Twin Headlights for GS100 PD

[cobbster]

Hi everybody, this is my first stab at putting something on this site so please be gentle!!!

I recently purchased a GS100 PD and having been advised that they are great bikes but with poor lights. I recently went out at night down the back lanes and was very very disappointed with the lights to say the least!!! (Very pleased with the bike though)

I've looked up on this site for twin headlight conversions and can find a couple of mentions of TT's replacement, however my old friend(he will hate me for saying that) has done this conversion and reacons its not much better!!!

I have no problem making my own, I think!!, but cannot seem to find anywhere to purchase some 4" (100mm) light suitable for the job?

So if you have any contacts or have tackled this yourself I would be gratefull for any support.

Regards

Cobbster

 

[Rob Farmer]

I believe the 4" headlights are from one of the small Jap pocket rockets.

I've got a couple of spot lamps on my 100PD and they work a treat. 100% brighter bulb in the headlight so the dips better and then give up on the main beam and fit the spots.

 

[cobbster]

Additional spots

Thanks for the reply, did you need to uprate the alternator or any other parts?

Mine came with some small spots, which work great for making my presence know in the day but not so good at night!!!

Regards

Cobbster

 

[Rob Farmer]

Mines the bog standard charging system. I did a few current draw measurements to see what it would take to be honest I've never had a problem, the spots only come on with main beam and the amount of time I ever spend on main beam is minimal. They work well and cost around £20 for the pair.

 

[VAL. H.]

Sadly the PD has the very poor square headlight.

Without removing it and introducing it to the bin, your best option is to fit an HiD kit which will give you three times the light for just 35 watts. You can then add two more on your crash bars and really see where your going. You'll not have any worries about the charge rate either.

Welcome aboard Cobbster


Val.

 

[Valker]

Sadly the PD has the very poor square headlight.

Without removing it and introducing it to the bin, your best option is to fit an HiD kit which will give you three times the light for just 35 watts. You can then add two more on your crash bars and really see where your going. You'll not have any worries about the charge rate either.

Welcome aboard Cobbster


Val.

I fitted HID headlight and 2 small fog lighs to my GSPD, HID not switched on in this photo. They work great

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

Airhead lights

I've got a 50 watt HID in a 5 3/4" Cibie in mine that is better but still not brilliant, particularly on dip. So I'm thinking about

http://www.clearwaterlights.com/

not a cheap option but gets a good write up on ADV rider and has the benefit of doing two jobs at once without the need to uprate the charging system.

I know Archie Henderson has done the twin headlight conversion on his GSPD and is not particularly impressed with it.

cheers,

 

[judge]

Don't waste your time with the TT dual light kit its still poor and as has been suggested money can be better spent elsewhere.

Police spec regulator was the only change to the electrics on mine when I put hella de fogs on mine and you do need to be careful about leaving them on all the time, low revs there wasn't sufficient charging to keep the battery OK especially when a heated jacket liner and grips were on.

Keep the amps down with HID's and bear in mind half the problem with the light is the reflector so just putting more light through it is not the absolute answer.

I'd be inclined to put a brighter bulb in the headlight and HID in some auxiliary lights. Which will keep the draw sensible and battery happy.

Or go for broke and do an alternator upgrade Moto Elektrik rotor/stator and light her up like a Christmas tree

 

[Ileumi]

Hello!
I have tuned my bike with Bosch Compact 100 series.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174826

There is picture. Left one is foglight and right is high beam. So,I have not a passing beam. Those lights are better than orginal lights BUT still not good.
Also I have installed new cables and relays but still need better.

What next with orginal alternator, xenon, led, what???

Waiting snow...---Ileumi---

 

[Valker]

lights

Don't waste your time with the TT dual light kit its still poor and as has been suggested money can be better spent elsewhere.

Police spec regulator was the only change to the electrics on mine when I put hella de fogs on mine and you do need to be careful about leaving them on all the time, low revs there wasn't sufficient charging to keep the battery OK especially when a heated jacket liner and grips were on.

Keep the amps down with HID's and bear in mind half the problem with the light is the reflector so just putting more light through it is not the absolute answer.

I'd be inclined to put a brighter bulb in the headlight and HID in some auxiliary lights. Which will keep the draw sensible and battery happy.

Or go for broke and do an alternator upgrade Moto Elektrik rotor/stator and light her up like a Christmas tree

Police spec regulator ..... DONE THAT

do an alternator upgrade.... DONE THAT
________________

 

[cobbster]

Twin Headlights

As I started this Thread, I'd better let those who have given replys and share what I've done with everybody.

Well after some time I've managed to cobble together a twin headlight for my bike, I purchased some light units (55W) and made the rest.
I've added relays to take the load off the original wiring and added some spot lights, which I also made based on similar spots that came with the bike.
It has been an interesting project that has took longer to think about than make. (Well I'm a little slow at times!!). I used the original pick up point for the original light to mount to bike, so have adjustment. I won't bore you with all the highs and lows to get it finished, also added an LED light (which was designed to go on the front of a car), this can is switched as are the spot lights.

While I was at it I changed the front indicators, the back will get changed at some point, either when I get heating for the garage or warmer weather!

Looking forward to NOT spending time in my cold garage!!

Sorry no pictures of the lights at night or of original light, however my quick 'look see' was an improvement.

 

[bumpmuncher]

ahh I have been thinking about twin headlights recently and have thought about getting a set of these twin headlightsto mildly modify. what unit did you use and what lamp does it use. hope mine look as good as your set

 

[Kenny]

Looks good...polished carb tops as well...sign of a loving owner

 

[soiled]

Cobbster, congratulations, you did a magnificent job! I love the looks of the twin headlights. May I ask what light units did you purchased for this conversion and where from. I am determined to make a similar headlight conversion, but without adding auxilliary spot lights.
I'd be grateful for any suggestion!

 

[Redboots]

You can get these:

Twin 90mm
For €80... You can have 2x H4 or 1x H4 & 1x H1 bulbs.
From http://www.polo-motorrad.de - they ship everywhere.

John

 

[soiled]

Thank you John, I really appreciate your help. I might order one of those. I guess it is a straightforward job to fit it. Do you have the same on your bike?

 

[Redboots]

Do you have the same on your bike?

Nope. Ran out of time last winter and have shelved it for the moment.
I think it will be anything but straightforward

Take it all apart when you have a spare week and you will see what I mean

John

 

[cobbster]

Twin Headlights

Hi,

I saw the one's I used at an auto jumble, they are new and came as a unit which I stripped away. This left me with 2 seperate 3.5" lights the rest I made, which was a bit of a challange.

I will see if I can find suppliers details.

Hopefully if the weather changes I will get out and see if they are any good at lighting up the road?, as mentioned first impressions are an improvement.

Thanks for the comments

Cobbster

 

[Archie Adv]

Cobsters Light conversion

Thank you John, I really appreciate your help. I might order one of those. I guess it is a straightforward job to fit it. Do you have the same on your bike?

Guys don't be fooled by Pauls self deprecating approach to this light conversion. This is not a simple task...!! We both decided at the around the same time to have a go at this conversion. Paul would lead and I would follow. I currentlly have the TT conversion which does not meet with UK legislation (MOT, they dip to the right for the continent and dont do a conversion for our side). John the lights you are looking at are similar to the TT conversion however they will not simply bolt in. There is an amazing amount of work behind the lights that Paul has undertaken to make 2x90mm units into a twin light unit fit with in the light unit aperture. The TT lights protrude forward of the headlight housing in the fairing shroud an butt up against the Roo bar. Which in all honesty is crap for an enginerering company with the resources such that TT have. They should have been able to overcome the issues better than they have and should have done IMO. They were not cheap, I paid £185 for them 3years ago if my memory serves me correctly and they are no better than the standard oblong unit they replaced. I am not an engineer but having watched the trials and tribulations that Paul has gone through to achieve the end result that if he could bottle, I'm damn sure he'd make some money, but that is not his intention. He is coaching me through my attempt to do the same and lending a hand with his skills on his lathe. Oh and BTW the lights suggested would be unlikely to fit straight in they are likely to sit in the same position as the TT unit and believe me when I say they are a barstard to fit in the first place.

When I am done there will be a TT twin HL unit for sale. I just hope that I can do as good a job and believe me it is not easy Paul is a task master second to none and he is making me so it as right as he knows how...!! Just consider cutting two 90 mm holes in 3 mm alloy plate with nothing more than a drill and file, these were made in his garage by hand and I'm doing the same and having screwed up one back plate I have to make another to more exacting standards to satisfy the master.....grasshopper. I have known Paul for 15 years and have never seen this side of him. Having worked with him for at least 8 of those years. I've always rated him but never in my wldest dreams have I seen some one become so obsessed with 100% or nothing! His attention to detail is unbelievable. If you could see the bill of materials (BOM) you wouldn't believe me.... belt and braces defo. Sorry if I've embarrassed you mate but you deserve the praise. Time will tell?

BTW all this because he rode home one night in the dark in October and couldn't see where he was going..... told him he should have left earlier.. he knows better now....
Your old mate....

Archie

 

[Redboots]

... John the lights you are looking at are similar to the TT conversion however they will not simply bolt in.

Yup, I know that. I made a replica of the square headlight mount out of 5mm alloy. It incorporates the fairing mount, also in alloy.
My idea is to make a plate that takes the new light units and mount it to that. This should keep the lights back far enough to retain a guard of some kind.

I don't live on that little island so another option for me is to use a slightly smaller (130 x 90 mm), square light unit like this one:

They also sell what looks like the original unit (167 x 106 mm) for €53:

John