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LED Bulb

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Old 04-07-2014, 10:12 AM
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LED Bulb

So I finally got around to changing out the Stock H4 to this LED I saw on ADV

3000 Lumen H4, H6 LED Headlight bulb

I took some before & after pics just now in garage.

But - problem is the back of the LED has a built in fan which makes the back of the bulb Very large > compared to OEM & thus the clip that holds the bulb in place won't work. Damn! I have a call into the company & waiting on call back to see if they have a solution.

Anyway here are the pics

OEM on High beam


LED High Beam


LED Lo Beam
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Old 04-07-2014, 10:25 AM
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30,000 hr life is less than 1/3 some LEDs now available.

Let us know if the vendor resolves the installation issue.

You did not provide an opinion as the the brightness and pattern of the bulb...
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Old 04-07-2014, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by skokievtr

You did not provide an opinion as the the brightness and pattern of the bulb...
I think the pics are evident. As its Daytime by me now, I did it in the garage. But I like the low beam. I hope there is a solution, if not I guess its going back.
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Old 04-07-2014, 12:01 PM
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So the fan on that one does not detach?

On the LED I bought the bulb was installed, then clip, then fan...
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Old 04-08-2014, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by E.Marquez
So the fan on that one does not detach?

On the LED I bought the bulb was installed, then clip, then fan...
Ding Ding Ding - BUT the screw is located on the bottom of the bulb! *%^#
And I just didn't see a way to screw it back on, especially with the plastic housing for the rubber dust boot in the way. And I didn't want to take off the front end to change a bulb. As it was I had the Speedo off, along with windshield & mirrors of course.

So, what I did was manipulate the clip between the fan & the bulb & it worked, BUT then I couldn't get the end of the clip to connect back in its tab - I tried for an hour at least. Use ur Scotty voice from Star Trek > I just couldn't do it Capt.

So, then the MacGyver came out in me (am I dating myself with the TV references?)

I went to Home Cheapo and got some pipe strapping with 2 self taping screws.

And use the strap to go around the back of the fan housing and use the screws into the dust boot housing

SEE



Everything is all back together without dust boot.

I'll do a test ride tomorrow to make sure everything stays in place.
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Old 04-08-2014, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by nnjhawk02
Ding Ding Ding - BUT the screw is located on the bottom of the bulb! *%^#
And I just didn't see a way to screw it back on, especially with the plastic housing for the rubber dust boot in the way. And I didn't want to take off the front end to change a bulb. As it was I had the Speedo off, along with windshield & mirrors of course.

So, what I did was manipulate the clip between the fan & the bulb & it worked, BUT then I couldn't get the end of the clip to connect back in its tab - I tried for an hour at least. Use ur Scotty voice from Star Trek > I just couldn't do it Capt.

So, then the MacGyver came out in me (am I dating myself with the TV references?)

I went to Home Cheapo and got some pipe strapping with 2 self taping screws.

And use the strap to go around the back of the fan housing and use the screws into the dust boot housing

SEE



Everything is all back together without dust boot.

I'll do a test ride tomorrow to make sure everything stays in place.
I take it the lightening holes in the metal strap are so you don't upset the handling of the bike too much
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Old 04-08-2014, 06:54 PM
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Jerry, I take it you've never used pipe strap to cobble something together before? In fact, has anyone in the history of the world actually used pipe strap on pipe before? Pipe strap, the duct tape of the metal strapping world.
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Old 04-08-2014, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by VTR1000F
Jerry, I take it you've never used pipe strap to cobble something together before? In fact, has anyone in the history of the world actually used pipe strap on pipe before? Pipe strap, the duct tape of the metal strapping world.
Used pipe strap tape? Sure on, well, pipes. But I would have thrown that ebay LED bulb in the trash can before using pipe tape and some sheet metal screws into my headlight housing.


To each his own... but in Websters, under the heading Hack: there is a picture of your install
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Old 04-08-2014, 07:37 PM
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Well, of course you have, Erik. I meant anyone besides you.
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Old 04-08-2014, 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by VTR1000F
Well, of course you have, Erik. I meant anyone besides you.
LOL..

Timing is funny... I just literally used some pipe tape last weekend to secure some black pipe used for air compressor line.


And I'd be the first to do a hack in order to get down the road when in need

Just try not to make it a habit or method used when necessity is not there.
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Old 04-08-2014, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by VTR1000F
Pipe strap, the duct tape of the metal strapping world.
LBDT & LADT

Similar to BC & AD (or BCE & CE)

Life before duct tape & life after duct tape

And then there is "plumber's (epoxy) putty", methyl methacrylate (aka, SuperGlue), chewing gum, etc...
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Old 04-08-2014, 08:35 PM
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Hampster tape.
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Old 04-09-2014, 05:22 AM
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Originally Posted by E.Marquez
LOL..



Just try not to make it a habit or method used when necessity is not there.
Feel free to stop by and get it in without my strapping technique.

with me its pretty much always Function Over Form.

My concern now is weather with this setup - i.e. rain and or dust. But I had it and wanted to use it. And the stock bulb is really shyte.

I guess in hindsight probably should have bit the bullet & went the HID route.

Ehh - I'll be the forum guinea pig and see how it works out.

Well, Spring is FINALLY here - 60's and above in the NYC/Philly areas for the next 5 daze.

Watch the sand & pebbles from snow removal - **** is all over the place.
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Old 04-09-2014, 05:44 AM
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Creative.

I probably would have gone with some sort of safety wire solution, maybe a small hole drilled into the plastic rib/ring that surrounds the hole and then neato racy-looking safety wire to secure it. No rusty metal bits to worry about down the road and easy to clip and change if needed.
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Old 04-09-2014, 08:17 AM
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Those guys are working hard to get their LED bulb to fit into more bikes, but it's problematic as so many mounts and mount areas are all different. Specifically, they're running into problems getting it to clip, and problems with having enough clearance. At least their product doesn't require a separate box to be mounted nearby like the ebay ones.

Talk to Darryl there, I met him last week in Death Valley.


Oh, and my pipe strap is laying in the top of my tool box right now. And no, I've never used it on a pipe either.
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Old 04-09-2014, 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by nnjhawk02
Feel free to stop by and get it in without my strapping technique.

with me its pretty much always Function Over Form.

My concern now is weather with this setup - i.e. rain and or dust. But I had it and wanted to use it. And the stock bulb is really shyte.

I guess in hindsight probably should have bit the bullet & went the HID route.

Ehh - I'll be the forum guinea pig and see how it works out.

Well, Spring is FINALLY here - 60's and above in the NYC/Philly areas for the next 5 daze.

Watch the sand & pebbles from snow removal - **** is all over the place.
Duct tape and caulk will weather proof it. Thats all I carry on my tool belt
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Old 05-10-2014, 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by E.Marquez
Used pipe strap tape? Sure on, well, pipes. But I would have thrown that ebay LED bulb in the trash can before using pipe tape and some sheet metal screws into my headlight housing.


To each his own... but in Websters, under the heading Hack: there is a picture of your install





I was not going to say anything because well you know...


But I agree 100% E.Marquez I would not have used the LED unit till I heard back from the distributor and I would never have used the strapping tape.


SIRR1
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Old 05-10-2014, 10:03 PM
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So whats it like on the road? Better to see with?

I ride a lot at night with learners so more light always helps.
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Old 05-10-2014, 10:36 PM
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Good job! I would've been disappointed if you gave up and sent it back.

You did the right mouning job but now you need to use a black permanent marker to blacken the steel. Will pretty much look stock then.

You cant cover the heat sink or I would suggest a rubber glove and rubber bands (black of course) for water proofing.

Sounds pretty wacky taking the winshield, mirrors, grips, seat and tires (etc) off the bike but I figure you were in panic mode at that point.

Let us know how the light looks at night since few of us are hugely concerned with garage illumination.

I still question the lifespan of led bulbs even based on home units (which have way more r&d).
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Old 05-11-2014, 12:45 AM
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Originally Posted by VTRDarren
Creative.

I probably would have gone with some sort of safety wire solution, maybe a small hole drilled into the plastic rib/ring that surrounds the hole and then neato racy-looking safety wire to secure it. No rusty metal bits to worry about down the road and easy to clip and change if needed.
I was thinking the same thing. Or a cable tie, drill 4 holes in the support and run it through them.

If of course you cant just buy one that fits. To me is seems a lot better than HID installs.
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Old 05-12-2014, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by NZSpokes
So whats it like on the road? Better to see with?

I ride a lot at night with learners so more light always helps.
Well I've not ridden at night too much with it, but the night before I broke down (it was the R/R - diff. thread) it looked good, but I had my tinted visor on & I didn't ride long enough to know much, plus I was in a city with lots of lights (cars, businesses, street light, etc)

I will get out soon and post up some more pics at night.
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Old 05-14-2014, 01:57 AM
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Originally Posted by nnjhawk02

I will get out soon and post up some more pics at night.
And a little boy waits......LOL

Very interested.
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Old 05-18-2014, 04:09 AM
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Originally Posted by NZSpokes
And a little boy waits......LOL

Very interested.
OK my Kiwi lad, Awesome!

Lets say that I won't have an excuse anymore if I miss a traffic sign, cause it lights them up.

I drove home last evening from visiting mates just outside of NYC, it was just turning to dusk, so at 1st I didn't see the big difference, except that I was really illuminating all the signs.

As it got darker, again not a major difference, since car headlights were present.

It wasn't until I was 3/4 of the way home and got off the hiway to do some backroads, that I really could see the change.

One road I usually travel has no street lights and it was magical how much light I was projecting - even the hi beam was good.

Plus it was a clearer light, I would also say more clean, if that makes sense.

Anyway, I got home w/out issue. I've haven't ridden that much as of the last 3 years, maybe 5 to 6k total & rarely at night in that period. So it was awesome to have this bulb.

On another note it was a bit chilly riding home about 11c. I had to turn on the heated grips

Speed on hiway was between 120 & 140 kph and no performance awards.
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