Triumphrat

ohiorider · 04-07-2006

I realize swapping out the stock H4 and replacing it with a Sylvania sealed beam unit may not merit a posting, but it kind of closes the loop with you guys. You're the ones who suggested using the sealed beam unit. I'd probably have been taking the traditional approach (a) higher wattage H4 (b) new lens (c) new reflector if available. I like this method .... better bulb, better lens, better reflector, all in one sealed unit. And it even makes the front of the bike look nice and shiny!

Although I cannot tell until I take a night ride how well the sealed beam works, it certainly looks crisp and blue/white against the end of the garage, instead of yellowish and blurry. I think it'll prove to be a winner. Thanks again to all of you who suggested it.

Bob

PS - have to let you know I thought I had picked the wrong lamp. After getting everything back together, as I was standing in front of the bike, I turned on the ignition switch to test it. Wonderful! Now for the high beam. It didn't switch to high! Argggh! A few curse words, and I grabbed the Sylvania box. Shouldn't be a problem, it says "high-low usage". Tried it again, and suddenly thought " dummy, you're standing in front of the bike, and you're flipping the kill switch off and on".

My advice to you guys is .... don't get old!

iandel · 04-07-2006

G'day,

quote "My advice to you guys is .... don't get old!"

My mum always said that getting old is better than not getting any.

bennybmn · 04-07-2006

Can someone define sealed beam for me? Thanks

ohiorider · 04-07-2006

Benny - a sealed beam headlight comes with all the necessary parts (bulb or filiment, reflector, and lens) manufactured as a single unit. The lighting filiment is sealed within the glass assembly that makes up the reflector and lens. When the filiment burns out, you pull this entire headlight assembly and replace it with a new one.

The stock Bonneville, as well as most motorcycles, come with a headlight assembly that contains a separate reflector, H4 bulb, and glass lens. Many of these systems work very well. The one on my Bonneville did not. The stock light appeared to be diffused, and yellowish rather than a bright white/blue.

Several of the folks on this site recommended making this change, after I complained about how bad the stock headlight worked. It is inexpensive, and from everything I heard from others on this forum, it works very well.

Bob

ohiorider · 04-07-2006

Quote:

On 2006-04-07 14:51, iandel wrote:
G'day,

quote "My advice to you guys is .... don't get old!"

My mum always said that getting old is better than not getting any.

... and your mum is right!

Bob

d2mini · 04-07-2006

Where do you get this sealed beam thingie? :???:

ssjones · 04-07-2006

Quote:

On 2006-04-07 13:27, ohiorider wrote:
..........Tried it again, and suddenly thought " dummy, you're standing in front of the bike, and you're flipping the kill switch off and on".

My advice to you guys is .... don't get old!

That is a good one! I'd love to heed that advice, but not looking good.
Definitely post the Sylvania application number, my bulb is due to burn out soon, might as well upgrade now!

ohiorider · 04-07-2006

Here's the link to the thread on this site describing various solutions to improve the Bonnie's headlight. This should give you any info you need. The sealed beam doesn't install as easily as replacing the H4 bulb, so be patient and watch how things come apart. A couple of the bolts and nuts were tedious to reinstall, and the spring that puts tension on the right/left aiming screw can go flying if you're not careful.

Bob

Headlight link

HiVel · 04-08-2006

Quote:

On 2006-04-07 15:21, ohiorider wrote:

Quote:

On 2006-04-07 14:51, iandel wrote:
G'day,

quote "My advice to you guys is .... don't get old!"

My mum always said that getting old is better than not getting any.

... and your mum is right!

Bob

Old is Better than the alternative. At least I guess it is cuz I ain't been dead yet.

bennybmn · 04-08-2006

Thanks for the info guys, and sorry to re-hash an old thread...

So when you replace with a sealed beam, I take it the original lense on the front still covers everything? There's just a whole sub-assembly inside it? Pics would be GREAT! Thanks