RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed)
Login  | |
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 2/26/2007 5:20:40 PM
|
|
|
Blue Fox
Posts: 4218
Joined: 7/14/2006
From: Las Cruces, NM
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: soonster
Hey BlueFox, great write up. I'm planning on upgrading my 2003 CBR 600RR headlights to hid. Wonder if you can provide some additional info regarding the low beam pattern (if possible, some night shots of the low vs high beam from the rider's position). Any info is greatly appreciated. Since I ride mostly in the city, dont really want the light pattern to scatter to high.
Thanks,
Soonster
Honestly, the light pattern is EXACTLY as it is with the regular H7 bulbs. HID lights don't affect the light pattern, just the color and the amount of light output. The HID's will look exactly the same, but they'll be whiter (LED like white) and much brighter.
If you're worried about the high-beam being too bright, you can lower it (which I did). But, the high beam light pattern is diffferent compared to the low beam though. The high beam scatters light higher and further away (so you'll usually find yourself turning your high-beams off when following a car). The low beam makes a nice, horizonal beam of light.
During the daytime, I ride with both lights on. At night though, lately I've been just riding with the low beam on. The HID's are so much brighter anyway, the single light still produces more light than both the old high/low beams together.
So my suggestion to all that are thinking about (or already have) an HID system.......Ride with the low beam at night. I found that if you adjust it so the low beam is aimed just a smidge higher than stock, you won't ever really "need" your high beam unless you are on the highway at night, or on back roads (even then, the low beam works brilliantly). Plus, you won't be beaming light directly into the back of people's heads in their cars. (which I notice still happens even if the high beam is lowered).
Another suggestion is this.......HID bulbs use a color temperature color chart to give you an idea of what color the light output is. THIS IS NOT TRUE FOR BRIGHTNESS!!!!!! People often think 10000k HID's are brighter than the 6000 or 8000K HID's. NOT TRUE. My 10000k have slightly less light output or "brightness" than the 6000 or 8000k HID's, but appear as a deeper blue from far away (with a bright LED-like white on the road). If I had a "do-over", I would probably go with the 6000 or 8000k HID's.
I'll also get some night shots up as soon as nighttime comes.
Hope this helps.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 2/26/2007 10:24:17 PM
|
|
|
SinfulSOB
Posts: 28
Joined: 2/15/2007
Status: offline
|
Ok I have a three part post.....
First I have a question. How would this work with the "Angel, Demon, Halo" eyes? Well I guess I dont fully understand how those kits work totally either. But just curious.
Secondly has anyone had space issues with fitting the kit with an undertail kit that already has a PC back there. The module looked pretty big.
And finally, I have a small piece of advice for you guys. I have been an avionics tech for roughly 8 years and we just had and issue our blackhawks that had wire bundle routed through a tube loom. There was obviously vibration caused during flight, which inturn caused the loose wires in the loom to chaff, and even smoke a few wire harnesses. So my advice to you is to spend the extra cash and buy some heat shrink for your wires, before you send the through the fuel line. It will stiffen the wire a lil bit to reduce the vibration chaffing, plus it acts as another layer of chaff protection.
PS. Blue Fox- I just wanted to curse you, because now I have to add another item to my wish list. Great write up and thanks for all the diagrams and pics
Justin
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 2/27/2007 1:44:02 AM
|
|
|
Blue Fox
Posts: 4218
Joined: 7/14/2006
From: Las Cruces, NM
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: SinfulSOB
Ok I have a three part post.....
First I have a question. How would this work with the "Angel, Demon, Halo" eyes? Well I guess I dont fully understand how those kits work totally either. But just curious.
Secondly has anyone had space issues with fitting the kit with an undertail kit that already has a PC back there. The module looked pretty big.
And finally, I have a small piece of advice for you guys. I have been an avionics tech for roughly 8 years and we just had and issue our blackhawks that had wire bundle routed through a tube loom. There was obviously vibration caused during flight, which inturn caused the loose wires in the loom to chaff, and even smoke a few wire harnesses. So my advice to you is to spend the extra cash and buy some heat shrink for your wires, before you send the through the fuel line. It will stiffen the wire a lil bit to reduce the vibration chaffing, plus it acts as another layer of chaff protection.
PS. Blue Fox- I just wanted to curse you, because now I have to add another item to my wish list. Great write up and thanks for all the diagrams and pics
Justin
First, an HID bulb is just that.....a bulb. It produces more light with a whiter color. The point of the ballast and igniter is to transform the normal electrical current to be compatible with the electrical current required by the HID bulb.
Second, the ballasts are pretty big. I wouldn't be able to fit a power commander under my rear seat even if I wanted to. The ballasts take up a lot of space. But, the newer HID kits offer a smaller ballast with built-in igniters, so if it's space you want, you'll have to pony up some $$$.
Third, wire loom is perfectly fine to use. The factory harnesses are in wire loom from Honda, and my Dodge has it's harnesses in wire loom from the factory as well, so it's fine to use. They're will not be any problems using it on our bikes. (and I KNOW our bikes don't vibrate as much as a helicopter.)
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 2/27/2007 1:25:33 PM
|
|
|
Blue Fox
Posts: 4218
Joined: 7/14/2006
From: Las Cruces, NM
Status: offline
|
UPDATE:
Just posted another update (probably the last) showing how I cleaned up the wirey mess under my rear seat. Soldered, loomed and tucked neatly and professionally. I'm now proud of this HID installation.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 2/28/2007 1:40:13 PM
|
|
|
soonster
Posts: 11
Joined: 2/22/2007
Status: offline
|
Thanks BlueFox for the follow up. I'll find some time to have it done this coming month. Hopefully it'll be as easy as you had described.
_____________________________
|| '03 Honda CBR 600RR ||
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 3/1/2007 8:02:01 PM
|
|
|
dragonium25
Posts: 1107
Joined: 4/12/2006
Status: offline
|
Just hooked up my HIDs, what a difference. Got the 8000K and they are badass. I have the newer generation ones so there isn't a separate igniter, just a ballast and bulb. Still have to figure out where I'm gonna mount my ballasts, don't have any trunk space due to my PCIII and my alarm back there. Once I get my bike put back together (it's still in pieces due to all my winter projects) I'll put up a new post with some pics.
_____________________________
"To defeat the dragon within, you must defeat the dragon without"
'05 600RR Black/Tribal
Framesliders
Scorpio i500 alarm
Puig DB smoke
CA tail light
8000K HIDs
Custom FE & Meshing
Watsen Design LEDs
2Bros M2 slip-on
PCIIIUSB
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 3/2/2007 12:48:02 AM
|
|
|
Blue Fox
Posts: 4218
Joined: 7/14/2006
From: Las Cruces, NM
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: dragonium25
Just hooked up my HIDs, what a difference. Got the 8000K and they are badass. I have the newer generation ones so there isn't a separate igniter, just a ballast and bulb. Still have to figure out where I'm gonna mount my ballasts, don't have any trunk space due to my PCIII and my alarm back there. Once I get my bike put back together (it's still in pieces due to all my winter projects) I'll put up a new post with some pics.
DEFINATELY post pictures of that when you get done. FYI....you "might" be able to mount the ballasts (if they're small enough) under the intake covers....(same place I mounted my igniters).
Reason........The wire that goes from the ballast to the bulb are high-voltage silicone wires. I don't have ANY experience with these wires other than just about every automotive electrician said to NEVER cut those wires. They told me that if I needed to extend them, I would have to have an extention harness made made or find extention wires with the proper connections on them. (That's the reason my extended harness I made only used the good ol' fashioned "primary" wire found in cars.) That's also the reason I HAD to mount my igniters up front. (lot of reasons if you haven't noticed yet..... )
Good luck man, get those pics up soon, I want to see!
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 3/2/2007 1:28:48 AM
|
|
|
dragonium25
Posts: 1107
Joined: 4/12/2006
Status: offline
|
Yeah I wasn't planning on cutting any wires at all. I was thinking of putting them just behind the fairings, but not sure if they'll fit or how they'll stay on. Gonna have to tinker a bit. Here's some pics though...
(no camera flash)
Thumbnail Image
(with camera flash)
Thumbnail Image
 Attachment (2)
< Message edited by dragonium25 -- 3/2/2007 1:35:38 AM >
_____________________________
"To defeat the dragon within, you must defeat the dragon without"
'05 600RR Black/Tribal
Framesliders
Scorpio i500 alarm
Puig DB smoke
CA tail light
8000K HIDs
Custom FE & Meshing
Watsen Design LEDs
2Bros M2 slip-on
PCIIIUSB
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 3/2/2007 2:02:22 AM
|
|
|
Blue Fox
Posts: 4218
Joined: 7/14/2006
From: Las Cruces, NM
Status: offline
|
Ohhhh, pretty. Love em'. Did you have any probems with the H7's not fitting (needing to trim the base of the headlight?). If it's a newer model, I doubt it, but my generic kit required me to.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 3/2/2007 3:21:27 AM
|
|
|
dragonium25
Posts: 1107
Joined: 4/12/2006
Status: offline
|
No problems, they fit flush right in. The only thing I had to change was that I had to pull the +ve and -ve connecting wires out of the rubber gasket which held the bulbs. Here's what it looks like without the ballasts connected:
So if I wanted to remove my HIDs and put my other bulbs in, say for a track day, I can just swap them out in like 2 mins.
Thumbnail Image
Attachment (1)
_____________________________
"To defeat the dragon within, you must defeat the dragon without"
'05 600RR Black/Tribal
Framesliders
Scorpio i500 alarm
Puig DB smoke
CA tail light
8000K HIDs
Custom FE & Meshing
Watsen Design LEDs
2Bros M2 slip-on
PCIIIUSB
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 3/2/2007 8:48:36 AM
|
|
|
soonster
Posts: 11
Joined: 2/22/2007
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: dragonium25
No problems, they fit flush right in. The only thing I had to change was that I had to pull the +ve and -ve connecting wires out of the rubber gasket which held the bulbs. Here's what it looks like without the ballasts connected:
So if I wanted to remove my HIDs and put my other bulbs in, say for a track day, I can just swap them out in like 2 mins.
Thumbnail Image
Drooling over your HID setup.
Where did you order your hid set from? I had ordered my set from BlueFox's recommended ebay seller. Do you have pictures the ballast? And lastly, if you can take some detailed pictures of the low beam pattern from the rider's position or the sideways position of the hid lighting coverage?
Thanks,
Soonster
< Message edited by soonster -- 3/2/2007 9:08:15 AM >
_____________________________
|| '03 Honda CBR 600RR ||
|
|
|
|
|
RE: HID INSTALLATION (extremely detailed) - 3/2/2007 10:47:35 AM
|
|
|
D2DGraphix_600RR
Posts: 4673
Joined: 7/13/2006
From: Menominee, MI to Panama City Bch,FL / Orlando,FL
Status: offline
|
Thats schweet man!!!!!! Can you not mount the ballast in the battery box area?? I might have to get me some of deez
_____________________________
ZG Windscreen, Hotbodies Fronts, LED Pegs, Custom Seats & Cowl, Yosh RS-5
WTF is up with the grammar?!?
http://www.myspace.com/d2meclipsegt_600rr
|
|
|
|
|
Printable Version
. If you look at Blue's pics, the ballast are exactly the same shape/size, so no chance of them going in the battery tray or anywhere in the back. The only difference between our kits is I don't have the extra igniter piece so there's less bulky wiring. That's the only downside of HIDs for bikes, the ballasts are big and bulky. I'll have to mount them behind my fairings or somewhere up front. Sorry, I won't be able to get any good pics of the beam pattern until the snow thaws (
stupid winter) since my bike's sitting in my living room right now. Once spring comes though I can take her out and get some good shots of all my winter make-over.
