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why the heck is the fj1100 headlight so dim?

Started by mtc, April 13, 2019, 10:50:27 PM

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mtc

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
Current
1985 FJ1100

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100 best one
1984 FJ1100
1987 FZR600
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400 Spec II Motor

Live Life Wrong and Perspire

Sparky84

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!
1984 FJ1100
1979 Kawasaki Z1300
1972 Honda CB750/4 K2

mtc

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

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100 best one
1984 FJ1100
1987 FZR600
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400 Spec II Motor

Live Life Wrong and Perspire

Sparky84

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.
1984 FJ1100
1979 Kawasaki Z1300
1972 Honda CB750/4 K2

mtc

Quote from: Sparky84 on April 14, 2019, 04:39:46 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
Current
1985 FJ1100

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100 best one
1984 FJ1100
1987 FZR600
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400 Spec II Motor

Live Life Wrong and Perspire

FJ Flyer

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

Chris P.
'16 FJR1300ES
'87 FJ1200
'76 DT250

Wear your gear.


TomJK

Relay mod and Beamtech LED H4 bulb, wow I've seen the light! :yahoo:
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

Quote from: TomJK on April 15, 2019, 08:28:17 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?
Current
1985 FJ1100

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100 best one
1984 FJ1100
1987 FZR600
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400 Spec II Motor

Live Life Wrong and Perspire

Sparky84

Quote from: mtc on April 28, 2019, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: TomJK on April 15, 2019, 08:28:17 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
1984 FJ1100
1979 Kawasaki Z1300
1972 Honda CB750/4 K2

mtc

Quote from: Sparky84 on April 28, 2019, 06:20:20 PM
Quote from: mtc on April 28, 2019, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: TomJK on April 15, 2019, 08:28:17 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
Current
1985 FJ1100

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100 best one
1984 FJ1100
1987 FZR600
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400 Spec II Motor

Live Life Wrong and Perspire

Bones

Quote from: mtc on April 28, 2019, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: TomJK on April 15, 2019, 08:28:17 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.
93 fj1200
79 suzuki gt250x7


Too young to be old but old enough to know better.

mtc

Current
1985 FJ1100

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100 best one
1984 FJ1100
1987 FZR600
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400 Spec II Motor

Live Life Wrong and Perspire

Pat Conlon

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
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

mtc

Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 29, 2019, 05:07:26 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
Current
1985 FJ1100

Previous Bikes
1979 Yamaha XS1100 best one
1984 FJ1100
1987 FZR600
1987 Fazer
1985 Vision
1982 Seca 750
1978 RD400 Spec II Motor

Live Life Wrong and Perspire

FJ Flyer

Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 29, 2019, 05:07:26 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.
Chris P.
'16 FJR1300ES
'87 FJ1200
'76 DT250

Wear your gear.