G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through March 28, 2009 » I'm thinking projector headlamps, thoughts and opinions. « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Thetable
Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 02:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As anyone who has ridden a Uly after sunset knows, something needs to be done about the 55W front marker lights.

As much as I love Treadmarks' Deathray setup, I just can't bring myself to run it for the sake of those with retina still intact. The other options such as HID, I'm not a big fan of especially with the stock reflectors.

This leads me down the projector route. The projectors give a far better light pattern, and far more light from what I have seen. In doing a little searching on what I can find for cheap (I like cheap), I come across a few DOT and SAE tagged modules from Hella, which look to be sealed.

My preference would be DOT headlights, but I really think the SAE headlights would be the best fit both aesthetically and physically.

So here are the options:

50mm module DOT legal, probably would be the easiest to fit, but is both the ugliest and the most expensive at more than double the price of the other offerings. The other downside is, the high and low modules use difference bulbs (H9 and H7 respectively)


75mm SAE module, best looking of the bunch, and would be least likely to garner undue attention. This would be my first choice if only it were labeled DOT.


90mm DOT module, I'm pretty much, meh, on the look, not nearly as horrible as the 50mm modules, but would be a bit of a tight fit by my thinking. The only other issue is they run an H9 which is usually a 65W bulb. That may be pushing towards the limits of the stock wiring harness.


Right now, I am leaning to mocking up a set of the 90mm modules and seeing if I can cram them in the space available. If anyone has any thoughts or recommendations, please let me know.

And just for the record, but not in my price range, they also have a nice bi xenon module... Hmm, I miss having two headlights on at all times, but do I miss it $1200 bad? Hell that's more than I paid for my first car and first motorcycle combined.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hughlysses
Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 02:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thetable- Looks like an interesting solution to the light deal. Any idea how much this conversion will cost you?

For that matter, since a lot of current autos use projector beam headlamps, is this something we might be able to scavenge from the local junkyard cheaply?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cityxslicker
Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 03:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I know alot of the firebolt guys dont seem to care for them. search is your friend.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steve_mackay
Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 03:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've run those 90MM Hellas for about 18 months on the stock harness without ANY issue whatsoever.

I needed to heavily modify them, and make a bracket to make it fit the firebolt's fairing.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mackay.steve/HellaLigh tsForXB12XRSTT#

They are INCREDIBLY bright headlights. I started designing a who new front light setup for my wife's STT to use the 90MM Hellas. Hopefully have something by late spring, early summer.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Thetable
Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 03:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

@Hughlysses - I am trying to budget $300, but the actual modules are fairly cheap except for the first option. 130, 50, and 60 each respectively. The problem with junkyards, is that many of the projector modules are not sealed once they are removed from the headlight assembly, and many of the high and low modules in automotive headlights are different sizes, I guess, no big deal on that count, if you are into the BMW monocle look...


@Cityxslicker - It has been my understanding on the XBR front, that the complaint is more the module than projectors in general. I know way too many ZX14 owners who love their headlights, and I love riding behind them.

@Steve_mackay - that is exactly what I am looking for, well minus the 'Bolt fairing of course. Nice work there, hopefully I can make something work with a little less fabrication.

Well, if the new rubber doesn't get here before this weekend, I may break out the torx driver and see exactly what kind of room I have to play with.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steve_mackay
Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 04:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I can't recommend the 90MM modules enough. They rock! They are literally twice as bright, wider and longer pattern than stock uly lights.

If I run both high and low beams, I'll get flashed by oncoming vehicles. Can you Uly guys say the same thing? : )
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Florida_lime
Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 05:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If I run both high and low beams, I'll get flashed by oncoming vehicles. Can you Uly guys say the same thing?

YES
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Keith_mahoney
Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 - 01:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If I run both high and low beams, I'll get flashed by oncoming vehicles. Can you Uly guys say the same thing?

YES


I gonna have to go with yes also. Between the HID low beam and the aftermarket high, both beams on together really gets a reaction.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Treadmarks
Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 - 10:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If I run both high and low beams, I'll get flashed by oncoming vehicles. Can you Uly guys say the same thing?

Hmmmmmm.....Let me think on that for a minute.



That would be yes.....
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hughlysses
Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 - 11:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you run both high and low beams, pedestrians burst into flames!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chopped_burban
Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 - 07:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I can't wait to see how you make out with the 90mm. Right now I'm leaning towards Treadmarks mod with different (dimmer) bulbs, but I'm still a ways off from swapping mine out.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration