headlight mod

[Rogue]

I will place my order this week.  I still have the Ecliptech rear LED lens and it rocks.  Really high quality.

The low beam headlight on my Firebolt is now completely dead due to burned out wiring inside.  So I am using the high beam, which is where the low beam should be anyway.

[Bueller]

I've put it up in the special offers section so it is ready to go.

The stock wiring to the headlight is thin and the insulation on the low beam wire gets brittle and cracks at about 25K.  This is maybe what's happened to yours Rogue.

This will fix all that, you just use the stock wiring to power the controller and to pass the high, low signal inputs.  It will work fine off the position light connection.  In fact that is the way it is best to run it on the Lightnings and the Ulys.

[Bueller]

One thing to remember about routing the cable forward on the Ulys is if the comfort kit is installed.  Not as easy to route a cable forward with the shield in place over the shock.  =)

I'll keep reading and let you know what I find that might be an issue for the Uly.

Also, have you posted this over on BadWeb?

Thanks Squidbuzz.  I hadn't thought of that.  We made need to do extra instructions for the fan shield.  I've played with them and they come out easy enough, and the main harness still has to go up through from the battery so I think it should be possible.

I'm just about to post it up on BadWeb

[Rogue]

Color me ignorant here Bueller.  Was wondering if you could either post or PM me the link to your website for ordering.  I thought I had bookmarked it but that was with my old computer.  Thanks.  

I'm  =  

 

[Bueller]

Hi Rogue

it is www.srwmoto.com.au or just www.srwmoto.com will do.

At 30K miles the original low beam refector on your Firebolt will be on the way out.  I'll see if I can do something with the Hella soon.

[Bueller]

I'm not going to be able to get all of the time off in December that I was expecting Rogue.

Check out this thread, and go through the archives

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/592520.html?1290029776

You could PM him to see if he is going to sell the brackets.

[Rogue]

Bueller, I did actually go through that thread before.

In any case, I tried.....again, to fix the wiring on the low beam and the SOB just won't stay connected.  After a week they loosen up and breakdown again.  It's driving me nuts!  It's gotten to the point where the only way to salvage them is to replace the whole wire with something stronger.  Either that or do the coversion like you did.  

I'm kind of "paralyzed" into inaction right now.  I'm torn between keeping the 'Bolt or replacing it.  There is no point in upgrading the lights if I replace the bike.  

I'm like this right now:  

[Squidbuzz]

My order has been placed.  

[Bueller]

Shouldn't be too much longer Squidbuzz.  There is a 48 hour holdup on all mail into the US for the moment because of increased security checks.  Parcels from the US seem to be slower as well.

This is low beam day and night


and low and high beams at night


Only a few days left for the forum offer

[Bueller]

In any case, I tried.....again, to fix the wiring on the low beam and the SOB just won't stay connected. After a week they loosen up and breakdown again. It's driving me nuts! It's gotten to the point where the only way to salvage them is to replace the whole wire with something stronger. Either that or do the coversion like you did.  

If the problem is where I think it is it should be a small harness to replace from the white connector to to the headlights.

The lighting harness is part no. YH401.02A8 for the US version.  It should only cost a few dollars.

You'd miss the Firebolt if you sold it.  The headlights are worth doing and you've done everything else by the looks of it.

For a while I was thinking about what other bike I would trade the Firebolt for.  There weren't any.  In the end when I was thinking of a next bike it was always going to be as well as the Firebolt, and before the offer on the 1125R the KTM RC8R was the front runner.

[Rogue]

Bueller, I know I will miss it.

I've ridden the 1125R extensively (a friend has one) and it is everything the Firebolt is only better in all aspects.  If Buell had continued I would probably be riding a Barracuda right now.  

Having said that, there are a few key ingredients that I enjoy so much about the Firebolt.  Lightweight, flickability, lots of torque at low to mid RPM, good wind protection, simplicity, and looks.  It is possible to get these from other makes, except I would have to give up simplicity and low maintenance.  

[Bueller]

The 1125R can't replace my Firebolt.  They are such different bikes.  

The handling on the 1125R is brilliant and rock solid.  The Firebolt can't can't match it, but at the same time the Firebolt is easier to ride expecially on gravel and in wet weather.  The 1125R is supposed to be lighter but the Firebolt feels lighter it is also narrower which helps make it more fun to throw around.  

The 1125R is too hot around town.  When the temps get up around 40C the coolant temp is 104C by the time I get home from work.  The heat burns the hairs off my legs.  I use the bikes to commute everyday but the 1125R is not a commuter.  If I only had one bike it couldn't be the 1125.

[Rogue]

I find the Firebolt is great for commuting and especially lane splitting (filtering).  But it too get's very hot in traffic.  When that rear fan kicks in it blows really hot air on your right thigh.  Unless you are wearing thick pants, it's OUCH!  Not enough to burn but it sure is hot!

[Bueller]

Since I got the 1125 I don't think the Firebolt gets hot at all.  In terms of heat they are not in the same league.  I always imagined a water-cooled bike would run cooler.  Boy was I wrong.

The 1125 is more serious to ride.  The Firebolt a little blip will push you through the traffic.  The 1125 the power is at higher revs when you open into a bit of power you're commited.  I have to concentrate a lot more than I do on the Firebolt.  I'm not saying its hard just sort of more serious.

The Firebolt is for commuting and touring and the 1125 is for track days and club rides.

[Rogue]

Bueller, I admire your love for the XB design.

It’s a fine motorcycle and can be adopted to a variety of roles.  However, I find that some of the Firebolt’s inherent designs does not make it a good sport-tourer.  The biggest gripe I have is lack of space for practical sized bags, especially on the faux tank.  The rear seat is too short for anything but small seat bags.  Then, there’s the limited range of 115-130 miles before reserve.  These two factors always rear their ugly heads each time I take the Firebolt out on a sport-tour, and I find it limiting.  I can adopt to packing light and small, but the range is a kind of a pain.  Often times I’ve wanted to explore further but at 100 miles, its time to start looking for a fuel station.  It seems like minor gripes and they are in a way.  But when you consider other alternatives for sport-touring that has many of the same capabilities of the Firebolt but with greater range and luggage capacity, you have to start wondering.  

[Bueller]

The 1125 has a bigger tank but its thirsty.  It depends on the system and tune I'm running but the XB can get more to an 11.7 litre reserve than the 1125's 16 litre reserve.  (At the moment the Firebolt as an open look tune and it's thirsty).

With the Micron, a tune and an the taller gearing I consistently got over 200 miles to a tank on the Firebolt - at the moment its 120.  The 1125 hits reserve at 265 km and I've sucked the 4 litre reserve in less than 50km across town.

I have the small Buell saddlebags and tail-pack, the large Buell saddlebags and tail pack, a Ventura rack with the big sack, the small sports rack pack and the Ventura seat pack.  I can pick and choose for touring.  I'm a bit of a credit card tourer so mostly I just use the two small Ventura packs.  They give me 25 litres.

The bike as quirks and I guess given a choice I would be back on my old Jota so I can understand you looking around.  I just can't find much that appeals.

[Rogue]

It's all good.  I'm only looking around still because I can't really decide.

In any case, I have the VFR for touring so I don't intend on using the Firebolt for that anymore.  

[Squidbuzz]

Alright, my Twinlight has arrived.  I just need to find a heated garage and some dry roads and this thing will be installed.  Hopefully within the next couple of weeks.

[Bueller]

Normally we're in Summer and I'd post some gloat about the weather.  Not much point at the moment.  We had a big storm come through today and more rain in the last couple of months than you'd hope for in a year.
I'm glad it's turned up.  I think you'll like it.

[delta one]

I find the Firebolt is great for commuting and especially lane splitting (filtering).  But it too get's very hot in traffic.  When that rear fan kicks in it blows really hot air on your right thigh.  Unless you are wearing thick pants, it's OUCH!  Not enough to burn but it sure is hot!

try a full sized right side scoop, since mine was installed my fan kicks in about 1/4 as often as before and runs for less time.

and I'm with Bueller on the XB bikes, I really wanted to like the 1125's especially the Cr but the bike ran so bloody hot and would buzz like crazy if I wanted to set up a gear for a full throttle swat down the road.
my lightning is WAY more fun than any of the 1125's I rode and for the most part I can hang with my buddies on their 1125R's in the corners on the street with the same tires.
right up until it starts getting straight......

I decided not to trade my lighting for a Cr because I love my XB9 way too much, the only thing an 1125 has that my 9 does not is crazy power. but I feel my nine is better in nearly every other way.
 YMMV