H-4 LED.

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worntorn said:
I've wondered if the pilot bulb was mainly there in reserve for those occasions where the main bulb filament broke from vibration on a night ride. You could pilot your way home slowly and carefully on the pilot beam.

Glen
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As I have read, it started as small telltale lamp on a dynamo or battery circuit whose brightness indicates the voltage of the current.

Or maybe as in a real Gas circuit, it was the ignitor.
 
I think that back in the day the pilot light was used in mild poor visibility. But I think it’s main function was for use as a parking light when the bike was parked on an unlit road at night.

Neither of those things seem very relevant these days, in poor visibility you’d be daft to use anything less than your headlight, primarily because everyone else does. And I don’t think anyone uses parking lights anymore?

So I think the pilot light has become an emergency back up light as Glen says or a ‘better than nothing’ day time running light for those lacking confidence in their charging systems, etc. But it has to be said that both of these functions are fulfilled MUCH better with an LED pilot bulb.
 
Nigel, I'm guessing that the Derekwunderlight is similar in strength of beam to the Goffy Daylighter 2.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the car drivers taking note of my bike when approaching an intersection with the Derekwunderlight on in daytime. Give the bars a little waggle as you roll close to the intersection and it's even more effective.
I agree, forget the pilot light, just run the mainbeam whenever the bike is in use.
It's only 30 watts, so there shouldn't be any problems keeping up with any of the alternator types.

Glen
 
I've used the non-LED headlight at night and was very pleased with it. So, not looking to change. But I'd be happy to get a brighter pilot bulb, if one exists, for less draw on the electrics in daytime.
 
Mart UK said:
I've used the non-LED headlight at night and was very pleased with it. So, not looking to change. But I'd be happy to get a brighter pilot bulb, if one exists, for less draw on the electrics in daytime.
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Mark, as Glen mentions above one of the biggest and best advantages of LED headlights is your daytime visibility to other road users.

This is more important than ever, partly because car drivers these days have SO many distractions and partly because other road users day time lights are SO bright. Modern cars have day time lights that are SO bright and so do many cyclists… against this, a dim light on a slim unfaired old bike is a great way to hide !

For donkeys years I never ran lights in the day, I do now, and I’m also a fan of more / bigger light !
 
I think the pilot light was there so that when your main bulb died, you could still be seen by others. Possibly back then it might have to be used when parking on an unlit road.
 
Fast Eddie said:
But I think it’s main function was for use as a parking light when the bike was parked on an unlit road at night.
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I believe this is true. As I understand it, there were laws requiring it in some European countries (Germany?).
 
I wouldn't trust my life to a pilot light. Did that once and now walk with a limp... And got to restore my Norton for a second time...

This is about more than just being legal by running some sort of headlight. This is about being visible so that an assassin in a car doesn't end your life.

Glen summed it up perfectly - a good bright light gets you seen. And 30 watts means you don't even need a fancy alternator to run it. My Alton alternator is pretty anemic, and it keeps up just fine with this light.

Ultimately - it is your bike, your money, your life, and your choice. But when you find a good product at a great price, it is hard not to publicize it.

Not going to belabor this any further....

FWIW
 
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Derek Wilson said:
I wouldn't trust my life to a pilot light.
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Depends on the pilot light, I ran a 23W scooter halogen bulb in the pilot light position pre LED's for daylight riding in order to not overload the charging system. This worked well as it was bright but also diffused so seen from all angles, the danger of a really bright but tightly focused beam is that the guy in front sees you but the guy coming in from a side road outside of the beam could miss the light.
 
kommando said:
Depends on the pilot light, I ran a 23W scooter halogen bulb in the pilot light position pre LED's for daylight riding in order to not overload the charging system. This worked well as it was bright but also diffused so seen from all angles, the danger of a really bright but tightly focused beam is that the guy in front sees you but the guy coming in from a side road outside of the beam could miss the light.
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Yes, exactly. I run with my 55W headlamp on all the time. I don't fancy playing around with an LED, because I like the beam of the stock light in the dark, and just in case a new LED blinds oncoming vehicles or doesn't have the breadth of beam. I wondered of there was an LED, say at 25W, that I could substitute into the pilot bulb holder. To get less electrical drain, but remain equally visible as the stock headlight, keeping the headlight for nighttime riding.
 
Derek Wilson said:
The original reflector does not take an H4 bulb. You will have to contact Paul Goff for one of his LED's that suit the original reflector.

LED Headlight bulbs British Pre-Focus + H4s

Double Dipper, British Pre Focus LEDs, Stop tail LEDs, LED H4 car headlights, LED headlight bulbs,LED H4, H4 LED,British Pre Focus LED,Bayonet Cap LED, LED headlamp bulbs,H4 LED headlamp bulbs,LED headlights for old bikes,LED headlights for old cars
www.norbsa02.freeuk.com
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+1 Paul will set you with the perfect reflector and bulb combo.
 
worntorn said:
I've wondered if the pilot bulb was mainly there in reserve for those occasions where the main bulb filament broke from vibration on a night ride. You could pilot your way home slowly and carefully on the pilot beam.

Glen
Click to expand...
In the U.K., it was acceptable to use the pilot light (or sidelights on a car) to ride at night in areas with street lighting.

It was also a parking light.
 
Derek Wilson said:
Such an entitled lot they are.... using their attitudes as shields...
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I came close to hitting a kid on an electric scooter last year at night
He was dressed in black and on a black scooter riding on the road
I just noticed a flickering light
The light was underneath the scooter shining on the road!
No light in front or behind
 
EstuaryBoy said:
Our traffic laws have just changed to give both cyclists and pedestrians priority in certain situations, doubtless causing more grief rather than less...
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There's all different types of cyclists some are ok
Others just seem to want to have a go at everyone
They can be a right pain riding two abreast and riding in groups
I give them as much space as I can
 
From the 'New' Highway Code.... Rules for cyclists:

'You can ride two abreast and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders.
Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so.'

I wonder how many will quote the first sentence (and quite rightly, too..) but will conveniently overlook the second?
 
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