headlights

[welshrob]

My 04 st only has one headlight on with low beam selected, on high beam it goes out and the other headlight is on.
They both seem to have 2 filament bulbs with both high and low beam, other Triumphs I`ve had, like my tiger, had both on at once so

1. There must be some kind of reasoning behind this, what the hell is it?

2. Rumour has it, that there is a quick fix for this involving some sort of relay, can anyone elaborate on this?

A day after posting this I`ve just searched through all the old postings and come up with a wealth of information on the subject including the part number for the relays in Australia and how to fit them. This really is a great forum, so far has helped saved me money and lots of time!

[ This message was edited by: welshrob on 2005-05-07 18:43 ]

[thfwsf]

This subject seems to come up frequently on the lists for the Sprints. The US models run with both lights one. It's a matter of getting the right relay to plug into your ST to get both headlights working at the same time. I unfortunately do not know the part number needed. But I"m sure someone else on this list does.

There are all sorts of replies on this subject - most of them aimed at avoiding the cost of the 'genuine' Triumph relays. My suggestion is that you bite the bullet, and buy them from your dealer. There are a number of incorrect relays that will plug straight in - and potentially do some damage. Having spent several grand on the bike, it would be madness to fry the loom to save a few pennies.
You need 2 relays, and they simply plug into the two empty slots next to the two existing relays. (Mine is an RS - relays are under the seat - ST's might be elsewhere).
The improvement in the lighting is amazing.
Dazzling, even !

Good Luck

Hobbers

[ST-ern]

Welshrob, what's the part no. and fitting info?

I'm interested in doing the mod myself; if you took a note it would save me a search. Slack I know, but I hate sitting at the computer.

From Melbourne, where it's getting dark darn early these days!

PS Philips Vision Plus globes might be worth a look too; cheap from AMC on the Web.

[ This message was edited by: ST-ern on 2005-05-28 01:48 ]

[welshrob]

Hi st-ern, the relays you need are 4 pin 12 volt 40 amp with a resistor (6800 also works but doesn`t have the resistor)for surge protection. The common type in Australia are made by Narva and the part number is 68004. Check out this link for more info and to see a pic http://www.narva.com.au/Switches_18.html
I bought mine in "cheapa auto spares" for $15 for the pair. Repco and Autobarn also stock them but they are slightly dearer. To fit them to a sprint, there are two sockets inside the fairing just above the right hand indicator lamp. you can actually see these if you turn the handlebars to the left and shine a torch in. they have four slots in each one which will be blocked with yellow wax. The relay can be pushed straight through this wax to be plugged in. I have small hands and it only took me 2 mins to do it. Don`t listen to all the BS about the lights shining in the wrong direction etc etc. They work perfectly and it is a massive improvement on unlit roads, without dazzling oncoming traffic on low beam and also makes you more visible during the daylight.

[ST-ern]

Cool. Thanks mate.

Edit: done. Best $20 I've spent!

Yeah, the lens diffusers have a different pattern but at this stage who cares.

[ This message was edited by: ST-ern on 2005-05-29 00:40 ]

[welshrob]

No worries, the diffusers are like that for all bikes that drive on the left, nothing to do with one-at-a-time headlights. They just make them point high to the left and low to the right, so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic, which mine do perfectly, even after the headlight mod. When I lived in the UK, if we took our bikes over to europe where they drive on the right, we had to buy these little black triangular stickers to put over the headlight diffusers so we didn`t dazzle oncoming traffic.

[ This message was edited by: welshrob on 2005-05-30 06:48 ]

[DaveM]

I must've been lucky or someone already fiddled with it.
My St has both headlights on anyway.
Maybe the dealer did it pre delivery?

Dave.

[welshrob]

It`s possible, Dave. Most likely it left the factory like that. The bike is obviously designed to have both headlights on but the relays aren`t put in for the european ones to meet dopey EEC regulations. The American delivery ones have both lights on it would seem. They probably have to use a lot of different set-ups depending on which part of the world the bikes are destined for. UK= lights diffuse left, speedo must show mph and kph. USA= lights diffuse right, speedo shows mph only. Australia=lights diffuse left, speedo shows kph only..... Actually, this has set me wondering if anything else is different, like the tune???

[ This message was edited by: welshrob on 2005-05-31 01:54 ]

[DaveM]

Rob
I guess I'm just a lucky fella. :-D

Dave