headlight upgrade

[Captain Haddock]

As far as leds are concerned they are far too directional for a main light and not that great for a side light for the same reason, the spectrum is also too restricted to give a good view as lots of colours will just not reflect the light, the same as low pressure sodium streetlights make everything yellow, brown, or invisible, if you're not mugged by a well tanned chinaman forget the ID parade being useful.

[Major Rant]

OK as an additional light but as a main source of illumination they are highly illegal,

:agree 
The real reason that LEDs aren't installed as main light source in mainstream automobiles is that they have problems at the low and high ends off their temperature range.
At -40C they are too bright - now that could be controlled but it would be expensive.
At +125C it is impossible to drive them hard enough to generate enough light without them getting too hot. That could be solved with a refrigerator - again expensive.
So they are 'uncertifiable' for Automotive 'main light' applications.

They did however issue a 'special dispensation' for the Audi R8.

Frankly in the UK you could use them but just don't expect them to work on a hot day in Arizona during a total Eclipse.

[Major Rant]

It lives !!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6000K-HID-H4-3...7664413200

I can confirm that the above £22 Chinese wonder HID works fine , even if it does take 30 days to arrive.

Its just 1 HID capsule and it waggles up and down on a solenoid rocker for dip/main-beam.

Wires direct to the battery with its own fuse, you route the cable harness under the tank, attach the dip and main beam input cables to the green and yellow wires in the box under the tank (I soldered them in cos I hate screw connectors). Tuck the ballast behind the screen next to the rev-counter secured to the right fairing bracket with a cable-tie. Second cable tie round the right hand fairing shelf panel to hold the control box and hold the wiring out of the way of the forks.

No other problems (except one of the connectors can be 'reverse inserted' so its not quite idiot-proof  :o ).

[helen]

cheapest...a small head torch I reckon  :lol

I went for both lights wired on, with uprated bulbs. Haven't ever tried the HID option, bike's so old I'm worried it might fry the wiring!

[Major Rant]

bike's so old I'm worried it might fry the wiring

HIDs are lower power than the standard bulbs. 35Watt HID vs 55/60Watt Halogen H4 or H1.
They just emit more light and less heat!

[bikerboys]

Slaninar - the H1 bulb holder should hold it in but mine didn't either. In the end I used a pared down split wooden clothes peg to brace the holder between the clip and the holder.

:rollin I would not trust it  got this instead http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-H1-X...0711664787