Ok so as I mentioned over in my Intro thread (http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=6138.msg84126#msg84126) I am considering (operative word) a Dual HID Projector (https://www.retrofitlab.com/en/hid-projector-kit/bi-xenon-mini-h1-twin-kit-1.html)conversion on my GTR once i get her.
I have previous experience of similar conversions and my questions are
1) how easy is it to get the headlight unit out (ie is it less than 15 minutes to strip the plastic or is it cuss & swear)
2) Does anyone know if the headlamp unit clips apart or is it sealed together with that horrible nasty sticky stuff that needs careful treatment with a heat gun to soften & split?
Yes I know you can get H7 JID bulbs but I'm not a big fan of conversions like that in headlights where the reflector is used to focus the beam. Experience says whilst it works it's not as good as modifying a headlight where the glass is fluted (a bit old school these day) and nowhere near as good as projectors
I had to swap out my headlight a year or so ago.
1) It's not difficult, but you'll cuss & swear at how much you have to strip off the bike to get it removed... We're talking taking off the screen, top panels, "glove box", side panels, mirrors, bits of air intake... *then* you can get the bit of fairing off that surrounds the headlight... *then* you can get to the headlight. You'll need a 90 degree ratchet Philips screwdriver to get to a screw that has about 1" space behind it...
2) No idea. Mine was broken and just needed replacing.
Let us know how you get on with the conversion.
Cheers
Paul B.
Quote from: PaulB on January 16, 2017, 01:42:38 PM
I had to swap out my headlight a year or so ago.
1) It's not difficult, but you'll cuss & swear at how much you have to strip off the bike to get it removed... We're talking taking off the screen, top panels, "glove box", side panels, mirrors, bits of air intake... *then* you can get the bit of fairing off that surrounds the headlight... *then* you can get to the headlight. You'll need a 90 degree ratchet Philips screwdriver to get to a screw that has about 1" space behind it...
2) No idea. Mine was broken and just needed replacing.
Let us know how you get on with the conversion.
Cheers
Paul B.
How come this forum doesn't have a thanks button ;)
Ermmm why would you want to put totally illegal HIDS in ? Your gonna damage the headlight and also make :police: day .
Put Halfords extra bright bulbs in and save ya self a heap load of grief.
Also DON'T forget to inform ya insurance of ANY modification you do .. . Or bet ya bottom dollar in a claim they will drop you like a warm sloppy turd !
That's my 2 penneth
Quote from: Wookie on January 16, 2017, 04:38:46 PM
Ermmm why would you want to put totally illegal HIDS in ? Your gonna damage the headlight and also make :police: day .
Put Halfords extra bright bulbs in and save ya self a heap load of grief.
Also DON'T forget to inform ya insurance of ANY modification you do .. . Or bet ya bottom dollar in a claim they will drop you like a warm sloppy turd !
That's my 2 penneth
Last 4 or 5 bikes have had some sort of HID or HID & LED conversion.
Hear where you're coming from but it's never caused me a problem either with the law or at MOT time
Wook must just be unlucky .. got pulled up twice by separate plods in different county.
Even me blind MOT tester said he couldn't let em pass .and for him to do that is BAD
Just sayin like :smiley:
Quote from: Wookie on January 16, 2017, 08:29:18 PM
Wook must just be unlucky .. got pulled up twice by separate plods in different county.
Even me blind MOT tester said he couldn't let em pass .and for him to do that is BAD
Just sayin like :smiley:
Question:
Are you running H7 HID units utilising the OEM reflectors or have you got projectors?
I'll take a shrewd guess at the former as that's one of my pet hates, simple plug and play conversions generally have far too much scatter. Works slightly better with fluted glass (as found on the old ST1100 and 90,s CBR600s but that sort of lens is less common these days.
Projectors are more expensive and a bit more of a pain to fit but the results are significantly better.
The HIDS were on my tiger. And it's been sold .
There is noway I would put them on the kwak .
The headlights seem to me as good if not the best headlight .
Having said that my FJR had Halfords BLUE "SHOW" lights fitted .. off the top of me head they were 110 watt and OMG did they light the road up . And the wiring harness with stood the extra draw.
This bike has very good lights assuming that they are aimed correctly (up and down adjustment). In the early days, they came adjusted so that you could see two feet in front of you quite well. Beyond that, not so much. So if you are having issues with the lighting, make sure that they are aimed correctly. My low beams are adjusted just short of being totally obnoxious.
Quote from: virginiajim on January 17, 2017, 11:14:39 AM
This bike has very good lights assuming that they are aimed correctly (up and down adjustment). In the early days, they came adjusted so that you could see two feet in front of you quite well. Beyond that, not so much. So if you are having issues with the lighting, make sure that they are aimed correctly. My low beams are adjusted just short of being totally obnoxious.
Haven't actually ridden in the dark ye, I just have a soft spot for (properly done) HID conversions having done them on many of my other bikes.
Looks like the front is the traditional glue so if I do do it then it will be gentle use of a heat gun. Annoyingly I cant see this kit currently on retrofitlabs website, hey ho I feel a mail :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXKG-fsNDNQ
Never hada problem with the lights and I've done a lot of fast night riding.
It does seem that you are trying to effect a cure for a problem that isn't there??
Quote from: Burchy on January 17, 2017, 03:49:45 PM
Never hada problem with the lights and I've done a lot of fast night riding.
It does seem that you are trying to effect a cure for a problem that isn't there??
You may well be right, doesn't stop it being mulled over/considered though :)
:agree:
Nowt wrong wiv a good tinker and fiddle :mfr_lol:
behave yerself :mfr_lol:
Brief ride after dark tonight, these headlights are pretty damned good for an OEM motorbike fitment :punk:
Doesn't mean I can't resist fiddling though :banana:
I had a bi-xenon HID in my 1000 for 3 years and was fine until the solenoid failed.
Passed 3 MOT's like that and never got flashed until the solenoid failed and the bulb moved out of the focal point.
Now has an LED that is as good or better than the HID.
It does have a fresnel lens like many older bikes but only has the single headlight.
My 1400 has way better headlights even with OEM bulbs.
I have fitted Osram extra bright bulbs but can see no reason to go any brighter.
For high beam however I have LED spots installed on both bikes and those :censored: are BRIGHT!
When I flash, people notice. :banana: :popcorn:
"Fresnel" that's the word I was looking for :clap:
Yup when it comes to positioning they're more forgiving than modern reflector designs
Mikey: eBay item 272541460670 ...
Cheers
Paul B.
Quote from: PaulB on February 03, 2017, 07:40:49 AM
Mikey: eBay item 272541460670 ...
Cheers
Paul B.
Cheers
Hmm wonder why they stripped them out of the headlight rather than selling as a complete assembly