Have a 1990, and one bulb burnt out, so I am going to replace both. I really do not do a whole lot of backroad riding at night, so I do not see the need to buy an HID kit or anything super bright. I have read on here about different bulbs, but really have not found a good enough answer, so I decided to make another thread.

I am just wanting to get a basic bulb that will fit, and turn on. I do not need to light up a football field or anything, so what numbers should I be looking for when I stop in the parts store?

I have seen something about the number "H4". Is that a style of bulb that I need to fit my bike? Or am I looking for something else?

I have also read that certain ones fry up an electrical system, but have no clue what the numbers are that would be safe.

If I am asking questions that have been answered 100 times, I am sorry. I did use the search function, but like I said, I really didn't find the answer I was looking for, and most threads I searched where about how to get to the bulbs, which I have the whole front end apart on mine, so I have easy access to them, but the bulbs that were in there were just barely in there because the owner before me did not use the correct bulbs, So I would like to be able to walk in the store, and have a specific range of numbers to look for. If you could be of any help, I would appreciate it.

P.S. I am in the U.S. if that makes any difference.

Thanks, Joe

 

Hi Joe,

Check out www.candlepowerinc.com . There's some good info there. I switched to a Candlepower bulb last yr & have been very pleased w/ the increased visibility from a brighter bulb (white light) that is basically a direct replacement for the old stock bulb (yellow light). My Honda shop actually stocks these. If you can't find what you need on the site, give 'em a call. Hopefully they can help.

Good luck.

 

Okay, from anybody's best guess, would the below link work for my 1990 CBR1000F Hurricane as a direct drop in?

If that works, I am just looking for an H4 style with a 45/45W power rating, correct? What does the 45/45w stand for? I would assume 45 watt, but what about the other 45 in front of the slash?

http://store.candlepower.com/4512vh4hebu.html

Thanks, Joe

 

45/45W = dual output bulb w/ both filaments being up to 45 watts.

I'm assuming that your stock bulb is a 45/45. If that's correct, then this bulb should work. As it says in the product info on the webpage description..."It is used in many a motorcycle equipped with an H4 headlamp and a charging system that won't handle the current demand of a 60/55w H4 bulb."

Power draw is measured in - watts.

Brightness is measured in - lumens. The "H4" bulb should draw the same power but be brighter that what you have...that is, if your orig bulb wasn't an H4.

Hope this helps.

 

Joe, we've covered this in the Hurricane section quite a few times.


Check out this thread. <<< Link (read the whole thing because it goes around a good bit....lol)
There are others if you do a search for "bulbs" in the 'Cane section.

I'm running the philips xtreme power h4 bulbs in my 95 1000F. I got them at auto lamps online from the UK. They ship just as quick as the US guys with great customer service. They were backordered when i ordered them and I still got them in like 10days. Right now it looks like $33 shipped for a set and they appear to be in stock (if you go that route).....
They are noticeably brighter than the stock stanley bulbs, but you may have to do a little bit of modification to make an H4 fit in your 90. Not bad, though, just the tabs or retainer. My 95 takes the H4 straight.
You can also use the sylvania silver stars for a little extra light, but many complain of worse rain vision (whiter) and bulbs not lasting very long. (and they are $50+ per set everywhere I've been)
You just want to stay close to the stock wattage with whatever bulb you choose.

 

Thank you very much, that does answer a lot of my questions, but my only remaining question is how do I get the correct bulb to fit in the socket? Should I be looking for something that fits a Honda car, or are there specific light bulbs for motorcycles as far as the light fitting correctly? I just don't want something that doesn't properly seat in its spot.


Kilgoretrout, I will check it out. If a standard bulb must be modified, that is a good enough answer for me, I can do that, I just wanted to verify first before doing it.

Thanks again for your help
Joe

 

You should read the thread I linked.
Here is part of it:

If you want to buy the stock stanley H4H bulbs from honda (for about $30 each) you can do that, too.
However, all they are is a standard halogen H4 bulb with a couple tabs messed up.
Timbuctwo even has detailed instructions and pics in the thread I linked on how to fit them.... or you can spend $10 shipped on some adapter rings on ebay from this dude in Canada...

It's really not a hard thing to get the H4 bulbs to fit. It also allows you to run any H4 style bulb you like.
If you really want a stock replacement, though, you can order them through Mr. Cycles. About $26 each. (Link here.... #11)

 

Story on H4 bulbs... http://candlepowerinc.com/pdfs/H4_9003.pdf

Reading Kilgoretrout's price reference for $26 for your Hurricane, makes me happy my bulbs were only about $8 ea.