v4hrc Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 My headlight bulbs are in need of replacing. I have a pair of PIAA H4 55W bulbs on hand and only after fiddling some did I realize that the OEMs are actually a custom Stanley 45W bulb. I'm not interested in melting down any harnesses so I'm wondering if anyone knows of an alternative to the OEM? I'm looking to stick with incandescents, not interested in LED or HID. I bought the PIAA Night techs because they looked the most appealing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer ArTravlR Posted March 18, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted March 18, 2016 BTDT. You can use the PIAA but you have to break off the bottom two tabs & replace with a ring adapter. A quick google search has this Australian site http://www.mccruise.com/pages/h4-adaptor The ring adapters are sold in the U.S. but my usual sources have dried up long ago. I have these rings on three of my Hondas. BTW: Be sure the PIAA bulb is high vibration compliant or you will be replacing the bulb frequently. PIAA uses a longer filament that is wound tight. Vibration will burn it out. That is why Honda uses the lower wattage bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Africord Posted March 18, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted March 18, 2016 I don't think you have a problem. You are talking about less than 1 amp additional load on the wiring and harness. 10 watts/12 volts = 0.83 amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v4hrc Posted March 18, 2016 Author Share Posted March 18, 2016 Thanks for the info. Motorcyclelarry.com seems to carry them. Placed an order, hopefully they'll ship quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JZH Posted March 18, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted March 18, 2016 The lower wattage bulbs are only used on US models--the ROW bikes use regular H4s. Adapter rings do change the location of the focal point of the filament, but given that the H4 bulb design is one massive compromise/bodge anyway, I doubt the 0.5mm difference has any effect at all. Ciao, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artpongs Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 can you take pictures of your installation and the differences between the stock and h4 bulbs when they arrive. I would like to do this upgrade in the future. is there a difference in brightness with H4 upgrade for those who have done this mod? I was riding last night and I noticed that visibility is not too great with my bike at night. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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