Will this sealed beam replacement work?

[8SpadeEpiphany]

Hey fellas,

My coils broke on my headlamp and I was looking at new replacements. I have a 79 Special, so I think I'd be using the 7 inch one, right? Could you guys take a look at this and tell me if this sealed beam is the right one? Or if you have a better link, please let me know.

http://www.partsnmore.com/parts/yamaha/xs1100/?filters%5Bcategory%5D=electrical&filters%5Bfitting%5D=universal

Thanks,
Michael

[natemoen]

Don't bother with the sealed beams. Get a 7" headlight lense that accepts a replaceable H4 bulb.

[8SpadeEpiphany]

Any links, how much work is involved? I'm just trying to get it so I can ride at night as quickly as possible. Have a ride this weekend.

[crazy steve]

If the OEM headlight is still there, it has a replaceable H4 lamp. The lamp will be available at any auto parts store.

If someone has put a sealed beam in there, note that there are motorcycle-specific headlights. The difference is in the low-beam cut-off, but you can use a easier-to-find and much cheaper 'car' unit with no issues. If you're looking for a fast, cheap and dirty fix, use any 'standard' 7" headlight.

But are you sure your headlight is bad? These bikes have a headlight relay that can fail, as well as a 'reserve lighting unit' (designed to automatically switch from high to low beam or vice-versa if one side fails) that can also go bad. Chances that both filaments in your headlight went bad are slim; look at the relay and RLU first.....

[8SpadeEpiphany]

It's definitely a solid casing since I replaced it with a used one when the last one went out years ago. I can look down into it and see the busted coil of the main bulb. The high beamed worked for a day and then doesn't anymore. Would that be conclusive with the RLU or relay?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Michael,

You can run to Walmart and pick up a simple 7" round H6024 sealed headlight for about $9.00 to get you on the road for the weekend.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sylvania-H6024-Sealed-Beam-Headlight/16913604

But then you can get something like this off of ebay to allow the use of replaceable H4 bulbs. and to have a clear front lens so more light gets down the road.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-7-Inch-Diameter-Round-Diamond-Headlights-Conversion-H6024-w-H4-Bulbs-Pair-/230969916894?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c6e13dde&vxp=mtr

But if you get real adventurous, then take a look at this thread.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37776&highlight=hid

T.C.

[8SpadeEpiphany]

Thanks for all the info, guys! Super helpful, as per usual!

[8SpadeEpiphany]

You were right Crazy Steve. It wasn't the headlight! Any way you can direct me to some instructions on how to check the relay etc? Do I just need to replace it if it's bad?

[bikerphil]

You can jump the blu/blk and red/yel terminals in the relay harness plug and your headlight should come on with the key turned to on. You can leave it that way (no harm) until you fix/replace your relay or leave it permanently. If you open up the relay, usually there is a visible broken wire inside that can be resoldered for repair.

[8SpadeEpiphany]

Hey Phil,

Where is the relay? I basically have no experience with the electrical on the bike, so any more detail you could give would be amazing.

Thanks,
Michael

[GLoweVA]

it's located under the tank all the way forward above the 2 ignition coils.
4 prong connector

[bikerphil]

Yep, just make a short jumper wire with 2 male spade terminals, one on each end, unplug the relay and plug into the 2 sockets, red/yel and blu/blk. See if the headlight comes on with the key and report back.

[8SpadeEpiphany]

Removing the relay worked like a charm! Thanks for all the help fellas. I was able to make my ride on Friday, and back on Sunday, without issue. Rode the 154 for a portion, and that's headlight on safety zoned, so I was glad to have taken care of it. In your guys opinion, the relay is worth replacing?

[GLoweVA]

Replacing the relay is a matter of opinion.
On my G, I ran it for years without, but on my SG it's still there.
The only drawback I see is, when starting the bike, the headlight is on thus drawing juice from the battery that normally wouldn't get used until the rpms are up and the alternator is putting out power.
So, if your bike is hard to start, then maybe it might be better to put the relay back in to help save the battery juice.
If it starts on the first push of the starter button, then I'd say go for it.
(just check that jumper wire every now and then to make sure that it isn't melting. Mine got kinda warm and the insulation was a little thin)

[bikerphil]

the relay is it worth replacing?

I'd take it apart and look for the broken wire/solder joint, fix it, then you have it ready if you decide to re-install it.