PIAA 002 beam pattern & other lighting questions

[Big Lee]

Hi folks

For my 1000th post I`ve got a question

I bought 2 pairs of PIAA 002`s & after reading the instructions they say they must not be used with dipped beam only with main. Does anybody else use these on dip? I was wondering if the aim was ok they could be used with dipped lights or will the beam pattern just make that impossible?
If that can`t be done what lights can I use seeing as the PIAA 001`s I couldn`t get. The PIAA`s came with their own wiring loom that looked easy to fit so do the other lights such as the FF50`s come with a wiring loom too?
Will having extra lighting on dip not switched fail an MOT or can I just pop the fuse for test time?

As always any help much appreciated

Lee

 

[boxerjack]

PIAA 002s

Lee

I can't compete with a 1000 posts, but I have fitted 2 pairs of 002-Xs so I can answer your question in part.

Using a Migsel bar I fiited the first set "upside down" and wired into the dip beam - the beams are direct downwards, illuminating pretty much the same area as the original dip beam. As riding lights they work fine and I have had no oncoming tin box drivers flashing (their lights!) at me.

Having got that far I decided to fit the second set as spotlights - the original plan had been to put them on e-bay and buy something equivalent to the OO1's which, like you, I couldn't get. They work fine. The only problem I have at the moment is because they are mounted "right way up" and using the outboard Migsel holes they are in my line of sight and I get a fair amount of reflected glare. I'm going to have a go at moving them inboard and see if that makes a difference.

I'm not sure about the MOT question. I think that fitted lights must be in working order, so simply removing the fuse might not get you through. But if the beams are within the light pattern of the original dip beam would this be a problem? I suppose it all depends on the mood of the tester at the time of the MOT!

I had no problems with the PIAA relays and looms.


Jack

 

[Big Lee]

Cheers Jack

1000 posts means I need to get out more

I had a look at fitting both sets directly above each other on my Migsel bar which looks like it would work. I haven`t fitted any of them yet as I`m getting them for a xmas pressie but just sussing them out beforehand
If push came to shove I could always spend 15 mins taking the lights off for the MOT

 

[Thunder]

Lee

Using the 002's in conjunction with the mail beam does not give any problems with the light pattern that I can see just make sure you line them up at the same level as the bikes dip.

As for fitting take the brackets off the lights and try fitting them through one set of mounting holes so they are in line and using one set of bolts, works perfectly as the brackets form a sandwich with the bar and are rock solid.

Finally on the subject of switching the lights linked to the dip you can retain the supplied PIAA switch which is very neat and stick it to the top inside of the hand guards. It is not waterproof however and it is not easy to get the rubber covers PIAA make for them.

Have fun

 

[Big Lee]

I was thinking of fixing them through the same set of mounting holes just to make them neater.

Just read on here about a guy who packed his switch with grease to water proof it http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=725869

 

[Thunder]

Meant to post this picture last night of the lights mounted through the same hole, works very well.

The PIAA switch is a really nice piece of kit with the red and green led built in so I'd be inerested in hearing how the grease packing goes.

I fitted a Yamaha pattern switch from Peakmoto in the States to handle the dip lights.