• Welcome, Guest! We hope you enjoy the excellent technical knowledge, event information and discussions that the BMW MOA forum provides. Some forum content will be hidden from you if you remain logged out. If you want to view all content, please click the 'Log in' button above and enter your BMW MOA username and password.

    If you are not an MOA member, why not take the time to join the club, so you can enjoy posting on the forum, the BMW Owners News magazine, and all of the discounts and benefits the BMW MOA offers?

  • Beginning April 1st, and running through April 30th, there is a new 2024 BMW MOA Election discussion area within The Club section of the forum. Within this forum area is also a sticky post that provides the ground rules for participating in the Election forum area. Also, the candidates statements are provided. Please read before joining the conversation, because the rules are very specific to maintain civility.

    The Election forum is here: Election Forum

anyone try this headlight bulb?

J

jmolsberg

Guest
seems reasonable and inexpensive. feedback?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-...torcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_1182

Picture1.png
 
Well, it states clearly in the ad that the box is labeled H4, but it isn't an H4 bulb... cavet emptor.

It's a 35 watt bulb (no high beam element). And it's $20.

The BMW original equipment "incandescent" bulb (pn: 07 11 9 978 396) is a 45 (high)/40 (low) 12v. You can buy them from Hucky (among other places) for about $7.50

An H4 bulb is a 60/55 watt combination and can be had for about $4 at your local NAPA (if you have a reflector).

So, reasonable, and inexpensive?

If your bike is already fitted with a 7" diameter headlamp (/6 and later), an H4 conversion kit will drop right in; for about $50. There's only one way to fit an H4 into a /5 BMW (5-3/4" diameter headlamp) and it isn't "inexpensive". A hundred bucks is the cheapest (plastic reflector), Hucky has them... I bought one, and regret it.. . A "proper" metal reflector with lens, H4 conversion [160mm] is about $390...
 
Jinbawang? Sounds like an asian porno movie! :laugh

Go buy a Sylvania Silverstar at your local auto parts store for $12.00. Don't worry, be happy. (Probably made by Jinbawang) :doh
 
indeed it does?

RonKMiller said:
Jinbawang? Sounds like an asian porno movie! :laugh

Go buy a Sylvania Silverstar at your local auto parts store for $12.00. Don't worry, be happy. (Probably made by Jinbawang) :doh
Click to expand...

which sylvania silverstar? thanks
 
I had bought some similar brand X asian bulbs and was not happy with them at all. I think I had ten years?? on an OEM bulb and went through two cheapo asian ones this last season. Not a major deal for me to change, but I'd rather spend a few $$ and not worry about it for years. It will burn out at the worst possible time:doh

I purchased a PIAA (60/55 blue light) that is supposedly motorcycle anti-vibration heavy duty sort of deal online. Paid way too much for the shipping (hey, I live in the sticks, get used to it..) but I think the bulb was ~ $25.
 
now I am officially confuzzled but not worried

the burned out bulb is an Osram 7951. is there a replacement which, offers better light and is a direct replacement? :scratch
 
+1 on the H4 conversion.

I ran an H4 Bosch in my Windjammer for years with great results; the electrical system on my /5 had no problems at all keeping up. The WJ was fitted with a 7" diameter head light bucket so converting to H4 so a simple matter of just swapping the sealed beam for the Bosch. The reflector on the /5 is 5-3/4" [160mm].

When I went "Euro" I also went the "cheap" H4-conversion route, before I realized that the more expensive conversion was available. The reflector portion is plastic and it will only be a matter of time before something on it breaks off, or cracks... The lens itself is glass so it shouldn't do too bad.
 
Lmo1131 said:
Well, it states clearly in the ad that the box is labeled H4, but it isn't an H4 bulb... cavet emptor.

It's a 35 watt bulb (no high beam element). And it's $20.

The BMW original equipment "incandescent" bulb (pn: 07 11 9 978 396) is a 45 (high)/40 (low) 12v. You can buy them from Hucky (among other places) for about $7.50

An H4 bulb is a 60/55 watt combination and can be had for about $4 at your local NAPA (if you have a reflector).

So, reasonable, and inexpensive?

If your bike is already fitted with a 7" diameter headlamp (/6 and later), an H4 conversion kit will drop right in; for about $50. There's only one way to fit an H4 into a /5 BMW (5-3/4" diameter headlamp) and it isn't "inexpensive". A hundred bucks is the cheapest (plastic reflector), Hucky has them... I bought one, and regret it.. . A "proper" metal reflector with lens, H4 conversion [160mm] is about $390...
Click to expand...

H4 is a two filament bulb configuration. It has nothing to do with the power output. I have an H4 100/80W bulb in my RS. I have also used 100/55s, 80/55s, and 60/55s (The first number is always the high beam filament) in various auto applications. I am a little puzzled, though. I thought my lamp was stock. It isn't supposed to take an H4? :scratch [Might be that mine is originally a Euro bike.]
 
535is said:
I am a little puzzled, though. I thought my lamp was stock. It isn't supposed to take an H4? :scratch [Might be that mine is originally a Euro bike.]
Click to expand...

apples to oranges- you have a /7 vintage bike, the OP has a /5 which requires a conversion to un-seled beam it. the '78 (/6 on) is H4 as stock.
 
PIAA Bulbs

RAPIDDOG said:
...anyone use the PIAA Xtreme or Intense White H4 on a /7?
Results?
Click to expand...

I ran an Osram 100/80 on my /7 for several years and it was hard on the electrical system, (battery too weak to turn over motor after a series of short runs, burnt off wires twice inside headlight housing). Bought a couple PIAA Xtreme White 65/50's on e-bay for $25 and they have been great. Half the power consumption, yet noticeably more light. The electrical system appreciates them too; no more trouble starting because of a drained battery.
 
I think I've tried them all. And my spares box bears me out. Best I've come across (but they're pricey) are Raybrigs.

BTW, I tried a 100/80 bulb in my airhead RT and it worked great. Then I had the headlight open for some reason and saw I was about a hair's-breadth away from completing the meltdown of the (plastic) bulb socket. Coulda switched to ceramic I guess but I put in a standard wattage bulb and all's "cool" since then.

Must have been the fairing. Have had a 100/80 in an unfaired HD for years now with no problems.

FWIW/YMMV.
 
I suggest you start watching e-Bay for a reflector and lens from a BMW R65. This is a direct drop-in replacement on the /5.

I was able to buy a R65 reflector (with h4 bulb) for about $80 (list is about $200) and the lens for about $30 (list is about $100), but it took about 5 months of looking every day. I would check both the /5 listings and the R65 listings.

You should get the lens as well as the reflector, because they are different.

The parts on the /5 listings were generally higher, since people advertising the parts there know what it's being used for and what the OEM parts cost.

I don't think the parts in the R65 listings are regularly checked by the /5 guys, and that's where I was able to score the reflector. They usually go for at least 50% more in the /5 listings.

These items aren't being auctioned every day, but they do show up regularly (like 2 - 3 times per month, and sometimes more frequently).

Also, if you haven't joined already, you should look into becoming a member of /5 United, which offers a treasure trove of information delivered to your in-box daily.

Good luck with your search.
 
The bulb illustrated is a somewhat-hard-to-find adaptation of the headlamp socket that the Slash Five (and other Euro-bikes of that era) used. It IS a large improvement over the "yellow-white" stock lamp of the /5. It's available in a couple of wattages, I'd stick with the 60 or lower strength. If you absolutely HAVE to run as much as possible, pay attention to a few areas:
1. Heat generation, that high-power bulb can MELT things in the headlamp!
2. Power requirements - the /5 charging system only puts out around 180 watts(When it's in TOP SHAPE!)
3. You really should add heavier wiring and relays to supply the bigger lamp. Your 35+ year old wiring, connections and switches ($100 each) won't be happy with the load AND the lamp won't be as bright as it can be.

If you look for this lamp, the base is a P45t base. A quick look around Google found a couple of venders selling them for under $10 (I used to ask $12 when I was vending....)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

RANBUSH
Zitzen H4 "Super" headlight wiring diagram?
Replies
4
Views
592
RANBUSH
RANBUSH
B
early tail light (stop and park light) bulb part number question
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
Omega Man
Omega Man
S
Brightest halogen headlights
Replies
9
Views
2K
strataj
S
D
Starter Relay Repair Kit
Replies
3
Views
3K
20774
20774
D
No Headlight But Hi-beam Flasher Works
Replies
5
Views
2K
stevenrankin
stevenrankin
Back
Top