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FJowners.com > General Category > Yamaha FJ1100 / FJ1200 Running Problems > why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
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Author Topic: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?  (Read 1203 times)
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mtc
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why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« on: April 13, 2019, 09:50:27 PM »

could not even see the road, on my first night out.... is this curable? other than that  still fun short shifting and riding at 2-3k  is plenty low end grunt to get the job done stop light to stop light, but i can't see....it's so bad, cars behind me cast a shadow of me that i can see in front OF me.... hilariously dangerous
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why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« on: April 13, 2019, 09:50:27 PM »

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Sparky84
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2019, 01:13:05 AM »

Have you replaced the bulb with a new one?
Or is it still the original one ?

https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/store/search/Motorcycle?term=motorcycle

After you’ve done that, there is a headlight relay mod in the files for full power to the headlight.
But change the bulb first if you haven’t!
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mtc
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2019, 02:04:37 AM »

oh... okay phillips the best replacement? or can i go to autozone and try my luck? what is the bulb number? please
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1985 FJ1100

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1979 Yamaha XS1100
?? Fzr 600
1984 FJ1100
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
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1978 RD400

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Sparky84
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2019, 03:39:46 AM »

55/60w, H4 lamp.

You can go anywhere you want!

I’ve found Osram and Philips lamps the best, nice “white” light, not blue or yellow.
And a “motorcycle” rated lamp should last longer, IMO.

There is so many vehicles out driving/riding with old crapped out lamps that are still working but are not illuminating enough anymore, just because they work doesn’t really mean they “WORK”, get out there and replace any that are more than 10 years old.
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1984 FJ1100
1979 Kawasaki Z1300
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mtc
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2019, 09:46:43 AM »

Quote from: Sparky84 on April 14, 2019, 03:39:46 AM
55/60w, H4 lamp.

You can go anywhere you want!

I’ve found Osram and Philips lamps the best, nice “white” light, not blue or yellow.
And a “motorcycle” rated lamp should last longer, IMO.

There is so many vehicles out driving/riding with old crapped out lamps that are still working but are not illuminating enough anymore, just because they work doesn’t really mean they “WORK”, get out there and replace any that are more than 10 years old.


 i didn't know that, yes it's a joke idk what the PO was thinking, maybe garage queen...thanks H4 55/60 watts, thanks you again
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1985 FJ1100

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1979 Yamaha XS1100
?? Fzr 600
1984 FJ1100
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
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1978 RD400

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FJ Flyer
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2019, 05:38:43 AM »

Broke my mod cherry installing headlight relays.  A MUST if you ride any in the dark.  Easy.  Here are the instructions:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=660.0

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Chris P.
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2019, 05:38:43 AM »

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TomJK
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2019, 07:28:17 AM »

Relay mod and Beamtech LED H4 bulb, wow I've seen the light! yahoo
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Past bikes : BMWR90-S,BMW R100CS, Ducati 900SD, Kawasaki GPZ600,Yamaha FJ1200,Kawasaki ZZR 1100 (4x),Kawasaki ZZR1200, Honda CBR1100XXX,Yamaha Thunderace, Kawasaki ZX10R (3X),
Aprillia Falco,Honda CBR600F4I, bikes today : Kawasaki ZX10R (C1, the best!),Yamaha FJ1200, soon to come Kawasaki Z900.....
mtc
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2019, 04:34:45 PM »

Quote from: TomJK on April 15, 2019, 07:28:17 AM
Relay mod and Beamtech LED H4 bulb, wow I've seen the light! yahoo
i bought a beamtech lookalike, maybe rebranded? it's bright, but with the motor running, it flickers, what gives?
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1985 FJ1100

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1979 Yamaha XS1100
?? Fzr 600
1984 FJ1100
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400

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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2019, 05:20:20 PM »

Quote from: mtc on April 28, 2019, 04:34:45 PM
Quote from: TomJK on April 15, 2019, 07:28:17 AM
Relay mod and Beamtech LED H4 bulb, wow I've seen the light! yahoo
i bought a beamtech lookalike, maybe rebranded? it's bright, but with the motor running, it flickers, what gives?

Did you do relay mod or check your voltage at headlight?

Maybe
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NhgpVRNplTM
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mtc
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2019, 05:29:57 PM »

Quote from: Sparky84 on April 28, 2019, 05:20:20 PM
Quote from: mtc on April 28, 2019, 04:34:45 PM
Quote from: TomJK on April 15, 2019, 07:28:17 AM
Relay mod and Beamtech LED H4 bulb, wow I've seen the light! yahoo
i bought a beamtech lookalike, maybe rebranded? it's bright, but with the motor running, it flickers, what gives?

Did you do relay mod or check your voltage at headlight?

Maybe
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NhgpVRNplTM

no time for mod, but the led specs range is 9-32v, i suppose the output in lumens is gona be the same correct me if i am wrong, at some point i will check voltage, it's an emergency stop gap, since i could not ride at night with the other bulb
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1985 FJ1100

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1979 Yamaha XS1100
?? Fzr 600
1984 FJ1100
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400

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Bones
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2019, 01:10:14 AM »

Quote from: mtc on April 28, 2019, 04:34:45 PM
Quote from: TomJK on April 15, 2019, 07:28:17 AM
Relay mod and Beamtech LED H4 bulb, wow I've seen the light! yahoo
i bought a beamtech lookalike, maybe rebranded? it's bright, but with the motor running, it flickers, what gives?


I put an LED bulb in mine a while ago and when revving was ok but would flicker at idle, did the relay mod and now good as gold.
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mtc
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2019, 03:47:01 PM »

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MXYLYXS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

what i bought... thanks will be on my to do list
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1985 FJ1100

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100
?? Fzr 600
1984 FJ1100
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400

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Pat Conlon
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2019, 04:07:26 PM »

You really should consider the headlight relay mod sooner rather than later.
You are suffering from voltage drop, just the nature of a 30 year old harness/switches/connectors.
This voltage drop will not go away with a fancy new bulb.

Here is a company called Eastern Beaver who has done all the work for you on your relay mod. Plug and play.
Scroll down you want the H4 with the fairing mounted relays.
https://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Kits/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html
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mtc
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #13 on: April 29, 2019, 04:42:16 PM »

Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 29, 2019, 04:07:26 PM
You really should consider the headlight relay mod sooner rather than later.
You are suffering from voltage drop, just the nature of a 30 year old harness/switches/connectors.
This voltage drop will not go away with a fancy new bulb.

Here is a company called Eastern Beaver who has done all the work for you on your relay mod. Plug and play.
Scroll down you want the H4 with the fairing mounted relays.
https://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Kits/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html


who would have known this existed


seems reasonably priced...thanks
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1985 FJ1100

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100
?? Fzr 600
1984 FJ1100
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400

Live Life Wrong and Perspire
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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2019, 04:14:56 AM »

Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 29, 2019, 04:07:26 PM
You really should consider the headlight relay mod sooner rather than later.
You are suffering from voltage drop, just the nature of a 30 year old harness/switches/connectors.
This voltage drop will not go away with a fancy new bulb.

Here is a company called Eastern Beaver who has done all the work for you on your relay mod. Plug and play.
Scroll down you want the H4 with the fairing mounted relays.
https://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Wiring_Kits/H4_Kits/h4_kits.html


Eastern Beaver makes quality products. Takes a little more time shipping from Japan, but worth it.
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Chris P.
'16 FJR1300ES
'87 FJ1200
'76 DT250

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Re: why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2019, 04:14:56 AM »

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