Looking for HID conversion
03-16-2012, 05:30 AM
#1
WWTDD
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Everett WA
Posts: 245
Looking for HID conversion
Does anyone have a "how to " HID conversion thread with reputable suppliers ? Or better yet have one for sale ? Thanks in advance for your feedback. Searched " HID" did'nt turn up what i was looking for.
03-16-2012, 09:05 AM
#6
Out of my mind, back in 5
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Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
Sportbike Stage III Kit - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc
The projector in that kit is designed to be drop in... Ie take apart the headlight, stick this in the hole in your stock reflector and tighten the locknut, and you can aim it using the stock aiming bolts... Apart from routing the wires, and some weather proofing, it's done... And in kit form, you get the correct relay setup, to power it without burning the handlebar switch already nicely made for you... It simply cannot be any easier than this...
And the projector is impressive in output despite the small size... Plus it's a true Bi-Xenon projector with High/Low beam using a shroud, not a moving bulb, so it's a lot better than a lowbeam only projector, and light years ahead of the crappy H4/HID bulb hybrids that people tote as "conversions"...
The projector in that kit is designed to be drop in... Ie take apart the headlight, stick this in the hole in your stock reflector and tighten the locknut, and you can aim it using the stock aiming bolts... Apart from routing the wires, and some weather proofing, it's done... And in kit form, you get the correct relay setup, to power it without burning the handlebar switch already nicely made for you... It simply cannot be any easier than this...
And the projector is impressive in output despite the small size... Plus it's a true Bi-Xenon projector with High/Low beam using a shroud, not a moving bulb, so it's a lot better than a lowbeam only projector, and light years ahead of the crappy H4/HID bulb hybrids that people tote as "conversions"...
Last edited by Tweety; 03-17-2012 at 05:18 AM.
03-16-2012, 01:16 PM
#7
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SuperSport
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Delmar NY
Posts: 805
I've looked at the the site Markus has linked and they offer group buys. I'm almost ready to go this way - anyone else?
"Interested in buying bulk? We support small group-buys, and also offer general wholesale and drop-shipping services."
I'm up for this, looks like Seattle SuperHawk is to - anyone else? I'm a cheep SOB. I imagine we could get 10% off, maybe more with a handful of others.
Anyone up for this?
"Interested in buying bulk? We support small group-buys, and also offer general wholesale and drop-shipping services."
I'm up for this, looks like Seattle SuperHawk is to - anyone else? I'm a cheep SOB. I imagine we could get 10% off, maybe more with a handful of others.
Anyone up for this?
03-16-2012, 04:36 PM
#8
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Superstock
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Snohomish, WA.
Posts: 285
I am considering options to be seen better by Day and have improved night visibility. Was looking at Eastern Beaver conversion but.....
A couple (OK four) questions on this option.
1. Is the HID conversion as reliable as standard/stock or Eastern Beaver conversion?
2. Is the life cycle of HID as good as a standard/EB system?
3. Being lower wattage, but utilizing a ballest, is current draw on elec. system (R/R) less/more than a standard/stock system w/ 60/55 bulb?
4. There are 4 bulb options, which is brightest/best? (Assuming the philips bulb because it is more costly)?
Thanks much!
A couple (OK four) questions on this option.
1. Is the HID conversion as reliable as standard/stock or Eastern Beaver conversion?
2. Is the life cycle of HID as good as a standard/EB system?
3. Being lower wattage, but utilizing a ballest, is current draw on elec. system (R/R) less/more than a standard/stock system w/ 60/55 bulb?
4. There are 4 bulb options, which is brightest/best? (Assuming the philips bulb because it is more costly)?
Thanks much!
03-17-2012, 05:28 AM
#9
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
For starters, the Eastern Beaver kit's arent "conversions"... They are simply a relay and dedicated heavy wiring to power the stock H4 bulb without going through the wimpy stock wiring and handlebar switch wich is a bottleneck...
Yes, as long as you weatherproof the housing as well as stock once the installation is done, and mount the ballast in a safe place, the HID system is just as reliable as any stock system, Halogen or HID... Most of this work is already done with the kit, but not all...
The ballast and electronics of the system has roughly the same lifetime as your bike, ie one time purchase... The bulb in it self has a lifespan of roughly 3-4 years of "normal use" in a car, so perhaps a bit more in a bike with less hours/miles... Most of my H4 bulbs lasted shorter than this...
Watt is Watt... It's physics and math... And 35W is always less than 55W which is less than 60W... However, using a ballast on stock wiring is a really bad idea, since at startup the ballast exceeds the 35W by a lot for a short burst...
The Kelvin (K) rating on the bulbs indicate the color... 4300K is the best color to create light that the eye can actually use... Higher means blue/purple light, and might look brighter, but is actually less so in terms of visibility... And yeah, the Phillips bulb is probably better in terms of lifetime/quality, but rather marginally...
Yes, as long as you weatherproof the housing as well as stock once the installation is done, and mount the ballast in a safe place, the HID system is just as reliable as any stock system, Halogen or HID... Most of this work is already done with the kit, but not all...
The ballast and electronics of the system has roughly the same lifetime as your bike, ie one time purchase... The bulb in it self has a lifespan of roughly 3-4 years of "normal use" in a car, so perhaps a bit more in a bike with less hours/miles... Most of my H4 bulbs lasted shorter than this...
Watt is Watt... It's physics and math... And 35W is always less than 55W which is less than 60W... However, using a ballast on stock wiring is a really bad idea, since at startup the ballast exceeds the 35W by a lot for a short burst...
The Kelvin (K) rating on the bulbs indicate the color... 4300K is the best color to create light that the eye can actually use... Higher means blue/purple light, and might look brighter, but is actually less so in terms of visibility... And yeah, the Phillips bulb is probably better in terms of lifetime/quality, but rather marginally...
03-19-2012, 06:26 AM
#10
WWTDD
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Everett WA
Posts: 245
Sportbike Stage III Kit - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc Thanks Tweety
If other less busy forum moembers want to do the leg work on getting a group discount on this set-up from The Retrofit Source i am IN. Kids got me running all over the place so i cant dedicate the time. I did start an email chain with Adrew @ TRS and this place is legit... See email below. I can hold off on my build for awhile to get in on a discount.
Hey Bill,
Thanks for the inquiry! For your Superhawk, I recommend the Sportbike Stage III kit with the Mini D2S projector, which will install without any cutting, in fact, we have install guides on our tech page to give some insight: Helpful information on upgrading headlights from The Retrofit Source Inc
Sportbike Stage III Kit - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc The Sportbike Stage III Kit includes:
Morimoto Mini D2S Bi-Xenon Projector
Morimoto 3Five D2S Ballast
Morimoto 3Five D2S Bulbs
Shroud of your choice
H4 Cycle Harness (to fit an '02 Superhawk)
and runs $150 plus international shipping rates.You have choices with this kit. Everyone loves choices!
Bulbs: 4300k, 5000k, 6000k temperatures. 4300k looks like sunlight, 5000k looks like fluorescent lighting, and 6000k is slightly blue in color. 4300k is the brightest (per lumen count), and as you progress into more color you lose usable light. Morimoto bulbs offer approximately 90% of the quality of the Philips bulbs at less than half the cost. Philips bulbs come only in 35w and 4300k, maintain their color for a longer period of time, and are OEM bulbs for a lot of factory HID setups. A visual guide is attached
Shrouds: There are many options here. Dimensions are provided on the particular shroud's item page and should be checked against your headlight for fitment. It is not atypical for a shroud to need to be modified to fit correctly into the headlight housing and generally the trimming isn't visible when the headlights are installed. Larger housings generally look best with larger shrouds such as the Apollo, Orbit, Gatling Gun, Gatling Gun 2, or MC-R. Smaller housings generally look best with E46-R or E46-R extended. Even having a chrome finish on these shrouds, they can be painted.
To give you a visual of what this setup looks like, here are some links for you to our customer-supplied gallery:
Mini D2S Output: TRSMatt's Album: Morimoto Mini D2S Bi-xenon Projectors
Sport Bike Retrofits: TRSMatt's Album: Sport Bikes!
If you think of any technical or sales questions simply reply to this email or give us a call at 404-220-7940 and we'll be glad to help!
All the best,
Andrew @ TRS
If other less busy forum moembers want to do the leg work on getting a group discount on this set-up from The Retrofit Source i am IN. Kids got me running all over the place so i cant dedicate the time. I did start an email chain with Adrew @ TRS and this place is legit... See email below. I can hold off on my build for awhile to get in on a discount.
Hey Bill,
Thanks for the inquiry! For your Superhawk, I recommend the Sportbike Stage III kit with the Mini D2S projector, which will install without any cutting, in fact, we have install guides on our tech page to give some insight: Helpful information on upgrading headlights from The Retrofit Source Inc
Sportbike Stage III Kit - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc The Sportbike Stage III Kit includes:
Morimoto Mini D2S Bi-Xenon Projector
Morimoto 3Five D2S Ballast
Morimoto 3Five D2S Bulbs
Shroud of your choice
H4 Cycle Harness (to fit an '02 Superhawk)
and runs $150 plus international shipping rates.You have choices with this kit. Everyone loves choices!
Bulbs: 4300k, 5000k, 6000k temperatures. 4300k looks like sunlight, 5000k looks like fluorescent lighting, and 6000k is slightly blue in color. 4300k is the brightest (per lumen count), and as you progress into more color you lose usable light. Morimoto bulbs offer approximately 90% of the quality of the Philips bulbs at less than half the cost. Philips bulbs come only in 35w and 4300k, maintain their color for a longer period of time, and are OEM bulbs for a lot of factory HID setups. A visual guide is attached
Shrouds: There are many options here. Dimensions are provided on the particular shroud's item page and should be checked against your headlight for fitment. It is not atypical for a shroud to need to be modified to fit correctly into the headlight housing and generally the trimming isn't visible when the headlights are installed. Larger housings generally look best with larger shrouds such as the Apollo, Orbit, Gatling Gun, Gatling Gun 2, or MC-R. Smaller housings generally look best with E46-R or E46-R extended. Even having a chrome finish on these shrouds, they can be painted.
To give you a visual of what this setup looks like, here are some links for you to our customer-supplied gallery:
Mini D2S Output: TRSMatt's Album: Morimoto Mini D2S Bi-xenon Projectors
Sport Bike Retrofits: TRSMatt's Album: Sport Bikes!
If you think of any technical or sales questions simply reply to this email or give us a call at 404-220-7940 and we'll be glad to help!
All the best,
Andrew @ TRS
03-19-2012, 09:09 AM
#11
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
Guy's, count me in as well, I've been looking for a while now for something decent but also not very expensive and a projector is the only right way to go!!!
I would also like to bring to all the readers attention the following:
Just out of curiosity, I tried on more then a few bikes several Bi Xenon HID applications that I got for free from a friend that distributes motorcycle aftermarket parts. But unfortunately cannot recommend non HID conversions for correct fitment and operation!
If you fit the HID bulb as is, it will not be positioned in the exact space as the halogen bulb inside the housing, as such, the light distribution will be incorrect and you will not see much at night even though the HID is allot brighter, in fact it will confuse your eyes and can cause you to misjudge the road condition.
I played with spacers, brackets and what not, to try to position the bulb as the Halogen bulb, so that the reflector will distribute the light correctly.
Even if you do find the sweet spot, which is not easy at all, the moment you turn the high beam and the solenoid kicks the bulb upwards the light will not spread evenly with the original reflector on any bike, as the bulb will never be in the correct position under both high and low beam switching unless you have a dual capsule bulb instead that is measured as the OEM Halogen filaments exact position, which I haven't found yet.
I'm not trying to convince anyone to go for this specific projector HID, but if you want HID conversion, don't waist your time on the bulb conversion only, you need projector kit if you want it done right!!!
I would also like to bring to all the readers attention the following:
Just out of curiosity, I tried on more then a few bikes several Bi Xenon HID applications that I got for free from a friend that distributes motorcycle aftermarket parts. But unfortunately cannot recommend non HID conversions for correct fitment and operation!
If you fit the HID bulb as is, it will not be positioned in the exact space as the halogen bulb inside the housing, as such, the light distribution will be incorrect and you will not see much at night even though the HID is allot brighter, in fact it will confuse your eyes and can cause you to misjudge the road condition.
I played with spacers, brackets and what not, to try to position the bulb as the Halogen bulb, so that the reflector will distribute the light correctly.
Even if you do find the sweet spot, which is not easy at all, the moment you turn the high beam and the solenoid kicks the bulb upwards the light will not spread evenly with the original reflector on any bike, as the bulb will never be in the correct position under both high and low beam switching unless you have a dual capsule bulb instead that is measured as the OEM Halogen filaments exact position, which I haven't found yet.
I'm not trying to convince anyone to go for this specific projector HID, but if you want HID conversion, don't waist your time on the bulb conversion only, you need projector kit if you want it done right!!!
03-19-2012, 09:57 AM
#13
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,869
And I've had very good communication with Matt at TRS (The Retrofit Source). He was a great guy and helped me with all of my very basic and tedious questions as I didn't know much at the time and didn't want to mess anything up.
03-19-2012, 12:38 PM
#14
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SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
That's great, you don't get much help in most places, not to mention dealerships. it seems like these guy's are serious and care about the business, if all goes well we can wright recommendations and so on. I have access to hundreds of riders in my area alone.
03-19-2012, 06:53 PM
#16
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SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
just noticed that as I was reading Tweety' last post, I meant Write recommendations.
03-19-2012, 11:09 PM
#17
WWTDD
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Everett WA
Posts: 245
So let it begin..... Who is willing to take the lead on this. and is everybody in agreement that the Sportbike Stage III Kit - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc as it is offered is the way to go ? How many need to be ordered for a price break ? Lets do this !
03-24-2012, 07:27 AM
#18
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SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
Any takers on the lead? Or any additional people interested? I will end up getting this anyway some time later, but it would be nice to get with a group discount 
Please review the link and read the tread, if Tweety said it's good, be sure IT IS!
Please review the link and read the tread, if Tweety said it's good, be sure IT IS!
03-24-2012, 09:20 AM
#19
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SuperBike
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bisbee, AZ
Posts: 1,873
$150. seems like a very good deal for all that is included.
As far as output, As previous stated a watt is a watt. The big advantage with HID is lumen output/watt. It really doesn't get any better than HID. Heat is an issue with HID, but this kit, with the housing included, it will be a non-issue.
I have seen a video of an HID conversion that used a delay relay to keep the HID off for a few seconds while starting the bike. I don't know if the automotive systems are that different than commercial/agricultural HID (where bulbs are $100+) systems. I suspect not. The reason I mention it is cycling the bulb on and off rapidly shortens the life/lumen output of the bulb. Hot starting, powering up the bulb, before it has had a chance to cool down is another no-no. This may not be that important in the automotive application, but just an FYI
As far as output, As previous stated a watt is a watt. The big advantage with HID is lumen output/watt. It really doesn't get any better than HID. Heat is an issue with HID, but this kit, with the housing included, it will be a non-issue.
I have seen a video of an HID conversion that used a delay relay to keep the HID off for a few seconds while starting the bike. I don't know if the automotive systems are that different than commercial/agricultural HID (where bulbs are $100+) systems. I suspect not. The reason I mention it is cycling the bulb on and off rapidly shortens the life/lumen output of the bulb. Hot starting, powering up the bulb, before it has had a chance to cool down is another no-no. This may not be that important in the automotive application, but just an FYI
03-24-2012, 11:05 AM
#20
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
$150. seems like a very good deal for all that is included.
As far as output, As previous stated a watt is a watt. The big advantage with HID is lumen output/watt. It really doesn't get any better than HID. Heat is an issue with HID, but this kit, with the housing included, it will be a non-issue.
I have seen a video of an HID conversion that used a delay relay to keep the HID off for a few seconds while starting the bike. I don't know if the automotive systems are that different than commercial/agricultural HID (where bulbs are $100+) systems. I suspect not. The reason I mention it is cycling the bulb on and off rapidly shortens the life/lumen output of the bulb. Hot starting, powering up the bulb, before it has had a chance to cool down is another no-no. This may not be that important in the automotive application, but just an FYI
As far as output, As previous stated a watt is a watt. The big advantage with HID is lumen output/watt. It really doesn't get any better than HID. Heat is an issue with HID, but this kit, with the housing included, it will be a non-issue.
I have seen a video of an HID conversion that used a delay relay to keep the HID off for a few seconds while starting the bike. I don't know if the automotive systems are that different than commercial/agricultural HID (where bulbs are $100+) systems. I suspect not. The reason I mention it is cycling the bulb on and off rapidly shortens the life/lumen output of the bulb. Hot starting, powering up the bulb, before it has had a chance to cool down is another no-no. This may not be that important in the automotive application, but just an FYI
03-26-2012, 08:55 AM
#23
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Delmar NY
Posts: 805
Called and spoke with Andrew from Seattle SuperHawks email. Basically for 5 or so people they will set us up with a 10% coupon code. If we could get more the discount could go deeper, but I expect we would have to at least double our end.
I'm going to follow up with an Email to Andrew, link this page and when he comes back with the coupon code I'll post it
I'm going to follow up with an Email to Andrew, link this page and when he comes back with the coupon code I'll post it
03-26-2012, 10:49 AM
#25
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MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,869
Nope, it's specific to motorcycles in that it only has one projector that is minimal in size (to fit in your stock housing) and has a hi/low switch. But any motorcycle that uses an H4 bulb it will work on (which is pretty much all of them).
If you have a bike with two headlights (for instance, the Yamaha R1) your setup will probably be a little different.
If you have a bike with two headlights (for instance, the Yamaha R1) your setup will probably be a little different.
03-26-2012, 11:28 PM
#27
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
Stevebis1, lets see if we could get more people on this for the next few days.
Keep coming guy's, we need more people, this is a great deal for a nice product!
Keep coming guy's, we need more people, this is a great deal for a nice product!
03-27-2012, 01:15 PM
#28
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Delmar NY
Posts: 805
All,
I received the below from Andrew. The code is good for 15% but as you can see we need 10 people to join in.
With this code and paying about 0.40 more to go with UPS (I won't go USPS as there is no adequate tracking) it totals thusly:
Order Total
Sub-Total:$127.50
UPS Ground:$12.10
Coupon superhawkGB15:-$22.50
Total:$139.60
I hope hope other decide to jump in, I think $140 is a pretty good deal for an almost turnkey solution.
Hi Steven,
Thanks for the email. That coupon code is superhawkGB15. Once the 10 entrants get in we'll start shipping those out!
Thanks Steven
Andrew @ TRS
I received the below from Andrew. The code is good for 15% but as you can see we need 10 people to join in.
With this code and paying about 0.40 more to go with UPS (I won't go USPS as there is no adequate tracking) it totals thusly:
Order Total
Sub-Total:$127.50
UPS Ground:$12.10
Coupon superhawkGB15:-$22.50
Total:$139.60
I hope hope other decide to jump in, I think $140 is a pretty good deal for an almost turnkey solution.
Hi Steven,
Thanks for the email. That coupon code is superhawkGB15. Once the 10 entrants get in we'll start shipping those out!
Thanks Steven
Andrew @ TRS
