Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
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Stage II
Joined: Dec 2007
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Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
Does anybody know what bulb an '08 Fat Bob uses in that twin headlamp? I know most of the '08s are using a H7. I looked up the part numbers in my service manual and realized the Fat Bob uses a different bulb. I'm looking for a brighter aftermarket bulb to replace them... not that it needs it, I just like having all the light I can.
Cheers,
fish
Cheers,
fish
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 426
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From: On the road to nowhere, UK
RE: Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
If you live Stateside, you've got a twin light setup all the time, whereas over here in the UK we've apparently got to put up with only one bulb lit at a time. Now, I haven't collected my Fatso yet as it's cr*p weather & salt city at present, but I sure as Hell don't want to run around with only one side lit.
H7 bulbs are a dual filament bulb which, in the UK at least, is rated as a standard 55/60 Watt power. My guess is that if both of the US bulbs are on together, then they would most likelybe an H7 fitting. To get a brighter light, it's worth looking at a different 'colour temperature' bulb which runs at the same power output, rather than simply getting a higher powered Halogen one.
Try looking around the PIAA bulbs and see if one would suffice.
Without having the 'Bob in my garage I can't be more specific yet, but from the 1st March watch this space!
Howzat?
H7 bulbs are a dual filament bulb which, in the UK at least, is rated as a standard 55/60 Watt power. My guess is that if both of the US bulbs are on together, then they would most likelybe an H7 fitting. To get a brighter light, it's worth looking at a different 'colour temperature' bulb which runs at the same power output, rather than simply getting a higher powered Halogen one.
Try looking around the PIAA bulbs and see if one would suffice.
Without having the 'Bob in my garage I can't be more specific yet, but from the 1st March watch this space!
Howzat?
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Dec 2007
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RE: Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
Yes, I'm in N. California in fact. The weather here hasn't been much better lately. Four days of solid rain, Sun-Wed. The Fat Bob most definitely does not run a H7 bulb. I've looked at the diagrams and double-checked the part numbers in my service manual. They are indeed using something different. It looks like some sort of H5 variant. Of course, the manual does not state what the bulb is, rather it only lists a HD part number. I think I'm gonna have to pull the headlight assembly apart to access the bulbs and take one down to a local autoparts store to see what matches. The headlight works rather well stock, better than my last BMW and more in line with my old 2001 GSX-R twin bulb setup. I just find the cooler temp bulbs to be both better for lighting the roadway, and more conspicuous to oncoming traffic than the yellow, sodium-looking stockers.
I've read recently about Euro law requiring only one bulb to be illuminated. The wiring diagram shows an additional orange/white wire leading to a "position lamp" on HDI models (international models) only. The other three wires leading to the headlamp are white (high beam), yellow (low beam) and black (ground). All positive wires are running to a 38 ampere fuse... probably ample to hijack power from the yellow and white leads to run both lamps on HDI models.
Cheers,
fish
I've read recently about Euro law requiring only one bulb to be illuminated. The wiring diagram shows an additional orange/white wire leading to a "position lamp" on HDI models (international models) only. The other three wires leading to the headlamp are white (high beam), yellow (low beam) and black (ground). All positive wires are running to a 38 ampere fuse... probably ample to hijack power from the yellow and white leads to run both lamps on HDI models.
Cheers,
fish
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 419
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From: Boston
RE: Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
The bulb type is H13 some newer fords use this type of bulb. Im looking at this type silver star sylvania ultra newer than the old silver stars. Go on their web sight check them out same wattage but brighter. Their is a brand called nitto I think that has higher wattage bulbs but I'm not sure if the lamps would get to hot and melt wiring I did that on my silverado.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61
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From: NSW - AUSTRALIA
RE: Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
2008 Service manual lists HD Part Number 69838-08 by 2 for US Bulbs with a current draw (amperage) of 5.04/4.58.
Here in Australia we have the international model with one light for low and one for high. Looks stupid.
Hope it helps.
Tony
[IMG]local://upfiles/29820/FB62BB1FEC6949429E6B1E64E7FCC420.jpg[/IMG]
Here in Australia we have the international model with one light for low and one for high. Looks stupid.
Hope it helps.
Tony
[IMG]local://upfiles/29820/FB62BB1FEC6949429E6B1E64E7FCC420.jpg[/IMG]
Road Master
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From: The Dirty South
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: England
RE: Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
You have to be carefull. I fitted a higher wattage bulb to a bike I had a few years ago and the heat melted the connector and took the coating off the reflector.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 426
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From: On the road to nowhere, UK
RE: Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
Oh Dear.......not looking too good;
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/H13.asp
Hmmmm. Thinking caps on, guys.[sm=confused06.gif]
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/H13.asp
Hmmmm. Thinking caps on, guys.[sm=confused06.gif]
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: The Dirty South
RE: Fat Bob bulb upgrade?
ORIGINAL: Steve Zodiac
You have to be carefull. I fitted a higher wattage bulb to a bike I had a few years ago and the heat melted the connector and took the coating off the reflector.
You have to be carefull. I fitted a higher wattage bulb to a bike I had a few years ago and the heat melted the connector and took the coating off the reflector.