PIAA lights on 06 Sprint ST

[B-rent]

Hey all. I seem to recall a thread on installing the PIAA lights on a current model ST. I can't seem to find it.

Has anybody installed these on their Sprint? The 2nd kit down on the page, the 1100X, says it's compatible with the ST.

http://www.piaa.com/Powersports/piaa-powersports/custom_applications.html

I'd really like to improve my side to side visibility. I'll be riding a lot in the dark this summer so I might as well start researching. If anybody has done this and can post tips/pics/information, that'd be great. Thanks.

[basco]

Was it this one?

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,909.msg23345.html#msg23345

[B-rent]

Was it this one?

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,909.msg23345.html#msg23345

I think it was Basco thanks. I'll write him a private message and see if I can get anymore information.

[GRN]

Hey guys, yup, I gave it a try.

It helps, but it's still a good ways from ideal in my book. I inverted the bracket (mounts in the lower, forward fender bolt position) which raises the position of the light about 3.5" improving the angle a bit, and gets them about as high as you can probably get away with and leave them on continuously with any incoming traffic. I also angled them out some, will continue experimenting with increasing that angle a bit at a time.

My ST13 has the 910's mounted up higher slaved to my high beams and the difference between the two is night and day. It's ditch donkey hell around here so if I know I'm going to be rolling in the dark, I take the Honda. I'm still looking for creative ideas/solutions to a solid mounting point up high that won't look like complete crap for a set of 910's or similar.

On a scale of 1-10, the 1100's improve the "see" factor by 4-5, and improve the "be seen" factor by 9-10... bottom line IMO is that they are well worth the investment, but still may leave you wanting something more for corning at night in environments with little to no ambient light. YMMV  

[B-rent]

Thanks for the reply GRN.

It doesn't sound like your too happy with them, the PIAA 1100s. That's a shame.  

Could you post some pics for us to see what they look like?

I'm actually thinking they'd look better and would be more functional lower on the bike. Have you found this not to be the case?

The dealer I spoke with about the 1100s said they don't come with a mounting bracket. The odd thing is, I've seen them online with the contents of the box shown, showing mounting brackets. Did yours come with mounting brackets? If not, what did you use for mounting brackets? Thanks.  

[GRN]

There is a kit that comes with hardware specific to the bike... they have several kits listed on their home page with different part #'s, and what bikes they fit. Don and I did about the same thing, except he used the spacers that go between the bracket and fender, and I mounted flush.

I'm not unhappy with the PIAA's.... I'm just still very unhappy with the stock set up. It sux... whoever designed it should have any # of awefull things befall them... in no certain order.  

[DNA]

I am adding the lights this week.  After looking at many alternatives, I settled on the Hella Micro DE's in the "work light" option.

Why? I really wanted the PIAA 910's but the Sprint only has a 35 AMP alternator (and they have ben discontinued).  With heated vest, gps, grips, etc there is no way to run 2x110w.  As mentioned above, the motolights and other small flood lights are not going to give the massive lighting I want - but the will increase my viability.  Ideally I'd have both but this is not an option with the electronics ont he bike.  I am looking for more light on the road for deer spotting and seeing around turns in the Mts at night, so the safety issue does not help.

Being AMP challenged, the 2x55w DE's seem like a great option.
I am having brackets made to enable then to hang pendulum style from the mirror mounts, high on the bike.  I think they will look pretty good, but I have yet to start the wiring process yet.  I should have some pics and data in 2 weeks.

To make this work I am addidng an additional fuse block and a voltage minder light.

So far, total cost for everything has been well under $200!

BTW - I upgraded the main headlights to the Osrams - that mad a 500% improvement.  Do that first if you have not.  Only $20 but worth 10X.

[VTSprint]

Where did you get your Osram lamps, and which ones did you go with?

Looking forward to seeing your set up with the auxiliary lamps...

VTS

[DNA]

I ordered them from someplace in the UK  
It was not too expensive, and took 7 days.
I'll try to find the address in a few days - or you can search on triumphRat.net - that is where I found them.

Here it is:
http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/

[GRN]

Brent,

sorry man, meant to paste this link in the last post... pics of Dons install with spacers.
http://www.sprintowners.com/showthread.php?t=180

[B-rent]

Brent,

sorry man, meant to paste this link in the last post... pics of Dons install with spacers.
http://www.sprintowners.com/showthread.php?t=180

Thanks GRN.  

DNA, or anyone, would you mind sharing how you can calculate how much load the alternator on a Sprint can handle? It's probably a simple addition/subtraction equation but I really don't know. TIA

[DNA]

35 amps x 12 volts = 420 W (not much)
I think the ST1300 has 750?
I think it takes 300 to run the bike, so figure 120 left over at full capacity for farkles?
Basically, very little.  That is why I will install a voltage meter (red green yellow light thing) with the Hella's into the new fuse block.

[VTSprint]

I do hate to have to ask a stupid question, but I'm going to do it anyway. The Triumph manual (2006) says the headlights are H4... but it looks like maybe they're actually H7. H4 are dipped and high beams in one bulb; H7 are one filament only. Bummer I figured this out after getting Osrams shipped here from the UK!

Has anyone run into this problem? Does it sound right to you?

[B-rent]

I don't really know man. I'll be curious to see what the answer is.

[GRN]

Everything on mine, including my lens says H7... single filament.

[DNA]

I'm pretty sure my '03 has H4's.

[Clive]

My 2006 says "H7" on the light assembly over each of the three beams.  I bought OSRAM/Sylvania replacement bulbs in H7, they popped right in, the business ends fit the harness plugs perfectly, and they work properly.

I'd say H7.

Not sure, but it should also be silk-screened on the base of the bulbs.  You could pull one and look.

[Air_Bob1]

I'm pretty sure my '03 has H4's.

The '03 definetly has the H4s. i know for sure becasue I've relaced enough of them. Sylvania Silverstars don't last very long.