Brammo Owners Forum
Brammo Empulse Discussion => Brammo Empulse Mods => Topic started by: barboo on March 07, 2014, 10:54:50 PM
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Added a 35W HID/Xenon. Makes a huge difference at night. The one that I got has a half cover over the light bulb which limits the dispersion of light when used without a projector. I've done the same setup on my Ducati Monster and it worked well. Projector setup would be better, but this doesn't seem to blind people (or at least no one flashed or shaked their fist at me and I had the Monster for a few years) in their cars and you get much more light than stock H4 bulb.
Couple of pix are below. I hid all the wiring behind the headlight so you can't really see it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/Bagherra/IMG_0049_zpsde2aa7fd.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bagherra/media/IMG_0049_zpsde2aa7fd.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/Bagherra/IMG_0048_zps06da2288.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Bagherra/media/IMG_0048_zps06da2288.jpg.html)
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I did the same conversion on mine. While I appreciate the increase in lumens for less wattage, I'm not thrilled with the dispersion pattern, since the HID bulb is not located in the same place in the stock reflector as the H4.
I'm now considering finding some sort of LED headlight for which I can make a bezel and fit in the stock housing without the reflector. LED seems to be more efficient than even HID and a factory unit should focus much better.
I've been browsing the Clearwater and JW Speaker offerings.
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Interesting...other than having to Dremel the tabs a little on the light bulb clip fastener mine fit right in the same slot. I rode it a little around the neighbor last night and the beam pattern is pretty similar to stock with low scatter - just much brighter.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the LED lighting. That was my first option, but it seemed more difficult to obtain info so I fell back on what I knew.
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Barboo
So I'm fed up with the stock headlight and it seems that this is the best option for me. Is this the one you replaced with or would this one work?
http://www.xenonrider.com/products/h4_bixenon_hid_kits.shtml (http://www.xenonrider.com/products/h4_bixenon_hid_kits.shtml)
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This is the one that I got. What is specifically nice about this one (besides the price) is you'll note the bulb shield. This helps the light dispersion from the stock light without having to add a projector lense/mount for the bulb. I get great light at night without too much dispersion or blinding folks. I've tested it on my wife with her oncoming in her car and she confirmed I don't blind her - just bright usable light. ;D
http://www.ebay.com/itm/35W-12V-6000K-HID-Motorcycle-Kit-H4-3-9003-Bi-xenon-Hi-Lo-Bulb-AC-Slim-Ballast-/281420339446?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4185f598f6 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/35W-12V-6000K-HID-Motorcycle-Kit-H4-3-9003-Bi-xenon-Hi-Lo-Bulb-AC-Slim-Ballast-/281420339446?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4185f598f6)
A couple of other thoughts:
1) Get 6K. IMO...besides better lighting, that Kelvin looks the closest to an OEM Audi/M-B/BMW car Xenon...makes it look it came OEM on the bike.
2) Make sure you get the slim ballast (my link has that).
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Thanks for the recommendation. That's a good price! I'm on the right track and going to shop little bit to see what's on the market, reviews, etc.
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Thanks for the recommendation. That's a good price! I'm on the right track and going to shop little bit to see what's on the market, reviews, etc.
Sounds good. Good luck hunting! :)
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Not to hijack the thread topic, but, since you're researching, you may want to check out a whole other option;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275)
Certainly, the price is right. I paid 6X that price for an LED H4 bulb a year ago and have been very happy.
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Not to hijack the thread topic, but, since you're researching, you may want to check out a whole other option;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275)
Certainly, the price is right. I paid 6X that price for an LED H4 bulb a year ago and have been very happy.
Good price!! Is that just plug and play??
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Not to hijack the thread topic, but, since you're researching, you may want to check out a whole other option;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275)
Certainly, the price is right. I paid 6X that price for an LED H4 bulb a year ago and have been very happy.
I actually been eyeballing the VLEDS link that you included in another thread. What I noticed is the higher the Lumens the higher the price. After reading, price comparison, install instructions, etc. I actually like the VLEDS because they seem to be the brightest and easiest to install. However that link now reroutes you to a pair of h4 instead of the single for a motorcycle. I emailed them and asked for more info... They have a new brighter LED (V3) tail light I'm interested in too.
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It should just fit the H4 receptacle in the headlight shell. The leads plug into the headlight plug. The only challenge I had was moving the rat's nest of wiring out of the way and holding them there with tie wraps to make room for the finned fan on the back of the LED "bulb."
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High beam went out this morning...low beam still works, but time to replace the bulb....
I am a simpleton and need plug and play simplicity...but might go ahead and get that led....
Off to eBay...
I assume I get h4 style...is there a brighter one than 1500 lumens?
G
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What about this one?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PFJXV9S/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1417572549&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PFJXV9S/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1417572549&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70)
G
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I just dunno, Gavin. Cree is good. But it's made in China and has dicy specs: no lumen output figures... just says the 14 LED's are as bright as an 80W bulb. How do you begin to focus 14 LED's?? And it appears there's no high/low beam focusing. Besides, should we really trust a supplier named "Egodirect"?
This one is similar to the one I got from the same company, 3000 lumens, but $130 for two. ($75 vs $15)
http://www.vleds.com/headlights/h4-vx3.html (http://www.vleds.com/headlights/h4-vx3.html)
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Last question...do I just need a bulb (hence plug and play) or do I need the controller box too?
G
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This one is similar to the one I got from the same company, 3000 lumens, but $130 for two. ($75 vs $15)
http://www.vleds.com/headlights/h4-vx3.html (http://www.vleds.com/headlights/h4-vx3.html)
This looks like the same setup for $30 plus shipping. Probably comes from the same factory.
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Xenon-White-Motorcycle-Headlight/dp/B00PQDUOSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417765906&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+LED+H4 (http://www.amazon.com/Power-Xenon-White-Motorcycle-Headlight/dp/B00PQDUOSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417765906&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+LED+H4)
One thing I don't like about a lot of the LEDs H4's is that they just change brightness between high/low, not aim. The one I linked above has two LEDs, but they seem to both be on in both modes.
I bought a pair to auxiliary LED's for $50 a pair on ebay. They are wonderful. My only complaint is that they are too bright to oncoming traffic. Someday I'll replace them with some sort of LED projector light.
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Mine has two LED's but when the second on comes on in high beam, it's aimed much further down the road.
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I like that from amazon...it does look identical to the VLEDS...
where did you attach the control box? seems there is little room for it...
G
This one is similar to the one I got from the same company, 3000 lumens, but $130 for two. ($75 vs $15)
http://www.vleds.com/headlights/h4-vx3.html (http://www.vleds.com/headlights/h4-vx3.html)
This looks like the same setup for $30 plus shipping. Probably comes from the same factory.
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Xenon-White-Motorcycle-Headlight/dp/B00PQDUOSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417765906&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+LED+H4 (http://www.amazon.com/Power-Xenon-White-Motorcycle-Headlight/dp/B00PQDUOSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417765906&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+LED+H4)
One thing I don't like about a lot of the LEDs H4's is that they just change brightness between high/low, not aim. The one I linked above has two LEDs, but they seem to both be on in both modes.
I bought a pair to auxiliary LED's for $50 a pair on ebay. They are wonderful. My only complaint is that they are too bright to oncoming traffic. Someday I'll replace them with some sort of LED projector light.
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If you're asking me, i haven't replaced my headlight bulb yet. I'm waiting to see what everyone else does first :D. I added bar end mirrors then added LED lights to the old mirror mounts. It works great. The aim of the lights is adjusted just like the old mirrors were. It can even be done while driving. Unfortunately I don't think the lights will work if I ever get a windshield.
I think the brightness of the headlight is a secondary issue. I think the beam pattern (or lack of) is the main issue.
I like that from amazon...it does look identical to the VLEDS...
where did you attach the control box? seems there is little room for it...
G
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where did you attach the control box? seems there is little room for it...
G
I put the box near the top center of the space behind the whole headlight shell, once removed. I held it place with a wire wrap on either side, fastened to the metal dash support frame above it, so it sort of hangs. I also tie wrapped the other rat's next of wiring in two bunches, to the left and right and above where the LED cooling fan would go.
Viola:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/14074602728_df6ecdd4e3_s.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nrJ23h)VLED Controller (https://flic.kr/p/nrJ23h)
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3 years ago I bought this kit to another bike that ultimately do not install, is a bi-xenon HID kit, and I need help. where the round terminal is connected to the Empulse?
Any recommendation for our Empulse how to install this kit?
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This weekend, I replaced my stock H4 bulb with an SpeedMetal LED I purchased from my local Cycle Gear. I chose them as the lamp had decent reviews and Cycle Gear has a good return policy in case it does not work out. http://www.cyclegear.com/SPEEDMETAL-LED-Conversion-Kit (http://www.cyclegear.com/SPEEDMETAL-LED-Conversion-Kit)
Installation was pretty strait forward but not quite plug and play. The metal ring is on a color that slides over the the front of the lamp to allow you to install the parts that normally slide over the back which can't because of the heat sink. It does have the flat edge on one part which I have read several lamps did not. The only thing that did not fit was where the plastic for the screws holding the metal ring prevents the locking collar from seating. I trimmed these with a hack saw as that was what was handy, but a Dremel would have been a bit easier. After that, things fit fine. I did not find a good place to mount the module so I used a couple of zip ties to attach it to the existing wire bundles.
The beam is not as focused as the original lamp, but is significantly brighter. I don't get as distinct line between light and dark which is helpful when adjusting the height on the garage door, it fades out a bit more gradually. The light is pretty well contained when on dim. On bright, everything, including the upper portion of my garage door, gets lit up. It is nice and even with no discernible hot spots, but a lot of the light is needlessly going up when on bright.
I briefly road tested it, but did not get out into a dark area so the exact beam was hard to distinguish from the street lamps. Assuming no rain on Wednesday, my ride takes me to a much better area for testing. I didn't mind the stock lamp on bright, but dim was just horrible. The light is much whiter from the LED and dim seems at least as good, but more road testing is needed.