What is the Side Light Bulb?

[Connor]

Hello again all. I know that the main headlight is a H4, but what is the sidelight bulb?

I'm going to change the H4 bulb to something more uprated, and want to change the sidelight bulb to match the colour.

Also advice on changing the bulbs would be nice 

Has anyone got a service manual to download for the 1200, like a Haynes or Clymer?


Cheers for the help 

[markmartin]

I don't know what you mean by side light bulb.  Perhaps you've got some aftermarket driving lights?

The advice I can give you on changing headlight bulbs would be to remove your horn first to get it out of the way. This will give you access to the back of the headlight.  Remove the rubber boot, and then there is spring clip that's holding  your bulb in place.  If I recall correctly, the spring unclips and then hinges down out of the way.

[terryk]

I don't know what you mean by side light bulb.  Perhaps you've got some aftermarket driving lights?

The advice I can give you on changing headlight bulbs would be to remove your horn first to get it out of the way. This will give you access to the back of the headlight.  Remove the rubber boot, and then there is spring clip that's holding  your bulb in place.  If I recall correctly, the spring unclips and then hinges down out of the way.

Two additional tips.

1) Clean the contacts as best you can as they do corrode over time increasing resistance and eventually melting the socket.
2) When placing the boot back spray a little lubricant on the inside lip of the boot. I use Original Bike Spirits Spray Cleaner & Polish. Slips right on versus struggling.

[SlowOldGuy]

If you want more light, do the Headlight Relay Mod!  The H4 is plenty good when it has enough voltage behind it.

DavidR.

[FJmonkey]

If you want more light, do the Headlight Relay Mod!  The H4 is plenty good when it has enough voltage behind it.
DavidR.

Or if you want even more light than that (Sun light shooting out the front), jump straight to an HID upgrade. No need for a relay mod, a 55 watt HID uses less power than a 35 watt PIAA bulb. And damn it is bright, I love it. Saved my ass when driving out of the pitch black hills and having only a dark smoke visor.

Disclaimer: Other members have had issues with these. They put more miles on than I do and I do not know what brand they are having issues with. I am running the DDM kit on both my truck and 86' FJ with zero issues. The issues seem to be vibration over time. I have 1600 miles on my FJ since last June, 177 miles a month.

[simi_ed]

I think a relay is still a good idea.  HID lights take a large current surge to make the arc ignite.  W/o the relay, the surge is going to meet a large resistance (the skinny factory wires).  It takes about 20-25 KV to make the arc, which is hard on the ballast when there isn't enough current to make the arc, so it has to retry until it finally lights.  I believe you only get so many failed attempts and then the ballast fails.

Bottom line:  do the relay mod, it's worth the extra effort.

[FJmonkey]

I think a relay is still a good idea.  HID lights take a large current surge to make the arc ignite.  W/o the relay, the surge is going to meet a large resistance (the skinny factory wires).  It takes about 20-25 KV to make the arc, which is hard on the ballast when there isn't enough current to make the arc, so it has to retry until it finally lights.  I believe you only get so many failed attempts and then the ballast fails.
Bottom line:  do the relay mod, it's worth the extra effort.

I beg to differ for the DDM kit...

The DDM kit connects direct to the battery, it uses the stock wires/connections for signal only (Hi vs Low beam). Ed...You were there, you should know better, shame on you....

Do the relay mod if you want a filament bulb... HID for an arc that shoots the sun out the front... The HID mod allows for a tool-less (on the fly) change back to OEM bulbs, I keep a stock bulb in my tank bag just in case. It is a win-win choice for me.

[Dads_FJ]

I think a relay is still a good idea.  HID lights take a large current surge to make the arc ignite.  W/o the relay, the surge is going to meet a large resistance (the skinny factory wires).  It takes about 20-25 KV to make the arc, which is hard on the ballast when there isn't enough current to make the arc, so it has to retry until it finally lights.  I believe you only get so many failed attempts and then the ballast fails.
Bottom line:  do the relay mod, it's worth the extra effort.

I beg to differ for the DDM kit...

The DDM kit connects direct to the battery, it uses the stock wires/connections for signal only (Hi vs Low beam). Ed...You were there, you should know better, shame on you....

Do the relay mod if you want a filament bulb... HID for an arc that shoots the sun out the front... The HID mod allows for a tool-less (on the fly) change back to OEM bulbs, I keep a stock bulb in my tank bag just in case. It is a win-win choice for me.

Where'd you purchase it from?

[simi_ed]

Mark, there's a box that has the battery cables as well as headlight (hi/lo) signals going to it.  That's the relay box on your bike.  Mine is a different set up and required a relay.  So, we're both right, I guess. 

I'm not sold on DDM any longer.  I have 2 sets of H4 bulbs and a set of 55W ballasts from DDM (for another project).  This kit has been nothing but trouble!  I'm now sending the whole ball of yarn back to DDM for repair/replace/refund.  I'm NOT HAPPY, and they're gonna know it.  Further, all of their product is now drop-shipped from Chi-com land.  If that's the case, I might as well buy ebay (lowest bidder) and take my chances. 

JMHO ...