Headlight
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: Middle GA
Headlight
Since I bought the Ultra last year I have been annoyed with the look of the headlight. It has a very hazy and off color look in the glass. It must be on the inside. I have tried cleaning and polishing it but nothing helps. Anyone else have a similar problem. What are my options, change out one working light for another?
You could get a brighter bulb like a Sylvania silver star. I think you need the h4st or 9003 model. Or...you could get an HID. There is a lot of debate as to the legality of HID's, but they are really bright. A friend jsut put one on his bike nad it is like night and day. The Sylvania's have ben known to sometimes not last as long but the bright white will definitely give out more light. http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...r/ProductLine/
and HID's just google motorcycle HID. Plenty of options out there from real cheapies to good ones. Actually, check with Howard(motorcycle metal) as he has some really nice hids.
and HID's just google motorcycle HID. Plenty of options out there from real cheapies to good ones. Actually, check with Howard(motorcycle metal) as he has some really nice hids.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: Middle GA
Thanks. I might be old fashioned but I hate to replace something that works just because of looks. It is very noticable when sitting switched off. It almost looks like at somepoint the light ovreheated and discolored the glass housing. Replacement might be my only option.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
when i replaced the bulb in my 08 streetglide, there is a hole just over an inch diameter in the back of the headlight housing itself. i don't know of any cleaner solution that could be used to "wash" the inside of the lens/reflector, surely you could attempt that, and allow it to sit out under the sun for a day to let it dry out totally, i'm not sure, so please don't take my advice on the matter. if it were me though, i'd be removing the entire headlight, and then the bulb and use some sort of detergent, like dawn, diluted of course with warm water, swish it around, rinse several times till it's totally clear, no bubbles, then pour in some "invisible glass" from walmart, great stuff by the way. rinse again after swishing the walmart stuff around inside. allow to dry out, and it might cure your problem. if it's a new bike, i'd be visiting with the service manager, and have him take a look. sorry to be so long winded, and hope you get it figured out and working the way you want.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 699
Likes: 52
From: Clarington, Ontario
The glass lens on the 99 Ultra is probably the same Bosch lens I had on my 02 EGC. I picked up a rock chip in mine and replaced the headlight lens with the new style HD headlight. Looks better and better lighting. I use a Osram Silverstar (European Sylvania) bulb that use Xenon gas instead of Halogen. Get much longer life and brighter life from them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
as far as bulbs, i swapped out just three or four days ago to the hella 9003, h-4 bulb. lots cheaper than the same bulb harley sells for 30 bux. costs just 40 for a pair of the hella bulbs at advance auto parts. sylvania and osram i think are the same company, not sure, but have had great results with the osrams in a very old mercedes benz.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: Middle GA
Removing the entire headlight fairly straight forward? I certainly don't want to get it out of alignment.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 699
Likes: 52
From: Clarington, Ontario
Sylvania and Osram are the same company, the bulbs are different spec from NA and Europe. Osram Europe makes the better bulbs. I get mine from www.powerbulbs.com
Free shipping to North America and decent prices.
When you change the lens, the alignment does not change, the lens sits in the adjustment ring and you don't have to touch the adjusting screws.
Remove the screw at the bottom of the trim ring, pull it off. There is a lens hold down ring with 3 screws, that is what holds the lens up against the adjustment ring.
Free shipping to North America and decent prices.
When you change the lens, the alignment does not change, the lens sits in the adjustment ring and you don't have to touch the adjusting screws.
Remove the screw at the bottom of the trim ring, pull it off. There is a lens hold down ring with 3 screws, that is what holds the lens up against the adjustment ring.
Last edited by cruise_carter; Jul 26, 2009 at 05:07 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Big Bend WI
Haze
Guys.I think he's talking about the haze on the inside of the glass not the bulb. If he is, what good will changing the bulb do. I hav an 06 EGC and the passing lamp glass is hazed.....the lens not the bulb. In fact the bulb in the headlite is covered by somekind of chrome cone so you can't even see it. If I am missing the point here ok but I don't think so.
The fog lamps on my truck have hazed lenses too so I think it's inherent in whatever the lenses are made of and the heat generated by the bulbs causing some kind of reaction. I don't know how you would get inside the housing to clean the inside thru the small hole the bulb gets inserted in.
The fog lamps on my truck have hazed lenses too so I think it's inherent in whatever the lenses are made of and the heat generated by the bulbs causing some kind of reaction. I don't know how you would get inside the housing to clean the inside thru the small hole the bulb gets inserted in.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 699
Likes: 52
From: Clarington, Ontario
I was talking about changing the headlight (lens) and that I have had better results when I changed the bulb also.
Should have added in my first post that I wasn't happy as the inside of my headlight had become more clouded and cleaning didn't help much.
Should have added in my first post that I wasn't happy as the inside of my headlight had become more clouded and cleaning didn't help much.
Last edited by cruise_carter; Jul 26, 2009 at 07:18 PM.
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