2003 FXST Headlamp Bulb Replacement

[banquo]

Not satisfied with getting eaten alive by the midgies in Gairloch, I got back home to find the dip beam had packed in. Might have been gone for a while, as it's light until 10.30 this time of year... ... but the MOT is due, so need a quick fix...

Questions: is this a simple nip into Halfrauds and get a new one, or is it another of these ones where they use a fitting you can't easily get hold of over here.?
Is there a better/brighter bulb that will fit straight in, without frying the wiring? I know I could run a heavier feed wire and stick a relay in for abigger wattage bulb, but don't have time to fanny around with that right now. Night riding with the stock light is, shall we say, challenging....
Can you get one of these blueish bulbs for this, and is it any better?

It's the wee Bates-Style headlamp that's fitted on the wide glide front ends...

[girlyglide]

H4 replacement bulbs can be obtained from Halfords and all good bike shop of course!!

You can replace it with a higher rated bulb or one of the zenon etc style of bulbs. Personally I didn't see a great difference with the blue bulbs.

[BaZa®]

Banquo as Phil says H4 is standard fitting for car or bike I went for a 80w instead of a stnd 55w. Don't have to change any feed wires.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by banquo

I got back home to find the dip beam had packed in.

SNAP! My own 2003 FXST blew its headlamp bulb on start-up yesterday. This seems like too much of a coincidence - built in obsolescence perhaps!

Still, mustn't grumble as it's only the 2nd ever HD headlamp bulb I have had fail. But as for rear bulbs, well that's a different story!

[banquo]

Originally Posted by Ming the Merciless

SNAP! My own 2003 FXST blew its headlamp bulb on start-up yesterday. This seems like too much of a coincidence - built in obsolescence perhaps!

Still, mustn't grumble as it's only the 2nd ever HD headlamp bulb I have had fail. But as for rear bulbs, well that's a different story!

It's a conspiracy right enough...
I'm still on the original stop and tail, and the only bulb I've replaced has been one of the indicators last week or so...

Thanks for all the advice folks; new bulb getting fitted tonight, all going well...

[Limey_Dave]

A couple of years ago Auto Express went round buying 30 odd bulbs and tested them at Philips lab in Holland.
Some of the cheaper blue bulbs gave less light than the clear versions.
Best value is quality after market.H4 in MG-Rover box £11+vat.Same bulb,same markings (General Electric Hungary) Bosch box from motor factors £7.40 inc vat.They also had one in no-name branded box for £3.A lot of these do not meet standards for light scatter and are a waste of time.

Remember to polish the glass on bulb with clean cloth before fitting.Finger prints will burn on reducing light output and shortening life.

[banquo]

Useful info. Dave.
Are you saying that the Bosch was actually a GE bulb then?

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by banquo

It's a conspiracy right enough...
I'm still on the original stop and tail

Hi Jake, if you've never blown a tail bulb that probably means you don't go fast enough to encounter high frequency vibes. If I ever do 80mph+ cruising I can guarantee it will take out my 5W tail filament every time.

[banquo]

Old, slow and ugly, that's me...

Usually cruise at 80 or so on the Motorway, but most of my miles are on A and B roads, and I spent most of the last weekend cruising at about 25, on roads like this:


Mind you, some of the potholes we hit on the A-roads might have been the cause of the headlight bulb going...