Hella headlights for firebolt

[snrusnak]

Can anyone provide any additional info on this:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,8910.0.html#.VFq-mvnF-0A

I desperately need a headlight fix for my firebolt, and am willing to spend $100 or so dollars and take a day to make an adapter plate, but I don't have a whole lot of info on these lights. Why do they look differently(is one low beam, one high beam?). Any info on what I'd need to buy as far as part numbers for low and hi beam, etc would be greatly appreciated. And these should just wire straight up to the existing harness right? I know I'll have to make it fit to the connector, but nothing else right(such as relays, resistors, whatever...)?

[Sirius815]

http://www.amazon.com/Hella-90mm-Headlight-Connectors-Adjusters/dp/B000CSWB4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415234669&sr=8-1&keywords=hella+low+beam+90mm

They look different due to being low/high beam. The connections are likely different as Hella's are H9 and I don't remember what the firebolt bulb type is. Not that big a deal really.

No need for hacking up the harness as "standard" headlight bulbs are all ~45-55W - doesn't matter what type of bulb socket.

Also - a bi-halogen (low and high in one) - http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-009998021-Bi-Halogen-Headlamp-Module/dp/B0030YWKYW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=182DJ9Y5J5DTJEG8KZVN

[Shawns]

I modified my oem lights to hake h4 led bulbs.http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/17116_20140411035657_L.jpg

[Sirius815]

That'll probably be my next "mod" - get rid of the HID and do LEDs.

[snrusnak]

I appreciate the help. I'm poor with electronics and don't really know anything about lighting. I'm fine with halogen bulbs as long as they are decent. With the stock lights with the reflective coating gone I have literally no light. I mean looking into the lights they are bright, but they don't reflect out, I can only see about 5 or 10 feet in front of me. I think I"ll try the hella low and high beam lights, I'm on a budget and need it done fast. I'll update when I get to it.

[Sirius815]

You can get an HID set cheaper and they'll be bright enough. Or you try the LED bulb. In either case, there's really no rewiring to do and it'd be quicker to do than fitting the Hella's.

Granted, the Hella set is going to have a much better light pattern than a HID retrofit kit in halogen projectors, but you know.

[Shawns]

I did the led's so both bulbs would be high and low. I'm not a fan of the separate lights for high and low. Just drill out the lights a little larger to accommodate the larger bulb and trim the bulb base with a cut off wheel so you can use the stock retainers

[snrusnak]

you say "you know" about the hid's, but I really don't know...

I know very little about this, I have no problem with separate high/low beams, or integrated ones either. I just want decent lighting so I can ride at dark. Doesn't have to be bragging rights, just so I can see what's ahead. I figured halogens would be cheapest, easiest, and best for the buck. I'm a fan of leds, so that is certainly an option, I just don't know anything about it or how to go about it. I'm shying from hid because every hid retro fit I've ever seen has always been a complete hack job.

[Sirius815]

How'd you do the high and low for the bulbs?

[snrusnak]

so say I wanted led's, what are my options? Can you post some links so I could see some lights, and prices? Thanks in advance...

[nicholas900]

I'd look into what Shawn's did. Google LED H4 bulbs. You would have modify your light assemble for the H4 bulbs to fit and change the wiring plug. Or just go with H3 LED bulbs which I think would fit with no mods.

You bike came with H3 bulbs which are single filament two wire bulbs meaning one light on for normal, to make it brighter you add another light with your "bright" switch. H4's are dual filament three wire. Each bulb has a low and high beam inside it. The H4's could be wired up so both lights are on all the time, and when you hit your bright switch they will both get brighter.

One thing about LED lights is the bulb produces hardly any heat. For instance I have a LED headlight, after a ride I can touch the lens and it's not really even warm.

I'd bet if you go with LED bulbs you could rattle can your burned out reflectors "chrome" and be good to go.

[Shawns]

I made my own harness as my bike is an 1125 and I did the firebolt fairing. You can pick up sockets from Napa or Autozone and they are real easy to wire in, If ya need help just ask and I can draw something up for ya, There are some second gen led lights out there now too. Some are 3200 lumens per bulb, I believe stock halogens are 35 watts which are around 800 lumens i believe the calculation is 20-25 lumens per watt.

[snrusnak]

Well my first attempt at fixing my lights was to rattle can the housing with a silver "high reflective" paint. It didn't work at all. The only led lights I found online are extremely expensive (over $500 per light). That's way out of my price range.

[oh9bolt]

Gascap, DDM HIDS are 100% plug and play. If you go that route I can help you with any pics you need or any questions you have.

[nicholas900]

LED H4 BULB (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=16&ved=0CG4QFjAP&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpcycles.com%2Fproduct%2F138-836&rct=j&q=led%20h4%20bulb&ei=fZxfVNaNIsSZgwTVnIOIBg&usg=AFQjCNGs1th3KnnMVXHKRr83vvHoFuA5oA&sig2=u5koyYv0a7nxtiqIdh1HUw&bvm=bv.79189006,d.eXY)

[thrstrmech]

got these on ebay when I did the S to R conversion...I'll dig for the info who sold them

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/10624_20121206144352_L.jpg
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/10624_20130104102335_L.jpg

[Shawns]

Led bulbs are way cheaper no disrespect nicholas900 that style of replacement bulb is no bueno. Here are a few:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Headlight-Conversion-Kit-H4-9003-Bi-Xenon-Brighter-Than-HID-/181419081075?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a3d6b7d73&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hid-Replace-Waterproof-Car-Integrated-LED-Headlight-Lamp-Conversion-Kit-H4-6000K-/221424968253?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item338df4e23d&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cyron-Headlight-Bulb-LED-Retrofit-Kit-Motorcycles-ABH4K-Conversion-6000K-/181486355580?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a416e047c&vxp=mtr

[snrusnak]

Thanks everyone.

Jesse, can you email me more info? What's so special about HIDs that everyone likes them? Like I said above every time I've seen a HID conversion it's been a hack job so I have a bad taste in my mouth about HIDs.

thrstrmech, are those halogens? They look good, any info appreciated.

shawns, will led bulbs work if my housings have no reflective material left? My housings are junk, they don't reflect at all...

[Shawns]

Yes they will still project, not as well as they should with the correct reflective coating. Here are a few options:
http://www.alsacorp.com/products/mirrachrome/mirrachrome.htm
http://chromepaint.com/shop/liquid-chrome/

Hid's are brighter, that's why everyone likes them. The down side is they put out more heat. This is why I went with the LED's

[snrusnak]

I did several attempts with rattle canning my housings with different silver, chrome, high heat, high reflective paints. I'm done doing that. I need to put in lights with new housings, that'll work. Whether they're halogen, hid, or led. If hid puts out more heat, that's fine, as long as the housings will hold up.

[Shawns]

With Hid's you run the risk of melting the housings. It may be rare but I have seen it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-in-Box-OEM-Headlight-Assy-XB12r-XB9r-All-Years-Y0421-02A8B-/261636000768?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AFirebolt&hash=item3ceab88c00&vxp=mtr

[Bullettooth023]

I had HID's in my 12 when I bought it. They were nice when they worked. Any little bump(wheelies included) would kick them off. Got so fed up with them I yanked them out a put an ultra bright set of PIAA bulbs in instead. Much better than stock but I would really like to do an LED conversion.

[pantstain]

Just wanted to post...don't go the theretrofitsource.com....I contacted them and apparently ALL of their kits have to be installed inside a seperate sealed housing according to them as they can't handle weather or road hazards such as rocks. So those are out (without lots of extra work I suppose)

[Sirius815]

That is correct. I contacted them years ago as they used to have a a projector that was completely sealed, although I believe it was a fog pattern.

Hella's may be the best alternative to stockers.

[thrstrmech]

snrusnak...they are halogens and look exactly like OEM...still looking for the info

[thrstrmech]

didn't find the info, however found a spare stock bulb you can have

[thrstrmech]

ebay has several OEM lights listed from 80 - 225 bucks, typed in "buell headlight"

[pantstain]

Not tryin to hijack but anyone seen the "dynamic ringz" turn signal/driving light combos that custom dynamics makes? The led clusters are cheap as hell...just gotta find a turn signal housing to fit our bikes to put it into that would look decent.

http://www.customdynamics.com/motorcycle_led_bulbs.htm#Genesis_LED_Clusters_

[snrusnak]

I still haven't done anything, but am planning on buying hella lights after the new year. I am just trying to decide if I should get one low beam and one high beam or two dual low/high beams. I think I'm going to go with the dual low/high beams. More light output, and will only cost about $50 more total.

[thrstrmech]

there's a thread on the forum of someone using the Hella's and made a new bracket for the lights. he did a great job with them. let me search for the thread...

[thrstrmech]

couldn't find the one on this forum, but found this one on Badweb here (http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/484051.html?1249176891)

[jetlee]

I used 60mm modules (from here (http://www.rallylights.com/hella-60mm-projector-headlamp-module.html)) on my 9R. I swapped the HB3 bulbs for 9011's; thought it was stupid bright before, it's crazy now.

Didn't require an adapter plate, just some minor clearancing/shaving on the stock brackets.

Low Beam:http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3028_20141222084822_L.jpg

Low/High Beam:
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3028_20141222084848_L.jpg

1st Installed look:
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3028_20141222085007_L.jpg

They look a little crooked in the photo, but after some better bracket clearancing and proper alignment, they look perfect.

[thrstrmech]

found where I bought the lights from...here (http://store.ijdmtoy.com/Land-Rover-Lincoln-Projector-Halo-Angel-Eyes-Headlights-s/203.htm?searching=Y&sort=5&cat=203&show=24&page=1) they have updated the lights

[Sirius815]

@ jetlee - Those are really nice!

[snrusnak]

thx. that bracket template will be helpful.

[thrstrmech]

[up]...the Hella's are really nice

[snrusnak]

Decided after riding my bike at 530 am this morning and not being able to see a damn thing that I'm ordering lights tonight. Buying these:

http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-009998021-Bi-Halogen-Headlamp-Module/dp/B0030YWKYW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=182DJ9Y5J5DTJEG8KZVN

Should be very nice! Will probably take a little while to make a nice bracket and get working, but will be worth it.

[gbalias]

im curious about real world data with using LEDs.


the output of an LED is so directional that you probably lose more than you gain. this was a problem in the past with early HIDs because it was hard to get the arc to be in the exact same location as the filament in an incandescent lamp. some of this is overcome by the light output of the arc lamp and better still HID vs LED because the HID is 'omnidirectional'.

I went through a couple manufacturers of HID lamps before i settled on one that matched the filament location of the stock bulb. it was a pain in the butt to try and figure out a system with a caliper to accurately measure them. but it makes a difference.

as of now, i think any LED 'conversion' is just a gimmick. for sure any LED conversion that would be less than a few hundred dollars which would also include a reflector/projector housing designed around the output of the particular lamp.

your best bet is still to find a high quality HID or a hella incandescent.

[snrusnak]

Thats why I bought incandescent, to avoid all the BS with hid or led swaps. I looked at led lights but they were like $700 each lmao.

[gbalias]

thats because they were probably actually engineered. lol

hid's have gotten much better. you just gotta really measure them.

[BambamXB12r]

Gbalias what kind of HID kit did you end up chosing?

[gbalias]

ive got Xenonrider slim ballast and DDM 3000k lamp


high beam is optilux XY

[gbalias]

the DDM's were the best in measurements. however, you will always have a sacrifice since the incandescent filament is perpendicular to the reflector parabola, and the HID arc is parallel. but i havent come across a perpendicular arc lamp

[snrusnak]

I got my hella lights in, they are awesome quality just by looking at them externally. Can't wait to get them fitted and wired up (may take a little while as other priorities have come up around the property...)

[Shawns]

I was thinking of giving these a shot. http://www.ebay.com/itm/251316936642?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Sirius815]

Careful with those as they are not sealed.

[Shawns]

Here is the next gen.

http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/products/auxiliary-lamps/modules/90mm-bi-led-module/

[Sirius815]

That's awesome!

[snrusnak]

I wanted to do the hella LEDs but unfortunately I can't afford the near 4 digit price tag (per light).