HID lights for '98 Magna

ed5757 · March 25, 2009, 03:40:46 PM

I am looking to replace my stock headlight with a HID and was wondering if anyone else has done this. however, I would like to replace the "diffused" lens with what I think the new bikes have , which appear to be clear, with the "blue/white " color. any help?
thanks. Eddie

hootmon · March 25, 2009, 04:02:49 PM

Check out this link.. They have a couple of different types of lenses...
http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=T50700

Justin · March 25, 2009, 05:56:26 PM

http://www.shopatron.com/product/product_id=PIA70476/353.0

This bulb is a direct replacement for the stock bulb I noticed a significant improvement over the stock lights disbursement side-to-side and about 1/3 rd more length forward. The light also has a blueish tinge to it which i kinda like, i also replaced all the turn signal bulbs with the brighter PIAA versions as well i don't remember what model number they were though they didn't have much of a noticeable difference over the stock bulbs.

Just be sure to get the power sports bulb with the "Anti-Vibration" if you get the regular one for cars the vibration reduces the resistance of the coil inside and the bulb burns too hot, my friend ended up melting the lens on his bike with it before it blew up, peeled the chroming off of the outside of the light housing too.

PS i only changed the bulb, the lens and the housing are both stock

hootmon · March 25, 2009, 09:03:53 PM

Blue tint headlights may look cool.. But they SUCK in the fog.. !!!

ed5757 · March 26, 2009, 11:55:21 AM

Thanks guys, for the suggestions. yeah , that clear lens is what i'm looking for. however, they mention not to use the HID bulbs in those as it burns too hot. hmmmm.......have to do more research. prob go down to my local dealer and see what they say. as for the bulb, prob could go with that although (from what i've learned) those are different than what are used widely in most vehicles on the road, as the "true" HIDs use a ballast and purportedly put out significantly brighter light than the plug-and-go types. albeit, they cost three times more.

hootmon · March 26, 2009, 12:22:31 PM

The HID conversion I've seen are in the $300-400 range.. (they may be a little cheaper now)..
I would like to get the clear lens I linked to.

ed5757 · March 27, 2009, 01:56:16 AM

Does anyone know why it seems manufacturers are using clear lens headlights as opposed to the older? ( I choose to call them diffused, referring to the glass lens with serveral vertical "lines" in the glass.) I'm assuming it has to do with the technology of the bulbs themselves. Its obvious that its become the norm. I'm researching as I'm writing this. trying to ascertain what has the most effective light output. I wonder why there arent more street bikes on the road with thes HIDs. not sure about you guys, but for me, more visibility is equally important as having good tires on your bike, just my three cents......anyone want to add to this?

Capt. Howard · March 27, 2009, 08:48:16 PM

Quote from: ed5757 on March 27, 2009, 01:56:16 AM
Does anyone know why it seems manufacturers are using clear lens headlights as opposed to the older? ( I choose to call them diffused, referring to the glass lens with serveral vertical "lines" in the glass.) I'm assuming it has to do with the technology of the bulbs themselves. Its obvious that its become the norm. I'm researching as I'm writing this. trying to ascertain what has the most effective light output. I wonder why there arent more street bikes on the road with thes HIDs. not sure about you guys, but for me, more visibility is equally important as having good tires on your bike, just my three cents......anyone want to add to this?

I'm not a night rider?????

ed5757 · March 27, 2009, 11:57:37 PM

Ok.............does anyone have anything PRODUCTIVE to add to this subject?

TLRam1 · March 28, 2009, 12:08:56 AM

What is your question at this point, are you looking for lenses or an HID unit?

lragan · March 28, 2009, 10:56:18 AM

I am following this thread with interest. I have replaced the standard bulb with one at 4500K -- don't recall if that is both high and low beams or not. Did not change the lens. Have had good lifetime with it.

My objective is visibility in daylight, not night riding.

The ultimate, in my view, is a white LED cluster, which I am sure someone must be working on...

hootmon · March 28, 2009, 01:19:53 PM

Quote from: lragan on March 28, 2009, 10:56:18 AM
I am following this thread with interest. I have replaced the standard bulb with one at 4500K -- don't recall if that is both high and low beams or not. Did not change the lens. Have had good lifetime with it.
My objective is visibility in daylight, not night riding.
The ultimate, in my view, is a white LED cluster, which I am sure someone must be working on...

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED_Motorcycle_Headlight/
http://www.ledshift.com/BikeEnglish.html

ed5757
Here are instructions on installing a HID in a motorcycle
http://www.motorcyclehidlights.com/installation_guide

hootmon · March 28, 2009, 10:49:08 PM

Quote from: lragan on March 28, 2009, 10:56:18 AM
I am following this thread with interest. I have replaced the standard bulb with one at 4500K -- don't recall if that is both high and low beams or not. Did not change the lens. Have had good lifetime with it.
My objective is visibility in daylight, not night riding.
The ultimate, in my view, is a white LED cluster, which I am sure someone must be working on...

Is this what you are looking for.. Play the top video...

http://www.motorcyclelighting.com/hyper-white.html

Sledge Hammer · March 29, 2009, 12:57:18 AM

Eddie, I replaced the stock headlight on my Magna with the VTX unit. Set me back about $230 brand new for all the parts. I had already tried the "blue-tint" PIAA H4 bulb in my stock unit and realized the problem with the stock light is not the bulb so much as poor focal length. The VTX reflector is significantly better in that respect, as it should be since it is a far newer design. The higgest drawnack about the VTX unit is that while it can be mounted readily on the existing bracket, the back of the housing puts pressure on the speedometer cable and puts a fair amount of tension on the throttle cables at full right lock.

As for HID lighting, when I first read about it, my first reaction was "Where can I get mine?" My second reaction was "How would I come up with the money for it?"

I still like the idea of lotsa light, especially to fill in the dark corners when riding at night, although the VTX headlight with PIAA bulb solved most of that problem.

I also like the idea of something that can deliver the lumens without loading down the electrical system and which is relatively more resistant to shock and vibration than incandescent lamps. HIDs seem to deliver the goods in both of those respects.

What I don't like is that you don't get full light output from an HID system on start-up. You have to wait several minutes before they come up to operating temperature. I also don't like that if they do go off for any reason that they have to cool down before the arc can be struck again. Maybe the ballast manufacturers have made some strides in the couple of years since I checked so that they can turn them back on faster, but as far as I know that's just the nature of the technology. I also don't care for the fact that I would have to run a second system just to get low-beam or high-beam lighting, depending on how the lights are mounted. Then there's the matter of electrical noise: not sure what kind of high-frequency noise you might get coupled back into the solid-state ignition system, but I would want to be absolutely sure I wasn't going to shorten the life of my Magna's pacemaker.

I want my primary light to be instantly and fully on upon activation, i.e. relative to my ability to get the machine underway (although I think it is positively moronic to burden the electrical system with headlight operation when you're trying to turn the engine over, but thank the all-knowing do-gooders for that). Of the two remaining credible technologies, LEDs are tough and efficient but still can't match incandescents for intensity and degrade quickly in brightness when run at maximum rated current, but the manufacturers are making good progress and they are getting better all the time. Lawrence will probably be able to get his wish in another few years. For now, I am staying with the PIAA H4 in the VTX bucket and planning on adding auxiliary lighting mounted to the engine guards. If I can put my mind to rest about the electronic noise issue, I think I would rather go with HIDs for that job, but if not, some halogen bullet lights will be going in.

ed5757 · March 29, 2009, 07:53:34 PM

First, thanks to those of you who are contributing to my post. I find that this subject is important and , if it hasn't already been addressed, it should be. as being able to see better (and being seen) is at the top of my list when it comes to riding after sunset.

Guy, thanks for the input. if you could, please, Is it possible to point me in the right direction to get the setup you have? is that a clear lens as well? is the light significantly brighter? from what I've heard, the HID bulbs can cause problems because of the heat, i.e.
chrome peeling off of the housing, melting wires.....have you experienced any of this?

As to the question posed earlier , asking what I'm looking for, besides the obvious, a clear lens and some serious bright light.