HID/Xenon Headlamp Conversion - anyone have these?

[Rider Rick]

I was looking for some led lights to let me be seen better, and found this place...nice little marker-type leds, but they have a conversion kit...just looking for some more light out the front of my bike without hanging on large led lights and such.

http://www.bikevis.com/motorcycle-hid-x ... sions.html

[macx]

Don't those lights create quite a lot of heat? Or am I thinking of something else.


I got the headlite relay kit from Eastern Beaver cuz I've read that the stock wiring capacity is
marginal even for the 55 watt oem setup. Also that kit then uses the switch just to switch the
relay so takes most of the load off of the switch.

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Produ ... _kits.html

I don't have my book with me, but I took switched power off of the hot side of the
horn fuse at the fuse box which has a heavy gauge wire.

I used this bulb, staying within legal limits. It was a huge improvement both in light output
and light pattern.
http://www.ridesafer.com/Hella_Premium_ ... lb0011.htm

Here's another bulb option.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_529H140272 ... la&tp=2943

Neither of them throw potentially damaging levels of heat.

[Airman]

Don't those lights create quite a lot of heat? Or am I thinking of something else.


I got the headlite relay kit from Eastern Beaver cuz I've read that the stock wiring capacity is
marginal even for the 55 watt oem setup. Also that kit then uses the switch just to switch the
relay so takes most of the load off of the switch.

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Produ ... _kits.html

I don't have my book with me, but I took switched power off of the hot side of the
horn fuse at the fuse box which has a heavy gauge wire.

I used this bulb, staying within legal limits. It was a huge improvement both in light output
and light pattern.
http://www.ridesafer.com/Hella_Premium_ ... lb0011.htm

I've actually been looking at the 7" LED conversion from Truck-Lite. I have a broken mounting ear on the reflector, so if I factor that in, the $260 price for the conversion doesn't seem so bad. Truck-Lite's comparison looks brighter and has a 10,000 hour life.

[Rider Rick]

Hey Airman, good find on the headlight. Have you seen any video of it in action?

Holy crap, the places I've just googled up, the prices were pretty stout. Then again, they look like they would put aux lights out of business!

[gregor]

I simply fitted a brighter but still 55W Osram Nightbreaker halogen bulb. Rarely ride in the dark but the improved level and spread of illumination was more than enough for me. I use my headlight in daytime and the bulb has not blown in 5 years.

[sweatmark]

I've actually been looking at the 7" LED conversion from Truck-Lite.

If mounting that Truck-Lite LED headlamp unit is possible, then what a great option!

Here's a reliable reseller that I've used in the past for similar items:
http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/ryder ... tDetail.do
With retail price of $246.

Hope to see someone give the LED headlamp a try.

My options for Rockster are significantly different, of course.

[Airman]

I've actually been looking at the 7" LED conversion from Truck-Lite.

If mounting that Truck-Lite LED headlamp unit is possible, then what a great option!

Here's a reliable reseller that I've used in the past for similar items:
http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/ryder ... tDetail.do
With retail price of $246.

Hope to see someone give the LED headlamp a try.

My options for Rockster are significantly different, of course.

Thanks Mark! That's the best price I've seen. I need to take out the reflector and see if this looks like it will fit. The replacement videos I've seen are automotive in nature and look to be replacing H-4 sealed beams.

[RiftonRoadster]

I installed an HID upgrade last July and it has been reliable and I now own the night
I purchased from the local NAPA guy who was a bike guy. It cost $55 and when I got it it had
no brand labeling. I hadn't really explored all the HID options out there before buying this unit
so I don't know much about the ease of installation of other units. It took a couple of hours
to install. Ballast is under the tank - capacitor thing is attached to the frame just in front of the
tank. I drilled a hole in the headlight bucket to run the wires in and used grommets from Lowes
to seal it up. I left all the stock wiring in place in case I need to go back. I haven't tried it
but I think it could be done in minutes. So far so good in all kinds of weather. Night time riding
is a lot better once I got used to the different types of shadows it creates.

Peter

[Rider Rick]

Details!

Part number or anything from NAPA?

[RiftonRoadster]

Rick,
I will get any info I can on this part and post it. I'm not sure if it's an item found in other
NAPA stores or not. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Peter

[RiftonRoadster]

Here is what I found out. Adam no longer works at NAPA down the road.
I was told he now works at http://www.bigboyztoysny.com/
I sent a msg thru there site on Saturday and as of tonite I've not
yet got a response. Try giving him a call there and he can explain.
Who knows, maybe you could get a group buy going.

Peter

[kantuckid]

I am looking @ doing an HID install into Hella FF50 driving lights-read more on Pelican forum on this. Ebay has the kits for under $30 with 2 ballasts,2 lamps,etc., as for a car. They were $400+ in 2005 when this was first being done. I'd like to hear others say how it worked for them in headlight and driving lights.