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[Chief]

Delivered more than 12 hours ago.  Are they on yet?

Yes and no. I've got a conflict with the harness / clutch cable combo hitting the back of the low beam bulb. I don't know how much room you've got, but I'm definitely hitting.

The problem stems from the fact that the OEM bulbs have right-angle connectors while the HID bulbs come out straight. Total length is over 1 inch extension from behind the bulb. The culprit is a main branch of the harness, I believe it to be the Ultra Overlay Harness that loops in underneath the radio. It hits with the wheel striaght, and with a right turn, gets worse as the harness extends further forward.

I'm playing a game now of trying to relocate / reroute the offenders to eliminate any conflict. I've already lost one locking tab due to excessive side force on the socket.

So far, not a problem free install.

The lights kick butt, but I would like to be able to bolt the fairing on.

[hd-dude]

Chief;
You may want to try to install the ballast and relay and leave the bulb leads hanging below the radio area.Then pull the headlamp housing out of the fairing (4 T-25 screws). Then put the fairing back on and you will be able to see and manipulate the offending harnesses / cables. I had to do this on an install yesterday.

[Chief]

Chief;
You may want to try to install the ballast and relay and leave the bulb leads hanging below the radio area.Then pull the headlamp housing out of the fairing (4 T-25 screws). Then put the fairing back on and you will be able to see and manipulate the offending harnesses / cables. I had to do this on an install yesterday.

Well, I got it. The offender is the main audio harness bundle, along with the clutch cable. A few cable ties looping up to the bottom of the radio allowed me to raise the bundle just enough to get the necessary clearance.

My only concern is IF this bike ever has to go to the shop, the tech opeining the fairing in SOP, may result in a broken bulb. Maybe the process will require removing the headlight assembly as you suggest before taking it to the shop for service.

[Twolanerider]

Yes and no. I've got a conflict with the harness / clutch cable combo hitting the back of the low beam bulb. I don't know how much room you've got, but I'm definitely hitting.

The problem stems from the fact that the OEM bulbs have right-angle connectors while the HID bulbs come out straight. Total length is over 1 inch extension from behind the bulb. The culprit is a main branch of the harness, I believe it to be the Ultra Overlay Harness that loops in underneath the radio. It hits with the wheel striaght, and with a right turn, gets worse as the harness extends further forward.

I'm playing a game now of trying to relocate / reroute the offenders to eliminate any conflict. I've already lost one locking tab due to excessive side force on the socket.

So far, not a problem free install.

The lights kick butt, but I would like to be able to bolt the fairing on.

My overlay harness for the Harmon Kardon stuff was routed up over the top of the radio.  When installing all the Harmon Kardon and HawgWired stuff it just looked like the most obvious place to it (since I didn't have anything to directly compare against that weekend).  No hard rubs on anything on the red bike. 

Keep plugging.  A routing will present itself.  You need a beer  .

[Twolanerider]

Well, I got it.

Damn, got to read ahead in a thread before answering sometimes. 

But it's done!

Yeah!!

HID rocks  !

[Chief]

Damn, got to read ahead in a thread before answering sometimes. 

But it's done!

Yeah!!

HID rocks  !

Jim's suggestion of pulling the headlamp was a great one. It really makes it easy to see exactly what the environment is.

Initial observations: I got the 4300k HID which is real white. Doesn't matter, when compared to the yellow 881's in the spots, its still a terrible match. Need to do something about the spots.

Part of the benefit of installing the new lights is aiming the headlamp. Mine was so WAY low, it was hitting the ground about 30 feet in front of the bike. No wonder 2Lane's outshone mine so bad. It was like walking with a flashlight it was aimed so low. I'll be benefitting from better lights AND proper aiming. I suggest everyone check the aim of your lights. The factory sets them WAAAAYYYYY low.

Not dark enough yet for real testing, but I'm heading back out in a few for some on-road testing and adjusting.

More to come.

[Chief]

I got a chance to ride a bit last night. Overall, very pleased with the upgrade.

I did notice that motorist's behavior in my presence has changed a bit. It appeared that they were more aware of me. I noticed that people moved over more readily that I'm used to. The response was similar to the response I get on the '99 with my amber spots. I can only assume they think I am some official vehicle; either that, or they can't see chit with me behind them and want to get rid of me. Either way, I'll take it.

I wish the hi-beam reflector optics were better because I think we're losing possible range with the hi-beam. When the hi-beam on, you don't get that immediate range doubling, but mainly, just more light. A tighter focus would be very beneficial.

With that said, the difference from my poorly aimed stock set-up is trememdous. Some of that is from proper aiming, and some from the new units. Since both were done at the same time, I can't separate out the difference.

Now, I have to admit that I goofed when doing the install. I never saw the extra cable ends they supplied until I was cleaning up. I did read the instruction sheet all the way through, but the information given was pretty rudimentary. The never mentioned the extra connectors.

The extra connectors are needed to connect the OEM wires to the ballasts. The connectors that come on the ballasts do not mate to the OEM connectors on our bikes. If I had used the supplied extra connectors, I would not have cut the GDO harness like I did. Instead, I cut off the ends of both the GDO harness and the ballasts and installed Deutsch connectors. The Deutsch connectors work perfect, but it turns out this wasn't necessary.

This is a pretty expensive upgrade, but after riding with the new lights, I'm with Ernie in saying I can't ever go back to halogen. It IS that addictive.

I'd be glad to help anyone who wants to do this but feels its too much to handle. If you can get here, I can show you the light.

Chief

"I can see clearly now..."

[Twolanerider]

Chuck, your prior adjustment might not have been off that far.  The HID lights shoot differently.  I had adjusted my prior headlights to their most effective position.  Then after installing the HID's had to adjust them again much higher.  So you were likely pretty close to begin with for the old lights.  The improvement you're seeing is just HID.

[mr_magoo]

Thanks for all the tips guys mine should be here this week, can't what to finally see the light.

[Boatman]

I received my bi-xenon H4 setup on Friday from Hd-Dude and with tips from Jim, I installed it today (Thanks Jim).  I have not had a chance to ride yet with the new light.  I went directly to the battery with the hook up.  I mounted the ballast to the supplied bracket, then attached it to the RH speaker fairing brace (in the threaded hole), and then put foam between the ballast and the inner fairing.

My question is this-when I turn the ignition on, there is a humming/buzzing noise coming from underneath the fairing that I did not have before.  Is this noise normal?

Before putting the fairing back on, all I did was made sure hi/low beams worked, then buttoned her back up.  Now the fairing is back on, I hear the noise, so I don't know which piece is making the humming noise.

Thanks to anyone that can shed some light on the noise.

[hd-dude]

I received my bi-xenon H4 setup on Friday from Hd-Dude and with tips from Jim, I installed it today (Thanks Jim).  I have not had a chance to ride yet with the new light.  I went directly to the battery with the hook up.  I mounted the ballast to the supplied bracket, then attached it to the RH speaker fairing brace (in the threaded hole), and then put foam between the ballast and the inner fairing.

My question is this-when I turn the ignition on, there is a humming/buzzing noise coming from underneath the fairing that I did not have before.  Is this noise normal?

Before putting the fairing back on, all I did was made sure hi/low beams worked, then buttoned her back up.  Now the fairing is back on, I hear the noise, so I don't know which piece is making the humming noise.

Thanks to anyone that can shed some light on the noise.

Have not heard any buzzing before on these, I have installed a few now and the only noise that I have is a bit during the initial start-up. When you made up the molex connector are you sure the polarity is correct? Not sure if it would even work if it wasn't but just a thought. Let me know.

[Twolanerider]

Bob, on both my own and the other bike I've done these lights to there is a noise at their start up.  It's not a buzz or a humming or a crackle and pop; but it is almost a little bit of all those.  Really can't describe it accurately.  But whatever it is is quick, sudden when the ballasts are energized, then just as quickly goes back away.

[Chief]

I do hear a 'singing' when I turn the bike on, especially if the fairing is not closed up. It's kind of in the same octave of the fuel pump, not real hi-freq, but high enough.

I will make one note on installing them, and that is to not do as I did and stick the ballasts on top of the CB and XM modules. I am getting definite interference through the radio, especially on weak stations. I'll have to find more appropriate locations for the igniters.

[Boatman]

When you made up the molex connector are you sure the polarity is correct? Not sure if it would even work if it wasn't but just a thought. Let me know.

Jim-
I crimped the wire connectors on the wires, and then stuck them in the connector so the red's would match up and the black's would match up to the other connector.

When I switch from hi to low beams, I hear what I guess is the relay clicking.  I rode to work this morning, they (lights) stayed on, and the volt gauge read 14V like it should.

There is just a constant light hum coming from the radio area of the fairing with the ignition on.  Can't hear it with motor running.

The other module (small box) I assume is the excitor.  It is mounted close to where the radio antenna plugs in.  The AM radio works but I noticed it cuts out under overpasses so I need to see if the antenna lead is slightly ajar from radio or the excitor needs to be moved from the radio antenna plug area.  

[Boatman]

I will make one note on installing them, and that is to not do as I did and stick the ballasts on top of the CB and XM modules. I am getting definite interference through the radio, especially on weak stations. I'll have to find more appropriate locations for the igniters.

Chief-I may have to move the excitor also then (at least the small box that doesn't look like a relay and is not the ballist).

Looking at their website again, the excitor is made into the ballast.  Then there is 2 relays (relay and then a high/low relay).