will england :: motorcycle notes and tips

Driving Light Links and Info


This is probably more than you wanted to know but I had nothing better to do.
 I prefer driving lights over fog lights because they extend the pattern
ahead of the vehicle as well as widening the beam a little. Think of a pear
shaped pattern with the fatter end close to the vehicle. They should be
mounted even with the headlight, parallel with your line of sight.
Mini-Projector type lights are aerodynamically superior but the bigger the
reflector the more light projected.

A fog light projects a wide oval shaped pattern across the road with little
extension forward. They should be mounted lower than the headlight, and out
of your line of sight, to prevent the light from reflecting off the
Fog/Rain/Snow (I know, I know but this is meant to be general advice) and
back into your eyes. The reason for amber fog lights is the same. F/R/S are
white and a white bulb's light will reflect back as glare. Amber light
provides contrast and even though some will bounce back some will penetrate
the weather.

The third choice is pencil beams, also called Euro beams. They are long range
lights that can illuminate the road a mile or more ahead of your vehicle but
are very narrow and don't touch the shoulders. Usually high-powered and big
like prison searchlights. Useless in turns, and they tend to promote tunnel
vision. These are used in racing but not very practical for street use.

Now for the Concours, I suggest Larry Buck's light mount and big ol' driving
lights with 4 to 6 inch reflectors. Don't get anything with bulbs higher than
55 watts or you'll run your battery down when you add goodies like
brakelights, electric clothing, radios, etc. I first had a cool looking under
headlight installation.  I changed it quickly.  They necessitate a tiny light
and their light gets lost within the headlight's beam. Plus there's the
chance of the lights hitting the fender. One of the advantages of big lights
mounted on the sides is that they make you more conspicuous to the brain dead
left turners. I used to have Saeng Nightcutters but needed more light to spot
deer and other roadkill on the hoof before I plowed into them. I've ordered
PIAA 520 SMRs and will mount them on Larry's mounting. Hella and Catz also
make nice lights. If you still want a kit similar to the Cycle Gadget setup
see the Electrical Connection's site.  Below is a sample of what I've been
rambling about:

 http://hometown.aol.com/lrbuck/myhomepage/business.html

 http://www.accessconnect.com/piaalamp.htm

 http://www.saeng.com/cutters_ts.htm

 http://www.classicgarage.com/classicgarage/accessories-hella-lights-hella-fog---driving-lamps.html

 http://www.excellentperformance.com/html/catz/msr.html

 http://www.cbtimports.com/piaa.htm

 http://www.electricalconnection.com/driving%20lights/dl_concours.htm

 http://www.cbtimports.com/tolkaw-0003.htm


If you want to try a high power headlight bulb get a high temp socket too.
(Napa part #LS 6235) A separate wiring harness wouldn't hurt either. That
bypasses the OEM wiring and reduces wire resistance for more power to the
bulb.

 http://www.mindspring.com/~gbyoung2/misc/electrical/hdheadlamp1.gif

 http://www.mindspring.com/~gbyoung2/misc/electrical/hdheadlamp2.gif

 http://www.electricalconnection.com/wire%20harnesses/hrns_headlight.htm


Avoid fork mounted lights like Motolights.  Their bulbs are subjected to
unsprung shocks and point in the direction the forks are steered.  During
countersteering that means the light will shine away from the curve not into
it.

Hope I haven't bored you. I tend to get carried away.


Elvin Rivera
Williamsville, NY
COG# 2536


permalink: http://will.mylanders.com/mc/notes/read.pl?file=209

Return to index

Another Random File

note: this article is by the listed author. all articles have been collected from various usenet groups and e-mail lists. DMCA violations, errors, omissions, complaints to will england. compliments to listed author. if no author is listed, none was provided in the source material. all information is correct to the best of my knowledge; however it has not been independently verified. use at your own risk; this database of information is for entertainment purposes only. no warranty is given or implied.