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Bluemeanie wrote:

Using a resistor wastes power in the resitor. The slick way is to use PWM (pulse width modulation) technique with something like a 555 timer running at maybe 500 Hz driving a power MOSFET to modulate the light's brightness by varying the duty cycle of the 12V ON pulse applied to the bulb.

I just removed the standard automotive head light (7" round) and installed a Halogen unit. You guys are soooo far over my head it hurts!!

That's the same thing I am running, but I don't ride much at night. The 7" halogen is about 3X as bright as the crummy incandescent that came stock on it, so it's a big improvement.

otakar wrote:

Most likely, the one you removed was already Halogen. I want to say that like from 1978 or 9 on all the headlights have been Halogen. The difference being, weather it is a sealed beam or a semi-sealed beam. The semi sealed have a replaceable bulb while the sealed beam are one piece and you through away the whole thing.

My '79 B4 had the replaceable bulb that looked like a standard incandescent bulb to me. Was about as bright as a flashlight.

Thanks Otakar for the pictures. Trouble is where to install a ballast on a naked bike, when you don't have a fairing (nor want one).

How hot does the ballast run? I wonder if you could run it under the seat and do some rewiring?

The ballast runs about as hot as an ignition coil or less. There are now Ballasts which are much smaller than the one I have on my bike. Here is a comparison of the two ballasts to a Motorola "Razor"

otakar wrote:

Some of you guys already know that i converted my bike to HID Xenon headlight. In the state of ILLinois, we have to keep our headlight on at all times.
...
I personally like a lot of light at night. If you are driving around town during the day and you want a lot of visibility, run the full power HID. If you want to unload the alternator, use the now available Hi-Beam position on the controls for your Driving light and you are still legal.

I hate to be the one to rain on everyone's parade here, but under NO circumstances is this type of Xenon/HID headlamp conversion legal. Not in Illinois, not in any state in the USA, not in any country in the world. This is a fact that can be proven very easily, it cannot be argued, and I am not trying to start a "flame war" here. I just want people to make educated choices based on factual information.

The main problem with these "retrofit" conversions is this: The Xenon headlamp system is a precisely engineered entire SYSTEM, not just a bright bulb. The vehicles that run factory Xenon headlamps do so with a headlamp assembly that was computer designed to properly focus the light output of the Xenon capsule. What these "retrofits" do is to take a reflector that was computer designed for a specific bulb (H3, H7, H4, etc.) and replace it with a Xenon capsule of a different shape, size, and beam pattern. Imagine the problems this causes focusing the light beam. In most cases, the conversion creates LESS usable light than a comparable halogen bulb. Ever been blinded by an oncoming ricer in his lowered and primered Acura with his Xenon converted headlamps? Or worse, a jacked-up 4x4 with them?

The light output is in fact MUCH greater, and yes, the power consumption is much lower, too. But, they only work properly in a headlamp assembly that was designed for Xenon.

Do some research, don't take my word for it...

This is why, one of the first things i mention is that the reflector must be replaced. in the last ten years I have not heard of anyone being stopped for having one of these lights. I converted mine two years ago and I have friends that are Cops. None of them have ever warned me about being illegal. I also have friends that have converted their cars years ago and no one has ever been stopped for them. On the other hand, tinting your windows on the car will get you a guaranteed ticket.

Just as my 2 cents worth. These folks:
www.bestrestproducts.com/p-216-trail-tech-hid-eclipse.aspx

have a self contained hid setup. Admittedly its a little pricey at $145 per lamp. but the reflector and ballast issues are nicely addressed.

pop a lower wattage bulb in your low beam headlight, use these from driving lights, power them with a fuse panel from www.easternbeaver.com and you're off to the races.

I've purchased items from both of these merchants and they're good, honest folks, knowledgeable about their stuff.

The only down side is that it goes against the DIY nature of us old kawi riders.

Sam

I did forget to mention one thing. In most if not all states. ANNY modifications done to a street vehicle other than cosmetic, are illegal. All the modifications we do to our bikes with the engines fames and suspensions are illegal. That includes headers and pod filters. All these components are sold and made for "OFF ROAD USE ONLY" None of these items have a DOT rating. I don't think that is going to stop any of us. What is legal,is that you may remove a component from one factory vehicle and place it on another. This means that putting a GS1100 swing arm on a KZ1000 is legal. Putting a KZ1000 (stock) engine into a 650 frame is legal. Only if an after-market part has a DOT rating it is legal. So get rid of all of your smmoth bore carbs and your big bore kits and hi-lift camshafts. "Yah-Right"

Samwell wrote:

Just as my 2 cents worth. These folks:
www.bestrestproducts.com/p-216-trail-tech-hid-eclipse.aspx

have a self contained hid setup. Admittedly its a little pricey at $145 per lamp. but the reflector and ballast issues are nicely addressed.


Sam

Wow, what a marketing guy they have!

When it comes to auxiliary lighting, nothing beats an HID (high intensity discharge) system. Ever look into an arc welder? That same technology is used by HID systems to produce brilliant bluish-white light.

I guess they are using high-amperage current to create an arc for lighting... I work for Hella and I can't wait to show the guys at work tomorrow!! We've been doing it wrong for years. Oh, well.


I do agree that the legality of the "retrofits" is not policed very much. I just want everyone to be aware, that's all. Sure, I've had illegally dark tinted windows before (and been ticketed for it more than once!), but the difference is this: My tinted windows posed only a perceived safety issue to the police because they couldn't see what I was doing in the car. "Retrofit" HID kits actively put people in danger by blinding oncoming drivers and causing potential harm that way. Check out this video on Youtube:

www.youtube.com/v/yVuSSdZNsZw