HID headlights (Again....Sorry!)

[DLN1965]

Hi everyone
Having been pondering about a HID kit for my 'bird, for a VERY long time I "borrowed" my mates spare ballast/ignitor and H7 bulb to try.....
After a long time in the garage unfitted... Its now in ...following the fitting instructions on here... (must say it was a doddle !)

The result is......... Kinnell its bright ! Awesome in fact.... Wish I had done it ealier..... BUT.....
Heres the question....... is the fitting of HID bulbs ballasts etc actually legal?
My friends (Now temporary mine) are H7 35 watt 6000k, fitted with a spacer (made with a washer or two)

1. Ive researched the web (contradictory information on there)
2. Checked with local PCs who were not interested as long as the headlight 'didnt dazzle oncoming traffic'
3. The beam is similar to before (but much brighter)
4. Tried during day and night,results so far show ....
cars move over
Its like parting butter with a hot knife when filtering
Cars actually stop when at a T junction instead of trying to pull out in front of you
You can see further ahead (why?) so safety has improved

But Im dreading the MOT or being pulled by the police (knowing my luck!)

What is the consensus on here?
If illegal...I dont really want to go back to 3 candle power Halogens....BUT !

Thanks for your words of wisdom (as always)

 

[andyBeaker]

I suspect you won't get any definitive answers here or anywhere else. My MOT bloke simply admires the light and ticks the box, but there again he rides a Harley!! Why not pop down to wherever you get you MOTS done and get an opinion. If negative, I would go somewhere else.......any 'proper biker' will do the right thing.

I am not sure whether MOT test is actually interested whether anything is 'legal', but simply whether it oasses the specific test - in the case of a headlight aim and whether it works or not?

 

[madlandrover]

AFAIK MOT tests can only test the aim & pattern, and some testers will look at the maximum wattage of the bulb. HIDs are all either 35W or 55W, so no issues there... VOSA on the other hand have a slightly different point of view when it comes to retrofitted HIDs, since they state you can only use HIDs with a purpose designed lense & reflector. However, I've been running retrofitted HIDs in the bike for over a year, and on my car for nearly 4 years without a single problem in the UK or abroad, so I wouldn't worry too much!

 

[robsbird]

there is no law for retrow fitting them only if they are fitted from new

i know a traffic cop that run's them in his bird and he loves them

so the way i see it if he see no problem with them it should be ok

mine passed the mot with them in

 

[big harv]

+1 with MLR above

 

[Duck n Dive]

I also tried to research this and from the available information my conclusions were:

1. As a "stand alone" item they are not legal.

2. Car manufacturers rely on the "whole vehicle" type approval within the EU to get around this - i.e. on their own HID lights are not type approved.

3. For them to meet the requirements of "whole vehicle" type approval they must be fitted with a self leveling and cleaning mechanism (if you look at any car fitted with HIDs you'll see they have headlamp washers and a self leveling unit).

4. To meet item 3 the reflector and glass/plastic must be specifically designed for HID lights. (My car has 'em and the "glass" is actually plastic so the 'birds OK there as far as the material's concerned :-0))

5. It would seem that most MOT stations/testers aren't sure so friendly ones have no problems in passing them.

6. As has been stated VOSA may take a different viewpoint.

7. Most police haven't a clue about the things so you've little chance of being pulled up or anything happening.




Personally I reached the conclusion that they are not legal unless fitted to the vehicle at the point of manufacture.


On a practical note I concluded that nothing bad is likely to happen unless/until the fitment of these eventually becomes noticed and then the authorities "clarify" that retrofit is a no-no. If that heppens then enforcement may follow.

I have noticed that these days many of the go-faster-chavs seem to be favouring these and so aftermarket installation into cars is becoming more popular.

I suspect that the catalyst to prompt the slumbering powers that be into "clarifying" that they are not legal might well be that source.




So ... seems that if fitted it's unlikely to give you any grief right now but do be prepared to have to possibly remove them or face action at a later date.

:dunno:

 

[CBRDEAN0]

I have had HID 35w 6000k in my CBR1000F (H4 bulbs) - and now in my blackbird (H7 bulbs)

I have gone through 4 MOT's in total with the two bikes and not once have the HID's been flagged up as an issue other than setting the beam to comply with the headlight aim checker. ( aim done foc during MOT )

I have had far less cars trying to pull out on me since i fitted HID

It seems to make filtering easier since i fitted the HID

 

[Frogger]

I have a spare Hid unit in my garage which I started to look into fitting to my Bird. However, the bulb seating is different to other H7 fitments I have seen. The first post mentions about fitting a spacer? Has anyone anymore information or pictures of what is needed to get the HID bulb to fit.
Thanks.

 

[Jaws]

The kits I do are supplied to us with the proper spacer but almost anything will do the job

Under uses and construction regs HID lamps can only be used in a headlight unit that has self levelling ability's.
However, like others, been using them in my Birds for years and also in my GS's

 

[andyBeaker]

I have a spare Hid unit in my garage which I started to look into fitting to my Bird. However, the bulb seating is different to other H7 fitments I have seen. The first post mentions about fitting a spacer? Has anyone anymore information or pictures of what is needed to get the HID bulb to fit.
Thanks.

Assuming you have an H7 kit, you simply need to find/make a washer to sit the 'bulb' properly in the headlight. I made a washer out of a foam sanding sheet, put this behing the ;bulb; and put the clip in place over the whole lot. Others have used washers from hose fittings.

Don't make this a big worry issue - anything will do as long as it stays in place.

 

[DLN1965]

Its almost a year since I started this thread !

Yes its true Lumpy.... I have very few worries .... Well there are a few BUT I dont worry about them!

As a part time Life coach (quick plug WWW.LIFECOACH4U2.CO.UK) I see the positive in most things and keep myself upbeat

update on the lights.... GREAT I should have gone that route much earlier!
The MOT man suggested that the high beam didnt flash without the engine running....DUURRRRR !
I asked the question....how often would you need high beam WITHOUT the engine running.... the silence as he handed over the pass certificate!

Once I had a funny when slowly filtering through traffic with the HIDs and a refelctive HI-VI vest on .... A young man in a flash motor threw his mobile phone into the passenger footwell and sly put his seatbelt on ...... As I drew level I stopped next to him for a moment to watch the beads of sweat drop from his forehead...
And continued my merry way.... watching him rummage in the passenger footwell, for his phone, to continue his conversation..... Im guessing !

H7 adapters made from plastic and runbber washers bought from a hardware shop with a little fettling fits perfectly !

Thinking of going the 'Christmas tree' route with Bike Vis LEDs too !
Lets see if the wallet can open enough to purchase a set.... ???

 

[ScottyUK]

I had my bike MOT'ed today and it has dual HIDs.

Apparently the light pattern was much better than normal for HIDs. He rated them very good even compared to normal bulbs. The allignment was spot on and he had no qualms at all passing it.

I got mine from HIDS4U if you're interested

 

[Frogger]

Thanks guys for all the advice on the spacer washer for the H7 HID. That will be my next project then, but will not make if for my next trip down to cornwall in a few days time. Some thing to look forward to.
I know what you mean about parting the waves. I had a blue and white K1200RS in which I fitted a HID to. When wearing my white helmet and high viz vest one day I had a biking school of three bikes and two cars pull over for me. A bit embarresing really. I lost the high viz and wore my black helmet after that.

 

[The_Ormston]

Lot's of lurking and reading, and I've got a question that no one else has asked yet. Or at least that I can find.
I'm looking to fit a HID to my bird, and I'm curious about if it's better to change the dipped bulb, or the high. I know a few people have done both, but I'm not there yet.
So should I swap the dipped bulb or swap out the high beam?

Also it's a 2004 version which always has the dipped light on, will the HID system cope OK with this?

Cheers

Chris

 

[Duck n Dive]

I think you'll find most folks fit it only to the dipped beam.

Although some have also fitted to the main there willl be a delay while it starts up.


If you want control over your lights I believe the right hand switch gear from an XX2 will simply plug straight into your wiring harness.


Not sure about the effect on switch on .. but I'm sure someone with that set up will be along to let you know.



Welcome to the nuthouse w4lc0m3

 

[CBRDEAN0]

Lot's of lurking and reading, and I've got a question that no one else has asked yet. Or at least that I can find.
I'm looking to fit a HID to my bird, and I'm curious about if it's better to change the dipped bulb, or the high. I know a few people have done both, but I'm not there yet.
So should I swap the dipped bulb or swap out the high beam?

Also it's a 2004 version which always has the dipped light on, will the HID system cope OK with this?

Cheers

Chris

I only changed the dip. i tried a mates bike with the high changed as well but found the delay from switch to light brightness too long for normal road use.

If your normal riding alows the prolonged use of high beam then change both.

 

[ScottyUK]

If you're only doing one of them then definately the dipped.

I have both. Although it takes a few secs to get to max brightness you can still flash people instantly and it's still brighter than a stock bulb.....although it does depend on the kit you buy.

 

[The_Ormston]

OK then, just the dipped (for now), from what I have read and seen in pictures you don't need a hight beam with one of these things.

Supplier is looking like HIDS4U: ScottyUK, you used one, was it as straight forwards as they make out, and did you have to make a spacer?

Chris

 

[ScottyUK]

Two things :

[1] Make sure you enter this code when placing your order : STRATHY ;-0))

[2] Yep I cut down one of the existing bulb holders. I literally used a junior hack saw and just cut smooth down the face removing the protruding bit. It will make sense if you look at the bulb holder :-0)

It's dead straight forward. Just join up the waterproof plugs (they can only go together in the correct way) and then you're just left with two blade connectors. I passed these though the rubber grommet to make it as water proof as possible. One blade goes into one side of the bikes bulb harness and the other into the other side. Of course you have a 50% chance of getting it correct unless you check your colours in the Haynes manual. On my first bulb I got it wrong. I simply reversed them and it was fine.

You can't really go wrong (he says tempting fate!!). Just always ensure your ignition is off when playing around as we're talking about a lot more than 12V being generated.

 

[The_Ormston]

Two things :

[1] Make sure you enter this code when placing your order : STRATHY ;-0))

[2] Yep I cut down one of the existing bulb holders. I literally used a junior hack saw and just cut smooth down the face removing the protruding bit. It will make sense if you look at the bulb holder :-0)

It's dead straight forward. Just join up the waterproof plugs (they can only go together in the correct way) and then you're just left with two blade connectors. I passed these though the rubber grommet to make it as water proof as possible. One blade goes into one side of the bikes bulb harness and the other into the other side. Of course you have a 50% chance of getting it correct unless you check your colours in the Haynes manual. On my first bulb I got it wrong. I simply reversed them and it was fine.

You can't really go wrong (he says tempting fate!!). Just always ensure your ignition is off when playing around as we're talking about a lot more than 12V being generated.

Code is a good un, thank you.@tu*

I'm sure it'll all make sense when I go to look at it and try to fit the thing. I should be OK with the wires, red to black and blue to bits isn't it?

Chris