Generator Brushes, HID lamp

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

I suppose I could go to a Yamaha dealer but....
I want to replace generator brushes on my 86 1200SC but when I tried on line shopping it said part no longer available from Yamaha. Any suggestions?
Replaced clutch (replaced with OEM parts) and installed the spin on oil adaptor from RPM, filled with AMSOIL from Ed Thiele. Feels gooood. I am contemplating replacing the stock headlamp with HID type. Anyone have negative side affects with this change.

Thanks,
Mike 86 in San Dimas

[racerman_27410]

IMO ....HID is no good for main headlight....it's bright..... odds are great that you will blind an oncoming trucker/soccer mom and get run over.

i went with HID driving lights with switch.




the HIDs are slow to come to full power but that pic is compared to my 100watt relay equipped halogen

but the number one reason to not go HID main bulb is that all the hi/lo single bulb HID's are not going to play well with the stock reflector.


KOokaloo!

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Racerman,
I was concerned with points you mention. I would like to improve my lighting. Maybe new lamp would help. It is very old. I will keep researching. Will also check my connections I could be loosing a few volts somewhere but mostly think my eye are the ones too old.

Mike

[fj1289]

Mike,

do the relay mod - cheap and easy way to boost your headlight power by ensuring it gets all the voltage available to it.  The stock setup runs all the current for the headlight throught the handlebar switch.  Then, you can also make full use of a higher wattage bulb too.

Chris

[racerman_27410]

Racerman,
I was concerned with points you mention. I would like to improve my lighting. Maybe new lamp would help. It is very old. I will keep researching. Will also check my connections I could be loosing a few volts somewhere but mostly think my eye are the ones too old.

Mike

those HID driving lights i put together for less than a hundred bucks..... yes my eyes are old too.

best part about the driving lights is i have them set to really light up the edges of the road (very handy in the corners)


link to the writeup i did on the light mod.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531142


Kookaloo!

[pdxfj]

The major issue of doing HID for your headlamp is getting the correct beam cut-off.  Last thing you want to do is blind an oncoming car and have them come into your lane.

http://www.xenonrider.com/products/h4_bixenon_hid_kits.shtml

I've seen on other boards where people have used the above kit and the beam cut-off is the same as a standard halogen lamp.

[andyb]

Suprised how many people want to upgrade their headlights.  Suggest that you make sure the stocker is working as well as it can first.

I'd love to start a giant rant about idiots who run with their brights on "because it helps me be seen"...

[ren-dog]

High Energy Discharge Lighting Circuits 
More light = more heat.
HID's are generally compatible with polycarbonate lenses, but not glass lenses.
The arguement is that the heat is unable to permeate quickly enough through the glass.
End result melted stuff and fire.
Upgrade to wiring required too, because of the larger current draw.
There is a delay between switching on and light emission.
This makes them unsuitable for use on both circuits of a single lamp.
High beam only and low beam always on, or a dual light setup would be my suggestion.
Cheers.

[tqmx1]

As for the brushes try Suzuki, the GSXR engine used the same unit (86 through 90)

[racerrad8]

Mike,
        I have access to some brushes that are for Japanese alternators. If you can give me the dimensions I can see if there is a set that will work. Obviously the height will be shortened due to wear but I could work with the length & width.

If I get a chance I will also try and get a set out and come up with a measurement.

Let me know,
            Randy - RPM

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Appreciate the ideas and advice. For the lights, I'm inclined to try the relay mod first. On the gen brushes I'm passing 50K miles and it is the time recommended for replacing them. The Suzuki solution seems to be the easiest option. Randy thanks for the offer hopefully will not have to go to that trouble. Are others getting much over 50K mi out of them?

Nice sunny warm day in Southern Cal. Ill get some miles in before I get dragged off to the in laws. Not all bad, I will be coming home with a batch of delicious home made tamales. The old man always has good tequila too. but he's a still jerk.

Mike

[Arnie]

I checked my generator brushes at about 50,000 miles (80,000 kms) and there was still lots of meat there.  Maybe I should check again with now over 120,000 kms.

Arnie