Headlight Removal

[mikeyw64]

Ok so as I mentioned over in my Intro thread I am considering (operative word) a Dual HID Projector 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

[PaulB]

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.

[mikeyw64]

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 ;)

[Wookie]

Ermmm why would you want to put totally illegal HIDS in ? Your gonna damage the headlight and also make  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

[mikeyw64]

Ermmm why would you want to put totally illegal HIDS in ? Your gonna damage the headlight and also make  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

[Wookie]

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 

[mikeyw64]

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 

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.

[Wookie]

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.

[virginiajim]

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.

[mikeyw64]

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

[Burchy]

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??

[mikeyw64]

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 :)

[Wookie]

 
Nowt wrong wiv a good tinker and fiddle 

[O.C.]

behave yerself      

[mikeyw64]

Brief ride after dark tonight, these headlights are pretty damned good for an OEM motorbike fitment

Doesn't mean I can't resist fiddling though