Author Topic: More Light for your Bridgestone 350  (Read 9296 times)

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Offline OldSwartout

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Re: More Light for your Bridgestone 350
« Reply #20 on: November 29, 2017, 07:41:00 PM »
Here's the installed new reflector.  It is actually pop riveted directly to the taillight body rather than the original reflector as I think can be done as described above.  However, my reflector and bulb socket came apart years ago and were already pop riveted in place. I just took it all apart and put it back together with the new reflector.   I'm not sure what to do with the shaker cup, target practice maybe?
Karl Swartout
Mooresville, IN
BS175 Roadracer. BS200RS, BS350 GTR

Offline OldSwartout

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Re: More Light for your Bridgestone 350
« Reply #21 on: November 29, 2017, 08:24:41 PM »
Back to the headlight discussion:  I searched U.S. E-bay for LED motorcycle bulbs and found this 12/24W unit.  It is available with bullet connectors or with a 3 prong standard headlight connector.  A couple of nice features are that it has a built in voltage regulator to prevent the motorcycle electrics from destroying it, and the two-eared adapter will (with very slight trimming) fit the original BS350 headlight lens assembly.  Since I had already converted mine to an H4 using another lens assembly, the H4 adapter worked for mine.

Karl Swartout
Mooresville, IN
BS175 Roadracer. BS200RS, BS350 GTR

Offline OldSwartout

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Re: More Light for your Bridgestone 350
« Reply #22 on: November 29, 2017, 08:33:26 PM »
The bulb has 5 LEDs, 3 light up for low beam (12W), all 5 for high (24W). The bulb doesn't have a good way to generate a controlled pattern like the normal H4 halogens, so the beams are more like floodlights than a true headlight pattern, especially the low beam.  The low beam doesn't have he upper part of the beam cut off like normal, but the 3 LEDs that light up are on the lower portion of the bulb, so the upper part of the pattern is not quite as bright as the bottom part.  This seems to work, as no oncoming driver flashed his lights at me.  Here are some pattern and intensity comparisons.  These were taken with fixed settings on the camera, so should be actual differences.
« Last Edit: November 29, 2017, 08:36:36 PM by OldSwartout »
Karl Swartout
Mooresville, IN
BS175 Roadracer. BS200RS, BS350 GTR

Offline OldSwartout

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Re: More Light for your Bridgestone 350
« Reply #23 on: November 29, 2017, 08:35:51 PM »
Here are the LED light patterns and intensity for comparison. When on the road, the light doesn't seem as blue as it does in these photos:

Karl Swartout
Mooresville, IN
BS175 Roadracer. BS200RS, BS350 GTR

Offline BRT-GTR

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Re: More Light for your Bridgestone 350
« Reply #24 on: December 01, 2017, 01:04:58 PM »
            Hi karl,
                     Another very interesting piece of work on improving the BS electrics, many thanks.
   
      In your opinion, which bulb option, H4 or LED, gives the best light for general night riding. The led bulb seems to lack penetration and a defined beam pattern but I am sure this will improve as more development takes place.
             Brian,............ still trying to think what you could make out of the shaker base.......rear shock covers?    8)
   
                         
Unspoiled by progress.
I'm so glad I grew up in the 60s & 70s. I did so much stupid stuff and there's no record of it.............Anywhere !!

Offline OldSwartout

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Re: More Light for your Bridgestone 350
« Reply #25 on: December 01, 2017, 07:36:51 PM »
Even though the LED seems to make a brighter light than the halogen, the low beam seemed to be only a little better in actual practice.  However, the high beam seemed to be much brighter on the road, which will help driving state highways and country roads at night.  Overall, the LED seemed to be an improvement.  As you say, some more development will help.  We may find better bulbs out there already with some more investigation.
Karl Swartout
Mooresville, IN
BS175 Roadracer. BS200RS, BS350 GTR

 


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