1998 Virago DX 535

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Andy Coles - 23 Jun 2005 18:07 GMT

New to this group

Just bought a low mileage well maintained almost immacculate DX 535.
Terrific little bike. Before anyone leaps down my throat I am returning to
biking in what I believe to be a sensible manner after a 25 year break -
Honda Rebel for 18 months tand now th DX535. Also being in the UK I do not
feel I need a heap of power given out by an 1100.

I have one issue with the new acquisition and would very much appreciate
Virago owners feedback.

The headlight is one of those little 5 3/4 inch things made in Japan by
Koito. The reflector is really shiney and the lense clean and not cracked
and it runs a H4 60/55w halogen bulb. Whilst the light is as bright as hell
it and can be seen by others from far away it does not light up the raod
particularly well. In fact it is down right abismal and the thought of a
glow worm taped to the front fork would do a better job comes to mind. I
have had the setting of the light checked on a beam tester and it apparently
is spot on. I have also tried to lower and higher the light but this seems
to make little difference. There seems to be very little by way of a
defined light pattern and certainly no hot spots of light.

I have spoken to a Yamaha agent who frankly gave the impression of not
really having much of a clue what it was reasonable to expect and was more
interested in taking 72 squids from me for a new light which, frankly,
looked no better than the one I already had,

The 750 and 535 Viragos appear to have the same light unit so how do you
guys find your lights?

Does anyone know of any way of upgrading the lights. Thought of an uprated
bulb but the light housing is slim and I am concerned about the extra heat
generated.

HELP. Any ideas?

Andy

PS does anyone know what the amp output is from the alternator on a 1998 535
Virago. Yam agent did not know (or would not say) and the Haynes Manwel is
silent on the subject.

Thanks
A

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Rick Mintz - 23 Jun 2005 20:18 GMT

I purchased from JC Whitney, here in the states, a brighter bulb. I believe
that it is a 90/110 watt. Been running fine in my 1996 Virago 1100 for seven
years without trouble. Bright? Yes! Heat has not caused a problem.

Rick

> New to this group
>
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
> Thanks
> A

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Andy Coles - 24 Jun 2005 12:31 GMT

Thanks Rick

Have used 100/80 and 130/90 in cars for years but in larger light units so
very interesting to hear that you have no trouble with heat.

If I may a couple of Q's for you;

1. I am not all that familiar with the Virago 1100, does this have the same
size 5 3/4 inch small headlight unit.

2. What sort of difference did you notice from the standard 60/55 bulbs to
your 110/90's.

Have got some 100/80 bulbs might drop one in and see the difference for
myself. The main problem I seem to have though is with how the light is
distributed. I have no clearly defined beam pattern or light hot spots at
all. I do by the way have an original Yamaha headlight unit, good reflector
and uncracked lensa.

Regards

Andy

>I purchased from JC Whitney, here in the states, a brighter bulb. I believe
>that it is a 90/110 watt. Been running fine in my 1996 Virago 1100 for
[quoted text clipped - 47 lines]
>> Thanks
>> A

Reply to this Message

Andy Coles - 28 Jun 2005 15:13 GMT

Hi Rick and the Group

UPDATE

I have tried several 60/55w bulbs and a cheap Halfords 'made in outer
Mongolia' 100/80w against the garage wall. I was amazed at just how much
the beam pattern can be effected by different bulbs, must be something to do
with the position of the filaments.

The downward dipping light that was on the bike still had a poor
distribution pattern whichever bulb I used and generally spread the light
all aver the place particularly on full beam. It was also not as bright as
the original German lamp (the bike was imported from Germany) which I found
in one of the saddlebags and which I put down to the reflector which is much
shinier and the fact that there was less fluting on the lense. The original
German right diping light also attempted to put hot spots of light in front
of me which makes for easier night vision.

The German light with a white 60/55w Xenon (rather than Halogen) bulb is
about 50% brighter than the downward dipping one even with a portion of the
lense blanked off to stop the inclination to the right. I have just bought
a good quality Phillips 100/90w bulb to try next and although it must be
brighter (and hotter !!), given that the reflector is small then I am
dubious as to how much difference it will actually make on the road. I
think that the real answer will be to buy a new reflector/lense from Yamaha
and then I will get a left hand inclination on dip.

Two other questions please:
1. I still do not know what the alternator output is in Amps - does anyone
know?
2. Does anyone have any idea how long in miles the brake pads are should
last with reasonable riding. There is still pad thickness there but as I
havn't seen a new set yet I can not tell how much they are worn.

Regards

Andy

>I purchased from JC Whitney, here in the states, a brighter bulb. I believe
>that it is a 90/110 watt. Been running fine in my 1996 Virago 1100 for
[quoted text clipped - 47 lines]
>> Thanks
>> A

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Motorcycle Forum / General / Yamaha / June 2005

1998 Virago DX 535