2000 Valkyrie I/S Headlight bulbs

[DragonRdr]

Well the low beam in my right H4 headlight bulb finally burned out. I've been thinking about replacing both bulbs with the new style Pathfinder LED bulbs sold by Cyclemax.

https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500_new_style_pathfinder_led_h4_headlight_kit/167424/358815

Partzilla sells the OEM H4 bulbs in sets of 2 that would be about the same price as the LEDs. Does anyone have any experience with the LEDs or can suggest a different manufacturer? I really don't ride at night anymore. If I could find the OEM H4s cheaper I would probably just buy them, but if there's a safety advantage with the LEDs I might as well spend the money. Thanks in advance for any info or suggestions.

LarryG

[Jess from VA]

The OE bulbs are 45/45.  And spendy.

For many years, everyone went with standard auto parts 55/60 H4s (you just had to break off a tab or two to put them in the housing).  Someone sold little keeper rings to hold them in, but you didn't really need them. (Electrical Connection?)

I stuck off road H4s in 80/100 in there so my constant-on dims were brighter for safety in being visible (daytime, I almost never ride at night unless getting home late).  I never run brights (except a quick flash at oncoming brights).  Now this is with my 2 Interstates with the very breathable fairing, and there never was a heat issue (or wiring issue).  Can't say with std buckets.

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H4-100-80W-Wattage/dp/B000COBLKW

I have no advice on LEDs.

[DragonRdr]

Thanks Jess, there's a lot of different opinions about the LEDs out there and whether they're better than the Halogen bulbs. At this point since the riding season up here in New England is coming to an end I think I'll wait until spring to replace the headlight bulbs. Until then I'll just ride with the high beams.

Thanks again

Larry

[Jess from VA]

The only other thing about my 80-100s (always on 80 dims) is that is a constant draw of 160, versus the standard auto parts 55/60s at 110 constant on dim (for two lights).

The old alternators in our bikes can crap out, and the higher draw from H4s vs LEDs is a worthy consideration.  Besides light output.  

[DragonRdr]

Well I went out for a ride yesterday and decided to stop by the local Honda dealer. I bought a couple of Halogen bulbs and decided to try and install them this morning. According to the service manual you need to remove the fairing to get to the bulbs? What a pain in the @$$. Anyone know a better way or short cut? I really don't want to remove the fairing if I don't have to.

Larry

[DragonRdr]

Well after loking around I found the following link and am going to give it a try.

Valkyrie Interstate Headlight Bulb Replacement
by Raymond

https://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/interstateheadlight.htm

I'll let you know how it goes.

Larry

[Jess from VA]

No need to remove fairing.

It's tricky, but you unhook the clip and plug and reach in.

You can look or you can work, but you can't quite do both at the same time.  Flop the bars for each side.

I watched Big Bill Furgeson do it.  After getting things unhooked from the back, he sat in a chair in front of the fairing and reached the bulbs underneath from there, looking through the plexiglass light cover to guide him into the holes, and twist.  Then go back to the rear and plug/clip in.

Working from only the rear, some I got in in minutes, others took a half hour (with cursing).    

And do not handle bulbs with bare (greasy) fingers.  

If a light fails to light, just push firmly on the back of the rubber plug.  Over the years, I've had a bulb or two that required me to do this every few months, even though everything was clean.  

[DragonRdr]

Well I got the new bulb installed. It wasn't an easy to get to with the faring still on. I did take the speaker panel off to make it a little easier to access. After an hour and a lot of swearing I got it installed. The hardest part was getting the clip that hold the bulb in place to lock back in. That alone took about half and hour and 90% of the swearing. The shop talk link in my previous post was a great help and I wouldn't have been able to figure it out without it. Thanks again Jess for your advice.

Larry