HID lights

[tractorman]

Hi, I've seen some "high intensity discharge" bulb and conversion kits for bikes, on Ebay. The principle sounds great, use 30 watts input and get the equivalent of 100 watts lighting intensity. there are some complication, like hiding the ballast pack, and the dipping is achieved by a relay and solenoid that slides the bulb back and forth. They are H4 fitting which I already on a Lucas headlamp on my Vincent. I was wondering if anybody out there had tried the HID set up on a bike, I would also consider it for my Rudge but I woud need to make an adaption for the H4 bulb

[L.A.B.]

It would be illegal to fit them to old type reflectors, as you would be more likely to dazzle other road users:



http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps


And will they (the electronics) work off a +ve Earth system?

[Searchguru]

I have no knowledge of HID lights but check out the link at the bottom.
This company should be able to answer any questions you have re your bike.
The kits seem very expensive and apparently you don't get full brightness immediately. The filament has to heat up and is not as instant as a standard bulb. You might have to pick your moment to go onto main beam, which may not be convenient!
They do, however, appear to conform to UK and EU legislation.
Unless you have a fairing to hide all the components behind a HID conversion may not be for you.

If you are already using a Halogen bulb check 'the classic biker bar' on this site re using relays to upgrade your headlight. This is a much cheaper option but as L.A.B. points out this sort of modification is not legal.

http://www.hids4u.co.uk/products.asp?cat=13

[neracarken]

This has been discussed on a couple of other Forums. One suggested a good read of this site.

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

[Searchguru]

Hi neracarken,

I've read the stuff in your link (very interesting).
HID lights, if they are not original kit, do not appear to be a very 'bright' idea.
The likelihood of one of these bulbs matching the beam characteristics of the one it replaces is slim. It may appear brighter but won't shed it's light where you want it, due to the focal length being altered.
 
Tractorman,

I think this conversion, even if it was possible, would be an expensive and potentially life threatening modification. I sometimes have to drive a Vauxhall Vectra in my job which is fitted with blue Xenon bulbs. I have to say that I would rather be behind a conventional Halogen light as the blue light just doesn't do it for me.
Cheers.

[tractorman]

Thank you all for your comments, It is certainly the main beam characteristics that worry me. I shall wait and see some practical results, There is a guy on the Vincent Owners Club forum experimenting with the £12.50 Hong Kong kit, he has only got as far a bench testing. I also have a friend with a Manx Weslake who is fitting an expensive Hella based kit to work on a Lucas shell, reflector and lens, but its not up and running  yet. Both arrangement work using a solenoid to move the bulb back and forth for dip and main beam

note. The light does not have to be blue. I believe the K6000 bulb gives a white light

I’ll keep you posted with results

Bernard