shock uprades (was shock oil dump): short progressive, a/m progressi

DSN_KLR650
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david zawadzki
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:46 pm

klr 650 headlight

Post by david zawadzki » Tue Apr 05, 2011 1:29 pm

Hellllloooooooo!!!!!!!! Hi guys! I want to replace my "not so bright" headlight with a "very bright" headlight. What are my options? I dont want to install the expensive hid kit. Im thinking Sylvania Silverstar 9003 or Xenon H-4 Bulb 55w/100. Which one is brighter? Im going to have to get a wire harness to replace the stock one. I think Mr. Fred has one for sale. Amigos- what are my options? Regards, David www.thevanguardband.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Jeff Khoury
Posts: 684
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:08 am

klr 650 headlight

Post by Jeff Khoury » Tue Apr 05, 2011 1:46 pm

In my experience the Silverstar is a nice, very bright bulb. Buy two or three of 'em, because they don't last very long. :-) -Jeff Khoury From: "david zawadzki" To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 11:29:41 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 headlight Hellllloooooooo!!!!!!!! Hi guys! I want to replace my "not so bright" headlight with a "very bright" headlight. What are my options? I dont want to install the expensive hid kit. Im thinking Sylvania Silverstar 9003 or Xenon H-4 Bulb 55w/100. Which one is brighter? Im going to have to get a wire harness to replace the stock one. I think Mr. Fred has one for sale. Amigos- what are my options? Regards, David www.thevanguardband.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Eddie
Posts: 472
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2000 9:42 am

klr 650 headlight

Post by Eddie » Tue Apr 05, 2011 1:52 pm

The quickest, easiest, most painless upgrade would be to the Silverstar 9003. I have run s-tars in bikes and cars with good results. Note: They don't last quite as long as a more standard bulb. Get a two-pack on sale and you'll always have a spare! Changing to a higher wattage bulb creates it's own chalenges like alternator output, more heat, wiring upgrades and the like. I put a pair of eBay sourced, made in China from "Hella technology" (sounds better than patent infringement) H.I.D. bulbs/ballasts in my 09'. They are insanely bright with a reduced current draw of just 35w each vs the stock 55w halogens. The downside? The OEM lenses and reflectors are all wrong for the type of bulb. The beams were way too high and had to be reaimed. Even still, it's not quite right. Great for daytime conspicuity, embarrassingly bright for oncoming drivers at night. Upside? You can see a deer @ 1/2 a mile. LOL The two lamp kit was only $45 or so. It remains to be seen how long they'll last. I had to modify the bulb holder rubber parts and make a spacer to bring the low beam back in for better aim. Hassles.... When they do die, I'm putting in Silverstars and making no more apologetic gestures to nighttime drivers. =) eddie
> > > > [Original Message] > > From: david zawadzki > > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > > Date: 4/5/2011 2:29:45 PM > > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] klr 650 headlight > > > > Hellllloooooooo!!!!!!!! > > > > Hi guys! > > > > I want to replace my "not so bright" headlight with a "very bright" > > headlight. > > What are my options? > > > > I dont want to install the expensive hid kit. > > Im thinking Sylvania Silverstar 9003 or Xenon H-4 Bulb 55w/100. Which
one
> > is brighter? > > Im going to have to get a wire harness to replace the stock one. I
think Mr.
> > Fred has one for sale. > > > > Amigos- what are my options? > > > > Regards, > > David > > > > www.thevanguardband.com
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Jeff Saline
Posts: 2246
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:02 pm

klr 650 headlight

Post by Jeff Saline » Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:59 pm

On Tue, 5 Apr 2011 14:29:41 -0400 david zawadzki writes:
> Hellllloooooooo!!!!!!!! > > Hi guys! > > I want to replace my "not so bright" headlight with a "very bright" > headlight. > What are my options? > > I dont want to install the expensive hid kit. > Im thinking Sylvania Silverstar 9003 or Xenon H-4 Bulb 55w/100. > Which one > is brighter? > Im going to have to get a wire harness to replace the stock one. I > think Mr. > Fred has one for sale. > > Amigos- what are my options? > > Regards, > David
<><><><><><> ><><><><><><>
David, You don't say what year KLR you have and the early headlights are different from the later models. I think the best upgrade you can do to the headlight system is to change to heavier wires and add relays. I think about 5 years ago Norm Keller who was a wonderful poster on this list did some testing of the stock headlight system. I believe he found a 1.5 volt drop in the low beam circuit. That is a huge amount when it comes to light output. If I recall correctly that is something like 50% less light output at 1.5 volts lower than designed. After he did the wires and relays I think he had less than a 0.1 volt drop. I have done the wires and relays to my 2003 KLR and will put it up against anyone's KLR using the stock wiring and different bulbs. Allowing the electrickery to get where the work is (upgrade wires and relays) will improve performance much more than increasing the work (higher output headlight bulb) and not letting the workers (stock wiring) get to it. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT . . ____________________________________________________________ Obama Urges Refinance If you owe under $729k you probably qualify for Obama's Refi Programs http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4d9b748dbde10576bb7st05vuc
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