H.I.D. Headlight kits

[hop along]

At MOOTMaG several people asked me about my headlight.  It's a slightly different color and certainly brighter than stock.  The short ride from the cabins to the campground was made a bit nicer having such a bright headlight.  I still wish the stock 3rd Gen headlight nacelle had a better beam spread. 

It is an HID kit, which stands for High Intensity Discharge.  For the life of me I couldn't remember the name of where I'd bought it, but luckily I'm on their mailing list (for just this reason!).  The company is DDM Tuning.  A link to their website:
<http://www.ddmtuning.com/Product-Categories/Motorcycle-HID-Kits-Lighting>  In the event the link doesn't work, there is a tab on their hompage on the left side to 'Motorcycle HID Kits'.

I've had my kit for 4 or 5 years (@50,000 miles or more), with no failures.  Bulb has also not needed replacement.  They also provide a Lifetime Warranty.  I can't speak to that-I haven't had to call them about it!
If you visit the website they have a single mode, or a Hi/Low mode option.  If you're on the 3rd Gen Magnas, DO NOT order the Hi-Low option.  The bulb won't fit.  If you have a non-stock headlight nacelle or 1st or 2nd Gen Magnas, why not try it out and let the rest of us know?!?!   I know the Hi-Low doesn't fit the stock 3rd Gen because I tried it.  There are too many wires nested inside the headlight nacelle.

You will need to know your bulb type (H4) and what wattage you want.  I don't recall what I have.  Stock H4 bulb is a 60/55 Watt.  These HID kits are available in 35 or 55 watt.  For my money I'd go with 55 watt. 
You will also need to know what bulb color temperature you want.  Higher Kelvin temperature (EG 12000) is bluer light.  Great for being seen at night by others, terrible for being seen during the day, and it won't help you see much at night.  There is a chart on their website that explains color temperatures.  I think I have a 3000.  Very white.  I hate the blue look, I did not do this for style (heh.. me?  style?!?).  I did this as a very practical improvement.  I want to see and be seen, day and night.

Their site also asks about mounting bracket.  I have no idea what that is.  But, I recall them being uber helpful when I called to ask questions.  I have no doubt that they would still be helpful to answering questions.

INSTALL: Before installing, make sure the bike is off, key out of ignition...   It is an easy install, I think the stock toolkit has what you need but it is easier if you have a flexible neck attachement on a rachet to remove the headlight nacelle from the mount bracket.  I believe they are 8mm bolts IIRC.  Pull the nacelle off, pull out the stock bulb, install the HID bulb parts, and run a few wires.  Don't reinstall the nacelle just yet... get everything together, TEST IT, then put things back in place.
The HID kit will have two wires with nice weatherproof disconnects coming out from the bulb.  I ran these to the Left side (while sitting on the bike) of the steering headstock, where they are accessible.  Then these wires run to the ballast (one ballast per bulb).  The ballast is small and rectangular, maybe a bit larger than an bi-fold wallet.  This fist very nicely under the headstock/front of gas tank, between the two black plastic shrouds.  (The shrouds have a single screw holding them in place-don't lose that screw.... trust me don't drop it.  I had one ride in the frame for months before I found it again). 

Ok, so the bulb is in place, the ballast is in place.  You will need to remove the gastank (remove seat to remove gastank...).  When removing the gas tank have rags handy, you will spill a wee amount of fuel.  Turn the Fuel petcock to OFF.  Disconnect the fuel hose from the petcock.  Remove the single allen-head bolt that holds the tank in place.  Pull tank back (towards the rear of the bike) while lifting the back up.  It will slide off.  Sometimes it requires a little jiggling to come loose. 
Run the rest of your wires along the bike frame, keeping wires inside the frame.  You won't want them on top, so they don't get pinched by the tank.  Leave enough slack (an inch?) to allow for removing the breather intake and air filter (which you clean every year... right?   )

Follow install directions to connect to battery (I think you also need to tap into another wire.... follow directions from DDM).  There will be an inline fuse.  Mount that somewhere you think is convenient.  Near the fusebox?  Under the seat?  You have many options.  Use a sharpie to label what the fuse goes to (for trouble shooting later in life, just in case). 

Once you think you have everything connected, double check.  If you're like me you will forget something silly     
Then, turn the bike on.  The headlight should come on with the key.  It will turn off momentarily while using the starter button, and come back on.
Some people hate HID lights because they can take 10 seconds to "warm up" to temperature.  True.  But rarely am I actually rolling within 10 seconds of starting the bike.  I usually let the engine warm up which takes longer anyways.

If it works like expected, turn the bike off, and reinstall the nacelle, dress the wires, reinstall the black plastic side shrouds, the gas tank (reconnect the fuel line and turn on the petcock valve), reinstall the seat. 

So.   Any questions???  For some $30 ish bucks (depending on shipping cost) I think this is an upgrade as useful as steel braid brake line and suspension improvements.  And cheap too!!

I'm happy to answer any questions, or take a few shots of the installed kit for the visual people like me
Hop Along

[TLRam1]

Too bad I didn't see these.

[v4_jeff]

Awesome, thanks for the great info, Scott!

Every time I was riding near the front of the pack, I'd look in the mirror and notice how much brighter your headlight was than anyone else's. It does have a blue tint, but not overly so, and it does make you much more noticeable. The driving lights on the light bar don't hurt either, though I think I like where Terry mounted his better just for the light pattern that screams "I'm not a jeep with a headlight out!"

One thing I didn't ask the other day - how is the beam pattern? Is it focused like you'd expect or is it more of an all-over flood? I know that some HID conversion kits which use stock halogen housings struggle to produce a good (or even legal) beam pattern.

[hop along]

One thing I didn't ask the other day - how is the beam pattern? Is it focused like you'd expect or is it more of an all-over flood? I know that some HID conversion kits which use stock halogen housings struggle to produce a good (or even legal) beam pattern.

Hm.  Good Question.  I never really thought about it like that.  I've always just kind of thought the Magna headlight beam pattern left a lot to be desired, even before the HID light.  It's been awhile so I can only say with confidence that I have *felt* I have a better and brighter spread.  I can't really quantify 'better spread' though because riding with some other bikes at night I always have beam spread size envy. 

I do sometimes get that 'your high beams are on' flash from oncoming drivers at night, but I'm not sure if that is from the HID or the auxiliary lights (which have a cone spread-not a driving beam spread).  If it's night I have all those lights on.  Unless of course I just replaced the battery and am not yet sure why the aux lights won't come back on.... which is the current case 

Hope that helps
Scott

I see your point about Terry's auxiliary light placements though-much better front profile.

[TLRam1]

Jeff is correct regarding putting a HID bulb in the stock reflector and having it focus correctly without it interfering with oncoming traffic. As far as direction, the same goes for auxiliary lights and aiming those also to be considerate of oncoming traffic. 

Some refer to this article.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

[v4_jeff]

Oh man, I haven't seen a Daniel Stern reference in years! That's a fantastic source of information. He has a great write-up on light colors and how they affect human vision, why the "blue/white craze" was crap, the French half-yellow lights, and lots of stuff about D.O.T. vs. E.C.E. Euro-spec light patterns. I can't believe his site is still around!

[hop along]

Jeff is correct regarding putting a HID bulb in the stock reflector and having it focus correctly without it interfering with oncoming traffic. As far as direction, the same goes for auxiliary lights and aiming those also to be considerate of oncoming traffic. 

Some refer to this article.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

Hm.  Good thing I have a large stage I can setup in sometime, roll the bike in, sit on it, get a helper to measure beam center height etc., which I think is listed in either the Magna manual or the Honda general manual-there are certain specs as to distance to wall, height up the wall, etc.  That's about the only idea I have in mind to address the concern, other than scrapping up some volunteers to drive back and forth opposite me and give me feedback.  But wherewever would I find such a group...   
Scott