Proper HID conversion?

[jonthechron]

After seeing all these ''quick'' HID conversions, I had me wondering if any of you have actually done proper HID conversions, what I mean by proper is using an actual projector designed for HID lamps retrofitted into our leadlights, not our stock headlight alone.

I know man many have done this mod on Asian forum but I hve yet to see any here. If anyone can show me some pic to a DIY, I would be very greatful.

[kkim]

what's wrong with the "improper" way... works fine for me.

[laraider]

Originally Posted by jonthechron

After seeing all these ''quick'' HID conversions, I had me wondering if any of you have actually done proper HID conversions, what I mean by proper is using an actual projector designed for HID lamps retrofitted into our leadlights, not our stock headlight alone.

I know man many have done this mod on Asian forum but I hve yet to see any here. If anyone can show me some pic to a DIY, I would be very greatful.

can you link to some of the asian forums you mentioned? thx

[tapdiggy]

I'm curious as to the function of "projector" lenses. I have such lenses on my car's factory fog/aux lights and they don't seem to affect their performance. Is the effectiveness dependant on lumen output?

[jonthechron]

Well the main difference is in the beam pattern. If you don't have projectors when using HID you will definitly be giving out a HUGE ammount of glare, which will piss off other divers and even the police. Projectors will hum concentrate the light below a certain height (correct me) and provide a cut off point that will not blind other drivers and keep the light on the road..

Check out this wiki for more info.

Headlamp

Halogen Stock


No Projector HID (no Cut Off)


Projector HID

[Ken08Ninja]

I did not take any pics when I put them in my bike, it was not a simple remove lense cover and drop them in like the manufacturer said. I had to enlarge the holes in the reflector so the HID projecter would drop in far enough for the lense cover to go back on. I also machined some spacers to keep them from wobbling in the reflector after opening the holes up.

[Viper-Byte]

I must say, with halos as in the pics, this mod will make the bike look awesome! and much more evil.

[jonthechron]

Originally Posted by Viper-Byte

I must say, with halos as in the pics, this mod will make the bike look awesome! and much more evil.

Source:

TopSecret's bike on cyber-ninja250r forums:

[Rayme]

Originally Posted by tapdiggy

I'm curious as to the function of "projector" lenses. I have such lenses on my car's factory fog/aux lights and they don't seem to affect their performance. Is the effectiveness dependant on lumen output?

It's about light dispertion. There is sooo much more about HID's than being "brighter".

HID projectors retro-fits are the way to go. Projectors will give you a nice even blanket of light ahead of you and won't waste light going over the horizon/FOV and blind people, hid kits will create a standard (crappy) halogen patterns with hot spots and random lights around it. Hots spots are needed with halogen as the lights are not that strong. And if you go all out, you can retrofit a bi-xenon HID projector and effectively have a HID high + normal halogen high beam.. now that's a nice highway setup.

HID kits are the half-ass(but cheap) way of experimenting this relatively new technology. All the kits are from China and made with no standards whatsoever. I did a HID retrofit in a past car I had, and played with a KIT, the quality of parts from OEM manufacturers make the kits looks like cheap electronics. Anyone that's handy and like project should rather attemp fitting a projectors like the top pictures..the results will be worth the efforts.

[tapdiggy]

Originally Posted by Rayme

It's about light dispertion. There is sooo much more about HID's than being "brighter".

HID projectors retro-fits are the way to go. Projectors will give you a nice even blanket of light ahead of you and won't waste light going over the horizon/FOV and blind people, hid kits will create a standard (crappy) halogen patterns with hot spots and random lights around it. Hots spots are needed with halogen as the lights are not that strong.

So, if HIDs reflect in a manner similar to "conventional" bulbs-albeit with more intensity, is it not then the "brightness" that necessitates the focusing properties of the lenses?

[jonthechron]

Originally Posted by Rayme

It's about light dispersion. There is sooo much more about HID's than being "brighter".

HID projectors retro-fits are the way to go. Projectors will give you a nice even blanket of light ahead of you and won't waste light going over the horizon/FOV and blind people, hid kits will create a standard (crappy) halogen patterns with hot spots and random lights around it. Hots spots are needed with halogen as the lights are not that strong. And if you go all out, you can retrofit a bi-xenon HID projector and effectively have a HID high + normal halogen high beam.. now that's a nice highway setup.

HID kits are the half-ass(but cheap) way of experimenting this relatively new technology. All the kits are from China and made with no standards whatsoever. I did a HID retrofit in a past car I had, and played with a KIT, the quality of parts from OEM manufacturers make the kits looks like cheap electronics. Anyone that's handy and like project should rather attempt fitting a projectors like the top pictures..the results will be worth the efforts.

And that's exactly what I plan on doing. I did this 2 summers ago on a 2004 Mazda 6 with my friend, it took us 12 straight hours, retrofitted 2 E55 projectors with HELLA ballasts and lamps, we were happy and we felt like we accomplished something, not to mention results were amazing. I do plan on having dual bi-xenon's for headlights. It will be amazing, and I'm all about safety, that's why I'm not for these cheap Chinese lookalikes. Not to mention I often get pissed at drivers with these, it's pretty obvious then someone has "fake" HID if you know what real ones look like.

[b_eastep]

iv got a cheap kit on my 07 Z1000 and would never go back.

[g21-30]

Jon,

I don't know about the law in Montreal, but in the United States, all HID lights, whether "projector" or "Chinese", are illegal on any vehicle, unless OEM! Having recently completed my annual VA Safety inspection with my bike, I know beyond a shadow of doubt, it would have failed if the inspector saw "your" projector light installed. The normal "Chinese" HID bulb didn't draw a second glance. My point is "Don't draw attention to the headlights!"

As far as the "cutoff" factor in relation to safety, I like the very clear beam of the projector lens versus the non-projector beam. It obviously won't cause as much of a problem with oncoming drivers as the non-projector.

When I converted to HID lighting from halogen, it was for one reason: My safety. It was the cheapest alternative, with the biggest bang for the buck! I have dealt with bright misadjusted headlights from oncoming vehicles for 46 plus years of driving. Other drivers shouldn't have a major problem in the brief time that my headlights are visible to them.

[b_eastep]

i think you misunderstood me. im in the US. i have the hid conversion not projectors. i did it strictly for my own safety and after riding with it for over a year theres no way anyone can convince me its not safer. every bike i ever own that this conversion will work with i will do it to.

[g21-30]

Originally Posted by b_eastep

i think you misunderstood me. im in the US. i have the hid conversion not projectors. i did it strictly for my own safety and after riding with it for over a year theres no way anyone can convince me its not safer. every bike i ever own that this conversion will work with i will do it to.

I have corrected my post. It should have been addressed to Jon. Sorry Brad!

[b_eastep]

no prob.

[tac12345]

http://www.ninja250.kaskus.ws/ they seems to sell this setup. Does anyone know the price ?

[jonthechron]

Originally Posted by tac12345

http://www.ninja250.kaskus.ws/ they seems to sell this setup. Does anyone know the price ?

I figure that if he can do it, I can do it too. Cut the middle man.

[tac12345]

This is what i got from the jungkiwenas from their forum :

ccfl & 2projector (250$) + original headlamp ninja250 160$
or 250$ only i made 2 projector & ccfl in your original ninja250 headlamp housing

Seems to be acceptable for what he ask i think.

[jonthechron]

Originally Posted by tac12345

This is what i got from the jungkiwenas from their forum :


Seems to be acceptable for what he ask i think.

Sounds good, i know these guys in the US do really nice jobs, i'm looking into doing one myself.

http://store.theretrofitsource.com/pages.php?pID=4

Also here is an informative link about illegal HID lights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVuSSdZNsZw

[g21-30]

FYI....

http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/Shih.3.html

http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/deetz.ztv.html

http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/kim.ztv.html

[jonthechron]

Originally Posted by g21-30

FYI....

http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/Shih.3.html

http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/deetz.ztv.html

http://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/kim.ztv.html

Ok, that's not a problem. Most HIDs kits are marked as such. Ever see: "For off-road usage only. Please check for compliance with your local authorities. "

Well, I'm sure you won't find a package without those markings sold at a reputable dealership/shop.

Problem is, people don't give a **** whether is legal or not to use them, they are just concerned about their safety and will plead "I didn't know" when caught. Some of them don't even know or aren't even aware there are restrictions to it's use, they assume because you purchased it at a store, that it's street legal. Wrong, read the fine-print. Then they get "busted" and come running back to the store.. saying "you sold me an illegal product". Lol, I laughed at one customer who had this reaction when I used to work retail. "Sir, look it says right here, it's for off-road use only, you didn't use this on the streets now did you? "

Anyways, do your research before buying a product you think might be an "upgrade" to your vehicle, and read the fine print.

[Rayme]

So Jon are you going to do that retrofit?

[jonthechron]

I've been looking into it recently, went to see some projectors and found 2 sets of them that SHOULD fit due to their smaller dimensions.

When will I be doing this? Probably sometime this summer (June-July). I'm in school till then and I don't have the funds either.

I've already done a retrofit on a '04 Mazda 6, but I have a feeling this might be slightly more complicated.

I'll post when I'm ready to start this.