MZ Headlamp

Looks like I'll be bringing it back from the inlaws on Christmas day. I
have no idea what headlamp bulb these things take, or what wattage is in
there.

Any ideas, 'cos I'll make sure I put a decent one in [1] and carry a
spare?

[1] I've just put the Hog recommended Halfords 50% brighter bulbs in the
car - made a _huge_ difference.

 

I can't remember if it had a halogen one already, IIRC, it hasn't. The
MZ headlamp is pretty good as standard, but a halogen probably won't do
any harm.

You need a P45t base bulb. You'll be better off going to a motor factors
where they'll have them on the shelf, cheaper.

It's a fairly unusual base (not the more common P43t) and you may find it
difficult to find it in the sooper dooper bright blue
nova/astra/crap-ford ones.

 

OK, cheers. I'll try Halfords tomorrow as a starter.

If not, then it's out with the crimping tools to put a more common
connector on it.

I _really_ rate those expensive Halfords bulbs.....

 

No, no, no the connector is standard |_| it's the base that aligns the
bulb in the headlamp shell that's unusual.

It's easy enough to get (same as '70's aircooled VWs). Just Halfords may
not carry it or be fucking pricey in comparison to the local trade place.

 

Ahhh, right. I see.

I'll take a look anyway.

Cheers

 

I'd get a spare tail light bulb as well. On my Supa 5 (basically the
same bike) they were "festoon" bulbs, which is not something the average
bike shop stocks these days.

Dunno if the ETZ has the same, but it's worth checking.

 

When the tail light bulb in, err, Jasmine's MZ blew on the way back from
Frag's, many moons ago, I nipped back to the last petrol station and got the
correct replacement off the rack. Can't remember if it was a festoon,
though.

 

[/QUOTE]

WGAF? I thought that the whole idea was for you to ride the feckin'
thing back _in daylight_ which is why you dumped it there in the first
place. Ergo, no bulb required.

Festoon bulbs - the torpedo shaped things they use in car int(f)erior
lights, innit. Motor factors, mate. I buy fuckall in bike shops
these days, as a lot of stuff is available from proper motor factors
at 1/3 of the price.

For example, the oil pressure switch for the RF (I just thought I'd
like an extra pretty red light on turning the key) ... from Suzuki, 19
quid. Pattern part from independent dealer, 15 quid. From scruffy
little motor factor in Flitwick, the one wiv gaskets and wiper blades
hanging from the roof and overflowing ashtrays on the counter,
3 pahnd fifty matey.

All right, it's an Intermotor item and designed to fit a Land Rover or
Toyota Camry. But it triggers at the same pressure, has the same
thread length and pitch ('cos the blerk behind the counter measured it
with the pitch gauge he had in the pocket of his greasy jeans) and has
the same connector so just plugged straight in. So I'm fucked if I'm
paying bikeshop prices for a generic item I can get fro pennies down
the road.

Check yer festoons reg'lar - but not in public, eh?

 

No they're not (or shouldn't).

Early TS and ES had the festoon type, Supa 5 (and ETZ) have two normal 5w
and 21w single filaments.

 

I'd agree with you on that but, (there's always a but..), the festoon
bulbs TOG's on about are 6v. Can prove a bit tricky off the shelf.

 

<sniff>

Proper motor factors have a dusty box of 6v bulbs for dusty old VWs on
the top shelf.

<sneeze>

 

Funny that, because my old Supa 5 *definitely* had a festoon, and I had
a bit of a job finding another, which is why I remember it.

Probably fitted with whatever light unit was hanging around the factory
at the time, I suppose.

 

Or whatever was lying about in the spares department of the local MZ
emporium after a PO backed it into a wall [1]

[1] Or in my case accidentally rode a TS150, backwards, into my car door.
Hmm, must do something about the timing.

 

He. I managed to get my old Supa 5 to run backwards. Gave me a helluva
surprise.