Touratech Twin headlamp warning

[Gecko]

Only applicable to R850 and R1100GS's

I have been using a twin headlamp unit from Touratech for quite some time now but recently noticed dicolouration on the reflector so I thought I'd check it out. I had been told by someone that they have been know to overheat so that was also a prompt to investigate.

I took it apart and to my horror found it had been merrily melting away and was well on the way to total melt down.

I have been using standard 55w60 H4 halogen bulbs but it seems these are just too hot and only 35w bulbs are recommended. Judging from my experince I think I have had a lucky escape . If you are using these Touratech units I suggest you take a good look at yours . You can see some discolouration through the plastic front lens. If you see any brown colour then I urge you to disassemble them and take a good close look. If you haven't had the same problem it may still be worthwhile checking what bulbs you have and opting for a cooler lower wattage bulb.

 

[Gecko]

You can really see the melting of the reflector in this picture. This is the opening where the H4 bulb inserts into the reflector body.

 

[Gecko]

The base of the H4 bulb is covered in molten platic and the retaining rings are charred and turning brown. Some of the wiring insulation was also fused and I suspect it was not to be too long before a short circuit was inevitable.

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Looks scary

I've got Wunderlich ones with carbon-fibre-like mount, dunno if they're better or not. I'll check them in the hot summer.

Maybe the solution for you is to drill few holes into hedlight casing (into smart places so not much water gets inside) so it breathes and let's it coold down a bit?

Also i think they get much hotter riding slowspeed offroad with main beam on medium or hot weather - the speed isn't fast enough to cool them with wind, so in long time they maybe overheat.

Cheers, Margus

 

[Septic]

Happened to me too
ive replaced the lenses with that of a cbr400 glass lensed
shed loads more light and yet the same size as the touratech
onse. I got them from Cheshire motorcycle salvage mext day delivery.
I think they were 45 quid. just grind of the moldings and they go straight
into the tt light frame.

 

[Vendome 41]

Only applicable to R850 and R1100GS's

I took it apart and to my horror found it had been merrily melting away and was well on the way to total melt down.

I have been using standard 55w60 H4 halogen bulbs but it seems these are just too hot and only 35w bulbs are recommended.

Suprise suprise but it is exactly the same as overloading your electrical cicuit at home with multi plugs and we do all wonder there still so many house fires and others.

There is a reason for these recommendations......

 

[Gecko]

Only trouble was I bought mine second hand and didn't know about the bulb ratings until recently - hence the warning in case anyone else is tempted to make the same mistake.

 

[Gecko]

Happened to me too
ive replaced the lenses with that of a cbr400 glass lensed
shed loads more light and yet the same size as the touratech
onse. I got them from Cheshire motorcycle salvage mext day delivery.
I think they were 45 quid. just grind of the moldings and they go straight
into the tt light frame.

Good tip , thanks Septic. Any idea which model year or doesn't it matter ? I was thinking to try and find some better lights and try and use the frames like you have done too . Have you got any pictures of yours ? I'd be curious to see how it looks from the front and back if you have any.

 

[Septic]

ill try and post some pics
im getting a new computer on thursday so it
should post some pics unlike the bag of s**t ive got now.
It doesnt realy matter what age the lights come of as long as you check
that the diameter is 100mm across.They look the same asa the tt ones
but the lenses are flat instead of the curvture of the tt lights and the dipped beam is loads better.

 

[dirtydog]

Try some PIAA super white's, they're only 35w but man they are seriously bright!

 

[Vern]

I was toying with the idea of making some of the twin headlight conversions,and found out that some of the TT lights have plastic reflectors(35w?) and some have glass reflectors (55w maybe?)

I don't know how you can tell them apart,apart from taking them to bits and checking close up.

I know that the CBR400 do the same job,but I'm not sure if the lens AND reflectors are glass or plastic.What say you septic?

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

I know that the CBR400 do the same job,but I'm not sure if the lens AND reflectors are glass or plastic.What say you septic?

The lenses are glass and the reflectors are a type of resin/fibre glass, I got the pair off ebay for £10.55 +p&p

In the photos the top unit is the Touracrap (looks like it's starting to melt) the one bottom left is the modified CBR400 unit and the bottom right is the CBR 400 unit before the hacksawing/filing was done.

Tools needed, junior hacksaw, file and a small philips screw driver

Haven't tried tham yet but the quality looks 100% better.

 

[Gecko]

That look hopeful Paul I haven't manage to find any lamps over here yet (before anyone offers - I am in Belgium so I need continental dip not UK dip) but I'm looking so hopefully I'll find some before too long. Of course it has occurred to me that if the CDR400 was a Jap grey import into the UK there may not be any continental headlamps coz Japan drives on the same side of the road as the UK.....can anyone confirm if there were road legal continental versions of the CBR400's made - otherwise it might be a bit like trying to track down rocking horse shit

 

[ceramic-lackey]

I am trying to instul the Wunderlich Duel Lites, and need the instructions, do you still
have some. If you do could you e-mail them to [email protected]
Thanks
Gary.

 

[motobiker]

might it be worthwhile paying that bit extra and putting HIDs in them.. as they run much cooler than halogens???

or is that a definite no no... or indeed 'impossible' ??



(oops... just noticed this thread is nearly three years old!!)

 

[Stewart H]

might it be worthwhile paying that bit extra and putting HIDs in them.. as they run much cooler than halogens???

or is that a definite no no... or indeed 'impossible' ??



(oops... just noticed this thread is nearly three years old!!)

I was having the same thoughts, can anyone post a good picture of the TT mounting part (lots of GRP in the garage)

Stewart