Looking for HID conversion
03-28-2012, 12:03 PM
#32
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Delmar NY
Posts: 805
I think much of that will come down to personal choice. For myself I have ordered the "Iris"
Start out reviewing their tech material:
Helpful information on upgrading headlights from The Retrofit Source Inc
They indicate that trimming the shroud should be expected. Most of the shrouds don't go beyond the projector lens so I am not expecting front clearance issues.
As for the side and bottom I am expecting a little trimming with my dremmel may be required.
Go ahead and call Andrew, he doesn't bite - I bet the more interest he sees from the forum perhaps the more likely we will get these shipped with less than 10 participants.
While I did not ask if he had experience with the Superhawk headlight assembly, he did not offer that he did, so I doubt he will have first hand experience here.
Start out reviewing their tech material:
Helpful information on upgrading headlights from The Retrofit Source Inc
They indicate that trimming the shroud should be expected. Most of the shrouds don't go beyond the projector lens so I am not expecting front clearance issues.
As for the side and bottom I am expecting a little trimming with my dremmel may be required.
Go ahead and call Andrew, he doesn't bite - I bet the more interest he sees from the forum perhaps the more likely we will get these shipped with less than 10 participants.
While I did not ask if he had experience with the Superhawk headlight assembly, he did not offer that he did, so I doubt he will have first hand experience here.
thanks alot guys i hope i dont have much issue getting it installed haha
03-29-2012, 01:04 PM
#35
Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Snohomish, WA.
Posts: 285
Ordered
First Thanks to Seattle Superhawk for sparking the interest. I just got off the phone with Andrew and completed my order on-line. I ordered the Iris lens and the 5000K color.
FYI! I am told I am #3 to put in a order. In case any of you are not aware, but are interested in purchasing one of these retrofit kits, they need 10 orders before they will ship out all at the 15% discount rate.
I am hoping we do get more interest. Think of it as an investment in safety!
Thanks again.
FYI! I am told I am #3 to put in a order. In case any of you are not aware, but are interested in purchasing one of these retrofit kits, they need 10 orders before they will ship out all at the 15% discount rate.
I am hoping we do get more interest. Think of it as an investment in safety!
Thanks again.
03-29-2012, 06:19 PM
#36
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
Not all of us put the order in yet, but soon enough I'm sure, still counting the heads I guess... Keep coming, it is a great deal!!!
Once we all get the kit, we will keep this thread alive with all the installation technical info' as well to make it easier and support the less experience members as we always do on this Forum.
Once we all get the kit, we will keep this thread alive with all the installation technical info' as well to make it easier and support the less experience members as we always do on this Forum.
03-29-2012, 06:56 PM
#37
Member
Squid
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 48
Has anyone here done this mod? If so, what was your experience splitting apart the headlight housing? Just wondering how difficult that was and if you can get it apart by heating it without breaking it. Really nice mod, I'm interested if I hear from someone that has split the housing apart without incident.
03-30-2012, 08:39 AM
#38
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
A lot of us have done similar conversions, when I did it two years ago there was no kit's available, so I made my own...
Opening the housing is fairly easy... You need a decent heatgun that you can adjust the temperature on, and two large flathead screwdrivers with wide heads... Then you pre-heat the whole housing by popping it in the owen a couple of minutes on low heat, prefferably around 70-80C (150-175F)...
Then carefully work around the edges, one screwdriver to hold the gap, another to gently pry, and point and shoot with the heatgun to get the sticky stuff to liquify and let go, just dont boil it... There are also tabs that you need to open with a smaller screwdriver... The wider the tools for prying, the less damage... And the "warm" plastic is soft and bendy, if it's cold it cracks instead... To hot though, and it goes bubbly...
Keep the sticky stuff you take apart... I wrapped mine in a piece of clean plastic bag... Then when you assemble, re-heat it and put it back... Won't work well with too much grime in it... And like when opening, stick the parts in the oven, and gently push it back together again...
Opening the housing is fairly easy... You need a decent heatgun that you can adjust the temperature on, and two large flathead screwdrivers with wide heads... Then you pre-heat the whole housing by popping it in the owen a couple of minutes on low heat, prefferably around 70-80C (150-175F)...
Then carefully work around the edges, one screwdriver to hold the gap, another to gently pry, and point and shoot with the heatgun to get the sticky stuff to liquify and let go, just dont boil it... There are also tabs that you need to open with a smaller screwdriver... The wider the tools for prying, the less damage... And the "warm" plastic is soft and bendy, if it's cold it cracks instead... To hot though, and it goes bubbly...
Keep the sticky stuff you take apart... I wrapped mine in a piece of clean plastic bag... Then when you assemble, re-heat it and put it back... Won't work well with too much grime in it... And like when opening, stick the parts in the oven, and gently push it back together again...
03-30-2012, 08:44 AM
#39
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
Has anyone here done this mod? If so, what was your experience splitting apart the headlight housing? Just wondering how difficult that was and if you can get it apart by heating it without breaking it. Really nice mod, I'm interested if I hear from someone that has split the housing apart without incident.
03-30-2012, 09:13 AM
#40
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,869
Here's one pics aren't that pretty, but gives you idea of space.
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ight-v2-23440/
And if you want to get some people riled up, stick some LED strips in while you're in there...
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...light-d-20861/
I have a projector on mine, but not the stock housing so can't really say how hard that one was...
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ight-v2-23440/
And if you want to get some people riled up, stick some LED strips in while you're in there...
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...light-d-20861/
I have a projector on mine, but not the stock housing so can't really say how hard that one was...
04-01-2012, 12:53 AM
#44
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
The HID kits they sell is just that... CRAP... When will some people get the idea through their heads that a HID bulb without a projector is worse than the stock lighting in about 5 different ways...
If you are happy with your crappy HID bulb, fine, enjoy... But as long as you keep recommending them to others, I will keep telling you that you are wrong... Do we understand each other?
If you are happy with your crappy HID bulb, fine, enjoy... But as long as you keep recommending them to others, I will keep telling you that you are wrong... Do we understand each other?
04-01-2012, 06:22 AM
#45
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
The HID kits they sell is just that... CRAP... When will some people get the idea through their heads that a HID bulb without a projector is worse than the stock lighting in about 5 different ways...
If you are happy with your crappy HID bulb, fine, enjoy... But as long as you keep recommending them to others, I will keep telling you that you are wrong... Do we understand each other?
If you are happy with your crappy HID bulb, fine, enjoy... But as long as you keep recommending them to others, I will keep telling you that you are wrong... Do we understand each other?
04-01-2012, 08:56 AM
#46
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Delmar NY
Posts: 805
I put my order in Friday - It looks like maybe there are 6 orders so far? Anyone still on the fence?
As far as the non-projector kit, I have first hand experience. You will notice in my signature I have the DDM retrofit listed. You will also notice I drive a TSX so I know what a decent projector is like.
As previously discussed, there is no comparison. The retrofit bulbs are bright but they do not produce a band of light like projectors do. They also have random reflections that will annoy and dazzle others.
There are some of us who feel that dazzling others may be good as that will increase our visibility. That is an opinion. It has been argued before and I doubt opinions will be changed. That said the projector kit WILL provide significantly more light where it needs to be.
You will see better after dark. That's why I ponied up $140. The bulb retrofits can be cheap, but if your goal is to see better, I recommend you jump on this opportunity
As far as the non-projector kit, I have first hand experience. You will notice in my signature I have the DDM retrofit listed. You will also notice I drive a TSX so I know what a decent projector is like.
As previously discussed, there is no comparison. The retrofit bulbs are bright but they do not produce a band of light like projectors do. They also have random reflections that will annoy and dazzle others.
There are some of us who feel that dazzling others may be good as that will increase our visibility. That is an opinion. It has been argued before and I doubt opinions will be changed. That said the projector kit WILL provide significantly more light where it needs to be.
You will see better after dark. That's why I ponied up $140. The bulb retrofits can be cheap, but if your goal is to see better, I recommend you jump on this opportunity
04-01-2012, 09:24 AM
#47
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,869
I'm just going to throw a little correction your way, as the terms are often interchanged incorrectly:
HID Conversion: Ballast/Harnass and HID bulb to be put into stock housing. These are cheaper and require less work. It is sold as an upgrade.
HID Retrofit: New projector along with the conversion kit to be put into an old housing, whether it be cars, motorcycles, or whatever that has an older halogen bulb. This is the full system, and often requires cutting and even alteration of the clear housing to get the full benefits of the light.
While an HID conversion loosely fits the definition of retrofit, when talking about HID headlights, a retrofit is concerned with installation of the full technology the way it was engineered and intended to be used. Like I said, the terms are often misused in casual conversation
HID Conversion: Ballast/Harnass and HID bulb to be put into stock housing. These are cheaper and require less work. It is sold as an upgrade.
HID Retrofit: New projector along with the conversion kit to be put into an old housing, whether it be cars, motorcycles, or whatever that has an older halogen bulb. This is the full system, and often requires cutting and even alteration of the clear housing to get the full benefits of the light.
While an HID conversion loosely fits the definition of retrofit, when talking about HID headlights, a retrofit is concerned with installation of the full technology the way it was engineered and intended to be used. Like I said, the terms are often misused in casual conversation
04-01-2012, 10:29 AM
#49
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
Aw man, just when I was embroiled in working on my truck you guys gotta go and do this that I have been wanting for a while now!
I am hoping someone can post pics or results to show the difference from stock. I have the eastern beaver setup so am dragging my feet.
Question: Is projector beam HID or are they distinct? Also what is the downside to using car projectors?
I am hoping someone can post pics or results to show the difference from stock. I have the eastern beaver setup so am dragging my feet.
Question: Is projector beam HID or are they distinct? Also what is the downside to using car projectors?
04-01-2012, 11:38 AM
#50
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
Aw man, just when I was embroiled in working on my truck you guys gotta go and do this that I have been wanting for a while now!
I am hoping someone can post pics or results to show the difference from stock. I have the eastern beaver setup so am dragging my feet.
Question: Is projector beam HID or are they distinct? Also what is the downside to using car projectors?
I am hoping someone can post pics or results to show the difference from stock. I have the eastern beaver setup so am dragging my feet.
Question: Is projector beam HID or are they distinct? Also what is the downside to using car projectors?
These are "car" projectors technically... But these are specifically made to bolt to the hole in the reflector on a H4 headlight, being small enough to sit "inside" the stock reflector, meaning it's more or less a bolt on modification once you have opened the headlight up...
04-01-2012, 03:23 PM
#52
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: East TX
Posts: 226
I am running the Eastern Beaver and a 100/55 bulb and have way better light than stock. I have matched mine up against a buddies HID and it is nothing close. The type/color and the amount of light available is incredible. Eastern Beaver and HID retro and I won't have to worry about upgrading the lights for a while.
04-01-2012, 05:52 PM
#54
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
04-01-2012, 07:30 PM
#55
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Delmar NY
Posts: 805
The kit comes with a relay harness. The ballast will be wired to your battery through this. I don't see where wire sizes are noted but in theory the set up will be like the Eastern Beaver.
Probably Hawkrider98 could sell his EB and save some $$$
Probably Hawkrider98 could sell his EB and save some $$$
04-02-2012, 04:33 PM
#57
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
Just wanted to link an older thread, but a good one on the same topic, Tweety thumbs up to you, as always:
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...etrofit-22420/
on the same topic, Tweety thumbs up to you, as always:https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...etrofit-22420/
04-04-2012, 09:32 PM
#60
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
Posts: 1,456
