Attaching extra headlights, is it easy?

[TOTO]

Hey Falks, Ive been looking to attach spotlights on my hornet to help with night riding.

Found these ones on trademe, or these and I think they will be perfect.

My question is , how easy is it to attach an extra pair of headlights to the bike ? Can a non electrical person like me do it or is it better to get it to a bike shop to get it fitted ?

Anyone here done it , and did you have any issues related to the extra headlights ?


All advice apprechiated.

[xwhatsit]

Hell, if I can rewire lights and stuff then anybody can.

I think your biggest problem is going to be mounting them. What are you going to attach them to? Might need to make up a bracket.

[TOTO]

the lights come with a bracket on them and the hornet has some holes for a screen on the headlight mount, but since I haven't got a screen the holes are unused at the moment.

[scumdog]

I think you should really really check them out before buying- most of that style of light just make an annoying glare and not a long narrow beam such as think you desire. My 2-cents worth.

[TOTO]

I think you should really really check them out before buying- most of that style of light just make an annoying glare and not a long narrow beam such as think you desire. My 2-cents worth.

Do you reacon those are better ?

[scumdog]

Do you reacon those are better ?

NO!
I use them myself (so does C.B.) as daytime running lights - make you VERY visible to cars not directly on front of you (does them as well mind) as they cast a wide beam.

No good for at night - too 'glarey' and no length to the beam.
They use the same bulbs as used in shop displays, bars etc.

EDIT: In NZ they go for between $70 to $120 a set depending on style.

[TOTO]

NO!
I use them myself (so does C.B.) as daytime running lights - make you VERY visible to cars not directly on front of you (does them as well mind) as they cast a wide beam.

No good for at night - too 'glarey' and no length to the beam.
They use the same bulbs as used in shop displays, bars etc.

EDIT: In NZ they go for between $70 to $120 a set depending on style.

So you are thinking that something with an H1 or an H4 bulb inside will do the trick then ?

[scumdog]

So you are thinking that something with an H1 or an H4 bulb inside will do the trick then ?

You're onto it - the trouble is getting something compact to house them, ya don't want to end up looking like an ex-cop Harley......

[xwhatsit]

So you are thinking that something with an H1 or an H4 bulb inside will do the trick then ?

Definitely. Something along these lines would work very nicely:

[TOTO]

You're onto it - the trouble is getting something compact to house them, ya don't want to end up looking like an ex-cop Harley......

Soooo somethink like this you reacon will do the trick ay ? its got an H4 bulb.

[scumdog]

Soooo somethink like this you reacon will do the trick ay ? its got an H4 bulb.

Yup, mount them each side of the headlight and you'll be sweet!!

[TOTO]

Yup, mount them each side of the headlight and you'll be sweet!!

Thank you

[CookMySock]

I think you should really really check them out before buying- most of that style of light just make an annoying glare and not a long narrow beam such as think you desire.

Scumdog is right. Those are pissy little things that wont illuminate jack shit. I tried something similar and it was like a friggin candle.

Basically, you need something with a large reflector on it, or you should upgrade or uprate what you already have.

edit: like he says later on in the thread.. /me rolls eyes at self

DB

[FROSTY:Me]

Just be careful or ya might end up pushiing ya bike home.Yer charging system only has so much output.
You need to run a relay to stop the lectrics from frying--too much draw. and ya need to be sure your alternator output is sufficient to run the lights.

[BOGAR]

Just be careful or ya might end up pushing ya bike home.Yer charging system only has so much output.
You need to run a relay.

As Frosty said. i know someone who did do it and the bike just stopped one day. battery had gone flat and killed the bike. bike OK once the light turned off though.