel free to correct me if I am wrong here..

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Cross that one off Bluey.

Maybe not..

Trawling through ebay.  I found this and others like it.  While not at the cheaper price from Autobarn..  still afforable.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-Inch-178mm-Round-Universal-Semi-Seal-Headlights-Crystal-Clear-Pair-2-Pcs/142330872739?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

the other big ticket option is that Narva make a 178mm sealed beam headlight conversion kit.  two headlights with bulbs etc for $190. That is all the local Autobarn had in stock. 

I'd happily go the the pair from ebay.  I just need to check out the mounting of the standard headlight in the housing to make sure it isn't too much of a hassle to replace it with the ebay one.  There are no obvious mounts/screw holes in the ebay headlight.

Still thinking that a decent reflector will make the biggest and most cost effective option.

I thought about the Stedi LED option..  but being a sealed unit - makes me concerned. 

Whilst I don't do much night riding these days - I did lots in my younger days as my bike was my only form of transport.  On one of my trips, the headlight bulb blew.  But I always made it a habit of carrying a spare bulb (still do).  So, was able to stop and get the tool kit out, replace the bulb and was on my way again.  Was between towns, heading home at the time.  I just keep thinking if the same thing happened with the Stedi sealed LED unit, then I would be stuck on the side of the road as I wouldn't be able to replace the bulb.

Anyone using the Stedi LED headlamp - please feel free to correct me if I am wrong here..

I have run the stedi unit for the past 18 months now, no issues, top quality bit of kit.

[grog]

Today i spoke to my grandson about H4 LED. Hes Auto Electrician. He also had Auxito globes in his car, liked low beam but reckoned high beam not good. He fitted Narva , said really good.

[SA14]

I've been thrown into a whirlpool of LED H4 conversions now. Not a bad thing. Fascinating stuff. Lots of videos on YouTube about it.

I contacted Auxito and said I wasn't really happy with the LED globe and asked if the one that was twice the price would be better. They replied "Yes, this double-sided chip will be better". Nothing about me not being happy with it's performance but I guess that's a cultural thing with them. Naturally, what else would they say but then I was thrown into a whirlpool of double sided vs single sided LEDs. No conclusions drawn yet but this is the one I was referring to which I also linked to earlier...

https://auxito.com/collections/motorcycle-led-headlight/products/fanless-motorcycle-h4-9003-led-headlight-hi-low-beam-6000k-bulb-play-and-plug-1860-csp-led-chip

You can see the construction is clearly different.


Current one:

[GSXKING]

  Keep us posted Baz 

[steve porter]

nnD_sDWNjEw

This makes sense

[SA14]

The more I see the more I want to re-examine finding the best H4 globe and sticking with that. But there are supposedly great H4 bulbs sitting on people's shelves. A few weeks ago I was riding around at night before I got my LED and I had to pull over, get out my philips head and try to  adjust my headlight so it pointed up a bit more so I could get reach with my lights but it just disappeared. No way could or would I ride at speed (even 100km/h) with my lights and even riding around at 80km/h with low beam became too dangerous for me. So what's going on?

I find it hard to believe that any manufacturer of a motorcycle like ours would build useless lighting. Something else is going on. Two possibilities come to mind. Either having the headlight adjusted correctly is super critical - near enough isn't good enough maybe somehow everything comes together perfectly at the exact right adjustment or Suzuki used a specific bulb when they made these which aren't being replicated with modern replacement bulbs.

The next thing I'm going to try is the most powerful H4 light I can find and hopefully it'll be in the lower colour range because I'm not real fond of the whiteness anymore. Just doesn't look right - not that I can see it, but I know what it looks like. I also suspect that the LED is causing discomfort to oncoming traffic and as a despised receiver of super bright lights coming at me I equally don't want to be that guy.

Maybe bikes aren't designed for safe efficient night riding. Doubt it but it's a thought. I think the first thing is I should set up the cross hairs with electrical tape on my garage door and go back to make sure the alignment is spot on. I looked in every manual and download but couldn't find how to do it again. Can anyone remember where the headlight alignment diagram is? From memory I mark a vertical and horizontal line at the centre point of the headlight then reverse the bike a certain distance and the headlight should aim just down and to the left a bit but can't find the exact specs. 

[SA14]

Found it! On Page Ref.27 of the Haynes Service and Repair Manual under MOT Test Checks. This should be saved under resources for others to refer to if it isn't already. I sharpened and aligned it in Photoshop and made it large enough so it's crystal clear. Click the image to see it in full size if needed. I'll label the picture so it can be found by the forum search engine. I presume this is for right hand drive traffic that travels on the left hand side of the road. The light should dip to the right for bikes that ride in left hand drive traffic on the right side of the road.

GSX1400 Motorcycle Headlight Beam Height, Alignment Adjustment

[steve porter]

I know a lot of guys who do big distance night riding and although bike brands differ they all run LED spots  hooked up to high beam of some variety

[SA14]

I was just thinking that. Aim the headlight super low and put it on high beam all the time. That should solve the "low beam" problem then add some accessory spotlights for high beam on a separate micro switch. But where to mount them without looking too shitty? Maybe move the horns and put them in that position? Or make up some black covers for day riding and remove at night. Or to hell with fashion and just mount them anywhere as long as they work.

[grog]

SA, for spottys make up a bracket ala Snapey camera holder. One for each headlight bolt.