Headlamp bulb compatibility

I have a 1999 Honda CBR 600 F4 and need a headlamp bulb for it. When I
examine the bulb, I see the markings 'H4' and 55/60w. When I ask at my
local shop, they say that they do not have the bulb in stock, and it
will be about $30 each to special order them. Does anyone know if
these are standard auto bulbs I can buy at any auto parts shop or are
they motorcycle specific? I went to Pep Boys today and saw that the
Sylvania 9003 bulbs appear essentially identical, but there is no
cross-reference source in the store or online I can use to verify that
they are the same. Also, the bulbs are only $10 at Pep Boys. Any help
or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Any H4 55/60W will do. H4 is a standard that describes the shape and
wiring of the bulb.
Not all bulbs, not even standardised ones are born equal. They will
fit and function but "colour", light intensity and sensitivity to vibrations
will vary. Don't worry, just get a bulb from a reputable brand, it will
be fine. Even on my thumpers and dual sport bikes I've always used
standard bulbs and failures have been few and far between.

 

saw that the

If you look carefully at the base of a Sylvania 9003, you should see H4
marked on it. Same bulb, sometimes found for about $7US at discount stores.
Common as dirt. My Triumph and older BMW both use them, as did a V*lv* I
once owned.

Dave
98 BRG Triumph Sprint Exec, 82 Red BMW R65

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According to partsfish.com, the Honda part number for your bike's
bulb (assuming the '99 CBR600 F4 has a single, not dual, headlight)
is 34901-MC7-601, partfish's price: $6.17.

Googling for 34901-MC7-601 turns up at least one link that says it is
a standard 60/55W H4 bulb.

Is the $30 price from a Honda dealer or an independent shop? Either way,
I'd find somewhere else to buy parts. I like checking partsfish.com's
price as a sanity check before I call the local Honda dealer. It's worth
calling around, prices on genuine Honda parts vary widely from dealer
to dealer, and I have found there isn't usually a single local dealer
that is always the cheapest.

 

However, you better make sure your wiring, fuse, and alternator will
handle the load. At 60W you are pulling about 5 amps with a 100W it's
about 8.4 amps. Power (watts) = Voltage (E) * Current (I) or (P=E*I),
therefore P/E = I. 60W/12v = 5a, 100W/12v = 8.33a. For the load on the
alternator you have to add up all the current draw of the bike and allow
for a 20% headroom. Plus, I don't know what the legal limit is for Texas.

--
Page

'01 FXDWG, NTXNS
"Happy Hour" starts one twist of the throttle past neutral!
Remove the 123 to reply.

 

interested to see if partsfish's bulb would say genuine honda 34901-MC7-601
or made in taiwan. Buy the Pep boys H4 ,preferably in 100+ watt version.

 

I think the legal limit almost everywhere is 60/55. What cop is going to
check? (remember this requires brains & effort) Any jap bike should be able
to handle the extra load. I have 120/80 in my ol GL1000, and CBR600. Make
sure it is aimed correctly to avoid hassles from cops & other motorists

 

Thanks everyone for the help and advice. I'm planning on going out and
buying the Sylvania bulb later today and a spare since my Honda Civic
uses the same bulbs. The store I asked for a quote from was a chain
motorcycle supplies/parts store called Cycle Gear. I've bought a
number of items from them before and have always been happy, so I
think this was an exception. Just one last question, though - M.J.
Freeman a few posts ago recommended the Hella 80/100 watt bulbs. Is
there any problem with overheating/melting the housing or damaging the
electrical system with this bulb? Thanks again.

 

9003 will work.
my honda dealer had h4's for $5.95.

 

Not only that. The heat from a high wattage bulb may destroy
the reflector. So after some time, the light output will be no better
than with the original bulb.

On many bikes the headlight wiring is a joke. Thin wires and bad
switches. A good way to increase the light is to supply the bulb
with the correct voltage. Thick wires straight from the fuses,
controlled by relays.

 

hmm, don't fall for that one. The last time I walked into a small
auto-parts store they had 3 different sylvania models that fit the H4
standard. One was stock H4, the other two were 'premium' (or whatever
they called them) models that gave more light. Cheapest one was 8
bucks, most expensive one was 15 bucks I think.

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As I was the one uttering on of the "dire predictions" I think that a
clarification is called for.

Some people are very sure that they know everything. They will
state things like Lefty "If you use a bulb that pulls 80/100 watts, the
current will melt the wires". No qualifiers, no "IMHO", no mention
of where or when that experience was gained.

If we go to my warning about the reflectors, it said there _may_
be a problem. I'm really trying to make postings that does not
state things I'm not reasonably sure about. If something might
be true or if I suggest a course of action that is more of a hunch
that solid knowledge I try to make that clear.

It's quite common that people want "straight answers" (especially
the ones that come here once only to get help and has nothing
to contribute). OK, it happens once in a while that the problem
has a simple answer that someone here can post. More often, it
is the same here as in all engineering, you need to get a couple
of opinions, try a few things and find a solution that might not be
the one and only truth but it will work.

And because this isn't brain surgery, I've run a 80/100 W bulb
in my XT. No dire consequences, but no great success either,
probably because the feeble wiring had too much voltage loss
even if nothing got burnt.

 

FWIW I have been running these 120 or 140 or 100/80 bulbs for over 15 yrs in
my 1987 CBr600 without the burnt up switches, wiring, or reflectors
predicted here. My "new" GL1000 and also the one I had before the CBR,
ditto. The lacklustre performance of hipower bulbs in your XT is likely the
fault of your alternator design, not the wiring. Dirt/dualpurpose and ATV's
frequently make just enough power for stock lighting and not a milliamp
more.

 

"Hank" <> skrev i meddelandet

Now, the XT has a decent alternator even if it's not designed to power a
stereo, half a dozen driving lights and a small fridge.
Now, the wiring might work (and is essentially the same as a few Yamaha
street bikes I've had) but it sure isn't a decent way to power supply a
halogen bulb. The wire itself is small gauge (compare it to car wiring for
the same application), the current passes 3 switches (and they are not
fancy ones either) and a number of cable connectors (not exactly gold
plated stuff). Now, knowing how voltage sensitive the light output is, it's
a minor miracle that even a 55/60W bulb works reasonably well.

Other bikes obviously has a better laid out system and will work
better with high wattage bulbs. That is why I mentioned the bike
model. My message is that you should consider some things before
changing to high power bulbs and not just assume "bigger is better".
Your point about alternator output is another good thing to
consider.

By the way, we usually post answers below quoted text.