Stay away from high output (90/100w) bulbs!!!

[DrD]

The Trick Tape 90/100 watt bulb that I put in my bike melted the headlight plug. My reflector and the inside of the headlight lens were covered with soot.

I discovered that there was a problem after stopping for fuel a couple of miles from home. Everything appeared fine when I stopped, but the high beam indicator came on when I started up to leave. I had one of those, WTF, reactions, flipped the high beam switch up and down a few times but the indicator light stayed on. About a mile from the house, the indicator light went out. I think, "Great. Now I've got one of those 'fixed itself' problems going on."

When I arrived at home, I pulled up to the garage door and the headlight seemed kind of dim, so I got off the bike to look at the lens, bulb, and reflector to see if there was an obvious problem. It was dark enough that I wasn't able to see much so I put the bike away and would look at it the next day when I start polishing it up for the show this weekend.

Next day comes, I'm polishing away when I remember to check the light. To my horror I notice that the reflector looks scorched and the lens has a kind of yellowish tint to it. Crap. Now I'm worried that I've toasted the wiring in a way that will require a new wiring harness. A quick call to Moto Corsa to let them know what's up. They tell me to bring it in and they'll fix it right up.

Fortunately, all that was required was a new plug (about $4.00 from NAPA).

I'm pretty sure that it melted the previous weekend when I ended up stuck in traffic that was moving so slowly that it took at least an hour and a half to go 10 miles. So, a word to the wise: If there's any chance that you might get stuck in traffic, you might want to avoid the high output bulbs like the Trick Tape 90/100 watters.

[MajorSoftie]

Yeah, I've been a little nervous about even trying an 80/80w lamp in there.

[dave_sport1000s]

I have a 55/100 in mine and it works fine.

[DrD]

I hope that you never get caught in traffic with your high beam on.
I'll try to remember to post up some pics of what can happen.

[papawheelie]

the stock bulb is basically a photon beam. what is that one rated?

[DrD]

Originally Posted by papawheelie

the stock bulb is basically a photon beam. what is that one rated?

If memory serves me correctly, it's 55/60w.

[ma2ra]

Originally Posted by papawheelie

the stock bulb is basically a photon beam. what is that one rated?

Pual Smart Parts manual
0796.38.305 Bulb 55/60W

[MajorSoftie]

Originally Posted by papawheelie

the stock bulb is basically a photon beam. what is that one rated?

What was your previous bike, a 6v system?

I can tell you that the headlight is substantially inferior to a 96 BMW RS, and about even with my 84 Honda Ascot. That is, uhm, "adequate," but it definitely doesn't make me happy.

I also prefer a low beam that has a much wider beam than the stocker. I want something to see those Coyotes, Doggies, and Bears (Oh My!) popping out from the side of the road. Not far from here, Deer are another frequent hazard.

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by MajorSoftie

I also prefer a low beam that has a much wider beam than the stocker. I want something to see those Coyotes, Doggies, and Bears (Oh My!) popping out from the side of the road. Not far from here, Deer are another frequent hazard.

For a different pattern you need to change the headlight, the bulb won't make much difference. Have you tried a headlight with a european pattern?

[MajorSoftie]

No, I haven't, but, yes, I'm aware that my desire for a wider beam means I need a different reflector/lens assembly. I'm hoping to find a metal/glass assembly in which I can also upgrade the lamp without worrying about the melting problem of both the socket, and the resin lens.

Are you talking about a stock Ducati Euro spec headlight? I hadn't thought about that, although I imagine it is still all plastic.