Author Topic: The great/rubbish light debacle... (Read 27339 times)

dcurzon · « **on:** 27 January 2014, 03:03:19 pm »

FZS600 headlights. Rubbish! Sharks, Great!
So having dabbled with setting the rhs to do dual beam, then upgrading the halogens to Osram Nightbreaker, then moving to HID, i'm still not moved by the headlights. Whilst so far, HID has been the best of the bunch, the light is rather spattered everywhere with very little control.
So i bought a spare headlamp assembly, with the intention to start trying projectors. I spoke to a company in the Netherlands about a loom, and they think that good projectors wont fit without a little modification to the headlamp. So i've sent them the headlamp. They are going to do the fitting including any modifications that need to be made. This way, they can offer a kit complete with any modifications, specifically for the 98-02 box eye.
Mistake #1. Box was a little large and i got clobbered on the postage as it put the weight to just over 2kg. Under 2kg would have been much cheaper.

Anyhow, if you want to see sme of their work, this is a z750-z1000 headlamp that they had to make a custom kit for:


Kawasaki Z750 (07-12) Z1000 (07-09) Bi xenon projector retrofit Mini H1

Step 1 completed - Send headlamp unit away.

Tefer · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 January 2014, 03:32:25 pm »

will follow this thread closely

Fuzzy · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 January 2014, 04:08:39 pm »

Me too, I will follow this thread with interest!

Will the projectors be designed to work with HIDs, halogens or both?

dcurzon · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 January 2014, 04:26:47 pm »

H1 hid. The hi/lo is handled by the projector

dcurzon · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 January 2014, 05:40:23 pm »

I dropped my Dutch contact an email, to let him know they were on the way to him (budget cheapest royal mail i could, i was already getting stung for the weight... anywhere between 3-8 days before it arrives there).
I also asked about the adjustability of the projectors - if a custom bracket has to be made, would the lights still be adjustable, or would it be a case of opening up the headlamp, shimming the projectors accordingly then resealing them.
Just had his reply:
"Hi Darren,
Okay, look forward to receive it. As for the adjusters, they will still work!"

So thats nice

I'll let you know what i have asked for him for...

2x Mini H1 bi-xenon v6 projectors, LHD for UK

Any shroud that he thinks will look good and will fit (probably mini gatling gun)

LED Angel Eyes in white (these will appear with a yellow tint when not on and bright white when on). These will be connected to the sidelight 'p' position, but i may fit an inline switch so i can choose to have them on or not when the lights are on. These should be bright enough to provide a bit of close range lighting.

Loom, so i can fit the ballasts under my seat with a direct connection to the battery, and a relay controlled by my H4 connector to operate the on/hi/lo for both projectors.

Stage 2 complete. Remember to let them know theyre on the way, and a list!

johna6968 · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 January 2014, 07:07:31 pm »

Stuck with the original single headlight on my Boxeye but have upped my intake of fresh carrots

mobile mouse · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 January 2014, 10:10:00 pm »

What is the cost....

dcurzon · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 January 2014, 10:34:56 pm »

Dunno. I only sent the headlights today. What's the cost of not being able to see?

The angel eyes will bump the price up, as I've asked for the xb-led. Ccfl angels cost less, and not having any at all even less! But I already have hid stuff so I'm not paying for bulbs or ballasts.

I'm going to look at under seat mounting options for the ballasts. Space isn't an issue as all my crap goes in the givi box. Will probably knock up a mounting plate or summat. There'll be room. Currently I have them bonded to the inside of the fairing sides but would prefer more weather resistance.

darrsi · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 January 2014, 09:16:16 am »

It is quite embarrassing when you get these little scooters heading towards you with the brightest of lights as standard, and yet ours can't even light the eyes of a cat up, even after upgrading the bulbs.

dcurzon · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 January 2014, 10:00:48 am »

Quote from: darrsi on 28 January 2014, 09:16:16 am

It is quite embarrassing when you get these little scooters heading towards you with the brightest of lights as standard, and yet ours can't even light the eyes of a cat up, even after upgrading the bulbs.

I remember when i picked this bike up, it was dark, i was riding on a fairly major 'A' road, but scooters were passing me because i just couldnt see a goddam thing. I stopped several times just to check the lights were actually on!

darrsi · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 January 2014, 03:34:57 pm »

Just found this, they mention mods using lights off a 400 or a 1000?

What went wrong with the 600 then, did the light man take the week off sick?

http://fazerowners.yuku.com/topic/5831#.UufMVBBFDIU

bootz76 · « **Reply #11 on:** 06 February 2014, 12:39:49 pm »

How is the light upgrade progressing??
They offer discounts if we buy a certain amount as
A club or forum. But how good are the the
Projectors ?

dcurzon · « **Reply #12 on:** 06 February 2014, 03:34:06 pm »

I've been quite ill this week so haven't followed up at all. I would assume snail mail has delivered my parcel by now. Yes, they do a 'group buy' option.
Attached image is a bmw car running the same projectors... although thats like comparing apples to oranges

Fuzzy · « **Reply #13 on:** 06 February 2014, 06:37:13 pm »

I wonder if they'd do halogen projectors?

Might be a cheaper option for some who don't necessarily want HIDs.

dcurzon · « **Reply #14 on:** 07 February 2014, 06:01:20 pm »

I dropped a follow up to check they ha arrived, got reply

Hi Darren,

Yes they’ve arrived safely! And I’ve already been working on them this week, opened them up and designed the brackets already on the computer. Now the files are at the steel constructing company which fabricates them for me, they should be here within 2 weeks so then I hope to give you an update! J

Kind regards / Met vriendelijke groet,

So I don't expect to hear anymore for a few weeks, which isn't a bad thing as I'm out of monies anyway and that'll be near payday for me.

dcurzon · « **Reply #15 on:** 07 February 2014, 06:16:10 pm »

Regarding cost, I can only speculate and make a guess that the cost for a kit would be similar to their z1000 kit, which contains
Projectors
Bulbs
Ballasts
Wiring harness with relays
Shrouds
Rubber dust caps
Custom brackets/plates for fitting
2yr warranty
Which is £178 depending on the strength of the pound against the euro (215 euro)

But that's just my guess. I will of course, try and push for a good discount for foccers, they are aware that there's a lot of interest from an owners group forum

Fuzzy · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 February 2014, 02:39:30 pm »

Yes, I'm pretty interested in this and would pay that price if it's as good as it seems. Been looking at their website & vids from their current and old "Motorsticker" website and am impressed.

thunderpantz · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 February 2014, 02:42:10 pm »

Following with interest

Fuzzy · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 March 2014, 12:36:56 am »

I know you've been tied up with other things recently Dcurzon, but any news yet regarding the headlights? Been eagerly returning to the thread for updates!

dcurzon · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 March 2014, 09:38:42 am »

My last update was that the custom back plates had been done and all fitted perfect, but I've been off work for a bit so haven't touched base recently. I had also told the fella that I'm in no rush so he's been doing it as a side project an putting his paid work first

I'm back at work Monday so will follow up then :-)

Fuzzy · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 March 2014, 05:48:04 pm »

Ah, okay thanks, glad I haven't missed a new thread or something as been away from the forum for a bit. Will keep the thread bookmarked

papercutout · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 March 2014, 06:46:43 pm »

Interesting thread.

My Fazer has this on, with a bright phillips bulb, and it thoroughly outdoes the stock lights. My mate with a Honda Hornet was annoyed the other day, because it was brighter than his bike too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120877230329

midden · « **Reply #22 on:** 20 March 2014, 07:02:10 pm »

It's my understanding that Jehovas refuse blood transfusions on the belief they will take on the personality of the donor. I hate to take on the personality of a BMW driver

dcurzon · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 March 2014, 04:19:47 pm »

Followed up, reply:

Quote

Hi Darren,
I’m working on headlights again tomorrow and my estimate is that we can finish your headlight this week, so it will arrive probably at the end of next week! J
Kind regards / Met vriendelijke groet,

As i've previously pointed out, i'm in no hurry and the fella is fitting this around his paying customers work (although admittedly i thought it'd be done by now). At least it should mean that an all in one DIY kit will be readily available

davidkent · « **Reply #24 on:** 02 April 2014, 07:55:36 pm »

Quote from: midden on 20 March 2014, 07:02:10 pm

It's my understanding that Jehovas refuse blood transfusions on the belief they will take on the personality of the donor. I hate to take on the personality of a BMW driver

I drive a 3 series and ride a foxeye 600, what does this make me? Lol