HID lights on an Airhead

[Shurv]

Has anyone fitted HID lights on an Airhead?. I want to fit a set of driving lights onto my Dakar project bike as the main headlight is a weeny little enduro type.I'm trying to find a set of lights, as small, but as powerful as possible.Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

All my Airheads have HID 50's from Les Wassall of this parish and are a MAJOR improvement on standard, he would be able to help with additional lights, for road use at night HID 50's are good enough for me!

 

[Benjamin M]

Has anyone fitted HID lights on an Airhead?. I want to fit a set of driving lights onto my Dakar project bike as the main headlight is a weeny little enduro type.I'm trying to find a set of lights, as small, but as powerful as possible.Any suggestions? Thanks.

How's the rest of the bike coming along anyway? Look forward to seeing it finished!

 

[VAL. H.]

I fitted an H4 HiD in Jills 5" headlight. Got it from Motorbike Adventures in the Vendors section.

It works very well giving so much extra light that I didn't need to fit extra lamps. Just as well too. Cos when she binned it comming down a ski slope in France they'd have been damaged.

I wouldn't worry too much about the little 5" light, it works well with the upgrade. HiD it and then decide if you really want to spend all that extra dosh, when it could be going towards the next trip.


Val.

 

[Shurv]

Thanks fella's,good tips. I'll have a chat with Les and see what he can do for me. I'm waiting for a new cam to arrive from Germany as the BMW 336 sport cam currenty in situ is one of a batch of faulty ones that BMW had made so it's got to come out before any more work can be done. The cam going in is one down from the Moorespeed race cams and Richie Moore rekons is a far better cam than the BMW one. As soon as it arrives ( hoping end of Dec) It'll be off to Moorespeed's workshop for the cam swap, then completion of the exhaust and the fitting of the 10 core oil cooler and a few minor bits and bobs to finish including the painting of the tank and plastics and the seat re build ( from double to single). Next step is an MOT, then a half day on the dyno getting it all to work nicely and then it's all mine to play with. It's only taken 4 years.

 

[pete.keys]

I bought one of these on ebay a couple of weeks ago

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170614074056#ht_6979wt_1204

£29 inc postage. It doesn't require any of the existing cables to be hacked which is good. I haven't fitted it yet .. but will have done so in the next week or so so can post feed back then

cheers

-pete

 

[GEOFFREY DEACON]

HI Pete. the kit is for a 8000k unit which will show a blue light and the police don`t like this, 6000k is ideal, better than daylight but not to much blue showing. Nice kit though,, will it fit the early GS airhead light unit ?.

 

[VAL. H.]

HI Pete. the kit is for a 8000k unit which will show a blue light and the police don`t like this, 6000k is ideal, better than daylight but not to much blue showing. Nice kit though,, will it fit the early GS airhead light unit ?.

Is the 8000k really that blue?

I fitted the same or very similar bulb to Jill's 100, which has a 5" lamp. It's not in the usual speedo pod though, so not 100% sure there is enough space in the OE pod. If there is about an inch of extra space behind the standard buld inside the OE pod then this should fit and work ok. However as long as (once the bulb is fitted) the whole lot fits back in place it won't be any trouble. All the moving parts are within the bulb housing and the wiring comes out underneath.


Val.

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

All the parts associated with a HID installation fit comfortably within the Mono Headlamp/Speedo cowl!

 

[Shurv]

Trouble is I'm using a bog standard enduro light.I've binned thre standard GS light set up as too heavy and too ugly for the look I'm going for, hence looking for additional lighting.

 

[VAL. H.]

Trouble is I'm using a bog standard enduro light.I've binned thre standard GS light set up as too heavy and too ugly for the look I'm going for, hence looking for additional lighting.

And you didn't think it might be worth mentioning that?



If the enduro light takes an H4 Haogen bulb, the HiD might still fit. What lights where you thinking of using?

I'll go with your 'ugly' view of the OE pod, but the weight of a good tough set of lights with all the HiD kit will probably out weigh the OE pod


Val.

 

[GEOFFREY DEACON]

There is some fantastic powerful LED light units now that are great on offroad bikes,,there very light, spot type units,, see youtube for the demo video`s etc,,



but there not cheap..

 

[Shurv]

I'll have a look for those.PIAA do a lovely off road set of spots, but £375 is a huge amount of money I'd rather put towards some flatside carbs.

 

[VAL. H.]

I'll have a look for those.PIAA do a lovely off road set of spots, but £375 is a huge amount of money I'd rather put towards some flatside carbs.

PIAA? These are good. I fitted them to Jill's F650gs. They're tiny, but have a very good thow of light. Incredibly light too, but tough enough to withstand the bikes weight in a minor fall.

Have a good look around for PIAAs, you should be able to find them much cheaper then quoted. I bought Jill's direct from the States and saved a good 50% . The guy sent them as 'gift' too, which helped save a bit more.


Val.

 

[Shurv]

Thanks Val, those look just the job. I'll ask my sister to have a look in the USA as she lives in California.

 

[pete.keys]

Thanks Val, those look just the job. I'll ask my sister to have a look in the USA as she lives in California.

I have some nearly new ones very similar to this that I fitted to a bike and barely saw the light of day before I removed them to sell the bike.

I'll pm you some pictures this evening

 

[Shurv]

Thanks Pete, sounds interesting.Were they on an airhead? I want light, but not too much current draw.

 

[pete.keys]

yes they were. They came fitted to my G/S when I bought it. They were attached to the crash bars but i took them off when I removed the crash bars

3w LED peripheral bulbs ( iguess for daytime riding)

H3 halogen spot