Yellow driving lights

[rflnomad]

Hello all.
I am looking to install driving lights. I have noticed the yellow ones on Trips bike. I always remember Bob Akin ( Porsche 935 and 962 driver) saying he liked the slight yellow tint at night. He stated it seemed to make things sharper. I do drive to work in the morning and it is very dark.
What do you think? Where do we get them? How much do they cost?
Thanks for any input.

[trip]

I've found some advantages to running with yellow lights, rflnomad.

The road is a little sharper at night...but the biggest advantage is people seem to see you better. At night and in the day. I've even had drivers think I'm a motorcycle cop and pull over for me.

McDaddy and I are the only ones that run with yellow. Maybe he can give you some insight also.

[Blue Rebel]

Trip, is that just a yellow lens? Did you buy your lights that way, or replaced the lens?

Thanks,

[trip]

It's actually a sealed beam bulb, blue rebel.

I bought both of my replacement bulbs at:
http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup...B-1E6AC9AB7501
Scroll down to item part # 381-520.

I use the unfluted bulb. I used to use the fluted, but I think the unfluted puts out more light and looks better.

I use this bulb to replace the white lights that came with my Cobra light bar. The only difference between the white bulbs and the yellow, is you will have to run a wire and ground the yellow lights.

Hope this helps.
Trip

[cactusjack]

I think those are standard 4411 sealed beam tractor bulbs. You can get them at NAPA. Not sure of the number, 4411 might be clear and the yellows may be 4411A. Probably a lot cheaper than J&P. Just a thought.

[scion0]

Originally Posted by rflnomad

Hello all.
I am looking to install driving lights. I have noticed the yellow ones on Trips bike. I always remember Bob Akin ( Porsche 935 and 962 driver) saying he liked the slight yellow tint at night. He stated it seemed to make things sharper. I do drive to work in the morning and it is very dark.
What do you think? Where do we get them? How much do they cost?
Thanks for any input.

\
I think I'd like to give them a try (for that something different look)

[trip]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I think those are standard 4411 sealed beam tractor bulbs. You can get them at NAPA. Not sure of the number, 4411 might be clear and the yellows may be 4411A. Probably a lot cheaper than J&P. Just a thought.

That may be true CJ.....just make sure they're 4 1/2", 30 watt bulbs.

[rewindgy]

I have them on my Drifter also! They appear to get more attention from the car drivers! Mine are fluted as I don't ride at night and that scooter stays mostly in town. Frigin J & P bumped the price up on them again - they are $18 each now instead of the $8 I paid - okay, it was a long time ago!!!

[ringadingh]

One of my driving lights burned out a couple weeks ago, it was a 30w sealed beam unit. I just happened to stop by Princess Auto yesterday, which is the same as Harbour Freight, and they had 55w H3 lamps that fit in my F&S chrome housings for $4.99 each.
I took them out of the black housings that they came in and installed them on the bike. It made quite a difference in light output riding home last night. I'll have to check how my lightbar is wired up, I don't think I have a relay in the circuit, and it may be drawing a little to much power now compared to the 30w lamps.

[trip]

I had a truck flip a rock up and hit one of my amber bulbs about a month ago. I went ahead and ordered a replacement and some spares from J&P. The bulbs were 15.00 each.

[mcdaddy]

I installed the yellow lights back in March before we went to Big Bend.

I don't think the auto mfgs helped us with day time running lights. All it did for us was to blend us into the background, especially in traffic. I saw a bike with the yellow lights and it made it stand out quite a bit more which is why I decided to go with them. I do think the clear ones project better than the fluted/faceted.

I've also had cars move over and let me pass too, and often see them watching me in their rear view, so I also think it helps reduce those that might pull over on me as I pass them. They will sometimes wait at an intersecting road until I've passed when they had plenty of time to pull out. Could be they just want to see what's behind those yellow lights and will wait to see.

I run my driving light all the time. It's amazing how far down the road they will light up a reflective sign with that yellow tinge.

An added benefit is that if you ride in a group and are the tailgunner, the leader can easily tell if all the group is together without having to try to count.

But be forwarned, I've seen the cops turn to look too though none have seemed to take any issue with them.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Trip

That may be true CJ.....just make sure they're 4 1/2", 30 watt bulbs.

Yep. On the VR forum, this is a common fix for the short-lived, costly and hard to get Suzuki OEM lightbar lamps. I think they're $6 or $7 from Napa. I did verify the part number, too.

4411 = sealed beam clear
4411A = sealed beam amber

As was mentioned, these sealed beam units have 2 screw connections for the wiring. Just crimp on some "eye" connectors to your existing wiring and you are in good shape.

[dantama]

If it is possible to get both, maybe a 35 watt in the left for oncoming cars, and a 55 watt for the right for the side of the road?

[schoeney]

Oh Man,

Cagers thinking I might be a cop could be fun! Now where can I get a siren?

[formikec]

Wonder if I would get in trouble for having one red one and one blue? lol

http://www.carparts.com/Flash-Warnin...2089_10618.car