Lights

Anyone got any suggestions regards getting more light from a CB500?

Cruising along in the dark (especially with drizzle) I really struggle to see what the road surface is like up ahead.

Was passed by a Transit today!

Fine where there is road lighting, then I can see what's coming and open up :-)

Nige

I put in a Osram Nightbreaker+ bulb. I like the result.

Remember; incandescent bulbs wear out. Make a habit of exchanging your headlight bulb every year to keep light output at the max.

You DO use something like a pinlock visor, right? Because all the light in the world won't do any good if your visor is all fogged up or scratched. A helmet with proper ventilation is important too, especially if you're wearing glasses.

+1 for Osram Nightbreakers and a Pinlock. Invaluable at this time of year. I prefer the yellow ones in winter.

Ok, will have a look for a decent bulb.

No, I'd never heard of pinlock visors, will do some digging.
The visor is (almost) brand new, unscratched and stays clear of fog (should I say, does fog sometimes but then clears).  Good bit of ventilation really.

In damp during daylight I could see past the water on the visor ok, but in the dark I can't.

These are bloody brilliant;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221302440800

Pinlock is essential....

I've identified somewhere locally that may be able to help with the visor, but how does that help with seeing through the water on the outside of the visor?

About the outside water it does not do nothing, but it will keep your visor 100% free of water from the inside, meaning, as close to perfect view all the time.
It´s a moisture absorbing plastic that will prevent water accumulation. On the visor side, it creates a air pocket isolated by a silicon ring. That way, that air is isolated from surrounding moisture.
Simple and good stuff.

nigelb wrote:
.......but how does that help with seeing through the water on the outside of the visor?

See my ebay link posted above.

As well as the wiper option, this stuff isn't bad, assuming you keep your visor clean and remember to reapply it regularly:

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=248

eternally_troubled wrote:As well as the wiper option, this stuff isn't bad, assuming you keep your visor clean and remember to reapply it regularly:

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=248

I'll second that.

I'm using something similar. ClearVue Rain repellent. Works best when it's pouring, not so good in eg. dense fog. And (luckily...) it works better when you go faster

Yes, the spray-on things change the surface tension of the water and make it more likely to 'ball up' and slide off.

I don't use it often as my normal commute doesn't really warrant it; however if I end up going on the motorway in winter rain/fog/drizzle etc it is invaluable.

EDIT:  also, the more your visor is scratched the more blinding the lights of oncoming traffic will be - so buy a new visor! (I should take my own advice - my visor is knackered).

Visor is (almost completely) unscratched, one single mark (but I take the point).

The bulb has arrived, I ordered a 1x H3 55w OSRAM Night Breaker +90% Bulb 12v [64151NBP] Xenon / HID Look but what they've sent doesn't say "plus" on it anywhere, instead it is a "H3 Night Breaker Unlimited".

Is this just a more modern version, is it in fact suitable?

Cheers

Nige

And what's arrived is an H3, but the Haynes manual says H4?

This is what I ordered http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190966949522

Ah feck. You've bought the wrong bulb.

Lol, no probs, I'll order an H4 ...

I have a unopened twin pack of Osram nightbreaker H4 plus gold spare if anybody's interested.

HomeBrew wrote:I have a unopened twin pack of Osram nightbreaker H4 plus gold spare if anybody's interested.

How much do you want for them?

I could do with a spare or two.

£10 posted- bargain for a fellow CB500club member!

Sounds good to me, PM coming your way.

If you are planning a ride over to Stratford you could save yourself the postage.