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Post by grumps on Nov 14, 2014 17:12:18 GMT
Other than going mad, does anyone know how to improve the dipped beam performance of the '95 Divvy 600 headlight?
We ride in daylight with full beam as the dipped is so poor. Crap at night too!
Thanks
David
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Post by teejayexc on Nov 14, 2014 17:26:06 GMT
Either HID, though I personally hate the things, or I think Simon, (Soggybiker), found another headlight that was a relatively straight swap that was an improvement on the original. Hopefully he'll see this and post his comments.
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Post by bluevinny on Nov 14, 2014 17:58:47 GMT
Consider using a brighter headlamp bulb: the Philips X-treme Vision or the Osram Nightbreaker.
Threads within the forum describe using relays to power the headlamps to get round the voltage drop due to old wiring and numerous connectors (link to follow).
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Post by grumps on Nov 14, 2014 18:02:23 GMT
I have put a brighter bulb in, but only one off the shelf at Halfords. It did help but still crap!
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Post by megah0 on Nov 14, 2014 19:05:30 GMT
I use an Osram nightbreaker and have upgraded the battery, nice and bright.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2014 19:05:57 GMT
You can pick up some Cibe units cheaply which should fit the xj600n
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Post by grumps on Nov 14, 2014 19:12:52 GMT
I use an Osram nightbreaker and have upgraded the battery, nice and bright. When you say upgraded the battery - to what? we have a normal 12v battery, quite good condition but if the engine is running and alternator is aok what else can we do. Will take a look at an Osram bulb anyway Thanks David |
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Post by crickleymal on Nov 14, 2014 19:57:11 GMT
diversionclub.proboards.com/thread/21996/headlight-problem-switchgear about halfway down is my circuit diagram of what I did with relays to power the headlight. I can't understand why upgrading the battery makes the headlight brighter either. It might stop it fading a bit at idle but apart from that the power comes from the magneto/alternator thingummy.
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Post by megah0 on Nov 14, 2014 20:47:33 GMT
went to an AGM battery, certainly made it brighter
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Post by chris on Nov 14, 2014 22:13:55 GMT
Sorry being thick ( it's not unusual for me) what is a Cibe unit?
Tried looking for them but cant find anything on them.
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Post by bluevinny on Nov 14, 2014 22:22:28 GMT
Sorry being thick ( it's not unusual for me) what is a Cibe unit? Tried looking for them but cant find anything on them. Should find more matches with Cibie. |
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Post by CD on Jan 26, 2015 1:47:59 GMT
Fitting relays will dramatically reduce the wiring volts drop to the headlight. 10% voltage loss means about 30% less light.
For being seen by others, you are better off with LED daylights.
Even better get LED spots to work with main beam. Then wire in a bypass supply with an LED dimmer so they can run as daylights without blinding people.
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Post by HRHpenfold on Jan 26, 2015 19:38:07 GMT
I can't understand why you care how bright your lights are in daylight, the only bikes I ride with the lights on in daylight, are the ones which you can't switch off!
In fact when I was on the January jolly, I got told off by the (1)bossy organiser, for not putting them on, as he could not see me,
The output should be reasonable, check the reflector and the voltage at the bulb,
You could fit a HID light, but choose one that's 3000kelvin, any higher and you loose the light, and they look obvious chavvie blue,
Cheap LED spotlights might be another option, even just one, and they can be had for less than £20 delivered from China!
(1) obvious fishing statement
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Post by crickleymal on Jan 27, 2015 13:02:49 GMT
I can't understand why you care how bright your lights are in daylight, the only bikes I ride with the lights on in daylight, are the ones which you can't switch off! A fair point. I keep mine on all the time but yes, so long as they're bright enough to be seen at 50 yards that'll do. As I do quite a bit of night time commuting the brightness does concern me then, but only then. |
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Post by m40man on Jan 27, 2015 13:50:16 GMT
I can't understand why you care how bright your lights are in daylight, the only bikes I ride with the lights on in daylight, are the ones which you can't switch off! A fair point. I keep mine on all the time but yes, so long as they're bright enough to be seen at 50 yards that'll do. You're being too kind to the old fool  . We blend into the scenery enough already with so many cars having daylight lights on now, the only time I have my lights off is if I forget 'em [1]. [1] Doesn't help having a mix of "can't switch off" & "must remember to switch on" bikes  . |
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Post by HRHpenfold on Jan 27, 2015 14:11:29 GMT
A fair point. I keep mine on all the time but yes, so long as they're bright enough to be seen at 50 yards that'll do. You're being too kind to the old fool . We blend into the scenery enough already with so many cars having daylight lights on now, the only time I have my lights off is if I forget 'em [1]. [1] Doesn't help having a mix of "can't switch off" & "must remember to switch on" bikes . and how does one manage to distinguish oneself from the sea of lights around you, with a headlight on? |
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Post by m40man on Jan 27, 2015 14:36:41 GMT
and how does one manage to distinguish oneself from the sea of lights around you, with a headlight on? Now that's an excellent point  . I'm aiming to blend in, not stand out especially. Maybe I appear like a car with one busted headlight - plenty of 'em round here. That way other road users could assume I'll hurt them as much as they hurt me, in a prang situation  . ........... raises the whole question of being seen though. I generally assume I haven't been, lights or no lights. Lights-on might give me the edge. |
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Post by HRHpenfold on Jan 27, 2015 16:14:28 GMT
and how does one manage to distinguish oneself from the sea of lights around you, with a headlight on? Now that's an excellent point . I'm aiming to blend in, not stand out especially. Maybe I appear like a car with one busted headlight - plenty of 'em round here. That way other road users could assume I'll hurt them as much as they hurt me, in a prang situation . ........... raises the whole question of being seen though. I generally assume I haven't been, lights or no lights. Lights-on might give me the edge. Well my opinion, is that if you haven't been seen, it's because the person hasn't looked, and in that scenario, it matters not what you wear or how many lights, neither will provide the shield of invincibility, strangely when I see something with one headlight, until it's up close I think it's a bike, I never think it's a car with a broken headlight, you weirdo  |
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Post by m40man on Jan 27, 2015 17:41:20 GMT
strangely when I see something with one headlight, until it's up close I think it's a bike, I never think it's a car with a broken headlight Sign of a posh neighbourhood . |
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Post by HRHpenfold on Jan 27, 2015 18:18:28 GMT
strangely when I see something with one headlight, until it's up close I think it's a bike, I never think it's a car with a broken headlight Sign of a posh neighbourhood . Your the rich southerner, I am a hard up northerner!  |
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Post by CD on Jan 31, 2015 17:51:48 GMT
When I fitted a pair of 50mm LED "torches" to by Divvie 900 the effect on potential SMIDSY right turn drivers was very obvious. Instead of creeping out cutting up etc etc. they hit the brakes & stop as I went by.
The lights were little AAA battery powered things nothing like the CREE light blasters we have now.
But they were very distinctive and the light triangle means bike. Also not anti social like some sports bike riders running on main beam.
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. We blend into the scenery enough already with so many cars having daylight lights on now, the only time I have my lights off is if I forget 'em [1].
.
. I'm aiming to blend in, not stand out especially. Maybe I appear like a car with one busted headlight - plenty of 'em round here. That way other road users could assume I'll hurt them as much as they hurt me, in a prang situation 
. 
